Eudora spillway to be run through the parish of East Carroll, and having a width of more than 9 miles, and placing within the confines of said spillway more than 60 percent of the area of East Carroll Parish; be it further

Resolved, That this organization go on record as opposing the construction of the said Eudora spillway for the further reason that such construction will destroy, or cause to be destroyed or abandoned, some of the most fertile lands in our parish and removing said lands from commerce and further removing said property within said spillway from the tax rolls, or so reducing the taxes on said property that the government of the parish will be unable to function; be it further

Resolved, That this organization go on record as opposing the said Eudora spillway for the further reason that it will destroy improvements amounting to thousands of dollars that have been made by the various owners within said area and through which area graveled roads, bridges, and school buildings have been built and which area is rapidly being settled by hard-working, conscientious citizen farmers of the best class; be it further

Resolved, That this organization go on record as opposing the said Eudora spillway for the further reason that it will greatly impair the ability to pay the road-bond issues, school-bond issues, and drainage-bond issues; be it further Resolved, That this organization go on record as opposing the said Eudora spillway for the further reason that the increased burden of taxes on what is called "the protected areas" will add an additional burden that will be unbearable, and that for the reasons above given, it is the opinion of this chamber of commerce that the construction of the Eudora spillway must ultimately cause the complete destruction of East Carroll Parish on an entity; be it further

Resolved, That this organization go on record as opposing the passage of any legislation authorizing the construction of said spillway and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Members of Congress, to the board of commissioners of the Fifth Louisiana Levee District, and to the press.

I certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the chamber of commerce, at Lake Providence, La., on Thursday, March 28, 1935.

(Signed)

FRANK VOELKER, Secretary.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF LAKE PROVIDENCE, PARISH OF EAST CARROLL, STATE OF LOUISIANA

Be it resolved by the mayor and board of aldermen of the Town of Lake Providence, La., whose names are signed hereunto, That this board is unalterably opposed to the construction of the proposed Eudora spillway running through the parish of East Carroll and having a proposed width of more than 9 miles, which width will place within the confines of said spillway more than half of the area of this parish; be it further

Resolved, That this board is opposed to the construction of the proposed Eudora Spillway for the further reason that the construction of same will in all probability cause the destruction or abandonment of a large portion of the most fertile and productive lands in said parish, and make said lands valueless for resale and for commercial purposes, and further removing said property from the tax rolls, or having the taxes so reduced on same that it will be impossible for the parish to continue its parochial government; be it further Resolved, That this board further opposes the construction of said Eudora Spillway for the further reason that improvements costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, spent not only by private owners but by Government agencies, will be destroyed or made valueless, and for the further reason that the property holders and owners will not be able to pay the assessments for various bond issues now outstanding; be it further

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this body that the commercial possibilities for expansion and development of the town of Lake Providence will be so curtailed due to the loss of the splendid trade area existing within the confines of the said proposed spillway that it will cause the financial ruin of our business interests and the ultimate extinction of the town of Lake Providence as a corporate entity; be it further

Resolved, That this body go on record as opposing the passage of any legislation that will enable the construction of said proposed Eudora spillway, and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Members of Congress, to the

board of commissioners of the Fifth Louisiana Levee District, and to the press. In witness whereof, we, the mayor and the following board of aldermen, have hereunto set our hands on this 29th day of March, A. D. 1935.

T. G. BIGGS, Mayor.
G. S. LEVY,

C. B. ELLIS,

J. S. FREEMAN,

H. L. HARKEY,
C. W. RICHARDS,
Aldermen.

RESOLUTION POLICE JURY OF MADISON PARISH, LA.

66

Whereas it is proposed by the United States engineers, Mississippi River Commission, board of State engineers, and the Fifth Louisiana Levee Board to construct what is to be known as Bayou Macon-Tensas Basin spillway" in place of the Boeuf River spillway as proposed in the Jadwin plan for flood control in the Mississippi River; and

Whereas after carefully considering all that has been told to the public at the various spillway meetings that have been held here and elsewhere regarding the above-mentioned spillway, it is our belief that said spillway to be known as the "Bayou Macon-Tensas Basin spillway” would be of inestimable harm to Madison Parish and would practically ruin this parish in particular and the adjacent parishes of East Carroll and Tensas located above and below Madison Parish: Therefore be it

Resolved by the police jury of the parish of Madison in regular session convened, That we do hereby go on record as being opposed to the Bayou MaconTensas Basin spillway being constructed; be it further

Resolved, etc., That a copy of this resolution shall be given to the Fifth Louisiana Levee Board before its spillway meeting to be held in Tallulah, La., on Thursday, March 7, 1935.

