The people's voice., 1945-04-27

ue of the contracts; whereas, in tn
heavy industrial states in the east
the plant investment under war con
tracts ran from 23% to 26% of tn,
value of the products. This compari
son shows definitely that the Pacifi,
Northwest must increase its annua
investment in plant facilities.
is. What relation do the five majo
states of the Columbia basin bear t.
the national values?
The Columbia basin comprises
around 3@o of the total population o.
the United States, has over go of its
land area, and has potential resources
approximating 20% of the national to
tai Considering this large percentage
of resources which the Columbia val
| ley can contribute to the national to-
tai, production volume equal to be-
tween 40 and Al % of the national
volume is necessary in order to bal
ance its economy with the rest of the
nation. This is a very conservative
allotment yardstick
This means a gross regional produc-
ton Of goods apd services between
61a and Z u billion dollars year and
a regional income in the form of
wages, salaries, and dividends of
around billion dollars a year. Such
an economy will provide a total of
over 2 million jobs.
To accomplish this result, there
must be total annual investment in
this region, both public and private,
of approximately n billion dollars.
Feasible private investment in this
region is roughly estimated at 500
of this stated investment figure, leav-
ing necessary public investment of
better than half a billion dollars
annually. This public investment in
cludes federal, state, county, and mu-
nicipal investments of all kinds that
produce employment. The regional au-
thority is the base of this necessary
expansion.
is. Would the cost of public invest
ment in such river program be re-
paid?
Unquestionably. A properly planned
river development program will pay
adequate dividends in new agricul-
tural, industrial, and service income;
in increased savings; in flood con-
troll, and relief from other damages.
In addition, it will provide power reve-
nues and reduce transportation costs,
all of which result in increased tax
yields.
Such a development under this bill
will pay out as direct business invest
ment. The bill provided that revenues
from power sales will repay all the
power investment, together with the
operating costs In addition, subsidies
Tor reclamation works can be provid-
ed. The navigation costs, as is custo- |
mary with all federal projects, are
1ot self-liquidating, but will be cov-
cred by savings to consumers, and |
increased tax revenues.
H. Does this bill provide for post
Var WPA?
1t does not. 1t provides for a con-
valley development program
hrdugh self-liquidating works. Pro-
srams of this kind will provide USE
ul, regenerated, and permanent en-
)loyment, and misunderstanding op-
,ortunities. Self-liquidating projects
essen the need for make work" prof.
cts.
18. At the present, what provides
OBJ opportunities?
approximately half the present job
pportunities are the result of war
ontracts.
19. What is needed to protect
gainst initiation?
The best protection against infla-
on is an expanded production of ma
erials and services. The largest part !.
this expansion should come from
rivate enterprise.
20. How does the war electrical ex- V
ansion in the West compare with
mlar expansion in the more highly
,dustriaIized sections of this coun-
y?
Seventy-five per cent of the total !.
ational war electrical expansion is
| the western states with a substan- /,
al part in the state of Washington
ecause of the Bonneville and Grand .
oulee developments. This was a nat :,
al situation. In the prewar period, ;,
lis country Jagged behind European :,
Juntries in the production of electro :
lemical and Observation-Disclosures ma 2
rial. This production situation ac- =
ally resulted in the location of such :,
ants in the northwest. The metals :
this war and the metals of future :
will be the electro-metals
ne northwestern electrical capacity
ID its natural by-products have been c.
in this war. They can also e.
a life-saver in peace, provided this
wer resource is coupled with the a.
her latent resources of the region.
lis is the objective of S. 460. ii
Fl. Would the enactment of S. 460