New Britain herald., 1928-03-29
WANTS GOVT. BEAR
 FLOOD EXPENSES
House Reports Control Bill
 Approved Months Ago

Washington, Mar. o9 F,-Standins sduarcly on the policy that the government should bear all cost for guarding clt,zenS ot the MissisSipp rlver valley against floods, 1he house flood control committee to. day made a formal report on the s4iS,ooo,0oo Reid bill which Was approved a month ago. The report on the proposal 10, 8 gigantic food control project come into the house along with the s3o5, 5,0oo,oo0 Jones bll also pro- >iding flood control funds from the federal treasury. which was passed yesterday by the senate.
 The majority report, approved by II members of the committee, pre- sented a. Noluminous argument of nearly 400 pages in support of the major proposals for full federal payment, sponsored by Represent atire Reid, republican, of illinois, and of the ablishment of new Mississippi river commission to carry out the work.
 The views of those members of the committee who disapprove the hcld hlll were presented simul - 'aneonsly in minority repor. signed by six republicans headed hN Representative korp Of Iowa. This report set forth the conten- ion ihat the valley states shoulI contribute some Of the cost of con- rol work.
 Leading Feature
 One nf the leading features of the majority report was the critl- r'sm levelled at Major General Ed gar Jadpin chief of the army en- glneerS who was charged With having usurp"d the duties of the Mlsslsslppl river commission on preparing the administra tion's flood control plan.
 Inc army engineer was upheld. however, hy the minority report winch contcnd"d he had recon mendcd tn" best possible project TOT immediate remedy for the problem
 The majority report sci out that under the law by which ,3,e roy. rrnmcnt undertakes flood control works, policy of mo pay, no nro- toctlon' is presented. It added that tn" national defense, national wel larc, the maintenance of thr ,pai,-, and interstate commerce, and na,i- sation Wer" sufficient Justification for the federal government to as. sumc the entire cost and responsi- bility.
 Under tl1c present system of To- cal contributions, it said, there was bound to result divided rcsponsj- blllty and failure of the weak links m tho leNcc system chain because numerous lcNee districts had been unable financially to contribute their share.
 nc minority report declared that local contribution meant co-opcra- 'lon by the communities interested Tn tine work and protection against waste and inef1iciepcy." It also based its contention of local pav- mcnts on the increased valle Of the lands in inc valley through 
 Broad Powers
 Although the minority viewpoint had characterized the Reid bill S offering no basis for definite flood control plan.' the majority report expressly emphasized that it d'd not aim to lay down an cngi- necring program but would dcsig- hatH powers to it's proposed Mis- slss'ppi valley flood control com- composed of four civilians and three army engineers. These powers would be as broad as those gwen to the Panama canal con- to permit the commission to formulate the engineering sys- lem for curbing the floods.
 The new commission would be at liberty to adopt any plan--cven the jadWln plan in its entirety, said tho majority report, or combine the 'adWin and the commission plans. Under the Reid bill inc Mississippl river commission at present in charge Of the river would be abol- shed.
 The claim that 'the new com-
  11issloD would delay the adoption 't comprehensive flood plan' was advanced in the minority report. | because it's members would be un- anliliar with the Mississippi river oroblcm.' v l
 No "cold discriminating economy"