Certified: A true copy of a resolution that was unanimously adopted by the police jury of Madison Parish at its regular meeting held in Tallulah, La., at the courthouse on Wednesday, March 6, 1935.

P. O. BENJAMIN, Secretary Madison Parish Police Jury.

RESOLUTION OF SCHOOL BOARD OF MADISON PARISH, La.

At a special meeting of the Madison Parish school board, held at its office in Tallulah, La., on the 16th day of March 1935, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. W. R. Gilfoil and seconded by Mrs. Ednah M. Yerger, to wit:

"Be it resolved by the Madison Parish school board, That this board go on record as being opposed to the construction of the spillway known as the "Tensas-Bayou Macon spillway', and that the members of the board of commissioners for the Fifth Louisiana Levee District, particularly those from Madison Parish, be earnestly requested to oppose the construction of said spillway, and that the Honorable Riley J. Wilson, Chairman of the Flood Control Committee of Congress, be requested to use his influence to prevent any legislation of Congress authorizing the construction of said floodway, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the said Hon. Riley J. Wilson, that a copy be sent to the board of commissioners for the Fifth Louisiana Levee District, and that a copy be sent to the Madison Journal."

I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution passed by the Madison Parish school board at a meeting held in Tallulah on Saturday, March 16, 1935.

Witness my hand and the seal of said corporation, at Tallulah, La., this 16th day of March 1933.

JAMES R. LINTON, Secretary Madison Parish School Board.

RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF TALLULAH, LA.

Be it resolved by the mayor and board of aldermen of village of Tallulah in special session convened, That this board views with alarm the prospect of the construction of the floodway or spillway known as the "Tensas-Bayou Macon spillway," running through Madison Parish for a width of approximately 10 miles and practically destroying more than 40 percent of the area of Madison Parish; be it further

Resolved, That this board opposes the construction of said spillway because it will destroy, take out of commerce, and out of taxing capacity, more than 40 percent of the area of Madison Parish; because it will destroy all improvements now existing in said area, which is rapidly settling up with the better class of farmers; because it will put out of existence the schools and the churches now functioning in said area; because it will seriously impair the drainage of the whole parish; because it will destroy all, save a few, of the very necessary public roads traversing this section east and west; because it will drive out of Madison Parish hundreds of its good citizens now located in said area; because it will place for many years to come a largely increased burden of taxation on those residing out of said floodway area to make up for the deficiency caused by the loss of taxes from lands in said area; because it would place Madison Parish between two dangers, the Mississippi River at flood on one side and the floodway at flood on the other, thereby practically subjecting the whole parish to damage from seepage water; because, if said floodway originally proposed to be constructed west of the Macon Ridge was unanimously considered by the people of the Tensas Basin a destructive menace and abandoned by the United States Engineers, in our opinion the shifting of said floodway from the west to the east side of the Macon Ridge does not decrease in any manner said destructive menace, but simply transfers its destruction from the Tensas Basin to the Fifth Louisiana Levee District; be it further

Resolved, That we go on record as opposing the passage of any legislation by Congress authorizing the construction of said floodway and that a copy of this resolution be sent to Congressman Riley J. Wilson, chairman of the Flood Control Committee of Congress, and a copy be sent to the Vicksburg Herald, the Monroe News-Star, the Board of Commissioners for the Fifth Louisiana Levee District, and the Madison Journal.

Adopted March 7, 1935, by unanimous vote of the board.
Attest:

A. L. SEVIER,

Clerk, Village of Tallulah, La.

RESOLUTION OF BUSINESS MEN'S CLUB OF TALLULAH, LA.

