The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1948-04-16

In its resolution, carried in this
issue of the Chronicle-Star the
board signified its intention of
issuing such part of $500, 900 in
bonds as is necessary to match
the state appropriation and COM
plete the project.
Under a plan adopted by the
supervisors the bonds would be
serviced by surplus funds, and
no increase in the county millage
will be necessary.
U. S. Engineers have estimated
that the dredging work will cost
between $500, 900 and $500, 900.
Work to Begin May l
Present indications are that the
United States Corps of Engineers
can begin dredging operations
shortly after May LIST. The dredge
Wahalak, which is laid up at the
Engineers repair yard in Pasca-
goula, is now in process of being
reconditioned for the work. Of
ficials of the u. S. Engineers of
flee at Mobile said that the neces-
sary repairs can be completed by
May LIST, and the dredge can be
ready to begin operations on
that date.
These plans were worked out at
a conference Monday afternoon
at Mobile between the Engineer
staff and a group of local citizens
headed by Representative Hermes
F. Gautier.
Meanwhile Congressman Will
liam M. Colmer is in process of
working out details with the
Chief of Army Engineers at Wash
ington whereby the county and
port commission will be able to
lease the Wahalak and its crew to
do the work. Under this plan the
government equipment would do
the work at cost.
Work to Take Eight Months
It was estimated by the en-
gineers at Mondays conference
that the work will take approxi-
mately eight months to complete.
Channel dredging by the Wahalak
will continue during the full pc
Rod, and a hopper dredge will be
assigned to the Horn Island bar
at a date to coordinate this part
of the dredging operation with
the work of the Wahalak. It was
estimated that the widening and
deepening of the bar will take
four months.
Plans call for deepening the
present 22-foot channel to 80 feet
from the L &N bridge TO Horn
Island bar. and increasing its
width to 275 feet. Horn Island
pass will be deepened to IS feet
and widened to 325 feet.
Passage of the legislative bills
making the channel project pos
sible eliminated the efforts of
Jackson county legislators and
local citizens that began with the
opening of the legislative session
in January.
Leading the fight were Repre-
sentative Gautier and State Sem
ator G.. L. Beavers, whose efforts
were solidly backed by Jackson
county citizens.
The bill authorizing the state to
Appropriate $780, 600 towards the
work was passed unanimously by
the senate. Late Friday after
noon of last week the House of
Representatives passed the appro-
priation bill with only four dis
senting votes.
Bill Would Reimburse
A bill has also been introduced
in the National Congress by Rep
resentative Colmer which would
authorize reimbursement of the
state and county for cost of the
channel project If a survey to
be made in a minimum of two
years shows that water traffic de-
veloped iustifies such action by
the Congress.
During the course of the cam
paign for passage of the bill, it
was pointed out to legislators
that the ingalls, Shipbuilding Cor
poration here has distributed
in wages from 1889
through 1Q47. Taxes from thea |