The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-03

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| The law Of probability is that a
repetition of this sad and desolate
state of affairs may be looked for
next year, the next after. and so
on, with every annual cycle. The
solution Is both feasible and practi.
cable, and within the compass OF
probability. All that is needed to
begin effective action is the leader.
ship OF the Federal authorities, and
to the end that their attention may
be invited. strong movement has
been gotten under way.
The problem assumes an inter.
state aspect, and for this reason the
federal Government alone must
TAKE the initiative, on any opera
lions that make for bringing about
SUCCESSFUL results, to afford relief
OF permanent character.
Annually recurring floods, bring.
ing IN their wake loss Of life, ir.
reparahle destruction and desolation,
mere IN the rich and populous val.
ley OF the Potomac, can be averted
tnrough methods that have proven
et1ective in other sections of the
country.
Just now there is being completed
vast work, which has been under
way in the valley of the Miami. one
OF the larger rivers of western Ohio.
These operations have been in pro.
gress eight years, and with their
completion there is now assured
permanent relief from the de.
structive floods, which heretofore
nave ravaged a fertile and pro
ductive territory.
Conditions Similar Here.
The Miami is confined In its
course entirely to the state of Ohio.
and the action, in furthering this
project OF flood regulation, was
initiated by the legislature of this
great Commonwealth.
Inc cost OF carrying the work
through was assumed only by those
resident in the region affected. The
results obtained are well worth the
money expended Winter and spring
Ireshets Will no longer be a night.
| mare to the residents on the Miami
watershed,
Inc results attained in Ohio can be
obtained here in the Potomac val.
icy, and in more certain manner.
since the situation presented offers
opportunities for cooperative action
from Federal, State and municinaI
agencies, as we'll ais railroad and in.
dustrial leaders. The destruction
wrought every year extends over n
long and wide area and affects mum.
peerless communities, industries. rail-
roads and highly productive agri-
cultural sections.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroads
as Well as the Western Maryland's
engineers recognize fully the neces.
sity of early and effective action.
looking toward protection of their
respective properties and rights of
way, bordering the upper Potomac,
Inese TWO railroads alone suffered
losses during the present floods to
the extent of millions That th.s
catastrophe will repeat in future
years is certain. and in the simplest
sense active graphing with the sit
uation is imperative to avert the de.
struction that must certainly follow
II real and definite means are not
taken.
Data Is All Ready.
The problem is wholly of an Ell.
glneering character, and only en-.
gineers versed in this particular
branch of the profession may bring
ABOUT the solution with assurances
of success.
The available data at hand. gath
cred by the field forces of the De-
partments of Commerce and the In.
terror, extending back over a period
OF thirty or more years, on the sub
1ects of rainfall, stream flow and
topography of the Potomac's water
shed will give all the needed prelim-
mary information to serve as guide
for those who may be assigned to the
task of planning the works of flood
control.
Congress must certainly have had
some object in view in allowing aD.
preparations in former times to de.
fray the cost of gathering these
data. Their only use, of practical
worth, is for just such a situation as
that OF offering reliable guidance in