Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-13
FLOOD AID DRIVE
TO Be MADE HERE
Representatives of Three
States to See Davis and
JadWin Monday.
BY REX COLLIER,


HOT SPRINGS, Ark, September
13.-The Mississippi Valley. slowly
regaining its feet from the blow dealt
it by the food, is girding itself for a
concerted drive on Congress in behalf
of permanent flood control. With
Secretary Hoover listening in at
conference here yesterday. food rep
resentatives Of Arkansas, Mississippi
and Louisiana made the first official
move for an urgent appeal to the
American people to see that 'it never
happens again"
The Tri-State Flood Commission.
consisting of authorized delegates
from the three lower valley States
most affected by the flood and which
was appointed originally to co.ordi-
nate relief and reconstruction work in
those jurisdictions, decided to so to
Washington next Monday for CON
ferences with Secretary of War Davis
and Maj. Gen. Edgar Jhdwin chief of
engineers, preparatory to formulating
concrete proposals to Congress.
Hoover Lends Advice.
The conference yesterday had for
rehabilitation plans in the three
States mentioned, and it was for that
reason that Secretary Hoover was in /
vited to sit in and lend his advice. |
The meeting soon developed into q !
fiood-control discussion, with the rep
reSentativeS seeking the counsel of j
Mr.. Hoover with respect to levees, |
SpillwayS or whatever IS needed to |
regulate the river. Mr.. Hoover made |
81 ~1~~., L.. L. l.
down here is humanitarian in nature, |
and he pointed out that flood control |
Is the province of Secretary Davis |
and Gen. Jadwin.
The confereeS, therefore, decided to |
so to Washington and take the mat |
ter up at once with the War Depart |
mentment officials. The Commerce |
Secretary did suggest, however, that |
the valley States get together and |
agree on unified program in behalf |
OF flood control, and he indicated his |
belief that the three States which |
were the worst sufferers in the flood |
would do well to take the leadership |
in the movement.
Warning Is Sounded.
It is expected that the other States |
In the flood area will join whoIeheart- |
eddy with their Southern neighbors IN |
the undertaking. A succinct warning |
against "aX-grinders" was sounded at |
the meeting, according to those who |
attended the executive session. The |
commission was urged to agree on a |
definite and complete program for |
presentation to Congress and to avoid |
extraneous interests who may try to |
hang their hats on your hatrack." By |
this it is understood was meant petty |
politicians and others with selfish in |
terests at heart, other than the welfare |
of the flood sufferers.
The leaders in the Delta section live |
in dread fear of pork barrel tactics |
when flood legislation comes up for
consideration. They are extremely |
DESTROYS of going to Congress with
united front in behalf of sound and !
sensible legislation, and will bend
every effort to lift this legislation out /
of the realm Of lobbyists for Cow
Greek waterway projects, Squash
Center dams or other proposals hav-
ing nothing to do with the control Of
the Mississippi and its tributaries.
Must Stand Alone.
Regulation of the Mississippi is a |
gigantic problem that must stand |
alone and that demands prompt and !
generous approval by the American |
people, these people contend. And !
Secretary Hoover is known to share |
their views without qualification.
In fact, every one who has seen the |
devastation wrought by the mightiest |
of Mississippi floods, including Secre- |
tary of War Davis and Gen. Jadwin, |
Is in accord on this point. The Tri- |
state Commission, which has just |
taken the lead in the flood control |
movement, is composed of some of the |
alluvial valleys most respected, con- |
sentative business men. 1t is said |
that any program agreed upon by this |
commission will voice the general SEN
timent of the Southern States in the |
food area.
Guest of Hoover.
Secretary Hoover left here last |
night for Charleston Mo-, where he
will hear or post-fiood conditions |
in Missouri and Illinois. He was the
guest of honor here yesterday of the
Hot Springs Chamber Of Commerce
and various business mems clubs at
a luncheon.
In the Arlington Hotel, Gov. Mar
tineau of this State, H. c. Couch,
chairman Of the Arkansas Flood
Rehabilitation Commission and others
engaged in flood work, were joint
guests. Gov. Martineau character
lied Mr.. Hoover as a friend of the
South, who, he knew would do every
thing in his power to interest the
National Government in safeguarding
the lives and property Of Mississippi
Valley residents.
Hoover, amid a great ovation, as
sured those present that he is con-
WINGED the Mississippi problem is a
national one, and he voiced conf
dence that the people Of the United
States will recognize and meet their
obligations in this respect.
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