Evening star., 1928-02-21
COOLIDGE OPPOSES
!: REID FLOOD BILL
Impractical and Costly, Is
White House vieW-Dis-
likes New Board.

President Coolidge's objections to the
food control bill as drafted by Repre-
sentative Reid Of Illinois, chairman Of
the food control committee. are so
great that he win endeayor to prevail
upon the latter to modify 1t. it was re-
vealed at the White House today.
The President looks upon the Reid
bill as not being practical He is con-
vinced that 1t offers no more relief in
food control than the plan offered by
the Army engineers. although 1t would
cost probably four and half times as
nauch.
Aside from The doubt regarding its
peacticability the Reid plan. according
to the Presidents advices. would ulti-
nsateiy cost more than q billion and o
half dollars. which would mean expen-
dlture Of more money than any one
psece Of legislation in the history Of
the Government with the possible ex-
ception Of the World War legislation.
Opposes New Beard.
The President Is not at all enthusiast
tic over that feature of the bill which
creates q new commission and which
imposes upon the President considerable
detail work In the matter Of making de-
ctsions- The contemplation in the bill
OF starting projects on all the streams
tributary 70 the Mississippi from the
Appalachian system 70 the Rockies Is,
according to the White House, one Of
the reasons why the plan would be so
costly. Moreover. it Is believed that the
provision for constructing gauge levels
would prove very costly II they were to
be made effective.
The President is known TO be deep
~ interested in the food control sub.
1ect and extremely anxious that some
thing constructive and practical be sc-
compliShed during this session.
Since letting Congress know his views,
he has been attempting to lend whs.
assistance he could to bringing unity
and results, For that reason he has
held numerous conferences with Army
engineers and members Of Congress.
discussing IN detail the food control
problem. The progress OF flood con-
troll legislation was discussed Mt
White House breakfast this morning,
when the President had as his guests
speaker Loi.gworth, Representative
I1iscn. majority leader Of the House,
and Representatives Smell Of New York,
chairman OF the rules committee. and
Madden Of Illinois. chairman Of the ap-
committee. and Maj. Gen
Jadwin. chief Of the Army Engineers,
Have Reservoir Plan.
Controlling Mississippi Valley fsco<,
waters by q system Of reservoirs ss.i-
mated to cost $&&S.ooo, 900, is proposed
by Representatives Sears. Republican.
and Driver. Democrat, Arkan-
Sas. both members Of the House nccd-
control committee, A report express.
Ing the individual opinions OF the two
members Was made public today.
IN advocating the reservoirs, the re-
port pointed out that the use Of the
storage basins would save for FARMING
millions Of acres OF land" 10 Be used
Tor the levees and fioodwayS, and would
forever remove the dread fear Of the
valley nom recurring floods"
A denial that he WAS opposed 10 the
Federal Government assuming the total
cost Of food control was made today
ny Representative Sandlin. Democrat,
Louisiana.
Sandlin was listed IN All announce
hent yesterday by Representative Str,ns
Of Kansas. Republican,, As a memeer
or subcommittee OF Ave which
opposes Certain provisions os the Reid
bill.