Evening star., 1922-05-07
PREVENTION
SOUGHT FROM j. S.
Congressional Party Hears
Appeals at End of Tour
in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS, May 6.-The need
Of preventive, instead of remedial,
flood measures was urged upon the
congressional delegation which COM
pleted an inspection of Mississippi
river flood conditions here today,
after combined boat and rail trip
from Memphis, which began last
Monday.
At humber Of Informal hearings
members Of the party, which made
the river trip. heard the members
of levee boards, engineers and other
interested parties give their views
as to proper methods Of corraling
the outlaw river when it goes on its
annual "sprees." "Levee only" advo-
advocating other sure cures" were
given opportunity to express their
views informally.
Comm1ssi0n Il Urged.
Harold Newman, president of the
Association Of Commerce, and mem
bers Of the local flood control COM
mittee Informally urged various
President Harding to appoint a spe-
cial commission, to include the best
engineering talent, to work out some
plan that will prevent the river from
breaking through the levees.
Speaking for the congressional par
ty, Joseph E. Ransdel1, senior United
States senator from Louisiana, made
the following statement:
I'VE have arrived at the end of
very strenuous, most constructive
trip down the flooded Mississippi
river. We. have viewed the inundated
country on both sides of this vast
stream, which is the very artery of
are very fatigued. but all of US are
carrying back to Washington a most
comprehensive idea Of the flood time.
Serious Side Observed.
eve have seen samples of all kinds
of troubles that can come from over
flows. We have seen the wreck of
fortunes. We have seen the harrow
ing distress Of homeless humanity.
We have seen solid bulwarks Of
mendous rushing current Of the Mis-
sissippi when 1t carried the great
est content Of water between it's
banks in its history, and we have
marveled.
Every member Of our party was
lmprSSStO Win what ne saw
on the down-river trip. Above all,
they were impressed, believe, with
the magnificent country behind the
levees that must be protected. There
fore, we are taking back to Con-
gress a corps of champions that will
work night and day for the proper
expenditure of money and labor to
throw "a protection between these
fertile fields and the unmanageable
Mississippi whenever proper meas-
ures are introduced"
Following a busy day here, mem
bers of the committee left tonight
for Washington.
More Troops ON Scene.
An additional company Of national
guardsmen was today ordered to the
flood-stricken zone Of central Louis
lana to aid in caring for the refugees
and patroling levees. The state
troops are gradually extending their
efforts in the relief work. A num-
Der Of companies have been on duty
for several weeks and more are being
added.
Reports Of levee trouble in the low
er reaches Of the Mississippi and the
Atchafalaya river continue. A serious
break in the Mississippi levee near
Bayou Sara was narrowly averted
last night through the timely efforts
of engineers and levee workers.
Levee conditions are reported serious
ON the Atchafalaya. Reports from
the upper part Of Mississippi and
Louisiana indicate, however, that the
levees are holding wen and that dam
ger there seems to be diminishing.
t