Evening star., 1928-12-04


being operated under generous sappro-
priations. and negotiations are develop
ing relative to the st. Lawrence water
way. To secure the largest benefits
from all these waterways joint rates
must be established with the railroads.
preferably by agreement. but other
wise as result of Congressional action.
I'VE have recently passed several
river and harbor bills. The work or
dered by the Congress, not yet complet-
ed, will cost about $243. 1000 900, besides
the hundreds of millions to be spent on
the Mississippi flood way. Until we
can see our way out of this expense no
further river and harbQr legislation
should be passed. as expenditures to
put it into effect would be four or five
years away.
Irrigation of Arid
Lands Will Tax Fund.
For many years the Federal Govern
ment has been committed to the wise
policy of reclamation and irrigation
While it has met with some failures due
to unWise selection of projects and
lack of thorough soil surveys, so that
they could not be placed on a sound
has been of such incaleulable benefit in
SO many States that no one would ad-
vocate its abandonment. The program
to which we are already committed,
providing for the construction of new
projects authorized by Congress and
the completion of old projects. will tax
the resources of the reclamation fund
over period Of years. The high cost
of improving and equipping farms adds
to the difficulty of securing settlers for
vacant farms on Federal projects.
"ReadjustmentS authorized by the
reclamation relief act of May 25, 1926,
have given more favorable terms of re-
payment to settlers These new f1nan-
cial arrangements and the general
prosperity on irrigation projects have
resulted in increased collections by the
Department of the Interior of charges
due the reclamation fund. Neverthe-
less, the demand for still smaller yearly
payments on some projects continues.
These conditions should have considera-
ton in connection with any proposed
ceW projects.
Urges Private
Boulder Dam Control.
For several years the Congress has
considered the erection of dam on the
Colorado River for flood control. irriga-
ton and domestic water purposes. all of
which may properly be considered as
Government functions There would be
an incidental creation of water power
which could be used for generating cleo
triclty. AS private enterprise can very
well fill this field, there is no need for
the Government to go into it. 1t is un-
fortunate that the States interested in
this water have been unable to agree
among themselves. Nevertheless, any
legislation should give every possible
safeguard to the present and prospective
rights of each of them.
The Congress will have before it the
detailed report of a special board ap-
pointed to consider the engineering and
economic feasibility of this project.
From the short summary which I have
seen of it, I judge they consider the en-
gineer1ng problems can be met at some
what increased cost over previous esti-
mates. They prefer the Black Canyon
site. On the economic features they
are not so clear and appear to base their
conclusions on many conditions which
cannot be established with certainty.
So far as I can judge. however, from
the summary, their conclusions appear
Sutficiently favorable, so that feel war
ranted in recommending measure
which will protect the rights of the
States discharge the necessary Govern
ment functions and leave the electrical
field to private enterprise.
Muscle Shoals Lease
Approval Is Proposed.
''The development of other methods
OF producing nitrates will probably rem
der this plant less important for that
purpose than formerly. But we have it,
and I am told it still provides practi-
cal method of making nitrateS for ma
tlonal defense and farm fertilizers BY
dividing the property into its two COM
ponent parts of power and nitrate plants
1t would be possible to dispose of the
power, reserving the right to any con-
Germ that wished to make nitrates to
use any power that might be needed for
that purpose. Such disposition of the
power plant can be made that will re-
turn in rental about $2,000000 per year.
IT the Congress would grant the Secre-
tary of War authority to lease the nj
trate plant on such terms as would in
sure the largest production of nitrates,
the entire property could begin to func-
ton. Such a division, I am aware, has
never seemed to appeal to the Congress
I should also gladly approve bill grant,
ing authority to lease the entire prop
erty for the production of nitrates
Il wish to avoid building another
dam at public expense. Future oper-
ators should provide for that them
selves. But if they were to be required
to repay the cost of such dam with the
prevailing commercial rates for interest,
this difficulty will be considerably less
ened. Nor do think this property
should be made vehicle for putting
the United States indiscriminately into
the private and retail field of power
distribution and nitrate sales.
Natural Resources
Conservation Is Urged.
THE practical application Of econ
omy to the resources of the country
calls for conservation. This does not
mean that every resource should not be
developed to its full degree, but 1t
means that none of them should be
wasted We have conservation board
working on our oil problem. This is
of the utmost importance to the future
well-being of our people in this age
OF oil-burning engines and the general
application of gasoline to transDorta-
ton. The Secretary of the Interior
should not be compelled to leaseA oil
lands of the Usage Indians when the
market is depressed and the future SUBJ
ply is in jeopardy.
While the area of lands remaining
in public ownership is small, compared
with the vast area in private ownership
the natural resources OF those In pub
lie ownership are of immense present
and future value. This is particularly
true as to minerals and water power
The proper bureaus have been classify
ing these resources to the end that they
may be conserved, Appropriate esti-
mates are being submitted, in the
budget, for the further prosecution of
this important work.
immigration Policy
Should Be Maintained.
The policy of restrictive immigration
should be maintained. Authority
should be granted the Secretary of
I ,3NOr tn give immaculate Y1rafareppa tn