Evening star., 1927-10-30
CHAMBER TO HOLD
v:s FLOOD CANVASS
Four Proposals for Control to
Be Put Forward by CON-
81 =.
merCe Organization.

By the Associated Press.
A referendum on proposal that
the Federal Government take over the
entire Mississippi River flood control
problem has been decided upon by
the United States Chamber of Com
f1erce as a result of recommendation
ny one of its committees which has
Just completed a survey Of the food
area.
-Four proposals will be put forward:
That the Government pay the enti.e
cost of construction and maintaining
food control works from Cairo TO the
Gulf: that II assume sole responsibility
for locating and maintaining such
works; that adequate funds he made
available when needed and that
mississippi River legislation be dealt
with on it's own merits, and separate
and distinct from any other under
taking.
Committee Tours Area.
The committee, made up of busi-
ness men and engineers, has just
completed a trip through the flooded
areas. on which 1t was accompanied
by Lewis f. Pieerson, president of
the chamber. 1t visited the levee
breaks on both sides of the river and
f1cials and engineers, business men
and others throughout the territory.
I'VE are convinced" says the COM
mittee's report, that the country's
present wealth, our increasing ma
uonal solidarity, the interdepenGence
of various sections, the increa sing I'M
portance Of our great arteries of
commerce and our quickened national
consciousness call for removal of this
flood menace.
"The committee has not attempted
to develop a plan of its own, but has
directed its attention to determining
whether it is practicable to control
floods at reasonable cost by a system
of levees, spillways, outlets, etc. After
listening to many proposals and Sc
curing the judgment of the highest
engineering talent in the country,
both governmental and civilian-Fed-
era1, State and local-the committee is
impressed with the una nimity of view
that adequate control of the Mississip-
pi River is practicable.
Other Plans Supplemental.
'"The extent to which reservoirs, re-
forestration, etc, on the tributaries
and headwaterS would assist in the
control Of floods in the lower Missis-
II.
committee came to the conclusion
that, even if such measures should
prove helpful, not only would their
accomplishment require many years,
but they should be considered as sup.
piemental aids contributing an addi.
tlonal factor of safety In the future
control of floods.
Unfortunately the demand for food
control. calling for higher levees and
Tor other methods of flood control in
ehe interest, not alone of the affected
areas, but Of the Nation as a whole,
has outstripped the ability of the
hooded areas to pay. The history of
the levee districts shows that in some
instances districts have taxed them.
selves beyond their ability to pay. OF
Inc Twenty-Five levee districts stretch.
ing from Cairo % the Gulf, many have
reached their full legal-tax limit.
Many not only. cannot pay further
sums for the greatly increased ex.
pense required, but cannot pay their
existing obligations save at great
sacrifice.
Responsibility is Divided.
"The committee has found. that the
nresent arrangement. which calls for
local contributions and maintenance,
results in divided responsibility, and
is destructive of success in planning.
constructing, and maintaining the
works necessary for flood control.
In attacking tnis great national
problem In which the Federal Govern
ment must assume sole responsibility
Tor its solution, and pay the entire
cost OF the project, the project itself
must be definitely conceived and set
apart from all other domestic prob
llmC hn Cfr IoA -
solution considered and financed free
from any relationship with other ma
tional or local problems
I'VE have recommended that sole
responsibility for constructing the
works to control floods be placed upon
the Federal Government, and the pay.
ment of the entire cost by the Federal
Government. 1t is equally Important
that the plan of administration should
be centralized. There should be
carefully formed organization adapted
to carry on and complete a project of
SUCH proportions, vested with ample
power for the necessary research by
way Of preparation for the adoption
IN all matters of engineering, opera.
Gon and maintenance"
A traffic survey of the Mississippi
and other inland water routes border
ing upon it will be begun this week
by the Commerce Department. Sec.
retary Hoover has designated u. 8.
Titus. chief of the Commerce Depart
ment's transportation division. to
supervise the work, and with assist
ants Mr.. Titus expects to begin his
task at st. Louis, and follow UP by
further surveys from the Twin Cities
to New Orleans.
1t will be the object Of the investi.
cation to determine what traffic avail.
able now or potentially available for
water carriage of the river, either
through the inland waterway estab-
]ishment which the War Department
is now Operating or through addition.
al facilities which the Government or
private interests may provide. A con-
siderable corps Of Government agents,
with cooperation from commercial or
CARNATIONS interested, will be needed,
ad several weeks will be expended in
the effort.
The Inland Waterways Service.
which the War Department now oper.
ates, asked for the aid Of the Com
Ynerce Department in determining the
situation on the water routes and out.
lining proposals for policy in the
fBture.