The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-04-21

1t Operates
By William Brzekarf
DEPARTMENT OF
INTERIOR

~ predicated on alignment of the
citizens into two major political par
ties, changes are effected very slow
ly in the matter of expanding, or ac-
complishing a shrinkage. In any es-
adjustment or its functions. Some po-
litician rises up and makes IAN is
sue" OF every proposal of that kind,
and quite obviously he has his fol-
lowing. Thus, oftentimes functions Of
government go on long after their
necessity has ceased.
But I am going 10 discuss changes
that have come about whether the
political parties desired or not,
changes that were accomplished In
manner comparable in reverse TO the
history OF the memorable character.
Topsy, who 'just growed." They are
conferred in the Department Of the
Interior. and / say without fear of
contradiction that no department OF
the government has experienced such
changes with respect TO importance
Of its several units.
II was not so many years ago, less
than half century, that the country
looked TO the Department Of the In
terror in connection with the grave
Indian problem; il looked TO the same
agency concerning disposition Of the
vast public lands. and the same agency
was In charge of all veterans pen
sions, though the number was small
oc oor,ro rod m now
In the meantime, the West was de-
veloping. Public lands were being alb
sorbed and the number Of Indians was
decreasing and the blood was being
diffused. Far-seeing statesmen recog-
nized that conservation OF the beauty
spots required early action, and pres
ervation Of them as national parks
got under way.
The course OF the times carried with
II the constituent elements Of new
problems. such as administration Of
irrigation projects. as the arid states
received the overflow of population.
Reclamation Of lands was the premise
from which the movement had to pro-
coed.
Thus, the Department of the In
terror saw its influence wane in some
sections Of the country and on some
matters Of national import, and OBJ
served II expanding In others. The
public domain has declined in size
and importance until the general land
Office is only a fraction Of its former
self. though still an Office Of conse-
Quence. and the Office of commission
er Of Indian affairs, once among the
powerful Offices Of the government,
has declined in importance CORE
spondingly with the shrinkage Of In
dian population and problems.
Through the years, of course. the
department has received additions.
such as the Office of education, and the
national park service has been built
up as the nation sought to conserve
for the future the beauty spots and
recreational grounds naturally pre-
scented In virgin form. The develop
ment Of the great resources Of Alaska
to a large extent is under the d.
rection Of the secretary of the interior
who has the Alaska railroad under
his administration. There Is also the
geological survey. an agency for study
Of the nations geologic map.
As TO the changes that have come
IN the department since its inception,
however. none stand out more than
does the expansion Of influence through
construction and management of ir-
rigation projects Actually, none bear
more Importantly on the economic and
physical well-being of what was the
West of yore. The director Of reclaim
nation has been exerting this infiu-
ence of the federal government for
so years, and If one may use the
constant calls for additional legisla-
ton as a criterion, the limit Of power
and influence of that Office is yet afar
of. Irrigation IS only In its infancy.
AS the work In connection with
educating the Indians and providing
for their future welfare and protec-
ton of their funds grows less. and as
the area Of the public domain declines.
the functions Of government decline
there. but In another part Of the great
building that houses the department
the functions Of government are ex-
panding that the national parks may
be protected and preserved for future
generations And so II Is. too, with
the commissioner Of education who Is
the nason between the state school
systems and the federal government,
as well as serving In cooperation with
all educational institutions through
out the country.
II Is not intended In this discussion
TO depreciate the value Of the work
done by any of the units making up
the Department Of the Interior The
purpose is TO show how a changing
of conditions. resulting from growth
of the nation itself, has brought about
modification of the work and the de-
mands upon government None can
say that the general land Office, for
example. lacks consequence when IL
Is recalled that every day and every
where there is some one or group
clamoring to gain a leasehold on pub
lie land TO exploit mineral resources
of oil, of copper, of a dozen other
things. These are owned by the
federal government and proper ad-
ministration of them is just as vital
" important as sound construction
Of the gigantic project headed up in
Hoover dam and the Colorado river