HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. 205 
extensions, and if I recommended a decrease, then I cite that as an 
evidence that I do not ask for any increase now unless the Depart- 
ment really needs it. If you will give us these 9 men now we would 
still have 9 less than we had in 1895. Because the men were not 
needed at one time is no argument that they are not needed now. I 
need these men and I hope that you will favorably entertain the pro- 
position, at least for the flood service; that is the most important 
matter. 
Mr. Bureson. At the instance of a number of gentlemen in my 
district, I desire to bring to the attention of the committee the necessity 
for this flood service on two rivers in Texas. The Colorado River 
and the Brazos River have been subject to rapid rises and devastating 
floods, I suppose, owing to the fact that the timber has been cut off 
the headwaters, and that the water accumulates more rapidly in the 
two streams, and owing to the fact that adjoining these rivers are some 
of the most valuable farms in Texas the floods have caused the great- 
estamount of damage. Whereas I do not want to ask for any increase 
in the force of the Weather Bureau, if the service can be extended 
there it would save hundreds of thousands of dollars of property every 
year because these floods occur every year. 
My. Scorr. At the proper time, when the committee is considering 
the allowances to be made, I desire to emphasize the recommendation 
which has been made in the report of Professor Moore that this service 
be extended to the Kaw River in Kansas. I can only say that Pro- 
fessor Moore has told me personally that the service can be extended in 
Kansas and carried on there at a cost, approximately, of $1,200 a year; 
and it seems to me, when there is a possibility of saving millions of 
dollars of property by expending so small a sum, that it ought not to 
be deferred. : 
The Cuarrman. How do you install that service? 
Professor Moors. I send the chief of this service up the river to 
locate a number of places where, in his judgment, we should get 
observations. 
Mr. Burieson. And gather data? 
Professor Moorr. Yes, sir. He determines how many gauge read- 
ings we shall need in order to detect the beginning of a flood, and to 
give warning of the flood as it moves down the river. We establish 
certain special rainfall stations on the watersheds that control the 
floods, besides our regular telegraphic stations. 
Mr. Bowrr. Why is it that it costs so little 
Professor Moorr. We get an intelligent man who lives right on 
the bank of the river. e may be the clerk in some store, or a 
steamboat man, and if we give,him $7 a month for a matter of five 
minutes’ work each morning he will attend to it. If they do not 
attend to it, we send an inspector there to put them out and select 
some other person. 
The flood service has doubled within the past six or seven years, and 
these letters and communications I have here, for instance [indicating], 
are requests that we can not meet, and we will have to have more 
money if we go ahead. : 
Mr. Lever. Down in South Carolina last year we had a terrible 
flood that destroyed a cotton mill completely and almost completely 
wrecked two others. The river rose 40 feet in one hour. 
- Professor Moore. Yes, sir. ; 
Mr. Lever. Do you have any way of predicting those disasters? 
