[Annual Report of the Department of the Interior 1942]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

J BRAKY OF
WELLESLEY COLLEGE
PRESENTED BY
U. S. Government
(Depository)




Annual Report of
THE DEPARTMENT OF
THE INTERIOR 1942
The Secretary of the Interior
Alaska • Hawaii • Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico
United States Government Printing Office
Washington : 1942

ANNUAL
REPORT
of the
SECRETARY OF
THE INTERIOR
U
a I W
ISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1942
«-i£|25'I
VvS 9-om V.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR
Harold L. Ickes
Secretary
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C., Price 45 cents
Contents
REPORTS BY BUREAUS AND DIVISIONS
Page
Letter of Transmittal.................................................. m
Bureau of Reclamation.............................................. 1
Bonneville Power Administration.............................. 27
Division of Power ............... 39
Geological Survey..................................................... 45
Bureau of Mines......................................................... 69
Bituminous Coal Division.......................................... 101
Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator for War............... 118
War Resources Council.............................................. 122
Petroleum Conservation Division............................... 126
General Land Office.................................................. 129
Grazing Service......................................................... 143
Office of Land Utilization.......................................... 151
National Park Service.................................................. 159
Fish and Wildlife Service.......................................... 185
Office of Indian Affairs.............................................. 233
Civilian Conservation Corps...................................... 257
Division of Territories and Island Possessions . . . 263
Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration .... 276
Division of Investigations.......................................... 282
Division of Personnel Supervision and Management. 285
Office of the Solicitor............................................. . 288
Division of Information.............................................. 297
Board on Geographical Names .... 4............... 300
Interior Department Museum.................................. 302
Successful Mobilization
of the Nation's natural resources for
war, like their conservation in time
of peace, depends upon the cooperation
of a citizenry fully informed as
to the tasks confronting it and the
progress made toward their solution.
To meet this requirement, the
Department of the Interior presents
a streamlined emergency War Edition
of the Secretary's Annual Report
for the Fiscal Year 1942, sharply
restricted in volume and stripped of
illustrations and detailed statistical
material to meet the exigencies of
war economy demands.
Letter of Transmittal
The Secretary of the Interior
HAROLD L. ICKES, Secretary
My Dear Mr . Presi dent : During the last 12 months, the Department
of the Interior has been dedicated to a vigorous war program.
In some phases of the task of harnessing our natural resources for war,
we have been highly successful. In others, we have failed to attain
the goals we should have achieved. But in the final analysis, we have
made real progress.
It is worthwhile, it seems to me, at a time of crisis, to review our
effort of the last year and to appraise our performance under fire, so
that we may evaluate our progress and reset our sights. We entered
the fiscal year under the stress of a defense program and ended it
under the greater pressure of war. The task of this Department was
to convert its custodianship of the Nation’s natural resources from a
peacetime administration to that of war use.
This was an eye-opening proceeding. For years, this Nation had
been deluded with the idea that it was practically self-sufficient, that
its industrial processes were the world’s best, and that its supplies
were practically inexhaustible. A painful hangover resulted from
that spree. We woke up to find out that we did not have enough
steel to do the job; we did not have enough aluminum; we were short
of power; we lacked magnesium; our sources of manganese were too
far away to do us much good; our supply of timber and lumber did
not hold out; our fisheries and other food resources could not be
operated on the old basis nor supply enough to meet demand; our
coal supply became endangered and the chaos of war tied our petroleum
service up into knots.
In short, we discovered, that so far as our natural resources were
concerned, we had been doing everything in the easy way. We had,
up to the last year or two, been skimming the cream—and the cream
ran out. While the enemies we despised had been making the most
of their meager resources—and making them do the job—we had
constructed our whole economy on our fat. The former “had-not”
nations turned to their secondary ores and low-grade minerals, and
by sweat and effort learned how to use them. We neglected our
secondary sources of supply—the low-grade deposits of minerals,
TIT
iv • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
for example—and went merrily on our way, using only the best, and
therefore the most profitable. Then we discovered that we did not
have enough of the best to meet our needs and that we must perforce
proceed to the utilization of what we did have.
It was with this process of conversion that the Department of the
Interior was chiefly concerned during the last year. The accumulated
knowledge of our technical bureaus was put to work in as
many directions as possible. New processes for ore treatment and
metal extraction were devised and put into effect; new programs for
the utilization of secondary deposits of minerals were effectuated, and
some industries which had been accustomed to doing things the easy
way were persuaded to try the hard way. It is in this connection that
I cannot, with candor, assert that we have been successful. Our
proposals for the complete utilization of certain domestic minerals,
for example, did not meet with whole-hearted welcome. In some
instances, temporary expedients seemed to be preferred by some
groups to imaginative, full-scale adoption of novel, though proven,
methods. We endeavored to work closely with the War Production
Board in order that war industry might have the benefit of the work
of our scientists and technical bureaus. The inertia of the old way,
the weight of industrial tradition, the following of the established
pattern, frequently induced heavy industries to postpone technical
innovations. In my opinion, this was a postponement of the inevitable.
Whether this postponement has been costly to the Nation
in the long run remains to be seen.
For all of that, our efforts as a whole have been fruitful. With
natural resources as our field, we early realized the need for drastic
action in utilizing that which was within our reach, and the Department
organized a definite war program with stated objectives for
each bureau and agency. This drive was aimed at procuring the
sinews for conflict—the metals, oil, power, fuel, helium, food, land,
water, and timber available for war production and the equipment of
the United Nations. Our activities increased and hastened production
in the mines and in the mills; in the factories and yards where
metals are processed and fabricated into planes, tanks, and ships;
in the forests, on irrigation projects producing food and in the metallurgical
laboratories. The program for discovery and exploration of
new deposits of strategic and critical minerals was pushed vigorously
with some encouraging results.
To stimulate the prosecution of war activities within the Department,
we established a War Resources Council. This Council,
composed of responsible officers of the Department, has coordinated
our war work and has encouraged our bureaus to undertake programs
which would contribute the most to the successful prosecution of the
war and the production problems which are involved.
Letter of Transmittal • v
A few facts show the extent to which we have provided additional
resources or led the way in wielding those at hand against the enemy
with greater effect. Generating capacity on reclamation projects
increased by 43 percent. From Columbia River projects alone,
nearly 2,000,000,000 kilowatt-hours of power poured into war plants.
By a process developed in our laboratories, it appears that enough
manganese can be extracted from low-grade domestic ores to make
87,000,000 tons of steel annually. More than a million tons of bauxite,
the common source of aluminum, and other valuable ores have been
found in our search for strategic metals. In the course of increasing
these essentials of war, we have laid the groundwork for further
production during ensuing years of more power, more metals, more
food; of more and better-mobilized natural resources of all kinds.
The soundness of the conservation policies put into effect by your
Administration when it came into office is now clearly apparent.
Our activities during the last year in mobilizing for war could never
have been as effective if previous policies had been less sound. Pearl
Harbor and the events that followed have taught us that speed in
war means ready access for the Nation as a whole to its resources.
For some time this Department has worked to clear the Nation’s
title to many resources where conflicting claims have arisen. These
actions, and our general progress in encouraging the wise use of our
natural heritage, constituted a long advance toward mobilization of
our resources in this time of great peril.
Throughout our activities we have streamlined for war. Many
of our normal activities, desirable and essential in times of peace,
have been laid aside or deemphasized. War work has been given
the right-of-way and the curtailment of many normal functions has
been severe. Economies have been put into effect, even to the degree
that they have become painful. This belt-tightening has been extended
into such details of administration as the reduction of printing
and the discontinuance or curtailment of publications. This report
has been reduced in size and content in accordance with that policy,
and represents a genuine war edition. The length of the report has
been halved, and other economies have been effected in format and
printing. Because of this, I will not report to you in as great detail
as customary in this letter, but I do wish to call your attention to
a few pertinent facts that emphasize such progress in the war program
as we have made.
The Bureau of Mines
The Bureau of Mines in December 1941 greatly expanded its war
program. Skilled engineers, chemists, metallurgists, statisticians,
economists, and others intensified their activities and directed them
vi • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
toward putting idle mineral resources to work and speeding up the
mine to metal cycle.
From the Bureau’s laboratories and pilot plants emerged several
new and better processes for treating strategic, critical, and essential
ores; exploratory crews brought reports of new ore deposits which
now are being developed; and the economists and statisticians assembled
data to aid the Army, the Navy, the WPB, and other war agencies
in their planning.
Meanwhile, the Bureau extended its program of promoting safety
and efficiency in the mineral industries. This will conserve manpower
and machinery and will help make secure from interruption the output
of materials going into tanks, planes, ships, guns, and other equipment
for the United Nations.
The Bureau’s war plans utilized more than 30 years of experience
and progress in the conservation and development of the Nation’s
mineral resources. To help offset the threatened curtailment of
mineral imports from foreign countries, in cooperation with the
Geological Survey, the Bureau in 1939 launched an investigation of
domestic deposits of strategic minerals including antimony, chromium,
manganese, mercury, nickel, tin, and tungsten. As the war spread
throughout the world and the shipping situation became more acute,
the Bureau’s quest for domestic mineral deposits grew in importance
and extent until it embraced virtually all of the important engineering
metals. During the 1942 fiscal year alone, important reserves of
chromite, manganese, mercury, tungsten, iron ore, bauxite, and
alumina clay were charted.
Some of the indicated deposits were substantial. The estimated
reserves of chromite were increased by 2,300,000 tons and productionbegan
in several areas. There were several discoveries of usable
mercury and five findings of tungsten. Exploration for manganese
ore of milling grade brought increases in reserves of more than 1,100,-
000 tons. In addition, more than 1,000,000 tons of workable bauxite
were marked out and the exploration of five clay deposits pointed to
4,600,000 tons of ore containing 35 percent or more alumina.
In Alaska and in many of the ore-bearing districts of the Nation,
the Bureau engineers faced adverse conditions and rough terrain to
carry on their exploratory work of drilling, drifting, sinking, and
trenching. By the end of the fiscal year, 740 deposits had been
examined and rated.
Paralleling this work, metallurgists and chemists worked in laboratories
and pilot plants devising methods of recovering metals from
low-grade and complex ores. From these experiments it became
known that substantial quantities of manganese, chromium, magnesium,
and aluminum could be obtained from such domestic ores.
Processes were developed for beneficiating ores containing antimony,
Letter of Transmittal • vn
copper, iron, mercury, nickel, tungsten, zinc, and fluorspar, while
methods were worked out for treating ores containing aluminum,
cobalt, and magnesium.
Toward the end of the fiscal year, the Bureau reorganized its
operating structure to place still greater emphasis on exploratory
work, the development of additional metallurgical processes, and the
utilization of these methods on a wider scale to bring idle ores into the
production line. Examples of this program are the pilot plants for
producing sponge iron and for reducing zinc ores with natural gas,
together with an expansion of investigations in beneficiating low-grade
bauxite ores, alumina-bearing clays, alunite and chromite, and in the
production of electrolytic chromium and manganese.
Important gains also were registered in the field of nonmetallics
during the year. On the basis of Bureau findings, the War Production
Board made arrangements for the commercial production of flake
graphite from domestic sources to overcome a shortage of the imported
variety. The Bureau determined that some west coast sands could
be treated and used in place of Belgian glass sand; it participated in
the discovery of new sources of ceramic talc suitable for radio insulators;
and conducted studies which revealed that certain volcanic
rocks can provide workable substitutes for magnesite brick, a refractory
material once imported from Austria and Greece.
Helium, the lightweight, noninflammable gas of which this Nation
has a world monopoly, flowed in a greater volume from the Bureau’s
plant at Amarillo, Tex., in response to ever-increasing demands from
the Army, Navy, and various Government and civilian agencies. To
provide ample supplies of this gas for barrage balloons, blimps, and
other uses, the production of the Amarillo plant established a new
record and the Bureau began enlarging the facilities and constructing
new plants.
Petroleum and natural gas engineers shouldered additional responsibilities
as a direct result of the war. Laboratory research and field
studies by petroleum engineers and surveys by Bureau statisticians
gave war agencies detailed information regarding this Nation’s ability
to increase its output of aviation gasoline. The Bureau opened a new
field office to stimulate crude oil production from the Appalachian
fields. Other field offices marshaled their chemistry and refining
experts to evolve solutions of technical problems in the field of petroleum
and natural gas.
Looking to the time when our petroleum reserves may be depleted,
the Bureau continued its research on the production of gasoline, fuel
oil, and other byproducts from coal. New coals were tested and their
suitability to liquefaction was determined. The Bureau made plans
to study another process—the Fischer-Tropsch method—for provii
i • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
ducing motor fuels from coal. Bureau chemists analyzed more than
15,000 coal samples to aid the Army, the Navy, and other agencies
in their purchases of millions of tons of coal.
Expanding its program to assist workers and management in curbing
the toll of death and injuries in the coal-mining industry, the
Bureau began the systematic inspection of coal mines by Federal inspectors
for the first time as authorized under the Coal Mine Inspection
Act of 1941. Ep to June 30, 400 mines had been inspected.
While the act was not a wartime measure, the inspection program
became doubly important after December 7, 1941, because of the
absolute need for conserving manpower and avoiding interruptions
in production schedules resulting from accidents and disasters.
The Bureau also was designated to administer the Federal Explosives
Act, and as part of a Nation-wide move to protect production,
supply, storage, and transportation facilities, the Bureau was made
responsible for helping to protect coal mines, metal mines, quarries,
mills, smelters, and allied mineral facilities from sabotage and subversive
action. More than 100,000 persons received training in first
aid, accident prevention, and mine rescue work, bringing the total
instructed in first aid alone to more than 1,500,000.
Time and again the Bureau responded to requests from war agencies
for assistance in particular problems. Demolition studies were conducted
in cooperation with the Army; confidential research regarding
the health factors m military equipment was undertaken for the Army
and Navy; high-speed explosion diaphragms were developed for war
industries and studies were made of the explosion and inflammability
characteristics of chemicals used by the synthetic rubber and plastic
industries; plant security examinations were conducted for the Ordnance
Department of the Army; a new method of extinguishing
magnesium fires in industrial plants was developed; and several experts
of the Bureau acted in consultative capacities in various civilian
defense activities.
The Bureau of Reclamation
An important role was played by the Bureau of Reclamation during
the fiscal year in the war work of the West. The Bureau functioned as
chief supplier of electric power, foodstuffs, and water -three basic
essentials of national existence in war or in peace. Four decades of
sound engineering work in the West made it possible for great multi- <
purpose reclamation projects to supply these three basic needs in j
larger and more important quantities for hundreds of cities, thousands
of war factories, and millions of war workers.
Of 73 reclamation projects in operation, under construction or <
authorized, 45 were producing power and supplying water for irriLetter
of Transmittal • ix
gation, municipalities, and war industries. Twenty were under construction.
Brought to completion were 5 of the 15 storage dams under construction.
Three of them—Grand Coulee, Friant, and Marshall
Ford—rank among the five largest concrete dams in the world.
Outstanding was the Bureau’s contribution of hydroelectric power—
the potent energy that turns the machines that turn out the guns.
In both the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest, Reclamation’s
giant power plants were the bulwark behind industries already working
at top speed or mushrooming into existence for the production
of war material. Energy poured out of these reclamation plants and
others in 11 States for manufacturing and mining; for copper, steel,
aluminum, magnesium; for bombs, planes, and ships.
Generative capacity was increased tremendously during the year,
due chiefly to the installation of several huge hydro generators—
bigger than any others in the world—in the Grand Coulee Dam
power plant, Washington. In the Boulder Dam power plant, Arizona-
Nevada, also, another big generator was installed and placed in
operation—to make by far the most powerful array of dynamos
ever assembled and synchronized into action. Being hurried to
completion as the year closed were more generators at Boulder,
Grand Coulee, and Parker (Arizona-California) Dams, due to start
operating within 6 months.
Water, a primary essential in war, was provided during the year
for municipal areas of 2,500,000 population. Extensive industrial and
military concentrations were located in the areas. The Rio Grande
project in New Mexico, Tex., the Contra Costa Canal on the Central
Valley project in California, and the Provo River project in Utah
were among these projects.
Aside from the generation of power, and the release of water itself
for domestic and industrial uses, the regional production of food, forage,
and fiber on the reclamation projects in the West supplied urgent needs.
This production reduced the burden on transcontinental railroads
and highways for the movement of men and equipment. It meant
speedy delivery of supplies, and the saving of freight cars, of steel for
rails and equipment, of fuel for engines, and of gas, oil, and rubber for
trucks.
Stored water irrigated more than 3,000,000 acres of productive land.
Irrigation district officials collaborated with the Bureau in an intense
effort to get the most from high-production reclamation farms. The
gross value of the 1941 crops on land served with reclamation water
was $159,885,998, a 35 percent increase over the $117,788,677 of 1940.
These values do not include the livestock fattened on reclamation projects,
nor dairy products such as milk, butter and cheese, and poultry
x • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
and eggs—which would increase the totals perhaps more than 25 percent
additional.
The storage capacity of the 81 reclamation reservoirs in the West
at the end of the fiscal year was 61,610,283 acre-feet, a gain of 13,845,-
680 acre-feet—29 percent over the July 1, 1941, capacity. Active
storage, available for power, irrigation and domestic and industrial
uses, was 47% million acre-feet compared with 41% million last year,
a huge increase graphically illustrating the foresightedness of the
Bureau in undertaking construction long in advance of emergency need.
Set in motion also during the year was a program for lessening the
shock of post-war dislocation. Under investigation were 209 river
basins and potential irrigation or multiple-purpose projects in 17
Western States, which would produce an inventory of water resources
and point the way to their economical and effective use in a region
where water is the most precious natural resource and the surest
basis for economic expansion.
From studies that have been completed or are well advanced, the
Bureau is selecting for a reservoir of public works a minimum of 50
feasible post-war projects. Demobilized soldiers, sailors, and marines
will require employment in useful occupations. Industrial workers
released from war factories will want work close to their original
homes. This shelf of projects and the remaining construction on more
than 20 projects where work has been retarded by war conditions, including
the Columbia Basin Reclamation project in the State of Washington,
will provide some of that work. On completion the projects
will offer settlement opportunities on irrigated farms where families can
become self-sustaining.
The Bonneville Power Administration
In the Pacific Northwest, the Bonneville Power Administration delivered
almost 2,000,000,000 kilowatt-hours of Columbia River energy
to war industries in the area. Shipyards, naval stations, aluminum,
magnesium, ferro-alloys, ferro-silicon, and war chemical plants and
allied industries were energized by public power produced by the
Bonneville-Grand Coulee system. Indeed, these vital war establishments
came into being only because the Bonneville Power Administration
made Columbia River energy available.
Thus one of your administration’s great peacetime projects became
one of the most productive facilities possessed by this country for
war. It is no idle assertion to say that the great war output from the
Northwest—planes, metals, chemicals, ships—would have been virtually
impossible had it not been for this progressive power system.
Bonneville and Grand Coulee dams, with their integrated network
of transmission facilities controlled by the Bonneville Power AdminLetter
of Transmittal • xi
istration constitute one of the greatest power sources in this Nation.
That source has been fully harnessed for war.
Not only is this Federal hydroelectric development on the Columbia
River paying for itself as a war facility, it is, I am happy to report,
beginning to pay back substantial amounts to the United States
Treasury. Power revenues of the system during the 1942 fiscal year
were three times the 1941 figures. On the basis of executed and
assured contracts, the Administration’s revenues in the 1943 fiscal
period will more than double the 1942 income. This power system,
you will recall, was once described as a “white elephant” by those
who opposed its building on the ground that it would have no field
for the disposition of the power to be generated.
Another record established by the Bonneville Power Administration
is worthy of mention. Although the great war metals and production
plants established in the Northwest were completely new, and thus
required new construction of transmission facilities, power was waiting
at the plant sites in every case by the time that the plants were ready
to use it. In no case was there any delay in Northwest war production
because of failure to have Columbia River power at the locations on
time. The import of this accomplishment becomes clear when one
considers the heavy amounts of power involved and the difficulties
attendant upon heavy construction during a time of war, as well as
the lack of necessary power in many important industrial areas in
other parts of the country.
During World War I the resources of the Pacific Northwest were
not developed as they are now. At that time, the hydroelectric
projects on the Columbia existed only in the dreams of far-sighted
men, and the Nation could not count on this area for the enormous
war metals and weapon production that is now flowing from the
Northwest. Now the call upon the Bonneville Power Administration
for electric energy for war and for distribution by public agencies
has proved both the wisdom of the construction of the Columbia
River dams and of the basic planning of the Bonneville transmission
system.
The Division of Power
Established April 18, 1941, to coordinate the Department’s powerproduction
activities, the Division of Power worked toward that end
with emphasis on power for war throughout its first complete fiscal
year.
Our principal objectives were the development of additional power
for war; the maximum use of available power in war production; the
construction of new power facilities which require a minimum of
critical material and which can be completed in time for war use;
the location of war plants on sites where low costs to war industries
xii • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
and development of a balanced economy in the region of the plant
would result, and where operations might continue after the war.
The Division has worked toward pooling the Department’s power
resources in ways that would result in the greatest efficiency and in
the availability of maximum amounts of power in the various areas.
It has insisted that power from Departmental projects be sold for
war uses at the lowest possible rates in order to hold the cost of war
essentials produced by the power at the lowest feasible level.
Arrangements to supply approximately 200,000 kilowatts to the
big magnesium plant near Las Vegas, Nev. were worked out with the
Bureau of Reclamation, the allotees of Boulder power and Defense
Plant Corporation. This transaction constitutes one of the largest
single sales of power ever made to a consumer.
