Evening star., 1937-11-21
WORK MARSHALED
FOR NEXT SLUMP
Delay in Pump Printing in
Last Depression Leads
to Project Plans.
BY WILLIAM M. PINKERTON,
Associated Press Stan Writer,

O0 VAAC OCBAAAlHk VI CIlc N6tlOL UTSC
public works program in 1893.
They said yesterday a series of agen-
cies created to meet emergency situa-
tions led logically to the plan for per-
manent bodies in the major water
sheds to study long-range needs for
flood control, navigation, irrigation
and power development.
Such agencies, these experts said,
could prepare war chest for the next
depression. with plans and specif1ca-
tions for public works which would be
most useful to the country. With this
information, the Government could
plunge into 'pump-priming" actiN-
ties without delay.
The Administrations reaction to its
depression battling experiences. they
said, may be summed up in the recent
statement Of Secretary 1ckes. the pub
lie works administrator: IF there
should be another depression we must
not be unprepared as we were when
the last one struck U.s."
Adopted PriminE Theory.
Here Is the story as they tell it:
President Roosevelt determined in
1888 to try out the theory of combat
ing depression by priming the pump
Of industry. One method Of doing this
was to increase public construction,
thus creating a market for the heavy
industries steel, cement, brick, lum-
Der.
Part of the theory was to get many
construction jobs under way in
hurry. But there were no plans or
blueprints; no one agency could say
what public construction was most
needed, which projects would be use
full public works" and which would
not.
As thousands of demands for prof.
ects swamped the P. w. A. Offices.
newly recruited stan of experts had
to study each plan, sorting out the
good from the bad. They found that
different Federal bureaus had con-
fiicting ideas about what should be
done. They found. too, that adjoining
States often suggested conflicting prof.
ects or overlapping projects.
Advisers Enlisted.
Prominent citizens were drafted for |
a time to act as regional advisory
boards in sorting out and settling
conflicts. But they found it was a
full-time task
Therefore. President Roosevelt Gre
ated the National Planning Board on
July 20, 1888, to assist Mr.. Ickes in
formulating workable program.
While P. w. A. plugged ahead under !
marching orders drawn from the Plan
ming Boards studies, the planners
turned to looking at the public works
problem from a broader view. In
June Of 1894 President Roosevelt es-
tablished the National Resources
Board, a committee Of cabinet officers,
to continue the research.
Made permanent as the National
Resources Committee. this agency
already has made one thorough survey
Of the public works possibilities in
various drainage basins (such as the
Great Lakes and the Columbia River)
and brought forth q detailed program
OF specific projects which might be
undertaken on the various rivers sys-
TENS of the country.
At present, while P. w. A. is slowing
down, the Resources Committee is
making a new survey of the Nations
conservation needs. The committee
plans to submit to President Roosevelt
before the end of the year a detailed
list Of projects considered wise in the
various regions
The plan will cover a 10-year period.
but will indicate which projects should
be constructed first, and which can
wait.
This is the type of work which
would be the first job Of the Regional
Planning Boards.
New England's Case Recalled.
The need for co-ordinated planning
In regions. officials of the National
Resources Board say, is illustrated by
the plight OF the New England COM
pact. The New England States drew |
up a hood-control program and won
the approval of the Army engineers.
When the proposal was submitted to
Congress. however. they discovered
that the Federal Power Commission
had other ideas.
Similarly, when Chicago tried to
solve Its sewage-disposal problem by
drawing water from Lake Michigan,
emptying the sewage into it and
shooting it down the drainage canal
to the Mississippi, the city was at
tackled from both sides. Other lake
cities contended in court that Chicago
was taking so much water from Lake
Michigan that the shore line was
lowered. Cities below Chicago con-
tended that so much sewage was
emptied into the canal that the water
was polluted.
Segments of regional planning to
meet such problems already dot the
Nation. They are sponsored by single
States or groups of States.
The latest addition is the program
Tor development of the Red River
Of the North, through 4 compact
among Minnesota, North Dakota and
South Dakota. This compact is aimed
against sewage contaminat ton, dis
astrous spring floods, water shortages
for home use and for irrigating the
dry wheat lands.
Far West Acts.
In the Far West, six States Joined
in the Colorado River compact, cover
ing the allotment of irrigation water.
On the Mississippi River, q special
committee of State and Federal OIL
cials deals with flood control.
States and Federal agencies have
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