At a regular meeting of the Business Men's Luncheon Club of Tallulah, La., held at its regular meeting place in Tallulah on Wednesday, the 6th day of March 1935, at which meeting the following members were present and voting: J. L. Anderson, Abe Bloom, M. M. Bloom, R. K. Boney, Zack Chambless, Dr. G. W. Gaines, W. A. Gilpin, R. C. Gaines, J. A. Gilbert, C. E. Hester, J. R. Linton, Dr. J. Roy Medlin, L. Z. Naylor, Dr. A. T. Palmer, W. L. Rountree, A. J. Sevier, Henry C. Sevier, W. P. Sevier, Jr., R. R. Spiegener, W. C. Starrett, C. A. Sparling, W. S. Weaver, R. N. Ware, Jr., M. A. Wroten, Maxwell Yerger, Rev. C. K. Smith, and J. B. Snyder, the following resolution was offered by Dr. G. W. Gaines and seconded by Mertie M. Bloom, to wit:

"Be it resolved by the Business Men's Luncheon Club of Tallulah, La., That this club go on record as being unalterably opposed to the construction of the floodway or spillway known as the Tensas-Bayou Macon spillway', running through Madison Parish for a width of approximately 10 miles, and destroying approximately 47 percent of the area of Madison Parish; be it further

66

Resolved, That this club go on record as opposing the construction of said spillway because it will destroy, and cause to be destroyed, or abandoned, thereby taking the same out of commerce and practically taking said land off of the tax rolls practically 47 percent of the area of Madison Parish, in which is included some of the most fertile alluvial land in the State of Louisiana, on which a great amount of money has been expended in improvements by the various owners, and through which areas the parish of Madison has con

structed several lateral gravel roads and spent considerable money in the construction and maintenance of several bridges, dirt roads, school buildings, and which settlements are rapidly being settled up with reputable citizens and the best class of farmers; that the construction of said spillway will mean the ultimate abandonment of this large fertile area of Madison Parish; that in so constructing the same it will leave only about 53 percent of said parish to meet the obligations which have been incurred by the entire parish, which includes road-bond issues, school-bond issues, drainage-bond issues, to say nothing of the expenses incidental and necessary in the maintenance of the parish government; that the area lying in between the east levee of the spillway and the main Mississippi River levee will not be completely protected by overflow as shown by Maj. Gen. E. M. Markham's recommendations to the Honorable Riley J. Wilson; that said areas will, therefore, be in a most hazardous position in the event of a break of either the main stem levee of the Mississippi River or the spillway levee, in that there will be no outlet for the same; that the increased burden of taxation on this so-called protected area" will add an unbearable burden thereon, and in the opinion of this club the construction of this spillway means ultimately the complete destruction of the entire parish of Madison; be it further

66

"Resolved, That this club go on record as opposing the passage of any legislation by Congress authorizing the construction of said floodway and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Honorable Riley J. Wilson, Chairman of the Flood Control Committee of Congress, and that a copy be sent to the board of commissioners for the Fifth Louisiana Levee District and the Madison Journal."

Adopted on the 6th day of March 1935 by unanimous vote of all members present.

(A true copy.) Attest:

W. L. ROUNTREE,

Secretary Business Men's Luncheon Club of Tallulah, La.

RESOLUTION OF TALLULAH STATE BANK & TRUST Co.

At a regular meeting of the board of directors of the Tallulah State Bank & Trust Co., held at its office in Tallulah on the 13th day of March 1935, at which meeting a quorum were present and voting, the following resolution was offered by Director Walter M. Scott, president of this bank, and seconded by J. E. Neill, to wit:

"Be it resolved by the board of directors of Tallulah State Bank & Trust Co., That this board go on record as being opposed to the construction of the spillway known as the "Tensas-Bayou Macon spillway ", and that the members of the board of commissions for the Fifth Louisiana Levee District, particularly those from Madison Parish, be earnestly requested to oppose the construction of said spillway, and that the Honorable Riley J. Wilson, Chairman of the Flood Control Committee of Congress, be requested to use his influence to prevent any legislation of Congress authorizing the construction of said floodway, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the said Hon. Riley J. Wilson, that a copy be sent to the board of commissions for the Fifth Louisiana Levee District, and that a copy be sent to the Madison Journal."

I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution passed by the board of directors of the Tallulah State Bank & Trust Co. by unanimous vote of all members present at a regular meeting held on the 13th day of March 1935.

Witness my hand and the seal of said corporation at Tallulah, La., on this 14th day of March 1935.