Hetch-Hetchy power was turned to war use. In November 1941,
a 17-year-old dispute regarding the disposition of this power in accordance
with the terms of the Raker Act culminated in the rejection
by the city and county of San Francisco of a charter amendment
which precluded the civil use of the power which had been under
consideration. Largely through the efforts of the Division, the
Federal Government built an aluminum reduction plant near Modesto;
and Hetch-Hetchy power was sold to the plant.
These are but highlights of the Division’s activities. It also worked
with the War Production Board for the installation of additional
generators on Columbia River projects, assuring their maximum warusefulness.
It has kept war agencies informed about the quantity
and location of available departmental power. It has acted generally
as a liaison office between various agencies of the Department and the
war agencies, and has operated within the Department as a clearing
house for the increasing body of problems incident to departmental
power activities.
During the fiscal year the installed capacity of power projects under
the jurisdiction of the Department was increased by more.than
500,000 kilowatts, bringing the total to almost 1,800,000 kilowatts.
This represented an increase of 41 percent in power installations.
The Geological Survey
The work of the Geological Survey for the year was determined
largely by a redistribution of essential metals among nations which
was made necessary by the war. When Germany invaded Norway
in April 1940 the Anglo-Saxon peoples controlled approximately 75
percent of the world’s metal supply. Germany controlled a small
percentage, and Japan a negligible portion.
Within a few months, Germany acquired the iron of Norway, the
coal and iron of France and Belgium, the copper and aluminum-bearLetter
of Transmittal • xm
ing bauxite of Southeastern Europe, the metals of the Balkans and,
by the force of international circumstances, could draw upon the
product of Sweden’s rich iron mines. On the other hand, the amount
of metal available to us in other countries was reduced by Axis raids
on our shipping, the disruption of war, the lack of transportation,
and other concomitant factors.
The Geological Survey thus entered the fiscal year with our sources
of metals for war greatly reduced, and those of our potential enemies
correspondingly increased. Then Japan went into the war and swiftly
captured the world supply of tin in the Dutch East Indies.
Inevitably a major activity of the Survey involved a diligent search
for more minerals for war in the areas still accessible to us. Such a
program, launched the previous year, was greatly enlarged and carried
on throughout the United States and in Alaska as well as in Cuba,
Mexico, and other American Republics, in cooperation, in many
instances, with the Bureau of Mines.
This search, which is still being vigorously pursued, has a twofold
purpose: The first, to make available more of the high-grade ores,
customarily utilized in this country, by reevaluating old deposits
and finding new ones; the second, to amass geological data which
have to be available before we can recover low-grade ores, previously
unused, but which must be used if we are to turn out enough munitions
and implements of war to insure victory.
It is too early to measure the success of so comprehensive a program,
but some encouraging results can be reported. Basic data essential
to the planning of an iron and steel industry in the West have been
provided. Large scale development of manganese deposits in Arkansas
has been undertaken. Tungsten was discovered in an Idaho
mine which, by the end of the fiscal year, was the Nation’s largest
single tungsten producer. Largely on the strength of previous findings,
production of chromite began this year from the abundant
deposits in the Stillwater District of Montana. A new mill there is
turning out 150 to 175 tons of chemical grade chromite concentrates
daily.
Elsewhere profitable work has been carried on with respect to these
and other strategic metals—bauxite, high-grade aluminum clays and
alunite (potential sources of aluminum), magnesite, quicksilver,
beryllium, tantalum, lithium, and others in the United States and
Alaska; manganese, nickel, chromite, tungsten, antimony, quicksilver,
chrome, tin, and vanadium in Cuba, Mexico, and other American
Republics.
Discovering and revaluating deposits of high-grade minerals has
led to an indispensable contribution to victory. These basic metals
and alloys are forged into munitions and implements of war, or into
machines for war manufacture. But the ultimate worth of complete
xiv • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
data on deposits of low-grade ores is not so definite. Many of them
have been evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively, but their effectiveness
against the enemy depends upon how quickly and how extensively
they can be put to use.
There are some encouraging signs. Plans now well underway for
war manufacture from some of the low-grade iron deposits in the West
appear certain to materialize. But general use had not been assured
at the end of the fiscal year.
The Geological Survey also placed a war emphasis on its numerous
fields of work which are unrelated to the search for minerals.
Data on water resources, regularly gathered and published by the
Survey, are doubly valuable in time of war. Rapid expansion of the
national war plant, requiring large water supplies for processing, and
to accommodate concentration of troops and of war plant workers,
requires knowledge of the quantity and quality of water available at
these points of development. Reports and consulting services have
been furnished on surface and ground-water supplies for war purposes
at about 1,700 places in the United States and in certain islands of
strategic importance, as requested by the War and Navy Departments,
the War Production Board, and other war agencies.
These reports have related to the water supplies for Army cantonments,
naval stations, munitions plants, largely increased local concentrations
of population producing war supplies, and for other war
activities. Surveys were made for the Navy Department of emergency
supplies from wells in case of attack, and summaries of water conditions,
on the surface and underground, throughout the United States
were prepared each month for the use of the agencies in charge of
water-supply and power activities related to the war.
The war program was furthered also by the Geological Survey’s
conservation work—its surveys and investigations of water and
mineral sources of the public domain, and its supervision of certain
phases of mineral- and power-production on these lands.' Production
of coal, petroleum, natural gas, natural gasoline, butane, potassium
salts, and phosphate rock from public lands was substantially greater
in 1942 than in 1941. Additional lands were coming into production,
and an unusual amount of prospecting was underway. Production
of lead, zinc, and coal also increased on Indian lands, and there, too,
extensive prospecting was in progress.
Numerous mechanical devices constructed during the year have
greatly accelerated the production of maps for the Air Corps. The
most important are the Lewis rectoblique plotter, the Sketchmaster,
and the Lucidagraph. A double photoalidade and a stereoblique
plotter are now being developed. By means of such instruments,
aerial photographs taken at an angle of approximately 30° below the
Letter of Transmittal • xv
horizon may be converted into the kind of maps required for the
navigation of air forces over previously unmapped or inadequately
mapped areas.
The Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator for War
In a letter dated November 5, 1941, and addressed to me, you called
attention to the need for “efficient and carefully coordinated development,
production, distribution, utilization, transportation, and
handling of solid fuels” to assure their availability when and where
needed for military and civilian use, and requested me, as Secretary of
the Interior, to serve as Solid Fuels Coordinator to help achieve these
objectives.
The Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator was established and quickly
began functioning, using, for the most part, the staffs, facilities, and
data of the Bituminous Coal Division and the Bureau of Mines, thus
effecting economy in time and funds, instead of building a large new
organization.
Immediate steps were taken to organize the industries dealing
with the coal supply on a war basis. Representatives of the coal
mining industries, coal transporters, distributors, dealers, and mine
labor met with me on December 18, 1941, and the groundwork for
organizing the industries was laid. Cooperation continues through a
council of 18 members, representing the industries concerned, mine
labor, and the public.
Estimates made early in 1942 indicated that the Nation would
require 550,000,000 to 570,000,000 tons of bituminous coal, approximately
60,000,000 tons of anthracite, and about 70,000,000 tons of
coke during the calendar year of 1942—amounts far exceeding normal
production. Later experience indicates that these estimates arc in
line with actual requirements.
The Coordinator, in cooperation with industry and other Government
agencies, is taking various steps in an effort to forestall any
emergency as to the coal supply because of wartime changes and
deficiencies in manpower, equipment, and transportation.
Although there are many difficulties yet to be surmounted before
the Nation can be assured of adequate wartime fuel protection, it
appeared as of June 30, 1942, that it would be possible to provide
adequate coal of some usable type to keep homes warm and industry
operating throughout the winter, provided that dealers and consumers
would order their coal sufficiently early to enable mines and carriers
to make full and continuous use of their manpower and facilities
throughout the warm season.
To bring about public cooperation, a “Buy Coal Now” campaign
was launched in the spring of 1942 in cooperation with other Govern-
485482—42------- 2
xvi • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
meet agencies and with industry. In genera], public cooperation was
excellent, although in many cases, consumers failed to make full use
of their opportunities to obtain bituminous coal for storage. Restrictions
in the production of anthracite, however, threaten to prevent
the storage of the full amount of hard coal that consumers are ordering.
However, as of June 30, 1942, coal in general was being produced
and transported at a rate much higher than was demanded by norma]
seasonal requirements, and a great deal of it was going into dealers’
and consumers’ storage as wartime fuel insurance.
The Bituminous Coal Division
It is anticipated that the war will necessitate the greatest production
of bituminous coal in history. The stabilization of coal markets
under the Bituminous Coal Act of 1937, as administered by the
Bituminous Coal Division, is one of the principal factors which is
enabling the coal mining industry to meet its responsibility for supplying
the Nation with the principal source of the energy needed to forge
the implements of war.
For 14 months prior to Pearl Harbor the industry enjoyed stable
markets and fair trade practices by virtue of the minimum prices and
marketing rules and regulations promulgated under the act. This
gave it the incentive and the opportunity to improve its capital
strength and better to prepare itself for the challenging task of meeting
wartime fuel requirements.
It is essential that the stabilization of coal markets by minimum
price regulations be continued vigorously as a measure of immediate
importance to fighting the war. It will also aid the prevention of
post-war chaos in this basic industry, such as followed World War I.
At the present time, the stabilizing effect of minimum price regulation
makes it possible for the industry to plan the orderly production
and distribution of coal in such a way as to obtain the maximum use
and efficiency of the limited manpower and equipment available for
producing and transporting coal in time of war. It prevents the
recurrence of pressure buying, particularly by large industrial consumers;
curbs cross-hauling and dumping, and constitutes a bulwark
against other practices and conditions peculiar to the coal mining
industry which would promote waste of the means of producing,
transporting, and distributing this vital war fuel.
The demoralization of the coal mining industry which followed
World War I, which invoh ed destructive price cutting and undesirable
trade practices on a Nation-wide scale, caused tremendous financial
losses. It precipitated violent disturbances between mine owners and
their employees, and seriously weakened the industry’s capital structure.
These conditions had an undesirable effect upon the general
Letter of Transmittal • xvn
economy of the Nation in addition to perpetuating the more acute
situation in the coal mining regions. They persisted even in times of
general Nation-wide prosperity, and continued until minimum prices
and marketing rules and regulations were made effective on October 1,
1940. The continued stabilization of this industry under the Guffey
Act will make a large contribution toward speeding general post-war
stabilization.
The Bituminous Coal Division is making other great contributions
to fighting the war. It is serving as a central source of coal statistics,
and in many instances is providing technical advice, for other Government
agencies dealing with wartime fuel problems, including the
Coordinator of Solid Fuels, the OPA, the War Department and
others.
The establishment by the OPA of anti-inflationary ceilings on coal
prices was a task which obviously might have puzzled experts for
many months. It was rendered relatively simple because the Division
had classified all soft coals and was able immediately to furnish data
on production costs and maximum price application and to give other
technical assistance. The Division is continuing to give substantial
aid to OPA in handling compliance matters and in making adjustments
to the schedules.
The National Park Service
As trustee of much that is great in America, the National Park
Service has endeavored to harmonize its activities with the war program
while holding intact the things entrusted to it.
The stewardship of the Service extends over areas of outstanding
beauty, scientific interest, historical significance, and, more important,
the uniquely American concept under which the national parks are
preserved inviolate for the present and future benefit of all of our
people.
Lumbering, mining, grazing, and other exploitation of national park
areas have been urged as a necessity of war. The Service has tried to
measure the degree in which necessity justifies destruction of irreplaceable
values and has acted accordingly. With due regard for its
conservation responsibilities the Park Service has nevertheless rendered
valuable service within the war program.
One hundred twenty-five permits have been issued to the War and
Navy Departments and other war agencies to make use of National
Park Service lands, buildings, and facilities. Salt for use in magnesium
production has been made available from National Park property.
Steps were taken to establish fire-lookout and air-raid warning towers
immediately after war was declared, and much besides has been done
in furtherance of immediate war aims.
xviii • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Equally vital, if not so spectacular, the Service has helped to
sustain national morale in the exercise of its usual functions. Special
reduced rates for men in uniform were continued in effect in federal
park areas, and an estimated 650,000 of them visited these inspiring
monuments to America’s present and past greatness during the year.
Several thousand British sailors found rest and a change of scene
while occupying group camping facilities in recreational demonstration
areas and vacated CCC camps. Service technicians helped
to plan and to direct the construction of 33 army rest camps in 23
States and the District of Columbia—places in which service men on
leave might find rest and relief from training.
Instead of increasing as usual, travel to the National Parks decreased
30 percent this year because of limited motoring to conserve gasoline
and rubber. The decline was greatest at Yellowstone, Glacier, and
Crater Lake, and least at Sequoia, Yosemite, and Carlsbad Caverns
which are closer to metropolitan centers.
While many activities of the Service were curtailed or deferred,
historic areas were kept open and visiting time was lengthened.
The General Land Office
The General Land Office responded to the national war needs during
the fiscal year by withdrawals of public lands for military and other
war uses, by seeking new outlets for various resources on the public
domain, by making public lands and their resources available for
use in war industries, by facilitating the search for strategic metals,
and by other activities, including many in close cooperation with
other agencies.
More than 7,000,000 acres of public lands were withdrawn for military
purposes, including areas for aerial bombing ranges, antiaircraft
fields, combat training lands, artillery practice grounds, air navigation
sites, flying schools, ammunition storage, and ordnance depots.
This year’s withdrawals bring the total area of public lands withdrawn
for military use to 13,000,000 acres.
In the development of strategic minerals the General Land Office
cooperated with the Defense Plant Corporation, Metal Reserves Co.,
the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, and other agencies. Opening
reserved mineral deposits to exploitation has made available
large quantities of tungsten, manganese, and other minerals. The
potash reserves in New Mexico and California, operating under lease,
now provide large supplies of potassium at less than one-sixth of
the price paid for potassium during the first World War.
Studies are under way to determine possible new uses for resources
on the public domain. New values are being found in minerals,
natural vegetation, and other resources which heretofore were conLetter
of Transmittal • xix
sidered of little importance or which were not known to exist. Commercial
quantities of strategic minerals may be developed from
previously unused deposits, and such materials as fiber, rubber, turpentine,
and resin, may be produced from desert shrubs.
Authorized by recent legislation to lease or sell lands in the public
domain for use in connection with specified war manufacture, I have
issued regulations under which the Commissioner of the General Land
Office will negotiate transactions providing land to be used for its
yield of timber, sand, gravel, and stone; and as factory sites, housing
development sites for war workers, and as expansion areas for plants
bordering the public domain.
It is possible that yucca, growing on public lands, may be used as
a substitute for fibers that can no longer be obtained from the usual
sources. Information also was gathered on the possibility of helping
to relieve the rubber shortage by furnishing lands for the raising of
guayule, and by making rabbit brush on public lands available.
Fire prevention and suppression activities have been greatly increased.
Through the work of the Oregon Forest Defense Council,
plans and policies were adopted which will greatly increase the effectiveness
of fire suppression agencies in coping with forest fire conditions—
even the abnormal conditions that exist in wartime. Work
also continued in the suppression of outcrop coal fires which were
threatening destruction of a very large amount of the Nation’s coal
resources in the vicinity of Little Thunder Basin, Wyo.
The Office of Land Utilization
The proper management of land, important in peacetime, becomes
even more vital in war. This Department has jurisdiction over
•625,000,000 acres of public land in the United States and Alaska. In
order that this great domain might make its maximum contribution
to the war, the Office of Land Utilization has directed close coordination
-during the year of all land management programs in the Department.
An immediate result has been an increase in timber production
from Departmental lands and an improvement in western range lands
which has fitted them for greater sustained production of beef,
leather, wool, and other livestock products. An increased output
from the land of minerals, timber, food, and raw materials was made
possible without compromising sound conservation practices.
Developmental programs were curtailed in accordance with the
needs of war for money. At the time of Pearl Harbor, a $2,178,000
soil- and moisture-conservation program was underway. This activity
promptly was restricted to the projects offering the quickest return
in increased production of necessary materials. The balance of the
projects were postponed.
xx • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Burdens of protection also were assumed by the Office of Land
Utilization. Working closely with the Office of Civilian Defense,
the OLU took over the Facility Security Program which involved the
establishment of a nonmilitary front against subversive action, forest
and range fire hazards, and other forms of sabotage aimed against
war production.
The Grazing Service
In addition to continuing its program of a wise use and development
of Federal grazing lands during the fiscal year, the Grazing Service
facilitated military use of the range.
Proving grounds were provided for thousands of bombers and tanks,
and nearly 3,500,000 acres of Federal grazing districts were converted
into training areas, bringing the area withdrawn for military use in
2 years to 8,500,000 acres. Despite these withdrawals, livestock
production was kept at a high level.
Range improvement was confined, with few exceptions, to water
development, construction of trails and feeder roads, revegetation,
maintenance, and other activities requiring little or no critical
materials.
Range reseeding experience furnished a valuable guide to future
methods. A total of 199,670 acres was reseeded in 1942, compared
with 66,000 acres in 1941. Nineteen million acres of range lands were
surveyed and a recheck survey was accomplished on 10,000,000 acres
during the year.
The Grazing Service became the first bureau of this Department to
be decentralized from Washington. Headquarters were transferred
in August 1941 from Washington, D. C., to Salt Lake City, Utah, the
hub of the Federal range territory.
The Fish and Wildlife Service
The prudent use of our wildlife resources encouraged in the past by
the Fish and Wildlife Service paid dividends this year as the Nation
sought maximum returns from its investment in conservation. The
Fish and Wildlife Service has done much to produce more abundantly
for war from the resources that it administers, but it has enforced the
principle of increased production to the extent consistent with conservation.
Nearly all of the war agencies have urged the delivery of more
products derived from wildlife—more fish for the armed forces at
home and abroad, for our outposts and for our allies; more vitamins
from fish, more fish liver oils, more fur and fiber and food for war.
We have given sympathetic assistance, but we have always looked
Letter of Transmittal • xxi
first to new sources to tap, to fuller use of resources at hand, and
for means of spreading customary production further.
To increase the home supply of fish, we have advocated production
in farm ponds that now flourish in the South. To augment the commercial
catch, we have urged the industry to land species and sizes
which previously were caught and discarded as unpopular, though
suitable for table use. We have provided data on seafood production
in the various theaters of war so that our expeditionary forces might
find a local supply, thus diminishing their demand upon American
resources and freeing shipping space for arms and munitions.
These are a few typical means by which we have tried to increase
present fish production without impoverishing the future.
A program to use less material needed for war has paralleled our
program for producing more food. With some success we have
experimented with canning plates requiring reduced amounts of tin,
and with noncanning methods of fish preservation. We have assisted
in the release of fishing vessels for war use, and have facilitated the
use of net-manufacturing machines in making camouflage nets.
We have been active in the field of predator control to conserve food
and raw materials. In a single instance organized control reduced
sheep losses from 7 percent to less than 2 percent. This is a considerable
contribution when it is considered that the Army estimates a
need for 100 pounds of scoured wool for each soldier during his first
year of service, and taking into account also that 15,000,000 shearling
pelts are needed to line aviators’ coats.
In this report you will find accounts of the Fish and Wildlife Service
rendering many war services other than those which its title indicates
that it might perform. Among these are services related to the control
of disease, often among concentrations of troops; the prevention
of stream pollution, which was increasing because of hurriedly expanded
mining and manufacturing operations, and to services related
to food-storage in England.
All of these activities have been better correlated and their results
have extended further because of the relationship between the Fish and
Wildlife Service and the Office of Fishery Coordination. This Office,
operating under my jurisdiction, is charged with mobilizing for war all of
the industries concerned with harvesting, preserving, and distributing
fish and fish products. The key personnel of the Service’s Division of
Fishery Industries and that of the Coordinator’s office is identical.
The Office of Indian Affairs
The Office of Indian Affairs has dealt with numerous and important
problems of war. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, all of the Aleutian
Islanders west of Dutch Harbor were evacuated according to plan, and
the removal of these people from their homes raised many problems for
xxii • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
this Office. It helped to relocate them, to provide relief and medical
care, and to plan their future self-support.
It was also active from the beginning in the relocation of the West
Coast Japanese, and is administering the largest of all evacuee centers.
At the request of the War Relocation Authority, the Office of Indian
Affairs assigned personnel and equipment to establish centers for large
numbers of Japanese and their American-born families. Blocks of
Indian land also have been requisitioned for military use, and the removal
of Indian families, which resulted in some instances, constituted
a direct war service for the Office.
Charged with grave responsibilities toward the Indians of the United
States and the natives of Alaska, we have seen the war come very
close to both—to the very doorsteps of some among the latter group in
the Aleutian Islands. In both the United States and Alaska the response
of these minorities to the challenge of war has been excellent.
The Alaskan natives have already defended their homes and given
their lives on their own soil in this war for freedom. In the United
States, Indian enlistment in the armed forces increased rapidly after
war was declared, and on June 1, 1942, there were 7,500 of them in the
service. Their most distinguished soldier, thus far, has been the late
General Tinker, an Osage, lost in the battle of Midway on a daring air
mission bravely self-undertaken.
At least 6,500 Indians who received vocational training under the
CCC program are now in the service, and others are applying the skills
that they learned in shipyards, airplane factories, and munitions plants.
The natives of Alaska are serving there in the United States forces.
The skill of these men and their intimate knowledge of the country are
of extraordinary value.
Evidence of the Indians’ will to victory has come from even the remotest
reservation. On several occasions groups of Indians have
arrived at agency headquarters, each man with his gun, ready to proceed
immediately to the scene of the fighting. The Crow Tribe in
Montana offered the Government all of its resources and manpower.
