Evening star., 1923-12-06

Pointing out that the Interior De-
partment has made a remarkable rec
ord during the past year by increas-
ing its receipts more than $14,954, 600.
although operating under q reduced
expense Of s22 5s4, 900. Secretary OF the
Interior Hubert Work submitted his
annual report today to the President
and Congress.
DR.. Work called attention to the
Critical situation existing in the ex-
penditures of the government in con-
struction and maintenance Of recla-
nation projects" and announced that
later recommendation would be
made after the results of the study
and analysis OF irrigation methods
and policies have been completed by
a special committee of advisers.
Special attention should be direct
ed. Secretary Work said. to the sit
uation in the patent office. which is
at present 10000 cases and ten
months behind in its work.
Lack of Colorsd Doctors.
Another question of deep public
concern. he added, Is the shortage of
members of the medical and dental
professions of the colored race in this
country. DR.. Work pointed out that
at present there are but two educa-
tioral institutions in the United States
where colored physicians and den-
lists are graduated annually and
qualified to practice medicine and
dentistry among their people. One
of these is the Howard University of
Washington.
On this point the Secretary says:
Recent Investigations show that the
colored population of the nation has
increas sed to nearly 100000, and
that there is only one colored physi-
clan to 1914 members OF this race.
while there is only one colored dem
tist to every 2o,50o coloraf persons.
AS matter Of public - fare II Is
Of paramount imporIA' that the
government take ct ~ - wipe out
this discrepancy sna increase the
number of colored graduating physi-
clans and dentists This can be done
only through adding to the facilities
of the Howard University medical
and dental schools, where many ap-
|plicants for entrance are being turned
away and are being denied the op-
portuntty to prepare themselves for
professional careers ! respectfully
present this problem for the consid-
Grafton OF the President and Congress
IN the hope that at least an initial
step will be taken to provide a fu-
ture safeguard for the health of the
colored race"
Finances for Year.
The financial aspects of his de-
partment for the year are outlined
as follows:
'The Department of the Interior.
including its various bureaus and in
stitutions; appears to have made oa q
year contained in this report. The
appropriations for its operation dur
Ing the twelve months period
amounted to s327,s31.1oo.67, which iss
s22.584.I59 less than was appropriated
during the previous fiscal year. Not
increased from approximately s4s.-
e12.52ss5 in 1922 to approximately
ss3,5se.sH.os in 1923. "r a gain of
Most of this increase came from
lands. the gain in receipts in the bu-
reau OF Indian affairs during the fis-
cal year Of 1923 over 1922 totaiing
sissao%as % Tse patent from ope apeoa
agraphic copies of patents. trade
marks, etc. by the sum of s156,oo0.
The revenues from the Alaska
railroad through additional passenger
and freight traffic increased about
.1el. 900, followed by the bureau OF OF
s134.eoo, the national park service
with a gain of SIS 500. the geological
survey with a gain of s51 900 and the
bureau of education with gain OF
ts1.45I in its receipts from sales OF its
publications. Only three bureaus