W. P. SEVIER, Jr., Secretary Tallulah State Bank & Trust Co.

RESOLUTIONS OF POLICE JURY AND SCHOOL BOARD OF TENSAS PARISH ON EUDORA FLOODWAY

Whereas the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army did, on February 21, 1935, transmit a report to Hon. Riley J. Wilson, chairman Committee on Flood Control of the House of Representatives, recommending certain changes in the Flood Control Act of May 15, 1928; and

Whereas, according to said report, it is proposed to construct what is to be known as the "Eudora Floodway" instead of the "Boeuf Floodway", the Eudora Floodway to begin at a point in the main trunk-line levee along the Mississippi River near Eudora, Ark., and run through the parishes of East Carrol, Madison, Tensas, and Concordia, the east line levee of said floodway to be about 3 miles west of Lake Providence, 8 miles west of Tallulah, 6 miles west of Newellton, 8 miles west of St. Joseph, 6 miles west of Waterproof, and 5 miles west of Ferriday, putting in the proposed floodway approximately 144,000 acres of East Carroll Parish out of 209,000; 152,000 acres in Madison Parish out of an area of 350,000; 120,000 acres of Tensas Parish out of an area of 315,000; 82,000 acres of Concordia Parish out of an area of 400,000; thus putting in the proposed floodway practically 500,000 acres of land in the fifth levee district; and

Whereas it is proposed to pay for the flowage rights over these lands, for the lands alone, nothing for improvements, not more than one and one-half times the assessed value of the lands as shown by the assessment roll of 1934; and

Whereas the assessed value of a great quantity of these lands is very low, owing to the fact that it was until lately "cut-over lands" assessed at a nominal sum of about $5 per acre, and although very much more than that has been spent putting said lands in cultivation; the assessment under the State law remains the same for a period of 10 years; and

Whereas the building of this proposed floodway would destroy the sale value and the loan value of all the lands in said floodway, by advertising to the world that they are subject to annual overflow; and

Whereas it is proposed to build a drainage canal along the east side of the east line levee to furnish drainage for the lands between the floodway and the trunk-line levee along the Mississippi River, thus cutting the lands in the floodway off from communication by team with the main portion of the parish, unless bridges are built across said drainage canal; and

Whereas the Government only proposes to build one bridge across said canal and that on the main highway between Delta Point and Shreveport; and Whereas the building of such bridges, by the parishes, would entail a prohibitive expense; and

Whereas the assessment of the 500,000 acres of land placed in the floodway would be reduced to a nominal sum, thus greatly reducing the assessment of the parishes as a parish, that it would be necessary to greatly increase the assessment of the lands on the outside of the floodway so as to raise sufficient funds for the parishes to operate as parochial governments and would make it necessary to greatly increase the tax rate so as to take care of the interest and maturing serials of our bonded debt for roads and schools, and to pay off the interest and maturing serials of levee bonds; and

Whereas all the lands in the parish of Concordia and nearly all of the lands in the parish of Tensas which will be located in the floodway are in what is known as the "backwater area ", and, according to the report and recommendations made by General Markham, Chief of Engineers, will not be paid for, and General Ferguson has stated that he is uncertain whether or not flowage rights over any of the lands in Tensas or Concordia will be paid for; and

Whereas it is the opinion of the members of the police jury and of the school board that the construction of the said floodway would mean ruin, not only to the lands in the floodway but would also mean equal ruin of the sale value and the loan value of the lands between the floodway and the main trunk-line levee, thus practically destroying the value of one of the most fertile sections of this or any other country: Therefore, be it

Resolved by the police jury and the school board of the parish of Tensas in joint meeting assembled, That we can see no benefit to be derived by this parish from the construction of the Eudora floodway; that the construction of said floodway will mean practical ruin to one of the most fertile sections of the Cotton Belt; that we earnestly request the members of the Fifth Louisiana Levee Board to oppose the construction of said floodway; and that we earnestly request Hon. Riley J. Wilson, Chairman of the Flood Control Committee of the House of Representatives, to use his influence to prevent any legislation providing for the construction of said floodway; be it further

Resolved, That certified copies of these resolutions be forwarded to Hon, Riley J. Wilson, to the Fifth District Levee Board, and to the Tensas Gazette.

131791-35-48