Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-03

which is now a threat to hundreds Of
thousands of acres of farm lands in
Arizona and California will be con-
verified into a steady stream of about the
volume of the Hudson River at Troy.
It will carry commerce. water thousands
of acres of arid public lands and fur
nish drinking water to dozen cities.
Power contracts already signed allocate
this energy among three States. II
cities, the great metropolitan water
district which will build an aqueduct
from the Colorado to the Southern Cali
fornia plain and four utility companies
serving the agricultural areas outside
the municipalities. A wide regional
benefit was sought and obtained. Arr
IONA and Nevada may claim over $780,
600 horsepower each. whenever they can
use It, within so years. Surplus rev.
enues, of which there will be millions.
also are divided among these two States
and fund to build more dams in the
Colorado. All the funds used for con-
struction will be repaid by power con-
tracts, with interest. The construction
contract for the dam itself was signed
on April 81; work has been under way
on the railroad, highway and construc-
ton camp for months.
Alaska Rich In Resources.
The Territory Of Alaska Is big enough
and rich enough to deserve the fullest
possible development. It's resources will
still be available for our grandchildren
even If used to the utmost now. The
Alaska Railroad was an experiment de-
signed to help this thinly populated
country to grow. 1t costs nearly mil
lion dollars a year TO run 1t, but the in
vestment will Justify itself in the future
of this empire. Our present problem is
TO develop present industries which can
furnish traffic TO help bear the burden
Of opening the country. We have avail
able a quarter million dollars to make a
study of the mineral and other re-
sources Of the region near the railroad
Hawaii is a self-governing Territory
with favorable balance of trade and
stable future. We share responsibility
there with the War and Navy Depart
ments.
The Virgin Islands are a new reSpon-
sibility Of this department. We have
there the task Of economic rehabilita-
ton. When the United States acquired
the islands from Denmark in 1917 the
population had steadily declined for 40
years and industry was at a standstill
The, islands loss of importance as
coanng station, due to the widespread
change from coal to oil as q fuel, and
their loss Of importance as a port Of
call for cable instructions due to the
universal use of the radio have since
decreased the sources of support for the
residents. They must seek livelihood
from the soil and the sea.
Function Satisfactorily.
The welfare institutions administered
by this department are functioning sat-
isfactorily. st. Elizabeth's Hospital for
the Insane, Freedman's Hospital and
Howard University, the two latter Of
particular benefit to the Negroes, are all
in the midst of new building programs
Columbia Institution for the Deaf con-
tinueS its unique work
So much for the individual activities
OF this department. 1t Is adapting its
| conservation work to new problems in
many fields. Despite its wide range, 1t
Is but one of the many departments of
the Government, and serves only part
OF the needs of our people. The co-or-
dination of all these departments and
! establishments Is a great task. Their
powers are derived largely from acts OF
Congress and their adaptation to chang
| ing conditions, therefore, can not be
made overnight. The Department Of the
! Interior has embarked on a period Of
| change Of which these two years are
| only the beginning. The next IS years
should see complete transformation in
the Nations relation to its human and
physical resources. We have tried to
| chart out course for our own activities
| which Will start us in the right direction.