The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-05-30
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lWlklUlufE I
kA C0EHELII';
~ VANDERBILT. Il
Tennessee Valley

~ eastern end Of the vast IVA
system. Though not nearf4 as sec.
tacular as Boulder orr B0nneaille, it
forms the basis of one pf tie. big
gest developments of its kind in the
ssWorld.SeIhe annual rainfall IN ti1a
Tennessee valley averages 81
inches. This means about 5000 tons
of water fall, upon every acre OF
land each year! The first six inches
of topsoil upon an acre of land
weighs approximately 1000 tons. II
this topsoil is without vegetation.
the effect of 5000 tons of water
upon 1000 tons of top soil is displace-
ment. This means abandoned
farms, disintegrated homesteads.
stark poverty for potential land
of plenty. 1t means clogged
streams, flooded cities and country
side, death and destruction. 1t is
the opposite of the dust bowl. but
the effect in the end is the same.
1t was in recognition of this that
congress, under pressure by the
President, created the IVA. Today
it serves 100000 customers in seven
states, saving them over $1,000, 600
year, and brings in an annual in
come of about SIS 900, G0o to nv
OF the $4,000, 900 acres coArFising;
the Tennessee valley WateTshed..
about $4,000, 900 are III fafFnss the;
rest is wooded, private4y aaBds ptsb-s
licly owned. Some, $1,000 individual
farmers cultivate 100000 of these
acres. In addition, more than so 600
tons Of concentrated phosphate fer
tilizer have been produced for dis
tribution here. The Wilson dam
and Muscle Shoals operate nitrate
plants which have been taken over
as part of our national defense act
to produce new forms of plant food
with which to fertilize the soil.
Nearly $50, 900 900 trees have been
planted in program designed to
overcome serious soil erosion, as
well as to provide a new source of
forest income.
Today, however, IVA is about
three-quarters built. Four river
dams have been completed; four
more are in the process Of construc-
ton. About 6.600 miles of rural
power lines, "a per cent of which
go to areas not previously served,
have been built. Included are 500
miles of high voltage lines. Valley
people now use So per cent more
current than in 1882, compared TO
% per cent increase for the
nation.
The valley authorities manage
about 1000 single houses, % dormi-
tories. dozens of schools, fire sta
tions, water systems. sewage o.s
posal SYSTEMS, miles of road
streets, walks. Half a dozen towns
are being rebuilt. and replanned
Last year over 100000 persons Wis
tied the area. On the Norris reser-
voir alone there are more than 1900
motor boats, sail boats, pleasure
craft. It is odd TO see so and IS
foot cruisers on parking lots in near
by towns for sale--500 miles from
the sea, away up high in the Cum
berland mountains.
Stopped at the Hermitage before
driving through Nashville. | never
miss a pilgrimage whenever | am
in the locality. This was the home
of Andrew Jackson, seventh Presi-
dent of the United States. He was
of Scotch-Irish lineage. Was born
on March IS, 1867. near the line be-
tween North and South Card.na. In
1928 be was first elected President.
and in 1882 reelected. His admins
trations were the first 10 be classed
as democratic" they were marked
by the force and power of his per
sonality. Indirectly he established
! the sub.treasury system by which
the government became custodian
I of its own money. But the financial
men of his day fought him unIneF-
cifully. Jackson was the first Presi-
! dent to marry a divorcee. Church
people and the .higoted dashed him
fierceIy f6tI tiIis. cFhste ATTACKS
caused deep distress to his wife.
| who died while they we're al their
zenith. jackson never forgot her
and mourned her TO his death. In
the museum at the Hermitage Is
his silver study thermometer, which
is still working--the only thing ''liy-
ing since his dayi
HEARING THINGS: New York
buxzes with refugees Of ali sorts and