Evening star., 1933-02-10

An elaborate system for the utiliza-
ton of Muscle Shoals, advanced by
President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Is made a subject of wide debate, with
attempts at accurate appraisal of the
several details. Primarily, the country
shows interest in the initiation of some
form of action in the direction of better
conditions. Increased employment Is
suggested. Some farmers doubt the
value of reclamation, although this is
balanced against the use of marginal
lanos for reforestation. Flood control
and water power possibilities are criti-
cally considered. Suggestions of private
ownership are made, as in previous ma
tional debates on this subject.
Perhaps the President-elect aspires
to go down in history as the maker of
great start" says the Des Moines
Tribune, stating that the plan 'is hailed
in various quarters as start toward
longtime national economic plan
ming" That paper also comments
Such phases as that of retaining
fertile land that is now subject to floods
certainly need security. We need no
more crop land And the theory that
city folks will hasten out to the coun-
try. and while in the country eat more,
so that the addition of more land won't
matter, is still just theory. If enough
marginal land can be put out of culti-
vation not only to counterbalance the
reclaimed land but to exceed it, that
phase will look better"
y
''It is an attempt" in the opinion of
the Boston Transcript, at systematic
planning for the future in the develop
ment of the country" The Transcript
adds that even If sober judgment finds
that it far transcends the practical, 1t
may serve useful purpose in turning
the minds of men to the subject of
orderly and scientific provision for the
future of the country; and If the pres
ent plan, as whole, is not feasible,
it may be found of value in part" The
ASbury Park Evening Press feels that
the matter represents economic re-
habilitation on the grand scale" and
that 1t comes from a mind that imag-
ines a great advance in the nations
development and seeks to transform it
into reality through bold planning"
He will be moving toward recovery"
thinks the Portland Oregon Journal
with the belief that when Franklin D.
Roosevelt, as President, steps in de-
ciSively and makes Muscle Shoals power
plant wondrouS center of thrilling
power he will be serving true econo-
my and a true humanitarianiSm." The
Cincinnati Times-Star advises that the
project deserves and will need a COM
prehensive study" and offers the judg-
ment: 'Roosevelts main propositions
are not subject to question. Economi-
cally and socially. in at least two ma
Jor respects. the country Is out of bal
ance: Cd 1t has squandered its forest
resources and overdeveloped dts agricul-
tural areas-hundreds of millions of
acres Of poor farm lands should be re-
forested and only the. Federal and. State
Governments can or will do this; CD
industry needs to be decentralized in
way that will take the people away from
great congested centers of population
and spread them over the land. A
third important fact is that at Muscle
Shoals. the keypoint of the Tennessee
Valley, the Government has already
power, nitrate and commercial fertilizer
investment Of about $50, 100000"
1t Is plan comprehensive In scope
and we'll worth attempting" AYERS the
Houston Chronicle, while the Santa
Monica Outlook holds that 'it is well to
have the subject definitely settled by
an actual test" The Springfield (Mass)
Republican adds. THE immediate point
on which the project may be pegged is
its possible availability in employing la
bor now suffering from the demoraIi2a-
ton of prolonged idleness. If 100000
men could be absorbed into the con-
rtructive work which Mr.. Roosevelt be-
lievc3 to be possible in reforestation and
reclamation in the Tennessee River
watershed, the project is worthy Of the
most s9Nous consideration" The Ha-