Indians in the United States and Alaskan natives alike have been
generous buyers of war bonds.
During the fiscal year much has happened to strengthen our policy
toward the Indians. War conditions are hastening the maturity of
tribal self-government; the Indians are continuing the practice, begun
several years ago, of investing tribal monies in the land; the courts have
tended to sustain the tribes’ rights in certain lands against conflicting
claims and despite the fact of forcible removal, and to uphold their
right to fish in accustomed places without payment of State license
fees.
The Inter-American Indian Institute was formally created March
25, 1942, in Mexico City. This organization is the official agency for
Letter of Transmittal • xxm
the development of collaboration among the American nations on
matters affecting the more than 30,000,000 Indians who live in the
Western Hemisphere, and it has received support and encouragement
from the Service.
The Division of Territories and Island Possessions
Although all of the American people have felt the effect of war, the
people of our territories and island possessions have literally been
living in the front lines. Two of the territories, Alaska and Hawaii,
have been under enemy attack. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
have been under the heavy hand of maritime siege.
The response of the citizens in our territories to the trials and perils
of war has been magnificent. In some instances they have been
driven from their homes; they have had to accept sharp restraints;
they have had to make profound readjustments in their lives and
affairs. But the nearer the proximity of the enemy, the further in
his blows the greater has been their determination to crush him once
and for all, regardless of the cost to themselves.
The attack upon Pearl Harbor made Hawaii the center of an active
combat zone. A well-organized civilian defense program took its
place alongside of the military operations. Funds were provided for
civil protection, health, sanitation, hospitalization and other civilian
defense necessities, and a representative of my office proceeded to
Honolulu to aid, temporarily, in the administration of the program.
With the full-fledged cooperation of civil and military authorities a
comprehensive program was undertaken to assure adequate protection
for the population in the event of further attack.
The report of the Governor supplies the story in full detail. The
willingness of all elements—citizens, plantation operators, factory
owners, transportation employees, contractors, builders and utility
workers—contributed to the prompt execution of a protection program
that should serve as a model for Americans under fire.
Subsequent developments, as the life of the islands was abruptly
switched from peace to combat, have had a disrupting effect. The
change from normal, revenue-producing shipping to the movement of
war supplies has adversely affected Territorial finances. Necessary
combat zone restrictions on the daily life have caused complications.
There is a shortage of housing, and the labor problem is far from
being solved. No one has any doubts, however, as to the ultimate
fortunate outcome of these matters.
Alaska also found itself in the front line. Close to the top of the
world, where airline distances telescope amazingly, the Alaskans were
keenly aware of their nearness to the enemy. They were awake,
also, to the assiduity with which the Japanese had studied and
xxiv • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
charted Alaskan waters, explored the coastline and penetrated the
Aleutian Islands. It was no surprise to them, therefore, when bombs
fell on Dutch Harbor. They had expected them earlier.
In the evacuation of native populations from the various islands,
the Office of Indian Affairs played a large role. Several hundred
natives and whites were forced to leave their homes and ancestral
hunting areas and were moved to the mainland. Evacuation camps
were established and the first American refugees were made completely
comfortable in new locations. There is reason for great pride in the
way in which this job was handled.
Severe problems were created for Alaska by the influx of large
numbers of troops and the establishment of long-overdue military
bases. In great numbers construction workers were suddenly dumped
upon undeveloped jireas, causing many difficulties in social adaptation
and adjustment. Boom times transcending the days of the gold
rush were created. Serious difficulties of supply had to be coped with.
Alaskans were prompt to volunteer for military service. Indians
and Eskimos appeared with rifle in hand. The knowledge of the
Alaskans of their own territory was put to excellent use. In countless
other ways Alaskans lived up to their reputation as alert, enterprising
Americans, able to cope with situations which might be dismaying
to those of less tough moral fibre.
In Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, in the vital Panama Canal
defense zone, the people and their governing officials realized the immensity
of the war and the problems of our involvement more quickly
than those facts were grasped on the continent.
In the Virgin Islands, our Easternmost outpost, the program for
both civilian and military preparedness was especially intense. When
war came, this was well advanced. James M. Landis, Director of the
Office of Civilian Defense, later recognized this when he said, “We
must put into practice in the Nation much of what these islands . . .
have already done.”
Such strength as we have shown in the off-shore areas has gained
valuable time for us, especially in the instance of possible eventual
enemy occupation. Much of our strength lay in the loyalty of the
inhabitants, but much also was the result of your administration’s
farsightedness. Pre-war controls over shipping, trade in war-essential
commodities and other activities strengthened our position.
The problem of supply for Puerto Rico continues to be acute. It
is, without question, the most severe single problem that we face in
any of the territories. Every effort is being made to obtain greater
tonnage for the island, and in this all agencies of the Federal and
Territorial Governments are cooperating to the fullest. The complete
solution will come only when success in arms will release greater
numbers of vessels for assignment to this service.
Letter of Transmittal • xxv
The Office of the Petroleum Coordinator for War
While the Office of the Petroleum Coordinator for War (now the
Petroleum Administration for War) is not a part of the formal organization
of the Department of the Interior, I wish nevertheless to
mention this activity briefly in this letter. What the Nation would
have done to handle its oil problem under actual war conditions had
it not been for the earlier work of the Office of Petroleum Coordinator,
I cannot guess. The story of the successive problems created by
the disruption of normal petroleum transportation and supply pattern
is too fresh in memory to bear repetition here. Although the warnings
we issued in the summer of 1941 were largely ignored, and the restrictions
which were imposed met with derision and a flood of misrepresentation,
the correctness of oar actions came to be generally
recognized. Now, with war demands for specialized petroleum products
increasing daily, it is clear that efforts to provide the aid necessary
for war were started none too early.
In this connection, I want again to emphasize that the remarkable
results that have been brought about would have been impossible
without the wholehearted willingness of the oil industry to work in
full partnership and understanding with the Federal Government.
Too much credit cannot be given to the members of that industry.
Traditional competitive practices have been laid aside, and many
individual companies have willingly accepted severe financial loss
to make an integrated handling of the oil problem possible. There
is no such thing as “business as usual” today in the oil industry.
Normal patterns have been junked for the duration, and the handling
of petroleum from the well to the delivery of the finished product
is replete with innovation. As one member of the industry puts it:
“The difficult we do at once; the impossible takes a little longer.”
Three principal tasks were faced by the OPC. They were to provide
an adequate supply of petroleum and specialized products for our
armed forces; for the United Nations, and for our own civilian front.
It has been only by the use of considerable ingenuity that we have
succeeded as well as we have. With the assistance of the industry, we
will continue to dispose of the difficult and to perform the impossible.
Conclusion
Although this letter is optimistic in tone, the facts speak for themselves.
The series of disasters inflicted upon the United Nations by
their enemies depressed men’s spirits everywhere, and a recounting of
accomplishments such as this may seem somewhat trivial and academic
when judged against the somber backdrop of the world today. And
yet, as I analyze what this one Department of the Federal Government
xxvi • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
has accomplished in the face of handicaps, there is ample cause for
grim cheerfulness.
We can appraise our progress honestly and find that we have moved
forward. Under the general tendency to magnify our defeats and
belittle our accomplishments because they seem small against big
events, we might not regard what we have done as significant. We
have had failures, many of them. We have had lapses of imagination,
and of concept, and failures of execution. But on the asset side, we
have accomplished some truly worth-while things. So far as this
Department is concerned, we intend to proceed with our work; to
persist in what we think is the right course, and, with the greatest
energy possible, proceed with the sensible development of conservation
and supply programs that, in the end, will win the war.
Sincerely yours,
Secretary of the Interior.
(Note.—Specific details relating to individual projects and to
power production normally contained in this report have been
deleted at the request of the Office of War Information and the
War Department)
Bureau o£ Reclamation
JOHN C. PAGE, Commissioner
■p
I J A SEP on the sound theory that soldiers and civilians fight best
when properly fed, and victory is surer, swifter, Reclamation operations
during the 1942 fiscal year were aimed at providing foodstuffs for men
behind the guns and machines as well as hydroelectric power for the
guns and machines themselves.
For a short conflict or a long pull—a war of attrition—this dual
objective symbolizes the straight thinking of a democracy at bay.
The year’s results from Reclamation activities in 16 Western States
are impressive. Four decades of sound engineering work enabled the
Bureau to assume a vital role in the Nation’s war machine. Outstanding
was its contribution of hydro power—potent energy that turns the
machines that turn out the guns.
In the Pacific Northwest and Southwest giant Reclamation plants
were the bulwark behind industries working at war tempo or mushrooming
into production of war material. Power poured out of these
plants and others for mining and manufacturing; for copper, steel,
aluminum, magnesium; for bombs, planes, and ships.
Simultaneously, reservoirs on Reclamation projects furnished water
to cities and their industry, to military establishments, their training
centers, their airfields.
Stored water also irrigated 3,500,000 acres of productive land.
Food, forage, and fiber were produced on the strategically located 45
irrigation projects in operation in the West. Farmers were urged
to plant and to harvest, to raise cows, beef, and poultry. Irrigation
district officials collaborated with the Bureau in an effort to get
the most from high-production Reclamation farms.
Expanded production of food, forage, and fiber was recognized as
necessary to supply the demands of the United -Nations, to meet
1
2 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
domestic, civilian, and military requirements. Increasing civilian
and military population and the urgency of conserving transportation
emphasized the necessity of making the western half of the United
States self-sufficient in food. This can be achieved only through an
accelerated Reclamation program.
Geared to the over-all demands of the war, the construction of
purely irrigation facilities made progress despite retardation by
shortages of steel and other critical materials controlled by the War
Production Board. Substitutions of noncritical material and concentration
on excavation and other work enabled the Bureau to
advance this work further than otherwise would have been possible.
Because of curtailed Work Projects Administration and Civilian
Conservation Corps contributed labor, the water conservation and
utilization program to stabilize the Great Plains and other semiarid
areas was being redirected into a reserve against future contingency.
Projects under construction are being advanced with all the speed
possible; many others are being investigated and are being tagged
for construction the moment war or postwar needs give the signal to
go ahead.
Set in motion also was a still larger program for lessening the shock
of postwar dislocation. Under investigation were 209 river basins
and potential irrigation or multiple-purpose projects in 17 Western
States. The investigations will produce an inventory of water resources
and point the way to their economical and effective use in a
region where water is the most precious natural resource and the
basis for its economic expansion.
From studies that have been completed or are well advanced, the
Bureau was selecting for a reservoir of public works, in accordance
with the President’s direction, a minimum of 50 feasible projects.
This irrigation and multiple-purpose construction can be launched
promptly at the conclusion of the war. Demobilized soldiers, sailors,
and marines will require employment in useful occupations. Industrial
workers released from war factories will want work close to their
original homes. This shelf of projects, and the remaining construction
on great undertakings like the Columbia Basin Reclamation project
in the State of Washington, will provide that work.
In the Economic Front Line
As the fiscal year closed multiple-purpose irrigation projects engineered
by the Bureau provided the hydroelectric power for war industry,
assured a stable supply of water for essential agriculture and for
cities and industry, and also represented a main source of manpower
in the West—now in the economic front line. Once unpopulated and
unproductive areas, former wasteland, after 40 years of sound ReclaBureau
of Reclamation • 3
mation development were highly productive regions of farms and
factories, towns and cities, all contributing their strength to the war.
The 81 reservoirs in operation on Reclamation projects had an
active water storage of more than 47 million acre-feet—15,000 billion
gallons—available for power generation, irrigation, and domestic and
industrial needs. A 6-million-acre-foot increase in storage over last
year illustrates the foresightedness of the Bureau in undertaking construction
long in advance of an emergency.
Of 73 projects in operation, under construction, or authorized, 45
were producing power and supplying water for irrigation, municipalities
and war industries. Twenty others were under construction.
Nine were authorized but work was deferred because of the war. Of
the 45 projects in operation several had important features still under
construction.
More than 95 percent of the construction costs of these projects is
reimbursable under the Reclamation law or other legislation. The
remainder is allocated to flood control, aid to navigation, or to nonreimbursable
labor costs.
Power Gain
The hydroelectric development on Reclamation projects as of June
30, 1942, was installed in 28 power plants on 17 projects in 11 States.
A tremendous power increase during the year was due chiefly to
the installation of great generators in the Grand Coulee Dam power
plant, Washington. In the Boulder Dam power plant, Arizona-
Nevada, also, a big generator was installed and placed in operation,
to make by far the most powerful array of dynamos ever assembled
and synchronized into action. An addition at the Minidoka plant in
Idaho and another at the Spanish Fork development on the Strawberry
Valley project in Utah completed dhe year’s installations.
But being hurried to completion as the year closed were more generators
at Boulder, Grand Coulee, and Parker (Arizona-California)
Dams due to start operating within 6 months.
Following the recommendation of the Bureau, the Congress appropriated
funds for the completion of construction plans for a steam
plant on the Central Valley project in California. The plant will firm
Shasta and Keswick power and make the output more valuable. It
will assure a larger net revenue to assist in repaying irrigation costs.
The Congress also provided funds for the construction of a transmission
system to carry power from the California project’s Shasta
and Keswick Dam power plants to market.
In the war program of the Department of the Interior for the
development and utilization of western mineral resources, the Bureau
recommended the construction of 17 new power projects in strategic4
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
ally located areas of 11 States. Included in the proposal were 8
steam plants. The remainder were hydro installations.
Aside from the generation of power, and the release of water itself
for domestic and industrial uses, the regional production of food,
forage, and fiber by Reclamation projects in the West supplied urgent
needs. This production reduced the burden on transcontinental
railroads and highways for the movement of men and equipment.
It meant speedy delivery of supplies, and the saving of freight cars,
of steel for rails and equipment, of fuel for engines, and of gas, oil,
and rubber for trucks.
Water, prime essential in war, was provided during the year for
municipal areas of 2,500,000 population. Extensive industrial and
military concentrations were located in the areas.
The Boulder Dam system on the Colorado River in the Southwest
provided water for Los Angeles and 12 other cities of the metropolitan
area of southern California. It supplied both water and power to
the huge new magnesium plant in Nevada near Boulder Dam.
The Rio Grande project in New Mexico and Texas supplied water
to the city of El Paso to make possible more extensive military
operations. The Contra Costa canal on the Central Valley project
provided water for industries in Pittsburg, Calif.
Work was rushed on the Provo River project in Utah to provide
water for a large steel plant and for Salt Lake City and Provo. Important
military and industrial concentrations in this Utah area, with
. increased population, are draining the limited water supplies for
domestic and agricultural purposes.
Other Reclamation projects also were under construction to provide
municipal water supplies. The Altus project in Oklahoma and the
Rapid Valley project in South Dakota will give Altus and Rapid
City new reserves. The increase in Army personnel and population
made the added water supply essential.
Irrigation Crop Returns 35 Percent Higher
The gross value of food, forage, and fiber produced in the calendar
year 1941 on land served with Reclamation water was $159,885,998, a
35 percent increase over the $117,788,677 of 1940. These values do
not include the livestock fattened on Reclamation projects, nor dairy
products such as milk, butter, and cheese, and poultry and eggs—
which would increase totals perhaps more than 25 percent. Nor do
they include returns from areas irrigated by the All-American canal
and 5 other supplemental water projects.
Bureau of Reclamation • 5
TABLE 1.—Reclamation area and average crop return, calendar year 1941 1
Irrigable
area 2
Irrigated
area
Area in
cultivation
(paying
area)
Crop va
Total
lues
Per acre
Regular projects, total____________________
Storage projects, total_____________________
Storage projects,3 total______ ______________
Special and Warren Act lands, total______
Grand total, 1941___________________
Grand total, 1940___________________
Increase or decrease 1940-41_________
Acres
2, 432, 065
418, 208
667,105
1, 398, 338
Acres
1, 868, 808
330, 371
(3)
1, 249, 204
Acres
1,846, 593
331, 695
0)
1, 202,172
$99,865, 794
10, 534, 013
0)
49, 486,191
$54.08
31. 76
0)
41.16
4, 915, 716
4, 835, 693
3 3, 448, 383
3, 500, 070
3,380, 460
3, 316, 030
159, 885, 998
117, 788, 677
47.30
35.52
+80, 023 -51, 687 +64, 430 +42, 097, 321 +11.78
i A detailed table of area and returns by individual projects is available on request from the Bureau of
Reclamation, Washington, D. C.
2 Area for which the Bureau is prepared to supply water.
3 Estimated irrigated area on projects with unreported crop returns is 250,000 acres, bringing the grand
total of irrigated land in 1941 to approximately 3,698,000 acres.
4 Crop results not reported.
The cultivated area on regular and storage projects rose from
2,138,927 in 1940 to 2,178,288 in 1941, with crop values of $80,098,196
and $110,399,807 respectively (table 2). The cultivated Warren Act
lands supplied with supplemental water increased from 1,177,103 to
1,202,172 acres with respective values of $37,690,481 and $49,486,191.
In acreage, hay and forage for livestock were the most important.
Other products included vegetables and truck, fruits and nuts, small
grains, seed, long-staple cotton, and sugar beets.
Reclamation projects in 12 States produced 1,450,321 tons of
sugar beets, equivalent to a year’s supply of sugar for an army of
5,000,000 soldiers.
The 1941 area of 101,219 acres in sugar beets was increased during
the planting season of 1942, but labor difficulties and scarcity of
factory facilities may restrict the year’s production to a 25 percent
increase. If labor is available and processing plants are established,
production in 1943 could double the 1941 output.
The irrigable acreage for which the Bureau was prepared to supply
water in 1942 was 4,915,716 acres. This figure includes more than
500,000 acres under the All-American canal.
The public land opened for homesteading was limited to 2,477 acres
of the Payette division of the Boise project in Idaho. Owing to war
conditions and the location of Japanese relocation centers on projects
in California and Wyoming, other openings were deferred. Additional
land was brought under irrigation on the Roza division of the Yakima
project in Washington and on the Buffalo Rapids project in Montana.
485482—42------- 3
6 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
TABLE 2.—-Cumulative crop production, Reclamation projects, 1906-41
J
3
c
4P
O
sp
<
(
(
I
f
r
(
V
t
1
g
C
E
n
G
P
es
IY
c
P]
in
tl
4 Increase over 1939 largely due to the inclusion of data tor projects not previously reported.
Bureau of Reclamation • 7
Food and Forage for War
The West depends on irrigated land for more than 70 percent of
its food supplies. Surveys indicate that more than 50 percent of the
areas served by non-Federal irrigation systems requires supplemental
water to insure production in normal times. An assured water supply
is doubly essential now to safeguard both the growing civilian and
military population of the area from disastrous food shortages in
the event of drought for new land to be brought under irrigation as
well as for established irrigated areas.
At the request of members of the Congress, the Bureau outlined
for congressional appropriations committees a program for accelerated
development of projects under construction. It was shown that by
1945, with high priorities and adequate appropriations, the Bureau
could serve 1,964,225 additional acres of land. Included in ’this area
are 1,096,260 acres now inadequately irrigated by other systems, on
which food production is limited by water shortages. Included also
are about 867,965 acres of new land which can be brought in cultivation.
This accelerated program covers about a fourth of the 8,000,000
acres to be added to the present irrigable acreage in the Bureau’s
current over-all program of projects in operation, under construction
or authorized. When all projects in the over-all program are completed,
the Bureau will be prepared to serve 5,115,224 acres with a
full (or primary) supply and 7,116,074 acres with supplemental water.
This total of 12,231,298 is nearly three times the 4,915,716 acres
(table 1 and footnote) the Bureau was prepared to serve with irrigation
water in 1941.
In northern project areas are vast acreages that could be devoted
to the production of sugar beets. In southern project areas nearly
1,000,000 acres of public land could be devoted to the production of
guayule to insure a domestic supply of natural rubber.
Guayule as a domestic source of rubber has been recognized by the
Congiess. The Bureau, cooperating with the Guayule Emergency
Rubber Project of the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, has
made test plots available on the Gila and All-American Canal projects.
Growths on these plots are encouraging, and additional land will be
provided for more extensive tests during the winter of 1942-43.
If guayule proves suited to southwest areas, under irrigation, it is
estimated that approximately 1,000,000 acres can be planted" ultimately
on the Gila project in Arizona and under the All-American and
Coachella branch canals in California. Under the Central Valley
project studies begun this year the opportunities for growing guayule
in the Central Valley of California are being explored. It is estimated
that 300,000 acres may be suited for guayule production.
8 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
An experiment in cryptostegia rubber production is being carried
on by the United States Rubber Co. on land leased from the Bureau on
the Yuma project in Arizona. This work is still in an investigation
stage.
At the close of the fiscal year Reclamation projects provided power
and water to 4% million persons in 15 Western States. On irrigation
projects served by Reclamation systems were 1,088,504 persons, on
86,181 farms and in the 291 tributary cities and towns (table 3).
The other 3% million persons received power and domestic water.
In 40 years these projects have created taxable property values of a
billion dollars and produced nearly 3 billion dollars (table 2) in crop
values—nearly 4 times Reclamation construction expenditures through
June 30, 1942 (table 5).
Vital Structures Guarded Against Sabotage
Guards, floodlights, steel fences, and other protective measures
against sabotage were placed about vital Reclamation structures
such as large dams and power plants during the year.
Begun with foresight early in the fiscal year, the program of protection
on 48 projects in operation or under construction was expanded
materially upon news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On
June 30 nearly 650 armed guards were patrolling their assigned beats.
