The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-10-01
WEST FLORIDAlS
IN ON RIVERS AND -
HARBORS MEASURE
Carries Authorization for Sur
vey of Bayou Chico, Black
water River and Others.
Especial to The Journan

WASHINGTON, D. O., Sept. 30.-As
finally passed by the Senate and
House, the 1922 Rivers and Harbors
Bill, which Is expected to be approved
shortly by the President, contains
many items Of interest and impor-
tance to West Florida, secured through
the efforts of Congressman J. H
Smithwick
OF particular interest to Pensacola Is
the Bayou Chico item, which directs
the Secretary Of War to make a sur
vey Of that body for the purpose Of
having an estimate submitted as to
the cost Of increasing the depth of
| that body Of water so as better to
meet the needs Of commerce and navi-
cation. The Improvement of Bayou
| Chico becomes necessary on account
: Of the industrial expansion Of Pensa-
cola, and to enable that port to fur
nish a more secure haven for ships
when storms approach. In the natural
order of things the next Rivers and
Harbors bill should contain an ap-
preparation for the amount the Army
Engineers estimate as necessary to
make the required improvements In
| Bayou Chico
! Another important item IN the bill is
that providing for survey OF Choc-
tawhatchee Bay and the East Pass en-
trance to that body Of water. The es-
Inmates of the Army Engineers, when
! the report Is In, will show how much
will be- required to deepen the channel
! through the Pass so that ships can en-
| To- 6tr hat
Some years ago Blackwater River
and bay We're surveyed, but the Gov
eminent survey at that time took no
account Of the needs of commerce and
navigation on Blackwater River above
Milton. The item for this survey
which Congressman Snithwick was
able to get into tho bill authorizes and
directs the Army Engineers to make a
report On the entire Blackwater Riv-
er, and this report will contain valu-
able information on the commercial
activities on the river as we'll as the
cost of improving 1t so as to take care
of the needs of commerce and naviga-
ton.
The only new project authorized In
this bill for the State Of Florida pro-
vides for the Improvement Of La
Grange Bayou in Walton County. This
project, which provides for the expen-
diture by the Federal Government OF
$3S, 900 to deepen La Grange Bayou to
the same extent as low water mark In
Santa Rosa Sound, was put over by
Congresman Smithwick, who secured
a survey and estimate for the work
two years ago, when the former Riv-
ers and Harbors Bill was passed
When the proposed improvements are
made steamers can reach Freeport
Florida at the head of La Grange
Bayou. without the difficulty and long
delays which are now experienced
during the season when low tides are
prevalent. Freeport IS not served by
anv railroad, and the stern wheel
steamers which navigate Santa Rosa
Sound furnish the only means OF
transportation for that growing city
land territory. 1t will mean much in
the development OF that rich territory
to be relieved OF the expense and un-
certainty Of transportation that is Of
ten delayed for long periods by low
tides.
The Chief OF Engineers. L. S. Army
will notify all OF the interested parties
at all OF the points where surveys
have been authorized in ample time
for them 10 prepare their data so as
70 make the best showing for thelr
respeetive communities when the en-
gineers hold their public hearings.
which will be a part of the work they
must do in completing the surveys.