The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-07-27
PLANS TO BUILD
RESERVOIRS
FOR 1900
COP. Nominee Turns
From Campaign to
Map Farm Help
BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON


campaign, today began a series
Of conferences with his executive
aides to determine whether the
State can extend any further help
to farmers in the drought-strick-
en- areas of sun-blistered Kansas.
The Governor called for a re-
port from Secretary of Agricul-
ture Jacob G. Mohler on the con-
struction of farm ponds through
out the State under his water
conservation and drought-aid
program. So far LOO of these
ponds have been built on individ-
ual farms, with a total of 5000
to be constructed before the pro-
gram is concluded. The total
program will store $4,000 acre
feet of water.
Landon meanwhile had num-
Der of appointments for the day.
He will confer with Benjamin M.
Anderson, jr., economist of the
Chase National Bank, of New
York, and Col. Leonard P. Ayers,
statistician and vice president Of
the Cleveland Trust Company, on
economic matters. He also will
meet Leslie Jensen, Republican
candidate for governor of South
Dakota, and Robert Marion Hardy,
bank president of Yakima, Wash
ington.
Deeply Concerned
The Kansas drought problem
deeply concerned the Republican
nominee. Already, ~ of the States
1O5 counties are on a Federal
drought emergency basis, enti-
ting their inhabitants to special
Federal relief. Unless the present
heat wave is broken by rain, State
officials believe the list will be
greatly augmented within another
week.
The governor faced some serious
obstacles in aiding the drought
stricken farmers. For one thing,
the State constitution forbidS State
expenditures for emergency relief,
placing that burden on the coun-
ties.
The governor has long been an
advocate if not the father of the
idea of constructing farm ponds.
Under his plan, the farmer fur
nishes the land for construction
of a dam and storing of water.
Relief Labor Used
With no State funds available
for this purpose. the dams have
been constructed through use Of
relief labor, with Federal relief
funds bearing the cost. All engi-
neering plans have been subject
to approval of the chief engineer
in the State Department of Agri-
culture.
Beside the farm ponds, the same
machinery has constructed21 State,
county and city lakes, with q
more in process of construction.
Some are used for pleasure pur-
poses, others to augment municipal
water supplies, but all are avail
able for drought relief purposes.
Jobs for the unemployed are the
primary need of America today as
they were in 1898, Governor Ian
don declared in a message to the
Young Republican organization OF
Illinois, meeting at Peoria, Ill.
Implying the Roosevelt admin
ITERATION had failed to meet the
issue of putting men and women
back to work, Governor Landon
called upon the initiative and
spirit of American youth to help
solve the problems facing the
nation.
Wire Sent to G.. o. P.
Governor Landon's telegram to
the young Republicans rally at
Peoria was addressed to Thomas
J. Downs, president Of the or
ganization, and read as follows:
"'My greetings to the young
Republicans of Illinois. The
Young men and women Of the
nation express in their spirit, in
their outlook on the future and
in their inherent vitality the
spirit of America that is rally
ing in this campaign for preser-
walton of the glorious heritage
of America.
Gas 1 said in my speech of &C
ceptance, American initiative is
not a commodity to be delivered
In pound packages through a
governmental bureau
"The history Of mankind
shows that progress is impOsSi-
BILE except when men and
women are free to give and to
express the best that is within
them.
'tIt is because America is free
and the opportunity for Ameri-
can initiative is open to all that
we have built here a civilization
with the highest standards Of
living in the world.
"Our problems embrace the
very purpose of America. To
solve them calls for sturdy souls
and keen intellect and, above
all. for the initiative and cOur-
age Of American youth"
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