On several projects troops aided in protection. The War Department
has ruled that responsibility for protecting vital Reclamation
structures rests upon the Bureau, however. Increase of the guard
force to 800 was therefore proposed to the Bureau of the Budget for ;
the fiscal year 1943. *]
Protective steps taken by the Bureau in addition to the guards J
were floating booms and steel nets in reservoirs to fend off boats and <
floating objects, prohibition of automobile parking on or near dams, /
and a close supervision of visitors, who are restricted to certain areas, o
Three Japanese Relocation Centers Established
When the Army ordered the evacuation of persons of Japanese
ancestry from critical areas on the Pacific coast, three Reclamation
projects with undeveloped public land were selected by the War
Relocation Authority as sites for relocation centers: The Tule Lake
division of the Klamath project in California; the Gooding division
of the Minidoka project in Idaho; and the Heart Mountain division
of the Shoshone project in Wyoming.
Housing for 16,000 evacuees had been about completed on the
Klamath project. Plans were formed to subjugate and bring into
production a possible maximum of 21,000 acres. Housing construe-
T S R T P
Bureau of Reclamation • 9
10 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
TABLE 3.—Settlement and economic data, reclamation projects, July 1, 1941—Continued
Bureau of Reclamation • 11
tion for 10,000 evacuees on each of the other two centers was well
under way. The Minidoka project was to provide 17,000 acres of
land for irrigation and the Shoshone project 27,800 acres. Products
from these lands are expected to provide subsistence for the evacuees.
The Army Engineers construct the housing and community facilities
at the centers. The Bureau of Reclamation supervises the construction,
by the evacuees, of the additional irrigation facilities on the
projects. Funds for the construction will be provided by the War
Relocation Authority, which will operate the centers. The evacuees
acquire no rights in the land, a portion of which is expected to be
opened for Jiomestead settlement under the Reclamation law at the
close of the war.
Consideration was being given to the employment of Japanese
evacuees on construction work of Reclamation projects in place of
Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees and Work Projects Administration
workers.
Columbia Basin Investigations Field Work
Virtually Completed
Field work in connection with the 28 joint investigation problems
of settler location on the Columbia Basin project in Washington is
virtually complete. Results of the field studies are being collated
and integrated for application to the actual settlement phase of the
project development. Funds have been appropriated by Congress
for starting construction of the irrigation system. But construction
cannot start until pending legislation authorizing the work is enacted,
or repayment contracts are executed by the irrigation districts of the
project. The Bureau will be prepared to launch the settlement phase
of this project, to extend ultimately to 1,200,000 acres, as soon as
water becomes available for irrigation.
Predevelopment Studies Started on Gila Project
Steps were taken to initiate a program of predevelopment on lands
of the Yuma Mesa division of the Gila project, Arizona, in conformity
with a directive from the Senate Committee on Appropriations. A
committee was appointed to study the economic and agricultural
aspects of the practical problems confronting settlers on the type of
arid desert soil which characterizes mesa lands of this section of
Arizona. Through the active cooperation of the college of agriculture,
University of Arizona, experience gained by that institution on
its experimental plot on the Yuma Mesa has been used in guiding the
program. An area of 5,500 acres is expected to be leveled, put under
ditch, and planted to alfalfa.
12 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
The program has the double purpose of conditioning the land for
settler operation and of preparing an area for commercial plantings of
guayule or other rubber-bearing plants, should they be required for
war.
The experience gained in predevelopment of Yuma Mesa lands will
be unique in its field. No other similar large area has been irrigated
in the West. In order to assist future settlers in solving complex
problems as to varieties of crops best adapted, the application and
amount of irrigation water, settlement, and a host of similar subjects,
the Bureau of Reclamation is advancing this work as rapidly as its
authority will permit. , •
Central Valley Studies Undertaken
The rapidly converging problems of the agricultural and industrial
economy of the Central Valley project area, associated with the construction
of Shasta Dam, Friant Dam and other project works, are
under intensive study by the Bureau and more than 50 cooperating
agencies, Federal, State, and local.
The prime objective of the’Central Valley studies is to direct its
vast potentialities as rapidly as possible into war work. As these
potentialities develop into realities of power for war industry, stabilized
water supplies to lands now irrigated, more water for industrial
plants, and new agricultural lands, the Bureau is working out the
details of project administration.
As a second objective, the Central Valley studies will establish
guideposts for the utilization of power, water, and land in a longrange
program.
Construction Results
Five Dams Completed
The Bureau of Reclamation brought to completion 5 of the 15
storage dams under construction on irrigation projects. Three of
the completed dams—Grand Coulee, Friant, and Marshall Ford—•
are the first, fourth, and fifth largest concrete dams in the world.
New electric generating equipment greatly increased the operating
capacity of 28 plants on Reclamation projects. Also erected were
274 miles of high-voltage transmission lines.
The storage capacity of Reclamation reservoirs at the end of the
fiscal year was 61,610,283 acre-feet, an increase of 13,845,680 acrefeet—
29 percent—over the July 1, 1941, capacity. Active storage
content, available for power, irrigation, domestic and industrial use,
was 47% million acre-feet compared with 41% million last year.
Bureau of Reclamation • 13
Statistically, the year showed the following additional construction:
260 miles of canals, 79 miles of drains, and 2,888 canal structures;
556 culverts, 48 flumes, 183 bridges; 259 miles of roads; 169 miles of
telephone lines; 89 miles of pipe line; 13 tunnels of a total length of
38,655 feet; and 2 miles of railroad line. Placed in dams and other
structures were 3,668,333 cubic yards of concrete, 2,247,653 cubic
yards of earth, and 736,591 cubic yards of rock. Excavated in operations:
22,269,750 cubic yards of earth and rock. Used for concrete
in structures: 4,156,572 barrels of cement.
The following dams were completed during the year: Grand Coulee
Dam (Columbia Basin project, Washington), 9,926,005 cubic yards
in volume, a straight-gravity concrete structure creating a reservoir
with an estimated storage capacity of 9,700,000 acre-feet; Friant Dam
(crest height was reached but the spillway gates and outlet works
were not yet installed), (Central Valley project, California), 2,045,860
cubic yards in volume, a straight-gravity concrete structure creating
a reservoir of 520,550 acre-feet capacity; Vallecito Dam (Pine River
project, Colorado), an earth and rock-fill structure with a reservoir
capacity of 129,675 acre-feet; Marshall Ford (Mansfield) Dam (Colorado
River project, Texas), 1,864,000 cubic yards in volume, a straightgravity
concrete structure (with earth and rock-fill embankments of
1,715,000 cubic yards) with a reservoir capacity of 3,120,000 acrefeet;
and Deer Creek Dam (Provo River project, Utah), an earth and
rock-fill structure with a reservoir capacity of 150,000 acre-feet.
Two More Power Plants
Two of the newly completed dams—Grand Coulee and Marshall
Ford—have power plants. When fully installed Grand Coulee’s
plant will have by far the largest installation in the world. Marshall
Ford was in full operation at the end of the year.
Construction work was being pushed on more new plants at Parker,
Green Mountain, Shasta, Keswick, and Anderson Ranch Dams.
The capacity of Boulder Dam, bulwark of war power in the Pacific
Southwest, was being increased at a tremendous rate. As the fiscal
year closed a large generator was being tested for operation and another
was being rushed to completion for operation in December 1942. In
addition, a third was ordered with high priority to supply a huge
magnesium plant near the dam.
Water Conservation Program Progresses
Construction proceeded on 6 projects of the water conservation
and utilization program to stabilize agriculture and employment in
■
14 • .Report of the Secretary of the Interior
the Great Plains and other semiarid areas to the westward most seriously
affected by periodic droughts. The irrigated and producing area
of a seventh project, under construction but already in operation,
was increased. The 7 projects when completed will irrigate a total
of 85,320 acres of land and benefit nearly a million acres of range.
Progress was retarded, however, by the imminent disbandment of/
the Civilian Conservation Corps, a large reduction in Work Projects
Administration forces (both agencies contribute nonreimbursable
labor to construction of water conservation and utilization projects)
and restrictions on critical materials.
The need for this type of small project as a safeguard against
drought and unemployment is unabated despite more rainfall in the
Great Plains.
The Bureau carried on investigations of potential developments
of this type for inclusion in its shelf of projects to provide employment
and maintain established communities at the close of the war.
Forty Years of Construction
In the 40 years of its existence as a Federal agency the Bureau
of Reclamation has placed in operation 45 irrigation projects. In the
construction of these wealth-producing projects the Bureau has built
166 dams; 28 power plants; 5,678 miles of high-voltage transmission
lines; 372 pumping plants; 16,277 miles'of main canals and laterals;
5,010 miles of ditches and drains; and 208,931 canal structures.
It has built 14,255 bridges, 23,060 culverts and 6,475 flumes, and
bored 380 tunnels of a combined length of 105 miles. It has laid
2,264 miles of pipe and built 3,994 miles of road.
The Bureau has excavated 603,115,119 cubic yards of earth and
rock and has used 35,195,538 barrels of cement in building irrigation
structures containing 30,834,046 cubic yards of concrete—enough to
pave a standard two-lane highway around the world at the equator.
Denver Laboratory a Crucible of Construction
•
The crucible of Reclamation engineering work is the expertly
manned laboratory of the Bureau at Denver, Colo. Designs and
materials for structures are submitted to intensive study and actual
test by qualified engineers, some of international reputation. This 1
applied science not only has insured sound, lasting, low-cost structural
work but has saved the Government millions of dollars. Nearly i
$6,000,000 was saved in the cost of Grand Coulee Dam alone by
laboratory analysis of available cements and refinements in structural 1
design as a result of exhaustive laboratory research. \
Bureau of Reclamation • 15
Grand Coulee Dam Finished
The final bucket of the 9,926,005 cubic yards of mass concrete was
placed in Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River in Washington.
The pumping plant foundation and the left powerhouse were completed
in December and work commenced on the right powerhouse.
Cooling of the mass concrete, in progress 5 years and requiring
2,000 miles of 1-inch pipe for circulating chilled river water, was
completed in January.
The first big Grand Coulee generator went on the line October 1,
the second on January 29, and the third on April 7. Two stationservice
generators started operating on March 22, 1941, because of
the urgent need for power for Northwest defense industry. Contracts
were also awarded during the fiscal year for additional big machines.
In April, preparations began at Coulee for the installation of some
generators originally purchased for the Shasta power plant on the
Central Valley project. This shift was an incisive war measure
recommended by the War Production Board. It makes additional
power available to war industry practically a whole year sooner. The
generators were to start operating before the end of 1942.
Completed during the year was the work of mapping and classifying
2,000,000 acres below the dam, and the appraisal of 1,200,000 selected
fertile acres which ultimately will be irrigated, creating homes and
livelihood for a third of a million persons.
The reservoir reached spill height on June 1. A tremendous
cataract—larger in volume than Niagara Falls and twice as high—
poured over the spillway down the face of the dam. The event was
hailed as a wartime baptism of Grand Coulee’s important role in
supplying power to the Pacific Northwest.
Migratory fish conservation work was continued successfully to
save salmon and fighting steelhead trout of the Columbia which were
blocked by Grand Coulee’s massive wall of concrete. Two hatcheries
were in operation—at Leavenworth and at Entiat—under the direction
of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Central Valley Construction Advanced
Completing the relocation of the Southern Pacific Railroad around
the Shasta Reservoir, placing the final cubic yard of concrete in
Friant Dam, and commencing work on Keswick Dam and power plant
were outstanding events on the Central Valley project, California.
Shasta Dam, a concrete gravity structure, 602 feet high (second in
height only to Boulder) with a crest length of 3,500 feet, was 66 percent
completed. More than half the estimated 6,230,000 cubic yards
16 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
had been placed. Concrete work on Shasta power plant was nearing
completion.
Relocation of 36 miles of the main line of the Southern Pacific
Railroad from the Shasta Reservoir site to a shorter new line outside
the reservoir was completed in March. The new line is 30 miles long
and includes 12 tunnels with a total length of 3% miles and 8 major
bridges, including the highest double-decked bridge in the world, over
the Pit River.
Migratory fish conservation, necessary for the protection of the
salmon industry, was begun. Fish will be caught in traps at Keswick
Dam and Balls Ferry, and transported by tank trucks to the Coleman
station on Battle Creek, which is under construction.
Work was started on Keswick Dam and power plant, 9 miles downstream
from Shasta. The structure will be operated to reregulate the
variable releases from the Shasta power plant and generate power.
Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River reached crest height in June
with the placing of 2,045,860 cubic yards of concrete. The spillway
gates and outlet valves were not installed, however, owing to lack of
priorities. The straight-gravity structure is 320 feet high with a
crest length of 3,430 feet.
Work was continued during the year on the first section of the 37-
mile Madera Canal, one of two main canals leading from Millerton
Lake, the 520,550 acre-foot reservoir formed by Friant Dam.
Through a section of Contra Costa canal in the Sacramento-San
Joaquin delta area domestic and industrial water was being supplied
to the city of Pittsburg.
Boulder Dam Supplies War Power
Boulder Dam on the Boulder Canyon project of Arizona-Nevada-
California supplied increased war power for Pacific Southwest industry.
On October 9 another generator went on the line. The October 9
installation made the Boulder plant the largest in the world.
Colorado-Big Thompson Tunnel Driven 5 Miles
At the rate of more than 40 feet a day workmen drilled through the
granite backbone of the Rocky Mountains, holing out the 13-mile
Continental Divide Tunnel on the Colorado-Big Thompson project,
Colorado. The tunnel will shunt Colorado River headwaters from
the western to the eastern slope of the mountain. It was more than
8 miles complete on June 30; nearly 5 miles were excavated during the
preceding 12 months. En route to sugar beet fields and other crops
the irrigation water, after passing through the tunnel, will energize
6 power plants.
Bureau of Reclamation • 17
On the west slope work on Green Mountain storage dam and power
plant proceeded with rapidity. The power plant is due to begin
operating in February 1943.
In December 1941 the diversion and outlet tunnel was started for
Granby Dam and by June 30 was 62 percent complete.
Deer Creek Dam Finished on Provo River Project
Deer Creek Dam on the Provo River about 14 miles northeast of
Provo, Utah, was completed in October 1941. This storage dam is the
second largest earth and rock-fill dam to be built by the Bureau. It
is 235 feet high, 1,256 feet long, 2,809,800 cubic yards in volume, with
a storage reservoir capacity of 150,000 acre-feet.
Also completed was a 9-mile section of the 40-mile Salt Lake
Aqueduct on which work is being pushed with all possible speed. The
aqueduct will provide domestic and industrial water for Salt Lake
City. A contract was awarded to enlarge the Weber-Provo Canal.
All-American Canal Supplies Entire Imperial Valley
Operation of the All-American Canal—the country’s largest irrigation
canal, 242 feet in maximum width at water surface, 80 miles
long extending from the Colorado River to the west end of the Imperial
Valley, deep enough to float an ocean-going vessel—was extended
throughout the Imperial Valley during the fiscal year.
On the 131-mile Coachella branch which stems from the All-
American Canal, 81 miles are excavated; also structures along 47
miles are complete.
Rapid Progress on Anderson Ranch Dam
Excellent progress, with work 23 percent complete on June 30, was
made during the fiscal year on Anderson Ranch dam and power plant,
contract for which was awarded August 1941.
Located about 20 miles northeast of Mountain Home, Idaho, on
the South Fork of Boise River, the structure will be the highest earth
and rock-fill dam in the world—444 feet from the lowest point in the
foundation cut-off to crest. A multiple-purpose development, the
structure is also the largest dam of its type undertaken by the Bureau
to date—9,600,000 cubic yards as designed.
The 500,000 acre-foot reservoir to be formed by the dam will provide
a needed supplemental water supply for more than 300,000 acres
of farm lands in the Boise Valley and control floods. The power plant
will offset deficiencies in southern Idaho and northern Utah.
18 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Marshall Ford Dam Finished
Marshall Ford (Mansfield) Dani on the Colorado River, about 18
miles northwest of Austin, Tex., was completed in May. It is a concrete
structure of the straight-gravity type, 270 feet high, with an
earth and rock-fill wing embankment at the left abutment 105 feet
high and 4,910 feet long. With an over-all length of 7,333 feet, the
dam contains 3,579,000 cubic yards of concrete, earth, and rock. The
reservoir of 3,120,000 acre-foot capacity will provide flood control in
addition to water for power generation.
Parker Power Plant Almost Ready for Operation
The powerhouse and installation of electrical machinery at Parker
Dam, Arizona-California, neared completion. Construction of the
Phoenix terminal substation was also in progress. .On November 3 a
contract was awarded for building a 123%-mile transmission line from
Phoenix to Tucson, and a 50-mile line to connect the Gila substation
at Blaisdell, Ariz., with drop No. 4 on the All-American canal in
California.
Water Made Available for New Yakima Land
Approximately 50 miles of the 99-mile Yakima Ridge canal on the
Roza division of the Yakima project in Washington were completed
on June 30. Water for the irrigation of 6,630 acres was made available
for the 1942 season.
On the Tucumcari project in New Mexico, earthwork and structures
on a 25-mile section of the 75-mile Conchas main canal were completed,
also three tunnels with a combined length of 3.8 miles.
On the Gila project in southwestern Arizona pumping plant No. 1
was completed in November. Installation of three pumps was started
in December. Earthwork, structures and concrete lining for canals
and laterals on unit No. 1 of the Yuma Mesa division were about half
complete.
Canal and lateral construction was in progress on the Heart Mountain
division of the Shoshone project, and the Riverton and Kendrick
projects, all in Wyoming; the Owyhee project in Oregon-Idaho; and
the Deschutes project in Oregon. Work was continued on the Wickiup
Dam and canal system on the Deschutes project, using Government
and CCC forces. The Cody-Thermopolis transmission line on the
Shoshone project was completed in November. The Modoc unit of
the Tule Lake division of the Klamath project, Oregon-California,
was under construction.
Bureau of Reclamation • 19
Davis Dam Contract Awarded
A contract was awarded in June for construction of Davis Dam and
power plant on the Colorado River about 67 miles downstream from
Boulder. The dam will be an earth and rock-fill structure 200 feet
high with a volume of 4,230,000 cubic yards, forming a reservoir of
1,940,000 acre-foot capacity.
Palisades Dam Authorized
Palisades Dam project on the Snake River in Idaho was authorized
for supplemental storage and power generation under the 1939 Reclamation
Project Act. Changed plans necessitated reauthorization of
the Rapid Valley project on Castle Creek in South Dakota. Both
projects include earth dams.
Field Investigations in Full Swing
Engineering investigations have two major objectives in connection
with the war program: First, to determine the best method of providing
additional electric power to avert a shortage in vital production
areas of the West. Second, to prepare a reservoir of feasible irrigation
and multiple-purpose projects on which construction can be quickly
launched to provide employment and settlement opportunities at the
close of the war.
Studies have been made of numerous hydroelectric power sites and
steam plant installations. The major purpose of the steam developments
would be to firm the power from and balance the output of
existing or proposed hydroelectric plants.
The following 27 power projects have been investigated:
Albuquerque (steam) near Albuquerque,
N. Mex.
Bismarck (steam) near Bismarck,
N. Dak.
Brazos River near Waco, Tex.
Bridge Canyon near Kingman, Ariz.
Cabinet Gorge near Sandpoint, Idaho.
Canyon Ferry pear Helena, Mont.
Debenger Gap near Medford, Oreg.
Denison power near Denison, Tex.
Detroit power near Detroit, Oreg.
Dewey Reservoir near Moab, Utah.
El Paso (steam) near El Paso, Tex.
Five Mile Rapids near The Dalles, Oreg.
Folsom power near Folsom, Calif.
Fort Collins (steam) near Fort Collins,
Colo.
Heart Mountain near Cody, Wyo.
Klickitat near White Swan, Wash.
Kortes power near Casper, Wyo.
Lower Big Horn near Hardin, Mont.
Mystic power near Reno, Nev.
Newark (steam) near Newark, Calif.
Palisades Dam near Alpine, Idaho.
Pelton power near Redmond, Oreg.
Pilot Knob near Yuma, Ariz.
Provo (steam) near Provo, Utah.
Sacramento (steam) near Sacramento,
Calif.
Scriver Creek near Garden Valley,
Idaho.
South Dakota (steam) near Mobridge,
S. Dak. •
20 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
For a reserve of irrigation and multiple-purpose projects, more than
200 potential areas were under investigation. The work was divided
among the States approximately as follows:
State Project Basin
surveys
Arizona- ___ _. __________ 10 2
California___________________ 7 4
Colorado-. ______________ - 19 5
Idaho__________________ ___ 13 4
Kansas________ ________ 4 3
Montana________________ - 6 5
Nebraska -_______ -____ 4 1
Nevada _ - _____ - 1 3
New Mexico______-________ 5 2
North Dakota_______________ 5 4
State Project Basin
surveys
Oklahoma _____ ________ 5 2
Oregon - ___ _______ - 20 4
South Dakota.. ... .. 3 5
Texas _ - _ ___________ 7 7
Utah________________________ 21 5
Washington. __________ ____ 3 2
Wyoming__________________ 12 6
Total..___________________ 145 64
Tentative reports were prepared on 11 individual projects and 9
basin-wide reconnaissances as follows:
Project River State River Basin States
Balmorhea________ ___________
Vaughn Division______________
Pecos________
Sun__________
Texas________
Montana_____
Missouri River below
Fort Peck..
Montana, North
Dakota, South
Dakota.
Robert Lee____________________
Kern River........... ...........................
Colorado_____
Kern_________
Texas________
California____
Upper Brazos____
North Canadian..
Texas.
New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Texas.
Middle Rio Grande___________ Rio Grande.._ New Mexico.. Smoky Hill______ Colorado, Kansas.
