Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
Defense, Waterways and Flood Control
Part of Army Job in Peace, Says Hurley

10TH QlSUlnCL EaCIal uLllL hey IldNS
free trade with the United States and
enjoy many other benefits by reason Of
their relation to the United States. The
result Is that they have made greater
progress toward higher political, eco
nomical and educational standards dur
ing the 80 years that they have been
under the flag of the United States than
any other people in their hemisphere
The preservation and continuance of
this progress is the earnest concern of
all interested parties.
The War Department conducts the
Inland Waterways Corporation, which
was organized by the direction CT Con-
gresS to experiment in the building OF
craft to navigate our inland streams
and to conduct a transportation sys-
tenn. Its purpose is to put commerce
back en- the rivers. This corporation
is organized for experimental purposes.
The craft designed by 1t have been
successful in navigating the rivers.
When the corporation has served It's
purpose Of restoring commerce to the
inland streams its assets will be for
sale, as the Government does not in
tend to remain permanently in the
transportation business in competition
with private enterprise.
Secretary Heads Boards.
The Secretary of War also is presi-
dent of the National Forest Reserva-
ton Commission, which. under the d.
rection OF Congress, Is purchasing tim
bered lands throughout the Nation for
national forest reservations.
On the request of the President, the
last session Of Congress enacted a law
creating a Federal Power Commission.
This relieved the Secretary of War Of
membership on the former Federal
Dor ate~f t@,,k
partment still has charge of the power
plant and nitrate plants at Muscle
Shoals on the Tenne see River These
plants were constructed as a wartime
measure. but the progress in the sci
entif1c methods for producing nitrogen
has rendered these plants no longer
necessary for national defense pur-
poses. Nitrogen can now be purchased
in abundance and at much less cost
than 1t can be produced by the equip
ment at Muscle Shoals.
In peace-time the War Department
accumulates a great many civil func-
tons. It now has an accumulation OF
civilian activities that are growing and
in all probability will. upon proper re-
organization of the departments CT the
Government, be transferred to civilian
departments.
The War Department Is ever mind
full that 1t is an instrument of the peo-
pie. 1t is ale:t to serve their interest
wherever It can. It shares the burden
in Americas part in the worldwide
economic depression. The Secretary OF
War was appointed by the President as
one Of the committee to assist in re-
lieving unemployment. The War De-
partment has awaited itself of the
opportunity to serve in softening the
economic hardships and relieving need.
AS soon as unemployment appeared
orders were issued that jobs on public
works under the departments control
should be spread as far as possible.
Military housing construction and work
on rivers and harbors were accelerated
AS early as June l. 1880. the Depart
ment took q definite stand for the re-
tcntion of the American standard of
living by ordering that wages paid to
its civilian employees should be main
tanned at pre-depression levels.
Army Aids in Drought.
During the drought military property,
including water transportation facili-
ties, were made available wherever pos
sible. Last Winter the department or
dered its surplus property in cots,
blankets and clothing to be made avail
able to relief agencies for the benefit
of those citizens who were in distress
There was no legal authority for such
use of Government property.
Our present economic hardships orig
mated. in large measure. in a world
wide depression and cannot be over
come by artificial or temporary meth
DDS. Sound national, economic policies
are necessary. and in this democracy
economic recovery cannot be accom-
plished by Government fiat or artif1-
cial methods, however temporarily help
full they may be. Under our form OF
government and our system of eco
Monies. recovery must be made by the
initiative and the courage and the in
telligent activity Of the individual citi-
zen. No plan or policy, however wise
1t may be, can succeed without the
courageous and earnest support Of the
citizenship.
In closing. am glad to be able to
say that the United States Army. in
Guiding the Air Corps and the civilian
components. during this administration
has achieved its greatest peace-time ef-
ficiency. The Army is better organized,
better trained. better equipped. better
housed and better oficered than ever
before in peace.