The development of inland waterways has received new impulse from the
completion during this year of the canalization of the Ohio to a uniform
9-foot depth. The development of the other segments of the Mississippi
system should be expedited and with this in view I am recommending an
increase in appropriations for rivers and harbors from $50,000,000 to
$55,000,000 per annum which, together with about $4,000,000 per annum
released by completion of the Ohio, should make available after providing
for other river and harbor works a sum of from $25,000,000 to $30,000,000
per annum for the Mississippi system and thus bring it to early
completion.
Conflict of opinion which has arisen over the proposed floodway from the
Arkansas River to the Gulf of Mexico via the Atchafalaya River has led me
to withhold construction upon this portion of the Mississippi flood control
plan until it could be again reviewed by the engineers for any further
recommendation to Congress. The other portions of the project are being
vigorously prosecuted and I have recommended an increase in appropriations
for this from $30,000,000 of the present year to $35,000,000 during the
next fiscal year.
Expansion of our intracoastal waterways to effective barge depths is well
warranted. We are awaiting the action of Canada upon the St. Lawrence
waterway project.