The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-12-26
Summary Of Report Of the Secretary Of Agriculture



extension work; that is carrying the
discovered facts to the people. In
the carrying of the facts to the peo-
Pile, the secretary proposes to use the
agricultural colleges within the states
believing that they are the proper
agencies for reaching the people d.
rectly. The machinery for the con-
duct of this work and the bringing
about of coordination and closer re-
lationships is to be provided in an
extension bill introduced by Hon.
Hoke Smith, of Georgia, in the senate
an dion. Asbury F. Lever, of South
Carolina, in the house
Review of the Departments Activities
In a short general review of the de-
partment's activities. special empha-
sis is laid on the work of the forest
service is administering the national
forests. 1t is pointed out that the
primary objects of the national for
ests are to protect the public timber,
to produce continuous supply OF tim
Der on land not required for agricul-
ture, and to protect the sources of
water used for navigation, irrigation,
water power, domestic supplies, etc.
The department is endeavoring to
| classify the national-forest lands and
to segregate those valuable for agri-
culture. Every consideration, not
only for the development of the states
but for protecting and increasing the
use of the resources of the forests,
makes it desirable to further the agri-
cultural development of land in the
forests suited to farming. The ad
ministration of the national forests is
large business enterprise. The earn
ings last year were increased about
100000. or approximately Is per
cent Many forests now return more
than their operating cost. The graz
ing policy and the water-power poll
cy, in SO far as affecting the national
forests, are set forth. There are
great power possibilities within the
national forests. Already there are
76 developed projects and 80 under
consideration. AS the market for
power increases there will be much
greater demand than at present. and
the government should make the nr< :
er sites available under terms which
will not only encourage the invest
ment of capital, but fully insure the
interests of the public.
Good Roads
A special chapter is devoted to good
roads. For 20 years. it is stated,
there has been steady growth in
the good-roads movement, SO that to-,
day about "a states have highway
commissions or some form of highway
agency. State appropriations for
road work have increased two MIL
lion 10 years to forthy-three million
in 1912. The relation of the feder-
al government to road construction
and road management is pointed out.
The federal government should take
the lead in Investigations! and ex-
rerimental work and should deYelop
principles of cooperation with the
states in matters of educational and
unconstitutional work. It seems de-
sirable that the federal government
should deal with the states as the
lowest unit, through an expert high
way commission as its agency. This
policy would eliminate the difficulty
of the federal governments determ-
lining local issues as we'll as the dan
ger of undue centralized federal con.
troll. In ordsr to stimulate this pol
icy and to prevent undue inroads on
the federal treasury, federal aid,
whenever extended for construction
and maintenance, should be furnished
on condition that the states provide
an appropriation at least double that
voted by the federal government. This
would furnish an automatic check.
The plan should provide for mainten-
ance as we'll as construction, in or
der to prevent the possibility of the
construction, in order to prevent the
possibility of the construction of
roads many of which may wear out
before the bonds placed upon them
are paid. The secretary raises the
question as to what roads should be
improved. He says that roads of
greatest economic and social impor-
lance are those over which the pro-
ducts of the farm can be taken to the
nearest railway station and which
minister to the other social and eco
nomic needs of the community It
is pointed out that no federal funds
should be exended on any project un-
til scheme of road construction and
maintenance within a state has been
developed and agreed upon by the
proper representatives of the state
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