Savage pumping______________
Mountain Home_____ _______
Yellowstone...
Snake________
Montana_____
Idaho________
South Umpqua.1..
Neuces___________
Oregon.
Texas.
Bully Creek___________________ Malheur_____ Oregon_______ Grand___________ North Dakota,
South Dakota.
Cambridge____________________
Intake pumping_______________
Canyon Ferry_________________
Republican__
Yellowstone...
Missouri___ j .
Nebraska____
Montana_____
____ do________
Knife____________
Big Horn________
North Dakota.
Montana, Wyoming.
The Bureau has been reviewing flood control reports of the War
Department in numerous stream basins in California. Eight reviews
have been completed and 20 others are in progress. This work has
been carried out under the terms of the agreement of August 14, 1939,
by which the Bureau of Reclamation, the War Department and the
Department of Agriculture interchange information on multiplepurpose
projects. The National Resources Planning Board is the
liaison agency.
Operation of Projects
Multiple Goal Pursued
Production of food, forage and fiber was the multiple goal of the
operation and maintenance activities on the Bureau’s irrigation
projects. Foresight pointed to the time when these agricultural
commodities and especially foodstuffs might have as much effect on
the outcome of the war as weapons.
The Division of Operation and Maintenance from headquarters in
Bureau of Reclamation • 21
Denver urged all projects to respond to the growing need for essential
foodstuffs and livestock by bringing all irrigable land into production.
On some projects idle tracts were leased and brought into cultivation.
Larger areas of withdrawn classified land were leased for expanded
stock raising. The acreage planted in the spring of 1942 was an
increase over 1941.
The educational program to assist farmers in making the most
economical use of available water supplies, preventing soil erosion,
eradicating noxious weeds and developing pasture acreages, made good
progress. Motion pictures, illustrated lectures, and instructive
circulars were used.
Cooperative programs with agencies of the Department of Agriculture
were continued. The Farm Security Administration has been
active in helping settlers on newly developed areas on several Reclamation
projects. Funds were transferred during the fiscal year 1942 for
the employment of specialists of the Extension Service to assist
farmers on certain Reclamation projects.
The Bureau took measures to aid in the Federal program for
directing excess purchasing power of the water users into non-inflationary
channels. It urged retirement of outstanding debts, advance
payment of Government obligations and the creation of a reserve
fund to take care of post-war emergencies. Projects were given
information on the Government’s policy with suggestions as to
methods of cooperation.
Soil and Moisture Conservation Work Continued
Soil and moisture conservation operations were continued on lands
under the Bureau’s jurisdiction. Work included hydrographic
measurements and studies for determination of seepage losses in
canals and laterals; studies of materials and demonstrations of their
application as sealing agents to reduce seepage; prevention of water
erosion and depletion of soil fertility; and construction of controlling
structures and planting of vegetation on noncultivated land at locations
suffering from extreme wind erosion.
Six Contracts With Water User Organizations Executed
Amendatory contracts under the Reclamation Project Act of 1939
to adjust annual repayments to paying ability were executed with 6
water users’ organizations. Contract drafts have been completed for
5 irrigation districts, and preliminary drafts for 9. Preparatory
studies were begun on contracts for 11 districts.
Under the act of 1939, reclassification of irrigable acreages has been
completed on 6 projects, and was in progress on 2 others.
485482—42-------4
22 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Relief to Water Users Reduced
Relief by the extension of time for the payment of construction
charges pursuant to Section 17b of the act of 1939, where water users
are unable to pay such charges without great hardship, was greatly
reduced. Time extensions were granted to 10 districts by the Secretary
of the Interior for charges accrued for the calendar year 1941.
The extensions amounted to $322,929 or less than 11 percent of
charges due from all projects, a reduction of about 50 percent of the
amount granted for 1940. More prosperous conditions and improved
water supplies increased the ability of the water users to pay their
obligations.
CCC Suspended
Civilian Conservation Corps camp operations on Federal Reclamation
projects were suspended late in the year in anticipation of the
termination of CCC activities. Originally organized under the
Emergency Conservation Work program, the CCC established its
first camp on a Reclamation project at Guernsey Reservoir in Wyoming
in 1934. On July 1, 1941 there were 43 camps.
During the past 7 years over 15,000 old wooden water control
structures in canal systems were ripped out and replaced by permanent
concrete structures; canals were straightened, strengthened,
and rebuilt to grade and cross-section, and more than 100 miles were
concrete-lined; 3,000 miles of operating roads were constructed along
canal banks; dams of all types were examined, and rebuilt and repaired
wherever necessary; 40,000 acres in reservoir areas were cleared of
timber and debris; destructive rodents by tens of thousands were
exterminated; and an aggressive campaign of weed control on Government
lands was developed.
A major part of the construction on the Deschutes project, Oregon,
was assigned to CCC forces. They also undertook reservoir clearing
jobs on Utah projects, at Shasta Dam in California, and Vallecito
Dam in Colorado. Facilities built by the CCC now provide recreation
at Elephant Butte and Alamogordo Reservoirs in New Mexico,
Guernsey, and Alcova in Wyoming, Minatare in Nebraska, Lahontan
in Nevada, and Lake Walcott in Idaho.
CCC camps were assigned in 1942 to seven water conservation and
utilization projects in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming,
and Colorado, to build dams, canals and related structures.
The work of enrollees at camps on Reclamation projects trained
thousands of truck drivers and tractor operators. Elementary training
in concrete and masonry construction, erection of frame structures
and the use and repair of hand tools were standard on job courses.
Bureau of Reclamation • 23
Although CCC work on Reclamation projects was far from complete
when suspended, the excellent condition of the reservoirs and canal
systems brought about by CCC forces is high-quality insurance
against interruptions in the growing of crops on irrigated land.
Bureau Organization Being Remolded
The organization of the Bureau of Reclamation in Washington and
in the field was being molded to the war pattern. Power plant construction,
protection of structures against sabotage and preparation
for irrigation expansion to meet war needs required an increase in
personnel which more than offset military furloughs and transfers to
other war agencies. The number rose from 7,636 to 8,016. The
number of field offices remained at 57 but arrangements were being
made to close several small ones.
Effective October 1941, the headquarters of the Operation and
Maintenance division was transferred from Washington, D. C., to
Denver, Colo. The accounting division, except for the chief accountant
and a staff of five, also was transferred to Denver—to be designated
as the central accounting office.
TABLE 4.—Accretions to Reclamation fund by States
States
Sale of public lands Proceeds from oil leasing act
Total to
Fiscal year June 30, 1942
1942
To June 30,
1942
Fiscal year
1942
To June 30,
1942
Alabama ___ __ _ $3, 313. 07
1, 370. 02
1, 112,749. 20
99, 890. 74
479. 35
3, 720. 28
12, 698. 46
19. 69
84. 00
114, 951. 74
26. 25
870, 297. 49
29, 421. 78
3, 389. 15
665. 20
5, 810. 28
145, 309. 90
5, 626. 55
1, 489, 478. 77
$197, 572. 26
4, 852. 24
20, 629, 356. 23
997, 259.' 52
22, 206. 29
6, 815. 54
321, 484.82
47.26
110. 25
1, 536, 584. 47
252. 00
5, 614. 22
3, 639, 373. 98
240, 407. 90
6, 089. 77
852. 02
12, 746. 26
984, 428.13
42, 308. 26
39, 493, 629. 58
$197, 572. 26
2, 768, 587. 37
28, 931, 452. 23
11,320, 057. 81
7, 076, 953.47
1, 040, 416.94
321, 484. 82
47. 26
110. 25
16, 923, 812. 25
2, 097, 540. 25
1, 046, 000.12
10, 381,664. 97
12, 460, 054.17
5, 937, 235. 35
11, 995, 799. 99
7, 746, 421. 74
5, 381, 934. 05
7, 515. 168. 45
48, 214, 057.90
Arizona______________________
California____________________
Colorado______ .._____________
Idaho________________________
Kansas_______________________
Louisiana ___ ____ _
$21, 697. 82
36, 764.10
9, 937. 03
10, 655.49
81. 71
$2, 763, 735.13
8, 302, 096. 00
10, 322, 798. 29
7, 054, 747.18
1, 033, 601. 40
Michigan. _ _________
Mississippi __ _ _______ __
Montana".____________ _______
Nebraska____________________
Nevada______________________
New Mexico__________________
North Dakota_____ __________
Oklahoma____________________
Oregon_______________________
South Dakota_______ ________
Utah_________________________
Washington__________________
Wyoming_______ ____________
Total___________________
Proceeds, Federal waterpower
licenses ...
4, 123.41
456. 53
3, 237. 34
13, 773. 82
68. 76
468. 39
424. 58
1, 206. 42
27, 333. 49
6, 674. 65
12, 143. 86
15, 387, 227. 78
2, 097, 288. 25
1, 040, 385. 90
6, 742, 290. 99
12, 219, 646. 27
5, 931. 145. 58
11, 994, 947. 97
7, 733, 675. 48
4, 397, 505. 92
7, 472, 860.19
8, 720, 428. 32
149, 047. 40 113, 214, 380. 65 3, 899, 301. 92 68, 141, 991. 00 181. 356, 371. 65
>893, 844. 45
21, 145, 405.42
29, 778, 300. 23
Proceeds, potassium royalties
and rentals.. ...
Receipts from naval petroleum
reserves, 1920 to 1938, act of
May 9, 1938
Grand total ___ _ 213, 173, 921. 75
t. Proceeds for fiscal year, $38,408.83.
2. Proceeds for fiscal year, $297,639.17.
24 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
The accounting division transfer was not officially effective until
July 1, however, and was not reflected in the personnel employed
as of June 30, 1942, in Washington, D. C.—152, including the Commissioner
and Assistant Commissioner and employees detailed to
other offices and agencies but carried on the Washington office salary
roll. Of the 7,864 Bureau employees in the field, 1,086 were in the field
headquarters at Denver under supervision of the Chief Engineer
and the General Supervisor of Operation and Maintenance and
6,778 were engaged in construction or operation and maintenance
activities on the projects.
Fifty supervisory engineers report directly to the Chief Engineer
in Denver; 22 project superintendents or other supervising officials
report directly to the General Supervisor of Operation and Maintenance.
Both the Chief Engineer and General Supervisor report to
the Commissioner, who is appointed by the President and serves
under direction of the Secretary.
During the year 517 Bureau employees were given military furloughs.
The Bureau also released several hundred engineers for
civilian transfers to the War Department, Navy Department, and
other war agencies.
Reclamation Fund Accretions
Accretions to the Reclamation fund created by the Reclamation
Act of 1902 (table 4) brought the total cash available from this source
in 40 years to $213,173,921.75. Collections—construction and operation
and maintenance repayments, water rentals, power, etc.—were
$141,266,462.78. Disbursements totaled $339,913,575.29, leaving a
balance in the fund on June 30 of $14,526,809.25.
Construction repayment collections during the year totaled
$2,327,886.42; operation and maintenance collections amounted to
$1,253,099.50; and water rental, power, and other receipts of $2,983,-
596.66 were repaid to the Reclamation fund during the fiscal year 1942.
Federal Investment Increased
Construction expenditures for all projects during the year of
$84,349,841.29 increased to $816,768,590.05 on June 30, 1942, the
Federal investment, through the Bureau of Reclamation, in irrigation,
power and multiple-purpose facilities in the West (table 5).
The emphasis in the fiscal year 1942 was on facilities which will
bring in power for war industries. Expenditures, however, were
directed toward completion of facilities which will benefit irrigation
directly through additional storage or which, through power revenues,
will assist in the repayment of the cost of irrigation systems.
Bureau of Reclamation • 25
For the fiscal year 1943, appropriations by the Congress for the
Bureau of Reclamation totaled $89,273,270, summarized as follows:
Reclamation fund:
Operation and maintenance_______________ ■_____$1, 171, 220
Construction_________________________________ 1, 475, 840
Total
■General fund:
Colorado River front and levee system__________ $47, 895
Colorado River development fund______________ 399, 750
Colorado River dam fund:
Boulder Canyon project___________________ 4, 999, 750
All-American canal_______________________ 1, 000, COO
Protection of project works____________________ 700, 000
Construction (13 projects, investigations, etc.)___ 78, 979, 340
Fort Peck power______________________________ 499, 475
$2, 647, 060
Total general fund_________________________________ 86, 626, 210
Grand total_______________________________________ 89, 273, 270
John S. Moore, Field Supervisor in Charge of Soil and Moisture
Conservation, was appointed General Supervisor of Operation and
Maintenance effective September 16, 1941, succeeding George O.
Sanford, retired. From Denver headquarters Mr. Moore supervises
the activities of 15 projects which are operated in their entirety by the
Bureau and 7 other projects which are Bureau-operated with respect
to their dams, reservoirs and other reserve works. His administration
also extends to 25 projects and operations conducted by water users’
organizations under contracts with the United States. The Operation
and Maintenance division deals with approximately 120 separate
water users’ organizations which are under contract with the United
States.
26 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
(Note.—Specific details relating to individual projects and to
power production normally contained in this report have been
deleted at the request of the Office of War Information and the
War Department')
Bonneville Power Administration
PAUL J. RAVER, Administrator
r) XXURING the fifth year of its existence, the Bonneville Power
Administration greatly increased its delivery of electric energy to
war industries, public-owned distribution agencies, Government
agencies and private utility enterprises. The eneigy of the two great
dams on the Columbia river—Grand Coulee and Bonneville—was
utilized almost continuously on a 24-hour a day basis, and served as
one of the aggressive war weapons of the United States.
At the outbreak of the war in December 1941 the Administration
was already far along in its war production program and through
advanced planning prepared to take on even greater war loads.
With the passage of the defense appropriation bill (H. R. 1055) in
June 1940 and the lend-lease bill (H. R. 1776) in March 1941, the
Administration early recognized that a tremendous inciease in the
generating capacity of the Nation was necessary to cany out a war
production program.
Early in 1941 the Administration recommended acceleration of
installations of generating units at both Bonneville and Grand Coulee
Dams and the speeding up of construction of necessary facilities to
transmit the additional power to load centers.
As a result additional generating units were authorized at Bonne ville
Dam and at Grand Coulee Dam. In addition Shasta units were
transferred from California for installation at Grand Coulee.
There was also appropriated to the Administration the sum of
$48,858,500 for the fiscal year 1942 for the construction of transmission
and substation facilities.
The declaration of war and decisions to locate many war loads east
of the Cascades made necessary certain major changes in the Administration’s
1942-43 program. It nevertheless found the Administration
in a position to meet the war strategy with changes only as to
27
28 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
location of additional lines and substation facilities, thus justifying
the basic planning of the system.
The impact of the war program in the area served by the Administration
was reflected by war contiacts totaling $1,259,449,000, covering
the manufacture of aircraft, ships, ordnance, military and naval supplies
and the construction of barracks, docks and munition depots,
which had been awarded in Oregon and Washington, between June
15, 1940, and December 31, 1941. This figure does not include the
purchase of raw materials such as aluminum, copper, zinc, lead and
timber produced in the area.
The Columbia River projects, which had been assailed as “white
elephants in the wilderness” during their building, had become an
integral part of the war might of the United States.
As the year ended the Administration operated a transmission
system containing 1,748 miles of transmission lines and 37 substations.
The Administration acted to integrate all of the Northwest’s power
resources to provide greater security of service for the growing war
load. Tn addition to its interconnections with the public systems of
Seattle, Tacoma, Centralia and Grays Harbor, Wash., and Eugene
and McMinnville, Oreg., the Administration interconnected its
system with those of the Washington Water Power and Pacific
Power & Light Companies. An interconnection with the Portland
General Electric Co. was continued through the year.
Public-owned agencies, established for the purpose of distributing
Columbia River power without profit and entitled to preference in
purchasing Columbia River power under the Bonneville Act, voluntarily
postponed their plans for construction of new power facilities
until after the war.
Those public-owned agencies which were already in business and
receiving Columbia River power continued to make steady reductions
in rates in the face of rising costs attendant on the war.
During the year public owneiship progiess was steady. Eleven
public agencies in Washington and Oregon were successful in purchasing
either all or part of privately owned utility systems. Two other
Oregon Peoples’ Utility Districts approved revenue bond issues for the
purchase of existing utility properties for $885,000. During the year,
17 public agencies executed new contracts and 9 public agencies
revised existing contracts with the Bonneville Administration for the
purchase of power. The Administration’s power deliveries to public
agencies increased in the 1942 fiscal year.
The Year’s Power Sales
Both from the standpoint of actual power deliveries and from the
standpoint of “demand value” of contracts executed, the Administration’s
power sales showed heavy gains during the fiscal year 1942.
Bonneville Power Administration • 29
Of power actually delivered, war industries, comprising principally
aluminum and shipbuilding, purchased 81.4 percent; private utility
companies, 14.7 percent; public agencies, 3.8 percent; and Federal
agencies, 0.1 percent.
Twenty-six new power contracts were executed during the year,
bringing the cumulative total of signed contracts to 70.
TABLE 1.—New prime power contracts executed fiscal year 1942
Class No.
Districts______________________ 6
Cooperatives__________________ 11
Federal agencies_______________ 5
Class No.
Industries_____________________ 4
Total1__________________ 26
i In addition to these, four public utility district contracts, four REA cooperative contracts, two contracts
with municipalities, one industrial contract and one contract with a private utility were revised as to contract
demand.
The War Market
By June 30, 1942, industrial power contracts and commitments
dominated the Administration’s marketing program and construction
plans. Industrial loads, all of them for war production, accounted
directly for 92 percent of cuirent contracts and commitments for
899,920 kilowatts.
The economics of the Pacific Northwest and of the electro-process
industries of the country had long indicated that industrial power
sales would play a major role in the development of the Northwest
region.1
At the close of the 1941 fiscal year, the Bonneville Power Administration
had reported to the Department of the Interior some 20 types
of industry which, by reason of their raw material, power and market
needs, were especially feasible of establishment in the Pacific Northwest.
2 During 1942, the Bonneville Power Administration agreed
to serve 5 of these 20 types of industry.
Shipyards Added to Load
In addition to industries of the “electro” type, the war brought a
new market for power in the development of a huge shipyard industry.
The Administration agreed to serve three shipyards in the Portland,
Oreg.-Vancouver, Wash., district. The three new yards required a
total supply of power which would not have been available in the
lower Columbia district had it not been for the Bonneville project.
New electric welding processes which require large blocks of electricity
have reduced shipbuilding time from 250 days to as low as 10 days.
1 See improvement of Columbia River at Bonneville, Oreg., War Department, Corps of Engineers, 1935-
38; Annual Report of the Federal Power Commission, Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1938; Annual Reports
Of the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration, 1938-41.
’ See Annual Report of Bonneville Power Administration, 1941.
30 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
In detail, the Bonneville Administration’s industrial power sales
position on June 30, 1942, was as follows:
TABLE 2.—Industrial contracts in effect, June 30, 1942 1
Date power con-
Name tract signed
Aluminum Co. of America, unit 1__________________________ , - Dec. 20, 1939
Alcoa, unit 2______________________________________________ Apr. 16, 1940
Alcoa, units 3, 4, and 5_____________________________________ Oct. 21, 1940
Alcoa, overload units____________________________ '----------------Apr. 3, 1941
Do___________________________________________________Jan. 30. 1942
Pacific Carbide & Alloys Co_________________________________July 6, 1940
Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co_________________________ Dec. 18, 1940
Reynolds Metals Co_______________________________________ Feb. 24, 1941
Do___________________________________________________ Mar. 10, 1941
Oregon Shipbuilding Co____________________________________ May 20, 1941
Electro Metallurgical Co____________________________________ May 29, 1941
Do________________________________________________________ do_____
Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co_________________________ Oct. 17, 1941
Defense Plant Corporation-_________________________________ Feb. 18, 1942
Kaiser Co_________________________________________________ May 8, 1942
1 In addition, Defense Plant Corporation was being supplied with power in eastern Washington as the
fiscal year ended, prior to formal signing of contract. Other commitments also had been made (see table 5).
Market Development Emphasized
In order to provide a solid foundation for the new electro industries
of the region and to insure their continuous operation, technicians
of the Administration assisted materially in the establishment of
other industries, the products of which are critically needed in the
manufacture of the materials and chemicals produced because of the
availability of Columbia River electric power.
A proposal for a coke plant sponsored by a local industrial group
was prepared, presented and carried through to approval by war
agencies with the assistance of the Administration.
Similarly, ferro-alloys manufacturers and calcium carbide producers
were assisted in obtaining suitable grades of raw materials in Oregon
and Washington. Bonneville technicians also cooperated in the
establishment and expansion of a plant in Utah, for the production
of alumina from alunite ores and clays. This was a significant step
since inexhaustible deposits of aluminum bearing clays are available
on the Bonneville transmission system in the Castle Rock region of
Washington. All these activities were undertaken with the firm
conviction that suitable low-cost raw materials could be made available
from the area’s natural resources for the metallurgical and electrochemical
plants in the region to insure their continuity of operation.
These activities were carried on in conformance with the policy
expressed by the Secretary of the Interior that the west is not only
Bonneville Power Administration • 31
building for the war, but for its future and that of the Nation. Every
electro industry established during the past 4 years in the Pacific
Northwest is part of a pattern of industrial development providing
for the complete processing of Northwest resources from raw materials
to consumer goods.
The Public Power Market
At the close of the year a total of 53 contracts between the Bonneville
Administration and public utility districts, municipalities, cooperatives
and Federal agencies had been executed.
Seventeen contracts with public agencies were executed during the
1942 fiscal year.
