1908 AN INLAND WATERWAYS SYSTEM 283 



The first steps in the work have been and Drainage Association is to im- 



taken, in the formation of the River prove the rivers by units, and have 



Improvement and Drainage Associa- these finally coalesce into the plan in 



tion of California. This organization its entirety. Naturally this unit plan 



lias worked consistently toward one would begin in the lower reaches of 



plan of complete improvement of all the river in straightening channels and 



the inland waterways of the State, and providing for the ready outlet of the 



one of its first moves was the framing surplus water, while the greater work 



of the bill which was passed by the of providing storage basins, in which 



State Legislature, known as the Sacra- this flood water can be conserved until 



mento Drainage Bill, which law has re- later in the season, shall be completed, 



cently been declared constitutional by The possibilities of such flood water 



the Superior Court of Sacramento storage are so great as to be astound- 



County. This law establishes the Sac- ing in their immensity. Not only is it 



ramento drainage district and the possible thus to provide for a constant 



election of the Sacramento Drainage flow of water sufficient to make the 



Commission, which is now actively at streams, navigable at all seasons, but it 



work. would also provide for irrigation wa- 



The establishment of the Commis- ter at all times when needed; and it 

 sion is a long step toward a better- would reclaim millions of acres of fer- 

 ment of conditions in the great inte- tile land in the valley, 

 rior valley of California, which has It may be said in this connection 

 been inundated periodically by disas- that the entire $23,000,000 required for 

 trous floods — two recent ones, that of the completion of this plan of better- 

 1904 and that of 1907, being fresh in ment of the Sacramento River would 

 mind. These two floods alone caused be returned in the increased value of 

 a monetary loss to the State sufficient the adjacent lands alone, to say noth- 

 to have provided the funds for the ing of the benefits that would be de- 

 complete plan of reclamation recom- rived by every land owner in the 

 mended by the Commission of Engi- whole valley and the adjacent foot 

 neers, for it is estimated that fully hills. 



$25,000,000 was lost to the property The era of the inland waterway is 



owners and lessees along the river by at hand, and it behooves every person 



the overflows since January i, 1900. who has an interest in cheap and 



It may be easier to get rid of money ready transportation, in land reclama- 



this way than by applying it to better- tion, and in the conservation of water, 



ment of the river, but it certainly is to unite in the work of carrying out a 



-not so wise. general and specific plan for river im- 



The plan of the River Improvement provement. 



TREES 



By Marion Elza Dodd, Glen Ridge, New Jersey 



Doomed by the lust of men, Sentinels of strength, 



The great trees in solemn silence Proof of a destined purpose, 



Watch the course of human progress Evidence of a law divine 



As their kin meet the call to death. From winter buds to spreading leaf, 



No forest depth escapes the scourge Inspiration to see beyond 



Of the blazing ax of woodsmen The heights in view to those of faith, 



Who are singing to swinging blows The very sap-blood of our lives! 



In the rhythm of life unbound. You who cut and scar, change the chant 



But what of the choir of winds Of winds to swaying melody 



Wailing for the dead? Abounding in life! 



