Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-21
Hoover's Mississippi River Plan,

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Secretary Hoover, in a report to
the President, has pointed the way
to flood control of the Mississippi
and its tributaries. Stupendous as
the task may appear, it is not beyond
the skill and the resources of peo-
pie which made possible the union
of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
with the construction of the Panama
Canal.
The Secretary of Commerce, who
has been the directing head for the
Federal Government of the flood re-
lief work in the Mississippi Valley,
has made careful and detailed
study Of the problem of flood con-
troll. In preliminary estimate he
has told President Coolidge that it
will cost in the neighborhood of $780,
100000 spread over a period of ten
years to prevent a recurrence of the
disastrous flood of this year and to
develop the transportation facilities
of the great waterway as they should
be developed. This is comparable to
the cost of the Panama Canal. But
the cost, while it appears great,
should be no deterrent. The benefits
to be derived from proper control of
the food waters of the Mississippi
River and it's tributaries multiply
| many times the cost now suggested.
Indeed. Mr.. Hoover has estimated
| flooded area of this years inundation
will touch $225.000,000. And unless
| adequate flood control measures are
adopted the great river will take its
toll again and again in money and
lives.
There is no question that the
Mississippi River can be controlled
If a good and proper engineering plan
is developed" Mr.. Hoover declares.
The whole country will join with the
Mississippi River Valley in declaring,
Let us have it," The development
of such a plan and it's execution will
mean safety to 100000 persons and
perhaps many more who now are in
jeopardy Of flood waters of the river.
1t will mean the reclamation of
| 20 200, 900 acres of land capable of
supporting perhaps ten millions Of
American citizens.
Mr.. Hoover is himself an engineer.
He has proved himself time and
again a great organizer and execu-
tive. The plan for flood control of
| the Mississippi Valley which must
| be passed upon by Congress will in
large measure be identified with him,
| though he will, of course, have had
| the benefit of the advice and expert
ence of the ablest engineers in the
| country. 1t is not beyond the pos
sibilities that the Hoover plan" for
the control of the Mississippi flood
waters may become historic. If Mr..
Hoover's grasp of the situation and
his engineering knowledge make 1t
possible to obtain the adoption Of an
adequate flood control plan, he will
be deserving of the highest consid-
Grafton Of the American people
| Already his name to the people OF
the flooded district is an emblem OF
hope and help, of food and shelter
and clothing.
The flood control plan now pro-
posed by Secretary Hoover looks to
higher and wider levees, to the con-
struction of "spilIways" to the Gulf
in order to protect New Orleans and
the lower part of Louisiana. and to
| the erection of food basins and
storage facilities in the more north
ern part of the valley, caring fol
the waters of the tributaries.
No great project has ever beer
developed in this country without
controversy. Doubtless when Con.
gress convenes there will be strife
over the methods proposed for hoot
control. 1t is to be devoutly hoped
however, that such controversy viii
not delay indefinitely the work Of
flood control. Flood relief legisla'
ton may be an immediate necessity
Flood control, however, Is the rea
need of the people Of the Mississippi
Valley.