Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1902 — BLAMES CONGRESS FOR WASTE. [ARTICLE]

BLAMES CONGRESS FOR WASTE.

Missouri River Commission Tells of Extravagant Expenditures. Reports from officers in charge of river and harbor improvements, with estimates for the fiscal year 1904, received by the chief of engineers include that of the Missouri river commission, which ceased to exist June 30. The commission has been in existence since 1884. The report states that the policy of the eom--1 mission, which has remained unchanged, was for a continuous, progressive control of the rivw, contracting it where necessary, giving the channel proper direction and sbhurely holding it in place, but that unfortunately the commission has not been permitted to carry that plan out. The report enters into an elaborate defense of the commission, bused upon criticisms in the press and in the report, of the House committee on rivers and harbors. It is asserted that. Congress specifically directed the expenditure of funds for local work unconnected with the general improvement of the river to the amount of 82,218,(XX). The commission has been at expense, the report states, to maintain improvements. Since the organization of the commission 87,150,000 has been appropriated for Work under it, of which 8240,000 has been expended on the river above Sioux City, Iowa; 82,164,304 on detached localities, 8380,082 on snagging operations, 8469,585 for surveys and gauges, 8855,765 for plant, office work and expenses of the commission, leaving but 83,280,201 for effective, progressive and systematic improvement of the river extending over a period of eighteen years, part of this amount being expended near Kansas City and the remainder in the first reach. The report says that this expenditure has produced good results, although there is now danger attending the navigation of the river as attested by the wrecks of 300 steamboats lying imbedded in the sand. It is claimed that no sufficient improvement of the river has been made to demonstrate what could be done for the benefit of commerce.