By the end of the year the cumulative total of Bonneville’s public
agency contracts included 17 with utility districts, 12 with municipalities,
19 with cooperatives, financed in all but one case by the Rural
Electrification Administration, and 5 with Federal agencies.
Twenty-six of these fifty-three public agencies were distributing
Columbia River power and nine cooperatives and two public utility
districts were assured of Columbia River power almost immediately
through interconnection agreements between the Bonneville Administration
and privately owned utilities.
As of June 30, 1942, the Administration’s contracts to public distribution
agencies were as follows:
TABLE 3.—Contracts with public agencies 1
PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICTS
Name Date executed
2
Date energized
Name Date executed
3
Date energized
Skamania_______ ...
Pacific No. 2_______
W ahkiakum________
Klickitat___ :_______
Tillamook__________
Kittitas____________
Lewis______________
North Wasco_______
Grays Harbor______
Apr. 14,1942 s
Sept. 8,1941s
Nov. 10,1939
June- 18,19423
May 15,1940
Oct. 3,1940
Oct. 4,1940
Oct. 28,1940
Nov. 7,1940
Jan. 3,1940
Oct. 17,1940
Nov. 12,1940
Nov. 6,1940
June 19,1941
May 1,1941
Nov. 9,1940
Clark______________
Cowlitz____________
Yakima____________
Clatskanie__________
Central Lincoln____
Union Co__________
Whatcom__________
Grant Co...1-----------
Apr. 17,1941
Apr. 28,1941
July 9,1941
Mar. 17,1942
___ .do_______
___ .do_____
May 19,1942
June 17,1942
Aug. 11,1941
MUNICIPALITIES
Cascade Locks 4____
Forest Grove_______
Canby_____________
Monmouth_________
McMinnville__ _ . - _
Centralia___________
Feb. 14,1939
Nov. 7,1939
Dec. 22,1939
Jan. 5,1940
Jan. 13,1940
Feb. 13,1940
July 26,1939
Nov. 27,1939
Feb. 1,1940
Dec. 4,1940
Oct. 18,1940
Jan. 1,1941
Tacoma____________
Seattle_____________
Ellensburg_________
Eugene_____________
Drain______________
Grand Coulee______
Mar. 5,1940
May 6,1940
Aug. 1,1940
Aug. 20,1940
Mar. 15,1941
May 1,1941
Mar. 9,1941
May 25,1941
May 27,1941
Dec. 6,1940
Apr. 1,1941
Jan. 6,1942
1 In addition to these, contracts have been signed with 6 war agencies. These include Army air bases,
Coast Guard stations, navy yards and cantonments.
2 Contracts are listed in order in which they were originally signed.
3 Revised.
4 Contract provides prime, secondary, and dump power.
32 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
TABLE 3.—Contracts with public agencies1—Continued
COOPERATIVES
Name Date executed
2
Date energized
Name Date executed
2
Date energized
Benton-Lincoln____
Columbia R. E. A...
Wasco Elec.'Co-op___
Inland Empire_____
Nehalem Valley____
Nespelem Valley___
Salem Elec. Co-op._.
Lincoln Elee. Co-op.
North Douglas_____
West Douglas______
Benton R. E. A____
June 27,1940
Oct. 1,1940
Oct. 2,1940
June 5,19423
Oct. 7,1940
Feb. 19,1941
Mar. 17,1941
May 30,19423
Mar. 18,1942s
Aug. 29,1941
June 15,1942s
Oct. 12,1940
July 17,1941
May 24,1941
Feb. 1,1941
Sept. 12,1941
Mar. 29,1941
Apr. 3,1942
July 15,1941
Sept. 2,1941
Blachly-Lane Co-op.
Lane Co. Co-op____
Okanogan R. E. A—
Umatilla R. E. A___
Big Bend Elec. Coop—
Kootenai R. E. A__
Stevens Co--------------
Idaho Co. L. & P.
Co_______________
Oct., 7,1941
May 1,1942
June 15,1942
_____ do______
June 17,1942
June 18,1942
June 5,1942
June 8,1942
—
Progress of Public Agencies
The public agency market for Columbia River power is largely
dependent upon the ability of public-owned electric utilities to enter
active business and become purchasers of power at wholesale.
For this reason the Administrator continued to accede to the wishes
of the local utility districts, to serve as their official negotiator for the
purchase of privately held utility systems.
One municipality, six cooperatives, and four public utility districts
in Washington and Oregon reported success during the fiscal year in
purchasing either all or part of privately owned utility systems.
The Skamania, Grant, Lewis, and Klickitat County Public Utility
Districts, the city of Grand Coulee municipal system, the Orcas Light
& Power Co. (REA), and the Stevens County Electric Cooperative
each purchased all or part of privately owned utility systems in
Washington. In Oregon the Central Electric, Coos Electric, Lane
County Electric, and North Douglas Electric Cooperatives all completed
purchases of all or part of utility systems.
The Clatskanie Peoples’ Utility District and the West Coast Power
Co. reached agreement to purchase the company’s Clatskanie division
for $150,000 and the Central Lincoln District agreed to purchase the
company’s coast division for $735,000. Revenue bonds were approved
by voters in the two districts.
The Tillamook (Oreg.) Peoples’ Utility District also reached an
agreement to purchase practically all of the Mountain States Power
Co. properties in Tillamook County for $625,000.
The Public Agencies' Operating Record
On June 30, 1942, 26 public agencies had been distributing Columbia
River power for periods up to 36 months. The success shown in their
operations records was significant in its illustration of the possibilities
which the public power market holds for the distribution of Columbia
River power. Since the Federal statute under which the Bonneville
Bonneville Power Administration • 33
Administration operates makes public agencies and cooperatives the
Administration’s preferred market, the record of these first small
public-owned utilities assumed double significance.
In 1939, 1940, and 1941, and the first half of 1942 the public electric
systems in Oregon and Washington made rate reductions amounting
to more than $1,417,000. As a result of these reductions power consumption
increased, thus permitting gross revenues to remain stable.
Substantial reductions in rates have been made by the public systems
of Canby, Cascade Locks, Columbia County REA, Cowlitz
County PUD, Drain, Forest Grove, Ellensburg, Eugene, Grays
Harbor PUD, Kittitas County PUD, Lewis County PUD, McMinnville,
Monmouth, Nehalem Valley REA, Pacific County PUD,
Seattle, Skamania PUD, Tacoma, Wahkiakum PUD, Centralia,
Douglas Electric Cooperative, Salem Electric Cooperative, Columbia
County REA, and the City of Grand Coulee.
The Clark County Public Utility district signed contracts during
the fiscal year to supply Columbia River power to a Federal Public
Housing Authority project at Vancouver, Wash., and to one war
industry. The housing project, which may be enlarged, included
1,000 permanent houses, 4,000 temporary houses, dormitories for
4,400 men, and 2,000 units of family apartments. These contracts
gave the district a greater load than that supplied by the two private
utility companies serving Vancouver.
One of the private utilities offered to supply the load for the 1,000
permanent houses for about $84,600 a year. The district is supplying
this load for approximately $36,190. Housing Authority officials
say it is the lowest power rate it has received in the United States.
During the year Monmouth, Oreg., made its second rate reduction.
McMinnville, Oreg., also effected its second rate reduction since contracting
for Bonneville-Grand Coulee power. The reduction brought
McMinnville rates into line with the Bonneville standard resale rate
and resulted in a further substantial saving to customers.
Typical of rural cooperative performance was the record of the
Wasco Electric Cooperative in the mid-Columbia River valley.
During the first 12 months of its operation with Columbia River power,
the Wasco cooperative brought electricity to 365 Wasco County
farmers who had never before had access to electricity. Nearly
340,000 kilowatt-hours were sold by the cooperative. Revenues
totaled nearly $10,000.
Cascade Locks (Oreg.) City Light, by June 1941, had reduced rates
31 percent, yet as a result of increased use of electricity by customers
maintained its revenue from power sales.
Customers of this municipal system with their June 1942 bills
received another reduction of 15 percent in commercial rates.
34 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Future Industrial Sales
During the early months of the 1943 fiscal year the Administration
expected to execute power sales contracts for the delivery of Bonneville
and Grand Coulee energy to new war industrial plants, in addition
to additional blocks of power to existing industrial customers.
The Administrator had made definite commitments during 1942 to
supply these plants and additions. It was expected that the full
demand would be required by these plants before the middle of the
1943 fiscal year.
Contracts for these new plants were in advanced negotiation at the
close of the fiscal year 1942. Several of the plants were actually
under construction. The list follows:
TABLE 5.—Industrial contracts pending, fiscal year 1943
Company
Kaiser Shipbuilding Corporation---------------------
Defense Plant Corporation-----------------------------
Do____________________________________
Do____________________________________
Do____________________________________
Do____________________________________
Oregon Electric Rolling Mill---------------------------
Defense Plant Corporation-----------------------------
Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation--------------------
i Energized May 1, 1942.
Type of operation
Shipbuilding.
Reduction of aluminum oxide.1
Reduction of aluminum oxide.
Aluminum rolling mill.
Magnesium.
Ferro-silicon.
Steel rolling mill.
Reduction of aluminum oxide.
Shipbuilding.
Prospective power sales to war and other industries in the Northwest
for the fiscal years beyond 1944 were, of course, progressively
more difficult to estimate. For this reason, in planning future generating
and transmission capacities, the Administration endeavored
to plan a power system of sufficient flexibility to supply not only
normal load growth, but any fluctuations in load which might grow
out of a war need extending over a number of years.3
Other Future Sales
The Bonneville Administration’s estimates of power sales from its
own system for the years 1943 through 1945 included four other classes
of customers. These were non-Federal electric utilities, public power
agencies, military establishments, and war housing projects which,
among them, were estimated to require a combined peak delivery of
576,200 kilowatts by 1945.
3 For details see Six-Year Construction Program for Bonneville Power Administration, revised as of
June 1942.
Bonneville Power Administration • 35
Service for Future Loads
Id conformance with Executive Order No. 8455, the Bonneville Administration
during the 1942 fiscal year revised its 6-year construction
program in the light of new factors which developed during the year.
These new construction estimates of the Administration were conditioned
by two fundamentals: First, the fact of the war need, and
second, the fact that almost no other utility within the region has
definite plans for expansion of its generating capacity.
These two factors meant that both normal growth in power consumption
within the region and growth in power demand incident to a
war of uncertain duration would have to be met in their entirety by
the region’s Federal power projects.
In planning future generation and transmission capacity, therefore,
the Bonneville Administration planned to fill not only the needs of its
own customers but the expanding needs of the region as well.
In the formulation of these plans three things became at once apparent:
(1) that immediate material shortages would compel slight reductions
in the over-all power consumption of the region in 1943 and
1944 below the Administration’s estimates of June 1941, which were
made contingent upon a recommended earlier installation of generators;
(2) that beginning with 1945 the region’s power needs would
increase, in an annually expanding ratio, above the Administration’s
estimates of June 1941; and (3) even with the slight reduction of use
in 1942 and 1943, additional generating capacity would be required
in the Pacific Northwest over and above both existing and authorized
capacity.
At the end of 1944, including units definitely approved for construction
at the end of the 1942 fiscal year, the installed capacity of
Bonneville and Grand Coulee Dams will be an insufficient total in
view of the region’s predictable needs.
New Generating Capacity Needed
Because of the potential power shortage in the region, the Bonneville
Administrator jointly with the Bonneville Advisory Board, on
February 10, 1942, urged that studies be completed on the 10 hydroelectric
power projects in the Northwest which are known to be
feasible of early construction. In addition the Administrator recommended
immediate construction of another dam on the Columbia
River accessible to the existing Bonneville-Grand Coulee transmission
system and to the larger load centers of the region.
It was further recommended that new generator installations should
be scheduled immediately because of the time required to complete
36 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
such installations. Only in this way could an adequate supply of
power be assured for what might be the critical years of 1946 to 1949.
To carry this tremendous capacity from the power stations on the
Columbia River to the power market centers of the region, extensive
additions to transmission and terminal facilities of the Pacific Northwest
will be required.4
The Year’s Construction
The congressional appropriation of almost $23,000,000 received by
the Bonneville Administration at the start of the 1942 fiscal year instituted
a construction program almost twice that of the previous
fiscal year.
This enlarged program was again increased by an additional appropriation
of $30,000,000 in December 1941. Since the war program
required the use of critical materials for the production of war goods,
the Administration’s program was limited after December 7 to only
those extensions of its system which contribute directly to the prosecution
of the war. As a result the Administration held in reserve a
considerable portion of its construction funds at the end of the fiscal
year pending determination of their detailed use.
New Facilities Energized
The Administration placed 586 miles of transmission line and
530,050 kva of substation capacity in service during the fiscal year.
This represents an average of 2.3 miles of transmission line and
2,100 kva of substation capacity completed for each working day.
At the close of the fiscal year the Administration operated a transmission
system containing 1,748 miles of transmission lines and 37
substations.
Design work was in progress on 13 substations and 19 major substation
additions and on 8 transmission lines totaling 437.3 miles in
length.
Construction was in progress on substations and additions and on
transmission lines having a total length of 629.7 circuit miles.
The Year's Operations
As an operating utility the Bonneville Administration faced new
operating problems affecting both the agency’s management procedures
and its electrical operations.
Until the last quarter of the fiscal year the organization was expanding
to meet the immediate needs of building new transmission
4 For detailed discussion of estimates of generation and transmission see Bonneville Power Administration
construction program revised as of June 1942.
Bonneville Power Administration • 37
facilities to serve war industries. During that period production
increased markedly until it reached a processing peak of obligating
over $7,000,000 per month. New production records were attained
and all commitments to war industries fulfilled on schedule.
When the national shortage of copper, steel, aluminum and other
metals became critical, however, these production levels began to
decline until, during the latter quarter of the year, previously approved
construction plans had to be postponed with a resultant tapering off
in personnel and production.
Some copper, aluminum, steel and other critical materials originally
ordered under proper priorities of the War Production Board could
not be used under the curtailed program of construction later initiated
by the same agency. A complete inventory of these materials was
made and submitted to the War Production Board, and arrangements
made to make it available to other war agencies as needed.
Financial Statements
Studies were continued during the year for the purpose of further
simplifying the Administration’s accounting methods.
Financial or general ledger accounts were kept in accordance with
requirements of the General Accounting Office and cost accounts were
kept in conformance with the Federal Power Commission’s system.
The Power Supply and the Future
Both the law and the power economics of the Pacific Northwest
make it mandatory upon the Federal Government to provide sufficient
generating and transmission facilities to supply the region’s everincreasing
power demands, whether for war or for peace.
In terms of immediate need, competent studies 5 forecast a serious
shortage of power for war production by 1944 unless new power
sources are immediately developed throughout the Nation.
In terms of post-war requirements, the Bonneville Administration’s
own studies 6 indicate a need of nearly 5 million kilowatts for normal
use in the Northwest in 1949.
The Administration does not anticipate any power surplus when the
war ends. Generators now installed or being installed are worked to
capacity. Even the end of the war and the possible slow-down of a
number of industrial plants would permit only a normal and necessary
reserve of power and withdrawal of generating units for necessary
reconditioning and replacement of worn parts.
5 Will Electric Power Be a Bottleneck? by Louis Marlio, Brookings Institution, Washington, D. C., 1942.
< See Bonneville Power Administration’s 6-year construction program, revised as of June 1942.
485482—42------5
38 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
In its consideration of the future, the Bonneville Administration
has concluded:
More generating capacity must be developed.—Generator schedules for
Bonneville and Grand Coulee in 1943 should be maintained and given
the highest possible priority assistance. Grand Coulee units, which
have been redesigned for installation in the second powerhouse at
Grand Coulee because of the transfer of Shasta Dam generators to
the present powerhouse, should be completed in 1944. This will require
higher priorities for both the generators and the powerhouse
than the A-2 priority now assigned them. In the last 6 months of the
fiscal year 1942, short-term policies of the War Production Board had
threatened the speed of all these generator installations. Finally, in
order that the Pacific Northwest may contribute its share of new
kilowatt capacity to be required for 1945, an immediate program
should be adopted for development of an additional supply through
the authorization of additional generators at Grand Coulee Dam and
by construction of new hydro projects, such as those feasible of construction
on the Columbia River.
In the allocation of new war industry to the'Northwest, the Administration’s
seven-point industrial program might well serve as guide:
1. Columbia River power should be sold to such industries and on
such terms as help the long run and best development of regional
resources.
2. The establishment of basic electro-process industries should be
followed by fabricating and supply industries so as to support the
operations of the basic industries and to provide products for regional
consumption at lower costs than obtained at present.
3. New feasible industries should be financed and managed as far
as possible by business men of the region.
4. Research on new processes to use electric power and raw materials
in the region must be stimulated by governmental agencies and the
results of such research should be freely available for use by independent
enterpiise.
5. The opposition of established industry to new competition from
Northwest industry and the attempts of any industrial groups to
control large amounts of Columbia River power must be prevented.
6. Within the region, new industries should be encouraged to decentralize
in accordance with the advantages of locational factors
and of the ‘‘postage stamp” rate of the regional network.
7. Columbia River power should be sold on such terms as contribute
to the conservation of other resources of the region and as prevent
the destruction of scenic and recreational assets.
Division of Power
ARTHUR GOLDSCHMIDT, Acting Director
Supe rvis ion exercised by the Division of Power over problems
involved in the development of electrical energy by agencies under the
jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior acquired even greater
significance when the attack on Pearl Harbor transformed a condition
of national emergency into a state of total war. Already established
by the Secretary of the Interior in April 1941 to promote efficient coordination
of the Department’s power production activities, the Division
was able to gear its organization to aid in the prosecution of the
war program without loss of time.
Power for War
During the fiscal year the activities of the Division of Power were
dedicated to the fulfillment of the purposes for which it was created,
intensified by the war and the urgency that it has brought for the
development of additional power for war uses and the achievement of
the maximum utilization of existing plants for that purpose. During
the year the installed capacity of power projects under the jurisdiction
of the Department was increased by more than 500,000 kilowatts.
Perhaps the most significant step in the power program during the
year was the beginning of operations at Grand Coulee Dam on the
Columbia River in Washington.
The Division has been constantly engaged in working for the construction
of power projects which will require a minimum quantity of
critical materials and can be completed with sufficient speed to warrant
construction for the war program. In the fall of 1941 a comprehensive
program was worked out in conjunction with the Bureau of Reclamation
and the Bureau of Mines to develop 1,480,000 kilowatts of additional
electric generating capacity throughout the Western States and
to use it for the extraction and beneficiation of strategic minerals.
This program included the more rapid completion and expansion of
projects now under way and proposed immediate authorization and
39
40 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
construction, of projects still in the planning stage. It also called for
the integration of the Federal power resources by transmission networks.
The Division has aided in the preparation of specific proposals
for the development and greater industrialization of the Western
States insofar as the use of power facilities is involved.
The Department’s work on programs relating to the furnishing of
power for war involves continuing contact and cooperation with other
Government agencies, particularly the War Production Board, the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries, and the
Federal Power Commission. The Division serves as liaison between
various agencies of the Department and the war agencies which are
centralized in Washington. This work of the Division has made it
possible to continue the Department’s policy of decentralizing the
administration of its power activities.
Arrangements for the supply of power to the magnesium plant near
Las Vegas, Nev., were worked out in conjunction with the Bureau of
Reclamation, the allottees of Boulder power, and Defense Plant Corporation.
This transaction constitutes one of the largest single sales
of power to a consumer ever consummated. Negotiations extended
over a period of 6 months and at the end of the year the principal
agreement and three subordinate agreements were ready for execution.
Extensive negotiations with the War Production Board were, and
still are, carried on to assure the maximum war use of the Columbia
River power developments through the installation of additional generators
at Bonneville and Grand Coulee Dams. Authorization was secured
for the installation of generators at Bonneville which will raise
the capacity of the plant. Authorization of more generators for Grand
Coulee was also obtained, but when it became apparent that other
war demands would delay the completion of these, the Division participated
in an arrangement whereby generating units designed for
the Central Valley project in California, and ready ahead of time
through the foresight of the Bureau of Reclamation, were transferred
to the Grand Coulee powerhouse to bring power to the new metallurgical
and. shipbuilding industries in the Northwest sooner than could
otherwise have been done.
In seeking the full utilization of the Department’s power resources
the Division has sought to have war plants located on a sound basis,
looking to lowering costs to war industries and the development of a
balanced economy in the regions involved. It has also endeavored, to
the fullest extent commensurate with war production needs, to secure
the location of plants which might continue to operate after the war
and thereby contribute to the post-war readjustment and to safeguarding
the Government’s investment in the facilities.
Every effort has been made to effectuate the consolidation or pooling
of the.epower resources of the Department in such a manner as to
Division of Power > 41
secure the greatest efficiency and to make available maximum quantities
of power in various areas. The appropriate war agencies have
been kept fully and promptly advised of the quantity and location of
power available from the Department’s projects and have otherwise
had the benefit of complete information as to the capabilities of these
projects. Initial steps in the creation of a power pool in the State of
Arizona had been taken at the end of the year. Similarly, a plan for
consolidation of the power resources of the Department in Wyoming
was under study. At the same time, the Division has insisted that
power from the projects in the Department be sold to the war agencies
and contractors at the lowest possible rates in order that the cost of
war materials and supplies produced with the power might be held to
the lowest feasible level.
Members of the Division’s staff advised the Secretary of the Interior
upon the power problems of the Island of Puerto Rico which became
acute largely due to the stringency of the oil supply on the island. In
order to conserve oil and to make the utmost use of the power facilities,
it became necessary that all of the facilities be completely integrated.
