Evening star., 1933-02-02
ROOSEVELT PLANS
PROJECT CREATING
Jobs FOR 100000
Tennessee Watershed Is
Chosen to Launch Gigan-
tic Experiment.
EXTENSION TO OTHER
SECTIONS CONTEMPLATED
Reforestation, Reclamation, Water
power and Farm Rehabilitation
Are Included.
Nv the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
WARM SPRINGS, Ga. February a.
A gigantic experiment designed to pro-
vide 100000 jobs and herald the birth
inf a new America from which the curse
Of unemployment would be lifted was
proposed today by President-elect
Roovevelt.
The rugged highlands and fertile IN
Hustrial valley of the Tennessee water
shed we're chosen by the next President
for this most interesting experiment a
Government has ever undertaken"
Seated before the blazing fireplace
of the little white house." he told
newspaper men Of his dream Tor vast
internal development encompassing re-
forestation, reclamation, waterpower
and agricultural rehabilitation. The
aim is to balance the national popula-
ton anew between cities and the
country.
Hopes to Widen Project.
Mr.. Roosevelt expects this huge
laboratory experiment to prov1oe EN-
ployment for 100000 men IN the Ten
nessee Valley alone. More than TINS. ne
hopes to carry the scheme into otner
sections of the nation from Alleghenles
to the Pacific Coast and through 1t to
re-establish American life on basis
that will mean the end Of unemploy-
ment, the decentralization OF industry,
and a people protected by the watch
full eye of government.
The great Tennessee Valley project,
involving half a dozen States, 10
include:
Reforestation.
2. Creation of food control basins in
the upper valleys. first at Cove Creek
in the Clirch River.
8. Water-power development to oe
available for cities, States and farm
homes
q Reclamation of the fertile bottom
lands for agricultural use.
S. Elimination of the unprof1table
marginal lands from farm pursuits.
6. Eventual food control of the great
Mississippi River.
7. Eventual Improvement OF naVlga-
ton.
Mr.. Roosevelt announced that as soon
as he takes office March he will
ask the various Government depart
ments involved to make surveys with
view to putting the proposition up to
Congress at an early date
Confident of Success
Confident that the whole project will
be self-sustaining, he has no doubt OF
the "bankability' of it and the avail
ability of bonds for the undertaking.
If it is successful, and am conf
den. it will be-" he said, Il think this
DEVELOPMENT will be the forerunner OF
similar projects in other sections, par
ticularly in the Ohio and Arkansas VAL
leys and in the Columbia River Basin
of the Northwest.
I'VE have about 100000 wage
earners unemployed. If we return i'm
mediately to the high level of 1929
think we would still have 100000 men
out of work and on dole. Our popu-
1ation is out of balance. If by Govern
ment activity we can restore the bal
ance we will have taken great step
forward.
The normal trend now is back-to-
the-farm movement. For those who
have had experience in agricultural
work think we will do well to provide
q living"
Without references to notes or books,
but with an occasional glance at a huge
map, Mr. Roosevelt unfolded his idea
for great Tennessee Valley experiment.
There is no doubt he has been studying
the proposition for days.
$4,000 Square Miles.
He said he selected the Tennessee
watershed running over the States Of
Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee,
North Carolina, South Carolina and
parts of Kentucky, Alabama and Mis-
sissippi for many reasons, principally
because of it's wide range of physical