The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-08-21
e. O N T l N u E n
from page one.
Missouri Diversion
Urged Upon Works
Chiefs at Meeting

dollar, they will spend billions of dol
lars in the next IL months. The en-
tire recovery program must be based
upon the recovery of the farmer.
Hugh Johnson is setting minimum
price and wage levels and it is good
time for North Dakotans and other
northwestern communities to tell the
powers that be at Washington how
you feel about it. The farmers should
support the program of our great
president who is trying to bring about
the recovery of the farmer. It was
the condition of the farmer that
brought about the breakdown of in
dustry and you should be heard in
the establishing of new higher price
levels"
Explains Works Program
Turning to the object of the meet
ing, Murphy explained the national
public works program. He said there
are between II and Is million per-
sons unemployed in the United States
and the public works program is de-
signed to put them back to work. The
program was set up at the request of
the president and its primary purpose
is to relieve the unemployment situa-
ton.
All projects, he said, will be con-
sldered from the standpoint Of fur
nishing the maximum of relief to un-
at a minimum expense to
the government. The second consid-
Grafton will be the necessity of the
proposed project, and third, the abil-
ity of the community to pay its share
If the cost-approximately 10 per
cent
Referring to the Missouri river di.
version project, Murphy said he did
not know much about 1t but was pre-
pared to learn from those present
He said he had conferred with Gov
crnor LANCER and Highway Commits
sioner Frank Vogel on the North Da-
kota highway program and that an
effort would be made to furnish farm
ers with as much work as possible.
We cannot promise work to all"
he said, but the carrying out of the
program will do much to relieve the
present situation"
Doyle said the state board would see
that the spirit of the law was carried
out and that local labor and home
material would be used so far as pos
sible.
Approaching Aridity
Sievert Thompson, Devils Lake,
presented testimony on the Missouri
river project. He said he would leave
the matter mostly in the hands of the
technical experts present, but called
attention that whereas the annual
average precipitation of the state is
1874 inches, the annual evaporation
is approximately 80 inches, nearly
twice as much. He said it was obvi-
Gus that under these conditions the
state is rapidly approaching a semi
arid or arid condition.
Completion of the proposed Mis-
souri, river diversion, he said, would
help agriculture and industry by fur
Fishing cheap power. He visualized
the time when North Dakota will tan
its own hides and manufacture its
own shoes and card its own wool for
clothing.
Prof. Howard E. Simpson OF the
University of North Dakota reviewed
facts in connection with the project.
He said the primary purpose Of the
proposed project is the conservation
Of water, adding the conservation of
water does not mean saving it or
boarding it, but rather its efficient
use.
The development Of the northwest,
he said, had been made by the use
of the natural resources Of the coun-
try, largely It's splendid soil and UNI
til recently It's abundant water supply.
He gave a detailed history of Devils
Lake. showing that at one time 1t was
Sc feet deep. Later it fell to 40 feet
and in 1883 to IS feet, in 1907 to Is
feet and in 1929 to Is feet.
Outlining the benefits to be derived
from the Missouri river project. Prof.
Simpson mentioned flood control, aid
to agriculture, furnishing of water to
the leading cities of North and South
Dakota, power development, irrigation
and transportation.
He was followed by others who ex-
planned the engineering features of
the project.
The cherry trees around the Tidal