At the request of the Territorial Government and the Federal Works
Agency, the Division assisted in formulating a program for the integration
of the properties of the two utility companies which served a
portion of the island with those owned by the Territorial Government
for the wartime welfare of the island.
Hetch Hetchy
The city and county of San Francisco submitted to the voters in
November 1941 the plan for acquisition of a distribution system which
the Secretary of the Interior had found would comply with the terms of
the Raker Act. After the rejection of the charter amendment to put
the plan into effect, a bill was introduced in Congress to relieve San
Francisco of the statutory requirement to distribute solely for the
public benefit the power developed through the storage of water in
Yosemite National Park. Hearings were held by the Public Lands
Committee of the House of Representatives at which the Department
opposed any change in the conditions under which the use of national
park lands had been granted by Congress. At the conclusion of the
hearings, the bill was not reported out of committee.
Thereafter, largely through the efforts of the Division and in
accordance with the suggestion made by the Secretary of the Interior
at the hearing upon the bill to amend the Raker Act, arrangements
were worked out for an aluminum reduction plant to be constructed
by the Defense Plant Corporation to utilize Hetch Hetchy power
in accord with the Raker Act. The Department, through the staff
of the Division, and the Department of Justice then joined with the
42 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
city in petitioning the Federal District Court for a further stay of
the injunction against the city, to prevent loss of revenue to it
pending completion of the plant. The court granted an additional
stay of 1 year, within which time all Hetch Hetchy power will be
disposed of through a direct sale to the Government-owned aluminum
plant.
Central Valley Project
Even with two of its generating units temporarily transferred to
Grand Coulee, the Central Valley Dams will supply one of the largest
single blocks of power that will become available for war production.
Every effort has been made to expedite the completion of the Shasta
and Keswick Dams and to secure the priorities for materials necessary
to the generation of electric energy which the War Production Board
has agreed is vitally needed in California. An appropriation was
obtained to begin the construction of transmission lines to bring the
power to load centers and for engineering work on a steam standby
station which is a necessary adjunct to the project if the full benefits
of the power development are to be secured for the people of the area
and if power is to contribute an appropriate share to the repayment
of the cost of the entire project. Comprehensive studies were under
way, including studies relating to the marketing of the power and the
rates at which it will be sold. Emphasis is being placed particularly
on the most effective use of the power for war purposes.
General
As the clearing house for the increasing body of complicated problems
incident to the power activities of the Department, the Division of
Power had handled matters relating to the Park Service, the Office of
Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bonneville Power
Administration. All problems relating to the power projects of agencies
of the Department, which are of sufficient importance to require
the attention of the Secretary, have been cleared through the Division.
Further steps were taken to obtain a smooth-running procedural
relationship between the Office of the Secretary and the agencies of
the Department dealing with power, and to establish machinery which
will permit coordination of the many matters which are of concern to
more than one of the agencies of the Department.
The review of applications for the use of public lands by utility
companies and other power agencies was continued. A large number of
contracts for the sale of power from reclamation projects was also
studied and reviewed. Suggestions were made from time to time
looking toward the establishment of uniform policies and practices in
power sales. Further steps were taken for the effectuation of the
Division of Power • 43
policy of including in contracts with distributors of power at retail,
provisions relating to the rates at which the power is to be resold, the
aim being to prevent excessive profits from resale of Government
power in the development of which public funds and public resources
have been utilized. A study of the wholesale rates for power generated
on a number of projects in the Department was begun, in collaboration
with the Bureau of Reclamation, to determine whether adjustments
could be made in accordance with the Reclamation Project Act
of 1939.
Preparations were made for the Division to appear for the several
interested agencies of the Department of the Interior at a hearing
before the Federal Power Commission on the application of the State
of Arizona for a license to dam the Colorado River at Bridge Canyon.
At the request of the members of Congress who are sponsoring the
legislation, representatives of the Division attended and participated
in the hearings on the bill to establish a Columbia Power Administration
to market power from the Bonneville and Grand Coulee projects.
The measure would permit the administration in charge of marketing
Bonneville and Grand Coulee power to acquire private utility systems
in the Northwest and resell to public agencies and cooperatives the
distribution properties. The generating and transmission facilities
would be retained by the Federal agency and would be coordinated
with the Federally constructed system. This integration of facilities
would enable the area to produce an increased quantity of power now
so vitally needed for war uses. The Division also participated in the
work of the Department pertaining to a number of other legislative
matters affecting power interests, including the proposed amendment
of the Raker Act.
The Division of Power has participated in a large measure in the
work of the War Resources Council of the Department which has
effectively made available for use in connection with power and other
natural resource development problems the advice and data of the
entire Department.

Geological Survey
W. C. MENDENHALL, Director
SUMMARY of the work of the Geological Survey during the
fiscal year 1942 indicates how completely the energies of this scientific
and technical unit of Government have been directed toward the
paths of war. An organization that for more than 60 years has been
conspicuous among comparable organizations in the world in its
contributions to scientific advancement in the fields of geology,
paleontology, physiography, petrography, hydrology, hydrography
and the techniques of mapping, the Survey now is applying its
accumulated knowledge, its trained personnel, and its developed skills
to war problems.
The processes of research are the same whether they are applied to
the ends of war or to those of peace. The scientist’s desire is to serve
mankind. He strives to extend the fields of knowledge in order that
life may be richer and better oidered. But the new natural laws and
products that he reveals may be seized and used by destructive as
well as by constructive forces. The gangster as well as the policeman
can use a gun.
Now the scientist and the technician in field and laboratory everywhere
in the world are carrying on a highly important although
nonspectacular part in the struggle. The. Geological Survey is
enlisted in this effort. Through close cooperation with other agencies
of Government engaged in other phases of the same endeavor, it is
reevaluating and reporting upon all of the significant deposits of
deficient and critical minerals, vigorously mapping strategic areas
within and without the United States and its possessions, and supplying
specific information, here and abroad, on terrain, water supplies,
building materials and other elements affecting use of lands for war
industries or military occupancy.
Geologic Branch
The major activity of the Geologic Branch this year was in the field
of minerals vitally needed for war. Owing to the gieat increase in
45
46 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
requirements and the cutting off of many foreign supplies, this field
now includes all the minerals previously recognized as strategic, ores
of common metals, and many minor elements that until recently had
been adequately supplied. As the problems involving these natural
resources have increased, the experienced and specially trained staff
of the Geologic Branch increasingly concentrated on them both in the
United States and other American Republics, and peacetime activities
were reduced to a minimum. A new development was work in
military geology, involving the preparation of special reports and maps
for the armed services. The geologic programs conducted in cooperation
with different States were also focused, so far as practicable, on
war minerals and war problems.
War Minerals
The investigations of strategic mineral deposits were financed by an
appropiiation of $245,000, of which $35,150 was allotted to the
Alaskan Blanch. In addition, about $150,000 of the appropriation for
“geologic surveys” was used for strategic mineral studies in field and
laboratory.
Close contact was constantly maintained between the Geological
Survey and the Bureau of Mines, the War Production Board, the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation, and othei agencies, and many
field examinations of ore deposits were made at their i equest. Where
field conditions seemed to warrant it, recommendations were made to
the Bureau of Mines for drilling or otherwise exploring certain ore
deposits, and geologists were assigned to these operations to study
cores and excavations and make appropriate recommendations as the
work progressed.
Although iron, copper, lead, and zinc had not heretofore been
included in the list of strategic minerals, the rapidly growing need for
increased supplies of those metals led to the field study of a number
of iron deposits and to the formulation of plans for intensive studies
of all these metals during the fiscal year 1943. For this purpose
increases in the staff were made towaid the close of the fiscal year 1942.
Most of the iron-ore districts examined this year were in the Western
States. These districts include the deposits at Canyon Creek, Ariz.,
Eagle Mountains, Calif., Dayton, Nev., Jones Camp, N. Mex.,
Scappoose district, Oreg., and Bull Valley, Utah. The geologic
examinations were made in advance of and during exploiation work
of the Bureau of Mines. They provided basic data essential to the
planning of an iron and steel industry in the West. Iron-ore deposits
in northeastern Alabama and in the Cartersville district, Ga., were
also examined.
Geological Survey • 47
A program for exploring domestic sources of aluminum developed
rapidly during the year. Late in 1941 the Survey collaborated with
the Bureau of Mines in a field inventory of the known reserves of
bauxite, the only ore from which aluminum is now obtained. The
inventory revealed a potential shortage of domestic reserves, and
consequently a joint program of exploration was started in November
1941, with funds especially appropriated by Congress. The
program includes, in addition to explorations for bauxite, investigations
of high-alumina clays and alunite, which are potential sources
of aluminum. The geologic explorations for bauxite were conducted
by nine field parties in Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi,
Tennessee, and Virginia. Four deposits recommended by the Survey
were drilled by the Bureau of Mines. Field examinations of highalumina
clays were made in California, Idaho, Mississippi, South
Carolina, and Washington, and of alunite deposits in several Western
States. The program is to continue through 1943.
The rising demand for magnesium is expressed in the Survey work
during the year in widely different ways: In the State of Washington,
for example, magnesite deposits were studied and reserves estimated;
in Utah, members of the Survey staff worked in shifts at a test well
of the Defense Plant Corporation, seeking to appraise the magnesium
and potash in cores and brines; in the Las Vegas area, Nev., a search
was begun for salt, a raw material needed in large quantities at the
new plant of Basic Magnesium, Inc.
The outstanding results from work on deposits of manganese in 1942
were obtained in the Batesville district, Ark. Cooperative work
with the Bureau of Mines on prospecting for wad-type ores continued
from 1941 until February 1942, and geologic work is still in progress.
The tonnage and grade of reserves indicated by prospecting and
geologic work were such as to warrant recommendations to the Metals
Reserve Co. and Defense Plant Corporation for systematic largescale
development. The recommendations were accepted, a metals
reserve stock pile has been established, and systematic development
has begun.
Domestic chromite production made a major advance this year
when a chromite concentrating plant was completed at the Benbow
mine, in the Stillwater district, Mont. This mill is now producing
150 to 175 tons of chemical-grade chromite concentrates daily. It is
the largest chromite mill in the country and the first of three now
planned for the Stillwater deposits. The Stillwater deposits are the
largest single domestic reserye of chromite and are known to contain
millions of tons of ore. The explorations initiated in 1939 by the
Geological Survey and later carried on jointly by it and the Bureau
of Mines were largely instrumental in bringing the district into production
so quickly.
48 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
A similar advance was made in the domestic tungsten industry by
the initiation of large-scale production from a mine near Yellow Pine,
Idaho, in which tungsten had been discovered as a result of the cooperative
work of the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines. At
the close of the fiscal year, this property was the largest single producer
of tungsten concentrates in the country. Work was also carried
on in other tungsten districts in Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada,
California, Colorado, and Arizona. One of the geologists engagedin
tungsten investigations perfected, during the year, a simple apparatus
that permits field estimation of the molybdenum content of scheelite
(calcium tungstate) concentrates, a matter of some economic importance,
in that an excessive molybdenum content subjects scheelite
concentrates to a price penalty.
In the larger quicksilver districts of California, Nevada, and Oregon,
the detailed mapping of the districts was followed by intensive geologic
studies of individual mines. Detailed district and mine examinations
were also started at Terlingua, Tex., and will be continued
during the coming year. Many small and widely scattered properties
in the Western States were inspected by joint parties composed of a
Survey geologist and a Bureau of Mines engineer. These inspections,
made mainly to select the more promising localities for detailed
work, also added much specific information to the records of quicksilver
deposits.
Among the minor metals particularly valuable because of peculiar
properties, cobalt and vanadium deserve special mention. During
scientific research on manganese minerals, in which X-ray and other
refined methods of study were used, it was found that some manganese
ores contain cobalt in such quantities as to be possible ores of cobalt.
Tests of certain cobalt-bearing manganese deposits are to continue in
the coming year. For vanadium, likewise, modern technique speeded
scientific search. This was especially true in the examination of
several hundred titaniferous magnetite specimens from many iron
deposits, which were tested by spectrographic methods at the Department
of Mineralogy and Petrography of Harvard University. The
vanadium-bearing phosphate rock of southeastern Idaho and western
Wyoming, about which much is known through years of field study,
is also being tested in a cooperative project with the Bureau of Mines.
Investigations of domestic beryllium, lithium, and tantalum sources
were begun in. the spring of 1942 and will be combined in part with
the work on strategic sheet mica.
A wide variety of nonmetallic minerals, of immediate or potential
value in the war, were examined in the field and laboratory. These
minerals include fluorspar in western Kentucky; graphite in Alabama,
New York, and Pennsylvania; phosphates in Idaho and Wyoming;
Geological Survey • 49
sheet mica in New England and North Carolina; talc in California
and Nevada; and topaz in South Carolina.
The diversity of the wartime geologic work is illustrated also by
some of the assignments of the fuel specialists, which included studies
of occurrences of oil in certain areas in and adjoining Naval Petroleum
Reserve No. 1 in California; geologic conditions near Mount Pleasant,
Utah, in conjunction with the drilling of a test well by the Bureau of
Mines in search of coking coal; and a survey in cooperation with the
Bureau of Mines of sources of helium-bearing gas. In cooperation
with the Geological Survey of Pennsylvania, geophysical investigations
led to the drilling of a productive oil well.
American Republics
The projects of the Geological Survey in the American Republics,
which are sponsored by the Department of State, are part of a broad,
long-range program designed to further the cordial relationships
between the countries and to provide basic mineral data of mutual
value During this year the work was entirely on the ores of war
metals: manganese and nickel in Biazil; chromite, manganese, and
tungsten in Cuba; manganese in Costa Rica; antimony, manganese,
and quicksilver in Honduras; and antimony, chrome, quicksilver, tin,
and vanadium in Mexico. The work was directed in part toward
aiding increased production.
Examinations in Brazil were typical of the broader studies that
anticipate future needs. In one study the reserves of manganese ore
at an extremely large, undeveloped deposit were evaluated. At
another the nickel silicate ores of a deposit that is possibly the largest
of its type in the Western Hemisphere were studied in detail.
The chromite project in Cuba, continued from last year, was noteworthy
for the close application of scientific geology to the production
problems of operating companies. One feature of the cooperative
work with the companies was the application of geophysical methods
to chromite prospecting. These methods offer promise of considerable
success within a certain limited field.
Military Geology
Since early February, 6 to 20 geologists have been engaged in the
preparation of reports and maps on the military geology of many
areas, in response to requests from the Intelligence Branch of the
Army Engineer Corps, Air Forces, Naval Intelligence, Board of Economic
Warfare, Engineer Board at Fort Belvoir, and the Army and
Navy Munitions Board. The demands on this group for strictly
military geology have increased steadily.
\
50 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Alaskan Branch
What is the work of the Alaskan Branch and wherein and how during
the past fiscal year has it served the national interests in these
times of national need? Viewed broadly, the work is and long has
been focused on determining the kinds, distribution, quantity, and
characteristics of the various mineral commodities that Alaska contains
which have contributed to or may contribute to the welfare of
our citizens. It is no idle boast that our entire present-day civilization
rests upon the availability of mineral materials from which our
machines may be made, our structures built, and our system of life
supported. Indeed, even the other basic industries, such as agriculture,
depend in large measure on the mineral composition of the soils,
the physical configuration of the terrain, and the supplies of that most
indispensable of all minerals—water. Without the mineral products
the cultivation, garnering, and marketing of the crops would come to
an almost complete standstill. Realizing how requisite minerals are
at all times in our normal activities, it is readily evident that now
with the safety and even the perpetuation of our country at stake
the needed supplies of minerals have become indispensable for protecting
the Nation and waging war successfully.
Obviously, specific answers to questions as to the kind and quantity
of mineral commodities that Alaska contains require intensive examinations
in the field of the various areas by geologists. These
scientists through long and detailed training and experience in
developed areas where like minerals occur have become skilled so that
they can recognize and interpret those elusive features that furnish
the bases from which dependable judgments can be drawn as to the
worth of deposits that have not yet been developed. Before reaching
their conclusions, however, the geologists must avail themselves of
such office and laboratory tests as will check and make definite their
field observations. This may call for extensive microscopic examinations
of the specimens collected, assays, and chemical analyses of
the carefully taken samples, library research and consultations with
specialists, and recalculation and review of the mass of field notes and
measurements that have been made. Finally, the explanation of the
'findings must be set down in carefully prepared written reports, which
will hand on to others the significant results of the investigations and
thus stimulate development of the deposits that appear to merit it
or discourage wasting time and money on those that seem to have
little present merit.
Necessarily, these mineral investigations are not limited and should
not be restricted to the determination of the mere mineral content of
the deposits examined, because many other geologic and topographic
factors play important roles in determining whether or not a certain
Geological Survey • 51
deposit may be of value. To supply part of the information needed
in the consideration of these broader aspects, the examinations include
the making of topographic maps to show the situation of the area
discussed with respect to all its natural surroundings. From these
maps may be read the distances to all points within the area, the
height of all land and water features both with respect to sea level and
to each other, and relations to routes and means of communication
and transportation. Indeed the uses of these maps are so diverse
that they are relied on in all lines of governmental and private enterprise,
whether or not even remotely concerned with mining. In
other words, they are the authoritative maps of the land areas of the
Territory and are in demand by road makers, aviation companies,
settlers, travelers, industrialists, and specialists of all kinds concerned
with Alaskan problems.
During recent years, with the menace of war looming ever more
threatingly ahead and finally with the actual outbreak of war, the
activities of the Alaskan Branch have become increasingly directed
toward supplying information of most current significance. Thus its
studies of minerals have been centered more and more closely on
search for those that are urgently needed in the war industries. Tin,
nickel, chrome, tungsten, antimony, and mercury are among those
of which domestic supplies are not available in sufficient quantities to
make all the needed tanks, airplanes, bombs, guns, and the myriad of
other tools of war, and consequently are the materials for which most
diligent search is being made by the Survey’s Alaskan geologists. In
part that work has been financed through appropriations made by
Congress direct to the Geological Survey. In addition, recognition
of the need of expediting that search has led the War Production Board
to transfer certain of its funds to the Geological Survey, so that
additional projects could be undertaken.
The need for more adequate and special maps of Alaska for military
purposes, especially those used in aerial navigation, has become
increasingly urgent. As a result, the Army Air Forces during the
past year arranged to utilize extensively the services of the personnel
of the Alaskan Branch in compiling maps of Alaska and other areas.
The long and specialized experience gained by Alaskan topographers
in quickly and economically mapping large tracts of country by either
ground surveys or aerial photographic methods made the Air Forces’
selection of this group an especially fitting choice. By this selection a
nucleus of skilled engineers was readily at hand to start immediate
production, to devise methods and instruments to facilitate the work,
and to acquire and train the personnel needed to prepare whatever
maps the Air Forces may call on the Geological Survey to compile.
At the end of the fiscal year 1942 more than 150 persons were employed
on this special work for the Air Forces, and requests on file from
52 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
the War Department indicated that the Survey should recruit two or
three times that number as rapidly as practicable.
Owing to the strong seasonal control exercised by the weather and
other conditions on the field projects undertaken by the Geological
Survey in Alaska, description of the various undertakings cannot well
be limited to a single fiscal or calendar year. A start on most of
the projects is made in March or April, when plans are set in motion.
The field work generally begins in May and continues through September,
or as late as the weather permits, and is then followed by office
and laboratory work during the following winter and spring. This
condition is so fully recognized that the regular appropriations for
investigations of Alaska mineral resources usually are not limited to a
single fiscal year but become immediately available on the passage of
the annual appropriation act and continue to be available throughout
the next fiscal year. It is therefore convenient to refer the various
projects undertaken by the Alaskan Branch to the “season” in which
the field work was done. Thus the season of 1941 may have started in
May 1941 and continued well nto 1942, though part of the work up to
June 30, 1941, may have been paid for from funds for the fiscal year
1941 and part prior to that date, and all subsequent to that date
may have been paid for from funds for the fiscal year 1942.
Season of 1941:—During the season of 1941 the Alaskan Branch
engaged in 17 projects which involved field work and 2 projects which,
though based on field records, involved only office and laboratory
work by members of its staff. Of the field projects 12 were primarily
for the study of mineral resources, 4 were for topographic mapping,
and 1 was for general administrative purposes and the planning of
future work. Of the geologic or mineral resources projects 3 examinations
related to chrome deposits, 2 to nickel, 2 to tin, 1 to mercury, and
1 to antimony. Two of the projects, 1 in southeastern Alaska and
1 in the Alaska Range, though directed toward general regional
examination, included incidental preliminary studies of certain other
deposits of antimony, tungsten, nickel, molybdenum, and iron. A
general geological reconnaissance was made of the Porcupine River
Valley in east-central Alaska.
The four topographic mapping projects involving field work were
reconnaissance surveys in the Yentna district, aerial photography in
the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, and detailed surveys in the Hot Springs
district and at two localities in the vicinity of Tanana.
Although not involving field work by members of the Alaskan
Branch, the compilation of aeronautical piloting maps from photographs
furnished by the Army Air Forces and largely paid for from
funds it transferred to the Survey became the principal office activity
of the branch during the season of 1941 and is being continued at an
accelerated rate and with a largely increased force. Another office
Geological Survey - 53
task that is carried on uninterruptedly by the branch is the collection
of statistics regarding the output of all mineral products from Alaskan
deposits.
