The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-02-24
BY FRANKLIN X. LANE
Secretary of the Department of the Interior of
United States

Some months ago | sought to learn what | could
of the assets of this country they might be re-
vealed by this department; where were in point
OF development and what we had with which to
meet the world
With the exception of one or two minor minerals
the United States produces every mineral that is
needed in industry and this be said of other
country.
We produce &C per cent of the worlds output of
petroleum. 60 per cent of its copper 10 per cent of
its coal and ron and 80 per cent of it's lead and zinc
We can build battleship, or an automobile Eek
cepting the tires) railroad or factory, entirely
from the products of American mines and forests.
To replensh the soil have phosphorus in
abundance, potash is known to exist in the deposits
of Searles Lake, Cal, which, however. is not vet
commercially available, and in alunite where it is
combined with aluminium and deposits of which are
found in several states; and nitrogen can be eX-
tracted from the air by cheap hydro-electrc power
as is now done in Germany, Norway and elsewhere.
So that can feed the earth and keep it sustained
Our soil and climate are varied that we can pro-
duce all the grains fruits, vegetables and fibers
known to temperate zone, and some found in the
sem-tropics.
And to crown all these we have water power that
can be made to generate perhaps as much as Co.
100000 horsepower!
The public domain rapidly growing
is being occupied used OF the
lef 100000 already
Ing over 100000 as probably carrying OIL and 100000 phos
phate lands.
The most valuable discovery made in recent affecting
antly productive under dryfarming methods.
body public heavily mneraiaed
daily capacity, sight
During the 50 United
ss f hs sua e sm
to Wright's aeropane and high speed
There also 2oO0O0oo public school children the
What has been policy with
How may they be the more highly put to use? These
outset let me that find need for change of policy
but only for Its expansion.
that in the life Of We through stages development
first we
deal with the easily handled things and later the
The reckessness other gives
So has it been with this For long time
and minerals
things which perhaps in their turn went abroad
greater industries
wider markets more economical methods of production
effort must be set and the more elaborate machinery
now fehad close nsisent constructive thought Illuminated
By knowledge and made practical by Imagination
An intense naturalization has the marking
past year realized with keener
CONSCIOUSNESS the meaning of t, land to him, and has
sought for larger view Of It in its
be to gain glimpse at its future To each has his
We know Is national feeling
than pride the possession Of land that
those things Of the spirit which cali principles.
highest sense Of nationality comes with sense Of purpose
In what direction consciously going: What
the accepted test Of real national and the
For the unsS states is eo ,t onrs % the
to s.s sna az mot Dc . n We ARE re-, doing =. an be
highest intelligence applied alike 70 It's resources sna
a.l =. q this article BY SECRETARY
national assets Of all sorts.