The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-07-11
obtained at this time a year ago.

are available TO provide the educational
requirements forming one idea in the
general program. Those youths who
desire to continue their education GER
tainly are deserving of help and the
NYA offers a means TO that end. 1t
is too early to forecast what the re-
Quirements will be or what sort or
rules will be laid down respecting ap-
plicants for educational assistance.
But even the administrations most
vigorous critics have omitted throwing
any barbs at this feature Of the NYA.
Almost simultaneously with the
Presidents announcement of the NYA
he made known that
Non:F ederal the way was clear
D:.., for construction on
what he said was the
first group of non-federal projects IN
der the public works section of the five
billion dollar fund. He gave his ap-
prevail 10 63 projects, the total cost OF
which was figured at Approximately
twenty-one million dollars.
Each of the loans made in this allo-
cation of funds was based on a grant
of As per cent of the cost of the par
ticular project by the community where
the work is TO be done. The federal
government loans the other % per
cent. In this way the cost to the gov
eminent in most instances is expected
to be held within the limitation OF
ST. per man per year.
Some weeks ago the President hg-
ured out that the cost Of no project IN
which the federal government put
money should exceed an amount
greater than S1,143 for every man en-
ployed. This was designed to spread
employment. But the rule thus far
has been imperative because not a
single man has been put to work IN
der any of these projects.
In the meantime, numerous and
sundry other proposals for expanding
parts of the federal money have either
been thrown overheard or have been
held In allegiance pending further con-
sideration. This is true of gigantic
housing program worked out by Secre-
tary Ickes. 1t was planned there to
spend S250OOO,0O0 and when it was
announced a press statement was
forthcoming from the Public Works
administration that hundreds Of men
would be offered jobs within month,
so far had the plans advanced.
Also, since April s, nothing whatso-
ever has been done toward elimination
of dangerous railroad grade crossings.
I was told at the Interstate Commerce
commission and again at the bureau
of public roads that their plans were
all ready to proceed with reduction of
these highway traffic hazards and
eliminate potential death traps where
highways cross railroads. Something
has blocked the effort in this direction,
however, and as far as present Infor-
nation goes actual work on grade
crossing elimination will not be started
for the next several months.
There was information to the effect
that the grade crossing elimination
program was being held up because 1t
had been found impossible TO build an
under pass or overhead bridge at rail-
way crossings in most cases and hold
the cost within the S1,143 per man per
year. One official allowed the informa-
ton to leak out that he was seeking
10 find some way around the limita-
ton so that grade crossing work could
proceed.
While the administration is seeking
to develop new projects to aid unem-
ployment and relieve
Pet Scheme restitution, one of its
Runs An,uck pet schemes appears
to be running amuck.
refer TO the effort TO transplant 200
Middle Western farm families to the
Matanuska valley of Alaska. This
colonization project was carried on
with federal relief money and those
families which were uproeted were
taken to Alaska to find the end Of the
rainbow. According to activity around
the Federal Relief administration here
If is made to appear that the end OF
the rainbow was, as usual, some dis
lance further on. Certainly it was not
In the Matanuska valley because
number of the families already have
determined to quit and return TO their
home communities in the states.
Members of congress who are ac-
quainted with Alaskan conditions tell
me that the Matanuska valley is prob
ably the most fertile spot in CONT
mental United States. They hold to
the conviction that almost any kind
of food can be grown in the soil OF
that valley. But these men are under
no illusions. They know the hardships
that confront those settlers who were
being planted there by the federal gov
eminent in the hope of colonizing
that area. Few of them, the house
members assure me, can live there
very long unless Uncle Sam is willing
to spend millions in providing at least
some Of the modern conveniences of
this day and age and supplying in ad-
dition means of transportation and
communication. The word that comes
direct from Matanuska colony to the
Relief administration shows, In my
opinion, that the project was conceived
and executed without any thought hav-
ing been given to the practical prob
lens to be met.
True, Uncle Sam sent modern gaso-
line tractors for use of the colonists
and he shipped small sawmill or two
to carve lumber from the adjacent for
ests. But the question is asked, what
good are these unless other needed
equipment accompanies them? It is
not different, for example, than the
shipment of 20 horses that went for
ward TO the colonists-without wagons
or harness