Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
NATURAL RESOURCES
BEDROCK OF INDUSTRY
Firm Foundation on Which u. S. Trade
Enlargement With Other Nations
Must Be Built in Future.

Fuel Administration have delegated
to the Interior Department the car
rying out of much they began during
the war; President Wilson by execu-
tive order has given the Interior De-
partment administration of the min
erals bill. passed by Congress October
5, last. Our greatest American mate
rial resource has been land. and
the general land office continues
after a century Of activity to admin
while the reclamation service each
year adds to the productive area in
the arid west.
American industry in its wonderful
successes has had its discoveries and
| improvements guarded by another
bureau of the Interior Department
the patent office; the mineral wealth
of the nation is the special object Of
| the scientific Investigations of the
geological survey and the bureau of
the source of authoritative data on
the water power resources. as well
as doing the topographic mapping
which furnishes the mother map of
the country, while the younger bu-
reau has led off in the safety first
of conservation.
Well Defined Policy.
Most logically, then, the Department
of the Interior approaches the re-
construction period with well
bounded field and a well defined
| policy. To make the most of America
means larger opportunities for more
citizens. Making every vacant acre
| available for cultivation by the re-
| turning soldier pointing out the oil
pool or coal bed or ore deposit that
49,
proving how American potash can be
made in quantities sufficient to meet
| every need once supplied by German
product, showing the American pub
| lie how the largest use can be made
| of our power plants-theSe are somc
! the Department of the Interior Each
| Of these problems. as we'll as many
| others, promises results that VIII
count in making this a better country
i for our overseas representatives 10
! come back to.
! Let us throw a searchlight on the
| 1919 program: Raw materials in
| abundance, yet these natural deposits
! to be selected after wise investlga-
| ton and to be developed along the
lines of the best of American en-
| gineering. and worked with the most
| efficient of American labor, FOR the
| product of the factories and mines
| Of the United States can compete in
! the markets of the world only by
the American workman turning out
| greater quantities and better quailtF
F, in the same time.
Machines to Aid Labor.
Higher wages and shorter hours are
| not impossible, if the workman has
his man-power reinforced. or better
multiplied. by machine. So 1t Is that
our wealth of mineral fuels or water
rnnfaina the nrnnriap
Of large attainment for American in
austry, and it is. significant that on
these two subjects OF fuel conserva-
zion and power utilization that the
bureau Of mines and the geological
survey have been cooperating with
the fuel administration. With the
| coming of peace the special urgency
| which called forth the activity OF this
| war board has ceased in large part,
| yet the best use of coal under the
boilers OF this busy country and the
expansion of electric transmission
lines and the coordination Of power
| systems continue to be the subject for
| engineering investigation IL future
governmental administration is to be
helpful to business and industry.
For this country to have been given
the natural heritage of more than
| half of the worlds coal deposits car
ries the responsibility for careful use.
The bureau of mines has sought for
ucCdOe 10 IHCTedSe Tie outuul VI SOdl
| in terms of energy rather than to
have smokestacks and ash niles tell
| the story OF waitSed b. T. US.
| Wealth of natural resources is to be
regarded as working capital.
legislation Brewing.
There are now three pieces of leg
islation on which Congress and other
government officials are working
which will measure the work Of the
Interior Department on development
of natural resources: % the minerals
bill. passed by Congress as a war
measure, and which is now unwork-
able and must be revised; (2) the gen
leral leasing bill. designed especially
for oil development. and CD the water
power bill.
The general leasing bill is now in
conference. but as Chairman Ferris of
the House committee is not expected
back in Washington until after the
holidays it is not probable that this
measure can be rushed through this
short session of Congress. Three gov
eminent Observation-Disclosures Navy
and Justfce-have been in conflict on
this measure looking to the opening
up Of the naval oil reserves. In his
annual report Secretary Daniels has
reaffirmed his contention that these
reserves should be held intact for flu
ture needs and that other potential
deposits should also be withdrawn.
This indicates that early passage Of
the leasing bill should not be expected.
The water power legislation is in
this stage. The administration" bill.
backed by President Wilson and Sec
retaries Houston Of Agriculture, Lane
of Interior and Baker of War, has
,passed the House.
Another measure. known as the
Shields bill. has passed the Senate.
They have gone to conference. 1t has
| been announced that there will be
! TO attempt to reconcile differences
| until after the Christmas holidays. so
there is scant hope for water power
I legislation before March 3.
Water Power Legislation.
The question Of water power legis-
| lation will have to be revived in the
next Congress. the present special
water power committee. which has
1 legislation as any other standing
committee. having been authorized
only for this Congress.
The minerals bill was designed to
speed up production to meet war
needs. 1t was approved by the Presi
dent October 5. and for a time the
War Industries Board planned to ad-
order on November II, the very day
the armistice was signed. the miner
ais bill was sent to the Interior De-
partment for administration. Since
then conferences have been held to
see what the Interior Department
will be able to do under the authority
of this bill to meet the postwar sit
uation. 1t carries an appropriation
LOT 100000 for administrative *
%