The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-02-17

II the levses that have been built TO
ham IN the flood waters a. the Missis-
gippt river ware stretched across coun-
try they would make q wall 20 feet
high, wide enough on top for a fine
highway, which would reach half across
the United States.
They have stopped floods by the Mis-
eisSippi river. The DISASTROUS overflows
in the lower valley country, which
caused this richest portion Of the ma
ton to be the most backward In de-
veloprnent do not occur any more.
Great foundations are not longer feared.
The hand Of mar has conquered the
1t has taken 400 years OF p~rodigious
toll and more than s100,9 00, coo to swing
the tide Of battle against the river ele-
ments. Before 1t finally was accom-
pished hundreds upon hundreds OF
thousands Of dollars and scores upon
scores Of lives VIE lost But the ter
the nations greatest calamities. have
passed into history.
More than 20, 000, 900 acres Of the rich
est farming land In all the world have
been made safe for farming, for devel-
opment Of communities. towns and
J cities and for the marclr-of civilisation.
This is an area greater than the state
Of Indiana; greater than the combined
area Of Vermont, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Even
now the portion undevloped, held bach
for fear of the river floods, is as great
as New Jersey, Delaware and Mary
land combined.
The most Serious thing faced in the
lower Mississippi valley SO far as its
future DEVELOPMENT now Is concerned is
the removal Of the prejudice that ex-
lists against the one-time low lands
due to/the old ideas people retain that
the river still overflows.
Bad News Travels Fast.
The country at large has been told
q great deal more about the disastrous
floods and the wreck and ruin they LEFT
than they have been told Of the stop
ping Of these disasters,
The great mass Of people throughout
the country still have a minds eye
picture of the river overlooking a.
regular periods, carrying away small
villages, homes, barns and fences. They
can picture the lonely farm home toss
ing along down the river with the
family perched on TOP, the family COW
a few drenched chickens and a few
household belongings done up In bed
ding alongside them. Many people still
believe that standing water exists ir
big marshes and bayous Just as exten'
sively as 1t did years ago. And they
still think that a human being risks
his all, including his life, II he tries Il
pioneer in the tower Mississippi val
It all rs due to the old floods and thu
awful havoc they wrought. 1t is JUS
n of the pictures one retains as {
reason for flood protection.
But things are different now. Levee'
protect and make safe the rich al
: luvial lands bordering the Mississippi
IN seven states touching on its lowe
reaches.
Twenty years ago--even 10 year.
ago-ths land in this richest OF ricl
valleys vas little sought. 1t was solt
IN great blocks for a pittance, a song
Nobody wanted 1t, save perhaps TO
the timber that grew in abundance
People we're afraid of 1t. They rernem
bered the periodical floods. At the tim,
Of The Civil war half the land in cul
tivation in the delta was turned bacl
to the states for taxes. For years aft
erward 1t was sold by owners whit
preferred getting rid Of it to paying
the taxes.
But how the times have changed
How different things now!
Delta farms in Arkansas, Mississippi
and Louisiana and in the small portion,
Of delta sections of Missouri an,
other states have been selling in tn,
last year for as high as $500 an acre
A. 220-acre farm near Bobo, Miss.
was sold the first Of the year to Wi
Counts for $500 an acre.