Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-16
REBUILDING LEVEES
FAVORED BY JONES
Suggests Davis, Hoover and
Potter to Direct Study
of Problems.

Pointing out that food control on
the Mississippi is a problem requir-
ing expert engineering study. Senator
Jones of Washington, chairman or the
Senate commerce committee, beieves
there would be no advantage in hold
ing congressional hearings until the
various agencies Of the Government
at work on the problem are ready
to submit matured plans.
Senator Jones is back in Washing
ton for brief stay after having seen
at first hand the havoc wrought oy
this greatest of all Mississippi over
flows, and he has made up his mind
on certain phases of the procedure
Congress should follow.
He believes ievee damage caused
by this food should be repaired
promptly, aside from consideration
of other permanent plans for improv-
ing protection along the river.
Faith in Trio.
AS to the other steps that should
be taken to afford greater protection,
Senator Jones believes the country
would have confidence in recommen-
dations made by the Secretary Of War,
Secretary of Commerce Hoover, who
is also an engineer. and Col. Charles
T.. Potter, president of the Mississippi
River Flood Commission.
81 would have more confidence IN
ifs correctness than in the judgment
of any other three men in the
country" said Senator Jones. refer
ring 10 his suggestion that these
oficials make a combined study Of
the problem.
The chairman of the commerce
committee believes it would not be
safe 10 build levees in the vicinity OF
New Orleans high enough to carry all
the flood waters through a narrow
channel. even if it could be done. lie
feels. therefore. that one or more spill
Uavs should be constructed to carry
waters above a certain height to the
Gulg in another way
Senator Jones also has definite
opinion that flood control should not
be interwoven with water power de.
velopment through construction OF
reservoirs.
Summarizes His Views.
Summarizing the impressions he
gained By going. with other members
of Congress. on a tour or lnspectloIl
of the food area, Senator Jones SAD:
Early hearings by the commlttee
of commerce are urged by many: ne
solution of the food control problem
merits. Nothing will be gained by
starting hearings until the Govern
ment engineers and other agencies
connected Nth such studies are pre-
pared to present a fell matured plan:
also this is such an important matter
that the President will doubtless de-
sire TO submit to Congress his recon-
nendation for such action as he deems
wise. Around his recommendation
will our hearings very naturally re-
volve. It seems to me that it would !
be wise as well as courteous to await
such recommendation before hearings
are started.
There does not appear to be great
deal Of suffering now. The Red Cross
seems to have the situation well in
hand. 1t is doing a great work in a
wonderful way. The need for RELIEF
on account of suffering may be far
greater this Fall than it is now. This
food came so late and is lasting so
long that in many sections there will
be little, if any, production this year. |
This means not only high prices for |
what is produced but IL means lack OF |
for farm labor, especially. |
Nor is this condition confined to the /
flooded lands. Corn has not yet been |
planted in many States because Of ex'
cSSSiNG ram anu illdIlLAlA6 Ia soAAl6 " |
be so late that harvest prospects are
very dark indeed.
Repair OF Levees.
"In dealing with the flood situation
the first steps to be taken are those
necessary to repair the levees and put
them as nearly back to where they
were before the food. No new plan
or system could possibly be worked
out before next years floods shall
come. They may not be like this year.
but whether they are or not the best
way we can care for them is by re-
storing the levees. The money al
ready available will probably carry on
this work till Congress meets, whether
in December or earlier. Then we