The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-22

nuai rainfall nor evaporated lodges
Is estimated that the ground water to
the depth Of 100 feet averages 16 c-S
per cent Of the earth volume. or over
1,4OO. OO0. 600 OOO. 600 cubic feet, equiva-
lent to seven years rainfall or twenty
years run-off. This subsurface reser-
voir Is the essential basis OF agricul-
ture and other industries and Is the
chief natural resource of the country.
1t is probable that fully 10 per cent Of
since settlement began. The water OF
the strata below 100 feet supplies arte-
sian and deep wells. large springs and
thermal and mineral waters. 1t can be
controlled only through the subsurface
reservoir.
Except through agriculture and for
estry little general effort is made to
control the annual cutoff, although
some farmers in arid regions claim to
double or triple the crop from given
soil by supplying water just when
needed and Withholding it when not
required.
Within recent months 1t has been
recognised and demanded by the peo-
pie, through many thousand delegates
from all states assembled in conven-
ton In different sections Of the couD-
try, that the waterways should and
must be improved promptly and ef-
fectively as a means of maintaining
national prosperity.
Ap~A v~CnRaafo I'm. vuafnrvv0v I'm
provement is the control Of the waters
in such manner as to reduce foods and
regulate the regimen OF the navigable
rivers. The second requisite is devel-
opment Of terminals and connections
In such manner rs to regulate CON-
merce.
In considering the uses and benefits
to be derived from the waters the
paramount use should be water sup
ply. Next should follow navigation in
humid regions and irrigation In arid
regions. The development OF power
on the navigable and source streams
should be co-ordinated with the pri-
mary and secondary uses.
Broad plans should be adopted pro-
viding for a system Of waterway Inn
provement extending to all uses Of the
waters and benefits to be derived
from their control.
National Efficiency.
Since the greatest Of our national a.
sets is the health and vigor Of the
American people. our efficiency must
depend on national vitality even more
than on the resources OF the minerals,
lands, forests and waters.
Our annual mortality from tubercu-
hosts Is about 10000. Stopping three
fourths of the loss Of life from this
cause and from typhoid and other
prevalent and preventable diseases
would increase our average length of
life over fifteen years.
II we count the value Of each life
lost at only $1,700 and reckon the
average earning lost by illness as 500
per year for grown men, we hnd that
the economic gain from mitigation Of
preventable disease In the United
States would exceed 81 SOC. 100000 q
year In addition we would decrease
suffering and increase happiness and
contentment among the people. This
gnin, or the lengthening and strength
ening Of life which It measures, can
be secured through medical investiga-
ton and practice. school and factory
hygiene. restriction OF labor BY women
and children, the education Of the peo-
pie in both public and private hygiene
and through improving the einciency
Of our health service, municipal STATE
and national. The national govern
ment has now several agencies exer-
cising health functions which only
need to be concentrated to become CO.
ordinated parts Of a greater health
service worthy OF the nation.
We greatly need more complete
inventory OF our natural resources. and
this cannot be made except through the
active cooperation Of the states with
the nation.
The permanent welfare Of the nation
demands that its natural resources be
conserved BY proper use. To this end
the states and the nation can do much