Evening star., 1937-02-03

would have some Of the many projects
undertaken at once, while others would
be held as a reservoir which can be
utilized in periods Of economic de-
preston" for public spending to In
crease employment.
The six-year program would be kept
constant on that basis. being revised
annually as studies warrented.
Flood Surveys Recommended.
In the flooded Ohio basin the COM
mittee recommended immediate ex-
penditure of s5oo,ooo by Army engin-
eers for continued surveys and the
sS5, 100000 construction program to
follow In IA reservoirs.
"a system of flood control reservoirs
on the tributaries would provide the
most practical means of controlling
the floods Of the Ohio and its
branches" the report said.
Protection against major food was
provided years ago in the Miami
drainage area and soon will be af-
forded in the Muskingum Basin by a
system OF reservoirs now under con-
struction.
"A comprehensive plan developed
by the Corps of Engineers includes
some 80 reservoirs for food control
and power production. Many of the
possible benefits in food control could
be obtained by building 80 of these
reservoirs, about half of which are
judged to be economically justified at
this time"
Problem Of Water Conservation.
The committee dealt with problems
Of water conservation, irrigation,
power, navigation and drainage as
we'll as flood control in the river
basins.
1t said II government agencies had
suggested nearly 10000 projects.
which were classified to cost in each
fiscal year as follows:
/. Sl.058,568,650 T. S760,410,88l
2. 891,762.972 S. 737.0S4,4
8. 809,S01, 1895 6. 753,733.438
The money would be spent in these
percentages: Streets. highways. 25;
irrigation, drainage. flood control, "a;
buildings. equipment. IT; soil con-
servation, 8; forestry, game protec-
ton. pest control. s: grade crossing
elimination, 6: navigation aids. g.;
slum clearance, sewerage, recreational
projects, etc. 8.
In line with the report of the Presi-
dents Committee on Government Re-
rganization, this group. headed by
Secretary Ickes. favored permanent
public works organization and an ad-
visory resources board in the Govern
ment.
Public Works Branch's Duty.
Responsibilities of the public works
branch would include preparation
and annual revision of six-year public
works programs, negotiation for
division of costs between Federal,
State and local governments, and the
allotment of funds to Federal and
non-Federal agencies"
Congress would approve the general
program, but decisions as to the order
Of work and the constructing bu-
reaus would be left to the executive
arm of the Government.
The Resources Board functions
would include Correlation Of planning
within the Federal Government and
among Federal, State and local
Jurisdictions.
This board also would conduct re-
search on Government policies. in
such fields as the division Of taxation
between Federal, State and local in
terests.
The following drainage areas were
treated especially: New England,
North Atlantic, Middle Atlantic,
Southeast, Tennessee Valley, Ohio
Basin, Lower Mississippi, Western
Gulf, Southwest Mississippi Basins,
Upper Mississippi-Red River Of North.
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, Missouri
Basin, Colorado Basin, Great Basin,
California, Upper Rio Grande, Pacific
Northwest.
Besides Ickes. the committee in
cludes Secretaries Wallace, Roper, Per-
kins and Woodring. Frederic A. Del
ano. Harry L. Hopkins and Charles
e. Merriam. The executive officer Is
Charles w. Eliot, End.