Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-26
FLOOD CURB PLAN
MAY BE MODIFIED
Secretary Davis Hints at
Compromise in Testimony
Before Committee.

BY the Associated Press
A suggestion that Congress may md
it advisable to modify the administra-
tons flood control program came from
the administration itself today as at
tacks on salient features OF the plan
continued before two congressional
committees.
Secretary Davis OF the War Depart
ment, whose engineers drafted the
administration proposals. told the House
flood committee that the scheme might
we'll be amplified so as to permit the
Federal Treasury to loan money to the
States to permit them to meet the
stipulated 20 per cent Of the COST OF
control measures.
Composite Plan Mentioned.
Later, under questioning by commit
tee members, the Secretary conceded
that Congress can make a composite
flood control plan out OF the proposals
of the Army Engineers and OF the
Mississippi River Commission"
The Army plan provides for $780,
900 900 expenditure. while the commits
sion proposes a cost OF S775OO0 600 Tor
the work.
The War Secretary did not indicate
that he would favor compromise be-
tween these two plans, but he readily
conceded that such an outcome might
be In prospect.
Meantime the Senate commerce COM
mittee. after hearing another protest
from the South against the 20 per cent
State contribution proposal, decided TO
n EIOnVpr
food relief measures along the Missis-
sippi last year. to appear later and give
his views on permanent control lcgisla-
ton.
Explains Loan Proposal.
First broaching the loan proposal.
the War Secretary said that by these
loans the States could meet their obli-
cations and the flood control work
could be effectively done"
He said he considered the food con-
troll problem grave national response
bility.
subordinate of the Secretary. Maj.
Gen. Edgar Jadwin. chief of Army
Engineers. was dismissed from the COM
mittee stand yesterday by Chairman
Reid for not answering committee Ques-
tionS
The Army Engineers plan for control
of the Mississippi floods. which was
formulated by Gen. Jadwin. was
described by the Secretary as simple,
flexible and feasible"
If the conditions exist where the
Valley States could not pay their 20
per cent contribution for food control.
he said. Congress could authorize the
Government 10 advance funds to the
States
He suggested that the Treasury could
take the bonds and notes of the States
for security.
ton OF the Mississippi! River Commits
sion as an advisory board and not as
an executive organization.
Urges Engineer Control.
Il believe 1t would be more efficient
TO place the executing of the work
under single department like the
Army Engineers" he added.
Il favor the responsibility being
placed upon one man for the control
work, as President Coolidge during last
Springs flood gave one man. Secretary
Hoover. entire charge OF the relief
work" Mr.. Davis said. and he did an
excellent job" The Secretary referred
10 Secretary Hoover's supervision OF
food relief work.
Questioned by Representative Frear,
Republican. OF Wisconsin and Repre-
sentative Wilmington. Democrat. OF
Mississippi on the 20 per cent provi-
sion, the War Secretary said the lands
OF the valley will be increased in value
II they are protected against floods.