Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-31

The country in general has re-
sponded with some enthusiasm to
the proposal of Secretary Hoover, on
his Western trip, for great and
systematic utilization of the water
resources of the United States. His
Seattle speech, especially, has been
widely commended, upholding what
is described as a plan to turn rivers
of water into rivers of gold. The Sec
rotary proposes a development com
bining reclamation, distribution of
power and inland navigation.
In commenting on the plan, the
Birmingham News remarks that
Herbert Hoover doesn't deal in fine
spun theories; he is not a dreamer
he is a practical man of affairs, deal
ing with the world of business as he
finds it, and endeavoring to show
Americans the way toward real con
servation of national resources"
THE first use of water that comes
to mind in the Pacific Northwest, u
says the Portland Telegram, lis recla
nation, for the Columbia basin project
is first in our thoughts, but that is
closely combined with power develop,
ment, and power on the Columbia and
it's great tributaries is the inSeparable
partner of navigation. For all three
of these purposes, storage is necessary
and that is the means to prevent
foods AS on the Columbia, so it is in
all the great river basins-the Missis
sippi and Missouri, the Colorado, the
San Joaquin and on the Great Lakes
In the country as a whole, tranSporta-
ton is held of first Importance, for
cost Of railroad service has become a
heavier burden, especially to agricul.
n kn ynI1 ~
traffic has grown so that it will tax
the capacity Of the railroads. New
railroads would be far more costly
than the old, hence we look for
cheaper transportation routes, which
are the waterways"
Herbert Hoover, with his clear
power to think, might do something
worth while for the great Northwest
that sent him out into his career.
VIII he?" asks the Portland Oregon
Journal, with the further queries
What will be the effect upon his mind
of his inspection of the lands the
Northwest has to reclaim? Will he
see waste fields in their relation to
empty ships? VIII he see sage-clothed
plains that might be growing grain for
the worlds breadless? VIII his turn
for national economies cause him to
ponder on the meaning Of preparing
this last great expansive area as
part of the great food storehouse Of
the American people?'
"Rivers always have been vital in
the history of the race" the New York
Evening Post points out. "CiviliZa-
tions have depended upon them.
Framing, a broad and national pro
gram for their use must not be left to
the politician and the eXploiter. 1t is
a problem for the best brains of
the country, for it's broad-visioned
financiers, it's ablest technicians and
its greatest engineers OF Mr..
Hoover's suggestion in relation to in
land navigation and power develop
ment that 1.-The Nation and the States
pool their common interest and make
this one vast and nationwide under
taking" the Evening Post remarks
There is not much danger that de-
velopment will outrun the population
growth In 1850 the United States is
expected to hold 100000 more peo-
pie than it has today. Additional
population requires additional power,
foodstuffs and transportation. We can
use all the power we can get"
Xxx X
Observing that Mr.. Hoover believes
the project would pay for itself
through the sale Of water and power,
the Rochester Times-Union ayers that
practically every one who has studied
the situation agrees with this con-
clusion. The needless delay, with
power interests pressing to snap up
water rights, which should be de-
veloped as a great national resource, VI
tha Times Union goes on TO say, ''emr