Evening star., 1927-12-06
FLOOD CONTROL.


Of dikes along the Mississippi River
for protection against high water.
During the past season the lower
states were overcome by most dis.
aStrous flood. Many thousands OF
square miles were inundated, great
many lives We're lost. much livestock
was drowned, and very heavy de-
struction OF property was inflicted
upon the iuha abitantS. The American
Red Cross at once went to the relief
Of the stricken communities. Ap-
peals for contributions have brought
In over ST. 1000. 900. The Federal Gov
ernment has provided services. equip
ment. and supplies probably amount
ing to about 81 900 600 more. Re-
tween S. 900, 900 and $40. 1000. 900 in
addition have been provided by local
railroads. the States. and their po'
litical units. Credits have been ar
ranged by the Farm Loan Board. and
three emergency finance corporation
with a total capital OF So 900 900 have
insured additional resources to the
extent OF S12 600 900. Through these
means the 100000 people in the
flooded areas have been adequately
supported. Provision has been made
to care for those in need until after
the 1st OF January.
The Engineer Corps OF the Army
has contracted to close all breaks in
the dixie system before the next sea
son Of high water. a most thorough
and elaborate survey OF the whole
situation has been made and EN-.
bodied in a report with recommends.
tions for future food control which
will he presented to the Congress.
The carrying out Of their plans will
necessarily extend over series OF
years. They will call for raising
and strengthening of the dixie sys
TEN with provision for emergency
spillways and improvements for the
benefit Of navigation.
Under the present law the land ad.
,iacent to the dikes has paid one-third
OF the cost of their construction.
This has been a most extraordinary
concession from the plan adopted in
relation to irrigation. where the gen.
eral rule has been that the land hen.
Gifted should bear the entire expense.
1t is true. Of course, that the trouble
some waters do not originate on the
land to he reclaimed. but Ii ia also
true that such waters have a right
Of way through that section OF the
country and the land there Is charged
with that easement. 1t Is the land
of this region that Is to he benefited.
TO say that 1t is unable to bear any
expense OF reclamation is the same
thing as saying that 1t IL not worth
reclaiming. Because of expenses in
Cured and charges already held
against this land. it seems probable
that some revision will have to be
made concerning the proportion OF
IL p,,t fS
extremely important that 1t should
nav enough so that those requesting
improvements will be charged with
some responsibility for their cost,
and the neiehborhood where works
are constructed have pecuniarv in
terest in preventing waste and ex-
travaga nee and securing a wise and
economical expenditure OF public
funds
1t is necessary to look upon this
emergency az national disaster 1t
has been so treated from It's inception.
Our whole people have provided with
great generosity for its relief Most
Of the departments of the Federal
Government have been enga ced In
the same effort The governments NJ
the afflicted areas. both State and
municipal can not he given too ht"h
nraise for the coura geous and help
ful way in which they have come to
the rescue of the peonle. II the
sources directly charsea BILE can not
meet the dema nd. the National Gov.
ernmcnt should not fail to provide
generous relief. This. however. does
rot mean restoration. The Govern
ment is not an insurer of its citizens
aoainst the hazard Of the elements
We shall always have flood and
drought. heat and cold. earthquake
and wind. LIGHTNING and tidal wave.
which are. all too constant in their
affiictions. The Government does not
undertake to reimburse it's citizens for
loss and damage incurred under such
circumstances 1T is charseable. how
ever with the rebuilding Of public
works and the humanitarian duty
of relieving its citizens from distress.
The people in the flooded area and
their representatives have approached
this problem in the most generous
and broad-minded way. They should
be met with like spirit on the part
of the National Government. This Is
all one country The public needs
of each part must he provided for by
the public at large. No required re-
lief should be refused. An adequate
plan should he adopted to prevent
recurrence of this disaster in order
that the people may restore to pro
ductiyitv and comfort their fields and
their towns.
Legislation by this Congress should
he confined to our principal and most
pressing problems. the lower Missis-
sippi. considering tributaries only so
far as they materially affect the main
food problem. definite Federal
a1ot it,o fn
was proposed when the last Congress
authorized a comprehensive survey OF
all the important streams OF the
country In order to provide for their
Improvement including food control.
navigation, power. and irrigation.
other legislation should wait pending
n report on this survey. The reco2-
nized needs Of the Mississippi should
not be made a vehicle for carrying
other projects. All proposals for de-
velopment should stand on their own
merits. ANY other method would re-.
suit In il.advised conclusions. great
waste of money. and instead of pro
noting would delay the orderly and
certain utilization Of our water re-
sources.
Very recently several Of the New
england states have suffered some
what similarly from heavy rainfall
and high water. No reliable estimate
Of damage has vet been computed
but it Is very large to private and
niblc property. The Red Cross is.
generously undertaking what Is
needed for immediate relief repair
and reconstruction Of houses. re
stocking Of domestic animals. and
food. clothing and shelter A con-
siderable sum Of money will he avail
able through the regular channels in
the Department Of Agriculture for
reconstruction OF Highways. It may
he necessary to grant, snecial aid for
this purpose rnmplete renorts OF