Evening star., 1928-05-16
Flood Control Assured.

BY his signature of the food control
bill yesterday President Coolidge has put
In the way of execution the greatest
project of engineering ever undertaken
In this country. This measure. as
finally approved. is a compromise upon
various plans that were proposed to Con-
gress at the beginning of the session.
1t represents an adjustment of views
regarding costs and is probably the best
scheme that could be evolved in the
circumstances. 1t places the entire
cost of construction of relief and pro-
tectfve works upon the United States,
save that the States will contribute the
rights of way along the river banks for
the strengthened levees. The estimated
expense to the Government is $32s. .ooo.-
600, and that to the States 100000.
The United States is relieved of all
damages for losses entailed in last Sum-
mer's foods. The local communities
viii contribute to the cost Of the trihu-
tary levees. while the Federal Govern
ment viii purchase fiowage rights,
rather than land. in the affected dis
tricts.
This plan has been worked out with
great care, after exhaustive nyestiga-
ton by committees of Congress, before
which many representatives of the af-
fected interests appeared. together with
technical experts At times the pros
pect Of effective legislation at this ses-
sion has appeared to be dim. owing to
the conplications involving the possi-
bility of imposing upon the United
states financial burden for which the
executive approval could not be Sc
cured. But as q result of adjustments
the measure was finally put into q
shane In which 1t was satisfactory TO
MI concerned. and the President
promptly gave his approval when the
bin was laid before him.
While the main reliance for the con-
trcl Of the waters of the Mississippi
and its tributaries win under this plan
Be placed on q system of levees higher
and stronger than ever before built, the
new plan approved yesterday involves
the construction Of diversion channels
known as noodways and spillways. and
It Is In carrying out this part OF the
program that the Government win as
sume responsibility for damage TO lands
not previously subjected to inundation.
had the United States been subjected
70 the cost Of reparations for last sea
sons food the total demand upon the
Treasury would have been very greatly
fncreased-wo indeed, according to
snune estimates, have reached billion
dollars. II was this feature that the
President stoutly resisted and the elm
fnation Of which from the bin In Its
fnsi form assured enactment and ap-
prevail.
The estimated cost. $325 .OOO. 600.
rlaees this work in q class with the
Panama Canal. the total expenditure
uDon which, exclusive Of fortifcation.
vas about s375. .0O0. 600. It is probable
that before the work Is finished II
WIN have risen in cost beyond even the
canal expenditures and win stand as
the greatest engineering work the
United States has ever undertaken.
II this system Of protective leyees
With a series Of spiilways and hoodways
Is as effective as the engineers expect.
the menace 10 the lower Mississippi
valley viii be abated. 1t is impossible
TO estimate the value Of such protec-
tive system Last Summers food did
enormous damage which perhaps can
never be fully computed its effects
we're felt far beyond the area Of the
food itself in the Oppressive influence
of the inundati0n upon industry
throughout the country. The prayer
Of the people Is that this great en-
cheering feat viii be accomplished In
time TO prevent another disaster and
that II will meet all expectations on the
score Of efhciency.
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