The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1921-12-06
BIG DEVELOPMENT
OF RESOURCES
SECRETARY FALL SAYS TAX BUR-
DEN WILL BE LIGHTENED AS
COUNTRY DEVELOPS.

Washington-(B A. Pc History
is now repeating ITSELF" says Secre-
1 tary Fall, land after period Of un-
limited expenditure in war measures
and in preparing for war in the crea-
tiOn of navy, ETC., it has been found
necessary to curtail such expendi-
lures to the utmost. I am justified
in calling attention to the fact that
the department of the interior-the
home department is fully equipped
and prepared to do it's part in the de-
lvelopment Of those great natural re-
sources which must be so developed
| if the tax burden upon this and fu-
ture generations is to be borne at
! ALL"
Secretary Fall devotes a consider
able part Of his report to reclamation
projects and in this connection he
urged that "an affirmative strong
policy be announced by the execu-
tive"
ssThe necessary advances can be
made from year to year without be-
coming an excessive burden upon the
tax payers" the secretary says, "and
as has already been proven by expert
CllCC, OllO yCdl . ClOp upOl Out dCl z
of reclaimed irrigated ground will be
of value largely in excess of the total
amount expended in rendering such
acre productive. Under the present
system, or any proposed legislation
of course the cost of such project will
be repaid and meanwhile the added
wealth yielded will tighten the tax
burdens upon all the taxpayers of the
country"
Referring to pending bills provid-
ing for further reclamation activities
Mr.. Fall says that if they are enact
ed additional opportunity for labor
will be offered the unemployed and
at the same time homes made for
those who desire them.
s'This department. he adds, sis
thoroughly organized with sufficient
force and is ready to carry on any
work which such an enlightened pol
icy as suggested might be assigned
to it in reclamation or other develop
ment of our national resources"
Discussing the situation, the interi-
or secretary declares the resources of
that territory, and of the wealth to
be drawn therefrOm in the future are
almost incalculable.
"There are 21,000,000 acres of lands
forests in that territory he says,
''and many millions of acres upon the
public domain upon which settlers
may depend for mining timbers, lum-
ber for houses, etc. There are mil
lions of acres of land fitted for agri-
culture and the agricultural resources
are such that large population can
be supported in Alaska without the
of foodstuffs from the
United States or other countries.
"Alaska's resources have not been
developed for various reasons, among
others the lack of transportation and
argeIy because of the fact that these
'esOurces are administered through
Iome thirty-eight bureaus and various
Of this government. In
ny opinion authority to- administer
he laws relative to Alaska's natural h
esources must be vested in some one
department. of this government that
he activities charged with the ad
Of such laws may be
coordinated.
Transportation is necessary of
curse and the government has assist
d insofar as the construction Of a
abroad from Seward to Fairbanks is
oncerned, which road will be ready
or operation within few months. (
vast deposits of valued metalliferousI
Minerals and great coal mines are l
nown to exist and must be made ac-
essible to the railroad and to coast
{
ssWhile no extensive oil Develop t
lent has as yet been made, it is well |
nown to this department that indi- t
ations of valuable oil deposits exist
rom Point Barrow to the Seward