Season of 1942.-—With the funds appropriated directly to the Geological
Survey 14 field projects were gotten under way in the early
part of the season of 1942. This number, however, was too small to
permit undertaking all the examinations that were needed, and consequently
in June the War Production Board made funds available to
undertake 15 additional field projects. Although progress was made
in recruiting personnel, getting equipment, and organizing these additional
parties, none of them were actually in the field during the fiscal
year 1942, and therefore these additional projects are not being
described here further than to note that all of them related to the
search for deposits of strategic and critical minerals. Of the original
field projects 12 related directly to mineral resources and 2 primarily
to topographic mapping. The 2 topographic projects that involved
field work by the staff were reconnaissance surveys of parts of the
Yukon and Kuskokwim Valleys that heretofore had not been adequately
mapped. Both of these projects, besides contributing general
information as to the parts of Alaska covered and being of special
value in the compilation of military maps now in progress in the
branch, were so planned as to fit into the Survey’s regular program
of mineral resources investigations that will be undertaken in the near
future.
In addition to these projects involving field work in Alaska by
members of its staff, the Alaskan Branch has continued in the office
the compilation of maps needed by the Army Air Force for its series
of aeronautical charts. This work is being carried on at a constantly
accelerated rate, so that ultimately it will probably utilize the services
of between 400 and 500 persons. It is therefore one of the largest
activities of the branch at this time.
Reports and maps.—During the year 5 reports with maps and 1
report without maps, 3 new maps, reprints of 9 maps, and 8 press
statements have been published; 10 reports containing maps and a
reprint of 1 map are in course of publication; 9 reports and 1 new map
are in course of preparation; and 2 reports prepared by the personnel
of the Alaskan Branch were approved for outside publication.
Topographic Branch
The headquarters offices of the Topographic Branch and of its
Atlantic Division are located at Washington; the headquarters office
of the Pacific Division is at Sacramento, Calif.; and that of the Central
Division at Rolla, Mo. Section offices were maintained at Denver,
Colo., Chattanooga, Tenn., and Clarendon, Va.
485482—42------- 6
54 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
General Office Work
Necessary office work incidental to the field work of the Topographic
Branch consisted of the computation and adjustment of the results of
control surveys, photoplanimetric compilation, and the inking, inspection,
and editing of topographic maps prior to their submission for
reproduction.
Section of Computing.—The volume of work connected with routine
processes of computing, tabulating, and distributing the results of new
control surveys was greatly increased during the year, because such
surveys were accelerated in the field to meet the requirements of the
large military mapping program. Activity .was also intensified in
reducing to current standard datum many older surveys, which could
in this way be made useful to that program.
Manuscripts for three of the four parts of a bulletin that will contain
the results of spirit leveling in Illinois were prepared and transmitted
for publication. Bulletins 883-D and 883-E, Spirit leveling in Texas,
the fourth and fifth of seven parts, were published during the year.
Section of Photomapping.—In addition to the Washington office this
section maintains offices in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Clarendon, Va.
Photomapping was also carried on in Rolla, Mo., and in Sacramento,
Calif., under the immediate direction of the engineers in charge of the
Central and Pacific Divisions.
Work in the Washington office consisted principally of the preparation
of planimetric maps for use in the Central Division, the preparation
of contracts for aerial photography, and the purchase of photographs
from other agencies or companies. Thirty-two Geological
Survey employees in the Chattanooga, Tenn., office were engaged in
the preparation of planimetric and topographic maps of the Tennessee
River Basin and of the State of New York, the latter being a project
in which the War Department and the Tennessee Valley Authority
are cooperating with the Geological Survey. Under this cooperation
834 square miles of topography were mapped in the State of New
York.
The Clarendon, Va., office, which was established during this fiscal
year, was engaged in the preparation of planimetric bases for topography
and topographic maps of considerable areas in the Atlantic
Division. Several special maps of areas in Western States were made
for the Geologic Branch for use in studies of strategic and critical
minerals. All work in the Clarendon and Chattanooga offices was
done with either multiplex or aerocartograph photogrammetric instruments,
but radial line methods only were employed in the Washington
office.
Section of Cartography.-—Work on the United States part of the map
of the world on the scale of 1:1,000,000 was continued. Sheet N K-16,
Geological Survey • 55
Chicago, was lettered, edited, and transmitted for publication. The
compilation and inking of sheets N K-17, Lake Erie, and N 1-18,
Hatteras, were in progress.
For the Public Roads Administration the preparation of the Transportation
Map of the United States was continued. Compilation,
inking, and lettering were in progress on 56 sheets. Proofreading
and checking were completed on 24 sheets. Maps of 2 States, comprising
24 sheets, were published, and maps of 1 State, comprising
12 sheets, were in course of publication. Miscellaneous jobs were
done for the War Department during the year.
Section of Inspection and Editing.—During the year 15 new topographic
maps were prepared for photolithography as two-color
advance sheets and 55 as planimetric maps; 186 new topographic
maps were edited for publication, 104 of which were for multicolor
lithography and 82 for engraving; 195 quadrangle maps,4 State maps,
and 3 State index maps were prepared and edited for reprint editions
and corrections; and 29 maps were edited before furnishing prints for
reproduction by outside contractors. Editing was also completed on
205 maps published as illustrations, making a total of 622 maps
edited. Four hundred and ninety-three proofs of all types were read.
On June 30, maps in the process of reproduction included 122 for
engraving, 77 for multicolor lithography, and 26 planimetric maps.
Maps being edited or awaiting editing included 80 maps for engraving
and 129 for multicolor lithography. In Clarendon, Va., a drafting
force was maintained for the drafting of Atlantic Division maps.
Map Information Office
The Map Information Office continued its work as an intradepartmental
clearing agency for map and aerial photographic data pertaining
to both Federal and commercial agencies. This office maintains
extensive card index and map files and is equipped to furnish
data to Federal and State institutions and to an interested public.
Field Surveys
Work was carried on in 38 States, in the District of Columbia, and
in Puerto Rico. Cooperative projects were conducted in 17 of these
States, in Puerto Rico, and with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Ninety-nine 15-minute and 133 7%-minute quadrangles were completed,
and work was in progress on 72 15-minute and 84 7%-minute
quadrangles. Of the completed quadrangles, 86 were mapped for
the United States Army, and of those in progress 64 were for the
same organization. Surveys of two special depots were completed
for the Navy Department. Work on 7 special maps for the geologic
56 : Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Topographic mapping by the Geological Survey in the United States, Puerto Rico, and
Hawaii, to June 30, 1942
State
Area mapped during fiscal year
1942 for publication on standard
scales, contour intervals
from 5 to 50 feet
Total area
mapped to
June 30,
1942
Total
area of
State
mapped
to June
30, 1942
Control, fiscal year 1942
Field scale
New
survey
Resurvey
Spirit
levels
Transit
tra verse
Triangulation
stations
established
1 to
24,000
or
larger
1 to
48,000
Square Square Square Square Square Permiles
miles miles miles miles cent Miles Miles
Alabama_______________ 1,107 1,107 — 25, 209 48.8 592 643 —
Arizona________________
132
1, 202 1, 202
132
32, 4/8 28. 5 119*
Arkansas______________
3,255
24, 367 45. 9 154 111
California______________ 67 1,097 2, 225 130,446 82.2 1,042 123 53
Colorado_______________ 106 468 468 106 58,156 55.8 280 201 31
Connecticut___________ 139 139 5,009 100.0 305 165 _______
Delaware______________ 2,057 100. 0
District of Columbia—
529 529
69 100. 0
Florida________________ 660
i 491
— 8, 457 14. 4 669
Georgia________________ — — 491 25, 202 42. 8 —
Idaho__________________ (9 37, 272 44.6 911 — 11
Illinois________________
579
855 855 43, 576 77. 3 33
Indiana________________ — 579 — 7,016 19.3 575 641 —
Iowa___________________ 79 19
224
14, 233 25. 3
Kansas________________ 37 1 424 237 65, 852 80. 0 487 897 18
Kentucky______________
2,921 2,921
27, 559 68.2
Louisiana______________ 0) 1,449 162
2,628
14, 567 30. 0
Maine_________________ 3, 688 1,060 25, 764 77. 6 — 18 —
Maryland_____________
Massachusetts_________ 741 — 741
10, 577
8, 257
100. 0
100.0 234 336 —
Michigan______________ 280 _______ 18 262 15, 821 27.2 122 141 _______
Minnesota_____________
314
9. 542 11.4
Mississippi____________ 314
541
8, 997 18. 9 39
Missouri_______________ 47 1,398 904 58, 915 84. 6 75 73
Montana______________ 583 583 — 38,828 26.4 88 —
Nebraska______________ — 28, 225 36.5 ------ ---
Nevada________________ 15 7 8 43, 543 39. 4
New Hampshire_______ 9, 304 100. 0
New Jersey____________ — 7,836 100.0
New Mexico___________ — 35, 052 29. 3 198 — 12
New York_____________ 121 138 _______ 259 49, 576 100.0 430 1,034 _______
North Carolina.._______ 1, 616
198 244
1,616 19, 574 37.1
North Dakota_________ 52 6 16,115 22. 8 59 — 36
Ohio___________________ 41, 222 100. 0
Oklahoma_____________ — 41, 342 59.1 ---------- 80
Oregon________________ 246 212 34 34, 601 35.7 167
161
20
Pennsylvania...________
332
329 329 — 42, 081 92.8 308
Rhode Island__________ — 332 1, 214 100.0 551 338
South Carolina________ 152 152 15, 772 50. 8
South Dakota_________ — 20, 750 26. 9 —
Tennessee______________ 1,433
572 572
1,433 23, 998 56.8
Texas__________________ — 92, 018 34.4 197 345
Utah__________________ 4 135 135 4 20,119 23. 7 49
Vermont_______________ 26 26
219
9,176 95. 5 15 369
Virginia_______________ 30 189 — 38, 097 93.3 333 —
Washington___________
West Virginia__________
1,128 326 802 43, 507
24,181
63.8
100.0
888 84 67
Wisconsin_____________ (9 20, 273 36.1 633 20
Wyoming______________ 35, 322 36.1
Total____________ 6,374 19,784 13,804 12,354 1,411,724 46.7 9,997 7,587 268
Hawaii....... ..........................
. 24
6,435 100.0
Puerto Rico____________ — 4 — 1,013 29. 5 57 — 49
> Planimetric maps, not included in total surveys, were compiled from aerial photographs with field
examination—Georgia, 140; Idaho, 62; Kansas, 341; Louisiana, 563; and Wisconsin, 2,106.
2 Contour interval in meters.
Geological Survey • 57
investigation of strategic minerals was completed and work on 2
continued. The survey of the Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado-
Utah, was completed. Twenty-seven 7%-minute and twentytwo
15-minute planimetric maps were also completed. Revision of
the map of Washington and vicinity was 99 percent completed.
Of the total area of the United States, 46.7 percent has been covered
by topographic maps prepared by the Geological Survey.
Water Resources Branch
The Geological Survey collects and publishes data on the quantity,
chemical quality, and availability of the water resources of the United
States. These data are prerequisite to the location and operation of
military establishments and war industries and to the orderly and
efficient development of domestic, municipal, and industrial water
supplies. They are also essential for assuring the success of irrigation,
power, navigation, flood-protection, and pollution-control works.
Funds aggregating nearly $3,000,000 were available for waterresources
investigations during the fiscal year 1942. Of that amount,
about 40 percent was appropriated by Congress, about 35 percent was
contributed by States and municipalities, and about 25 percent was
transferred or reimbursed by other Federal agencies.
Cooperation With States and Municipalities
The appropriation by Congress for water work during the fiscal year
1942 was $1,285,500. Of that appropriation, $1,000,000 was restricted
for use in cooperation with States and municipalities, and these cooperative
agencies contributed essentially the same amount, as summarized
below.
Contri-
State button
Alabama______________ $10,000
Arizona_______________ 24, 900
Arkansas______________ 10,500
California___ __________ 81,050
Colorado______________ 34,000
Connecticut_____ ______ 9,350
Florida________________ 42,150
Georgia_____ _■________ 15,000
Idaho_________________ 24, 300
Illinois........................... ... 15,268
Indiana_______________ 11,024
Iowa__________________ 22, 347
Kansas________________ 40,000
Kentucky_____________ 10,500
Louisiana_____________ 15,415
Maine____________ 7,500
Contri-
State button
Maryland_____________ $7,925
Massachusetts________ 14,104
Michigan_____________ 14,250
Minnesota____________ 12,023
Mississippi____________ 15,000
Missouri_______________ 11,960
Montana______________ 20,335
Nebraska_______________ 26,000
Nevada_________ ______ 1,500
New Hampshire_______ 11,250
NewJersey____________ 25,100
New Mexico__________ 42,200
New York______________ 70,847
North Carolina_______ 18, 570
North Dakota_________ 5,750
Ohio....................................... 18,550
Contri-
State button
Oklahoma_____________ $18.812
Oregon________________ 25,475
Pennsylvania______ —, 30, 725
Rhode Island__________ 1, 750
South Carolina________ 5, 500
South Dakota_________ 400
Tennessee____ _________ 10,150
Texas_________________ 73,704
Utah__________________ 23,000
Vermont______________ 4, 760
Virginia_______________ 22, 458
Washington___________ 33, 680
West Virginia_________ 7, 500
Wisconsin_____________ 8,175
Wyoming______________ 15, 775
Hawaii__________ 37,352
58 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Activities Carried on for Other Federal Agencies
Other Federal agencies have provided about $670,000 for waterresources
investigations that could not be financed by appropriated
funds of the Survey or included in cooperative projects. These agencies
are: Office of the Chief of Engineers, Office of the Quartermaster
General, and the Mississippi River Commission, War Department;
Bureau of Yards and Docks and Coast Guard, Navy Department;
Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice; Tennessee Valley Authority;
Flood Control Coordinating Committee, Department of Agriculture;
Weather Bureau, Department of Commerce; Bureau of Reclamation,
Fish and Wildlife Service, Grazing Service, National Park Service,
Office of Indian Affairs, and Office of Land Utilization, Department of
the Interior; Department of State; Federal Power Commission; and
National Resources Planning Board.
Review of the Year's Accomplishments
The Geological Survey’s operations related to water are grouped
under five administrative divisions of the Water Resources Branch:
Surface water, ground water, quality of water, utilization of water, and
power resources.
Records of the stages, quantity, or availability of surface waters
are collected at about 5,000 gaging stations, of which nearly 3,800 are
equipped with water-stage recorders, distributed through every State
and the Territory of Hawaii—sparsely in some States and increasing
in number as the cooperative funds increase. The field records are
analyzed, studied, and published. They become the basis for development
projects and for the control and distribution of water for municipal,
industrial, and irrigation uses and for the protection of health,
the operation of inland waterways, and similar activities.
Surface-water investigations were conducted in cooperation with
140 State and municipal agencies. The field personnel for this work
operates from 45 principal field offices. The program of construction,
operation, and maintenance of gaging stations in connection with the
flood-control investigations and maintenance and improvement of
river and harbor works of the Corps of Engineers, War Department,
was continued. Cooperative stream-flow investigations in connection
with irrigation systems, land-use studies, water-power developments,
and other activities were continued with other Federal agencies.
The studies of ground water relate to the waters that lie within the
zone of saturation, from which wells and springs are supplied; the
source, occurrence, quantity, and head of these waters; their conservation
and natural and artificial replenishment; their availability
and adequacy for domestic, industrial, irrigation, and public supplies
Geological Survey • 59
and as sources of water for livestock and desert travelers; and methods
of constructing wells and recovering water from them and of improving
springs. The increasing use of water from wells is causing a great
demand for intensive studies of the quantities of ground water that
are perennially available.
Ground-water work, conducted through 25 field offices, was done in
nearly every State. , In 32 States and in Hawaii it was accomplished
in cooperation with the State Geological Surveys or other State and
municipal agencies. Periodic measurements of water levels or
artesian pressures were made in about 7,100 observation wells, 312 of
which were equipped with recording gages.
Chemical analyses of 2,201 samples of water were made in Washington,
and analyses of 7,114 samples were made in field laboratories.
Studies were continued on the chemical character of surface waters in
cooperation with four States, and analyses of water were made in
connection with cooperative studies of ground water in other States.
In addition to work for war agencies, interpretations of analyses or
advice about water problems were furnished for 17 bureaus in 6 Federal
departments and for 7 independent Government agencies.
A variety of hydrologic and hydraulic studies and compilations are
made on the utilization and control of streams, and a monthly summary
is issued of stream-flow conditions throughout the country as
indicated by reports received from the field engineers. These summaries
are used by major war agencies in administering production
in which water excesses, as in floods, or shortages, as in droughts, are
vital. The administration of certain responsibilities relating to
permits and licenses of the Federal Power Commission has been continued.
Because of the importance of power in the war program this
function is increasingly essential. Investigations of water problems
along the international boundary between the United States and
Canada have been continued for the State Department and the
International Joint Commission. Among the important problems
studied have been the international aspects of storage above the
Grand Coulee Dam and in Kootenai Lake, both of which have great
importance in the production of power for war.
With the aid of various Federal agencies a report, by countries, of
the amount of developed and potential water power of the world has
been compiled and published. This report showed that the total
potential water power, based on ordinary minimum flow, was
672,000,000 horsepower and that the total capacity of water-power
plants of the world was 71,600,000 horsepower on January 1, 1942.
Of the developed power, about 27 percent is in the United States, 12
percent in Canada, 9 percent each in Italy and Japan, and lesser
amounts in other countries.
60 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
War Service
Reports and consulting services have been furnished on the quantity
and quality of both surface- and ground-water supplies for war purposes
at about 1,700 places in the United States and in certain islands
of strategic importance, as requested by the War and Navy Departments,
the War Production Board, and other war agencies. These
reports and services were made available in part on the basis of information
collected in previous years and in part on the results of special
investigations made in regions where such information was meager or
the possible deficiencies in quantity or the doubtful quality of water
appeared to be most threatening. Trained personnel stationed at 75
field offices throughout the country were utilized for such special
field investigations, which related to the water supplies for Army
cantonments, naval stations, munitions plants, largely increased local
concentrations of population producing war supplies, and for other
war activities. Because of the danger of local depletions of ground
water by heavy pumping for war purposes, regional surveys were
undertaken to determine total pumpage, water-level fluctuations, and
possible salt-water encroachment in critical areas. Surveys were also
made for the Navy Department of emergency supplies from wells in
case of attack.
Day-by-day records of water are essential not only to the social
and economic development of the Nation but also to the development
and operation of the war progiam. Private and public power developments,
such as the Bonneville, Boulder, and Tennessee Valley Authority
systems, are furnished with basic data on available water supplies
required currently for operation of the plants and for planning tbe
expansions that may be made necessary by the rapidly increasing
demand for electric power.
Summaries of water conditions, both on the surface and underground,
throughout the United States were prepared each month for
the use of the agencies in charge of water-supply and power activities
related to the war. Collaboration with the Dominion Water and
Power Bureau of Canada enables both the United States and Canada
to benefit from a knowledge of conditions brought up to date each
month. The Water Resources Branch has furnished information on
water supplies in many foreign countries to the War and Navy
Departments. It also has furnished information on present and potential
power resources requested by those Federal and allied agencies
directly concerned with power production.
The Water Resources Branch through the facilities of its Nationwide
distribution of personnel served the War Production Board by
making a survey of the use of pig iron at about 2,400 foundries.
Thus, the reservoir of information contained in the published and
Geological Survey • 61
unpublished records related to the water resources of the Nation, the
facilities and information made available by cooperation with many
States and municipalities, and the asset represented by hundreds of
engineers, geologists, and chemists experienced in work on water
have been made of maximum value in the war.
Conservation Branch
The normal woik of the Conservation Branch consists of the making
of surveys and investigations of the water and mineral resources of
the public domain; the supervision of operations incident to the
development of power and the production of minerals from public
lands, Indian lands, and naval petroleum reserves; and the furnishing
of technical decisions and information to Government agencies engaged
in administering the public-land laws. In time of war these
continuing functions of government undergo little change in basic
character but are materially intensified and accelerated by the necessity
of meeting the imperative need of the Nation for increased supplies
of power and raw materials. At such time the whereabouts, worth,
and accessibility of the mineral and water-power resources under
Federal control—questions answered by adequate land classification—
become overnight matters of grave national concern; and the competent
prospecting and efficient development of Government-controlled
sources of mineral fuels, metals, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals—-
the result of adequate mineral-lease supervision—become vital elements
of national survival.
Since December 7, 1941, both of these primary phases of Conservation
Branch work—land classification and mineral-lease supervision—
have been intensified and, wherever possible, so redirected as
to lend increased support to the national objectives of winning the
war and of perpetuating the best in the American way of life.
Classification of Lands
Mineral classification.-—As consultant in geology to Federal agencies,
primarily bureaus and offices of the Interior Department charged
with the administration of laws governing Federal and Indian lands,
the Mineral Classification Division continued in 1942 its indispensable
work of supplying the geologic findings and decisions that are prerequisite
to the grant or transfer of prospecting and development rights
in such lands under the mineral-leasing laws, to the approval of unitization
agreements for oil and gas holdings and of participating areas
thereunder, to the occupancy of such lands for right-of-way purposes,
and to the outright disposal of such lands under the nonmineral land
laws. In all, 7,355 cases involving from 1 to 50 geologic decisions
62 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
each were acted on during the year. Additional office work included
the preparation and promulgation of definitions or redefinitions of the
known geologic structure of 17 producing oil and gas fields, the net
area so defined in nine public-land States being increased to 1,686,950
acres at the end of the fiscal year.
In aid of mineral classification geologic surveys were made of coal,
petroleum, and potash occurrences in Wyoming, Kansas, and New
Mexico and of geologic conditions at one dam site in Washington.
Water and power classification.—The work of obtaining basic information
concerning the water-power resources and storage possibilities
of Federal lands and of making such information available for use in
the administration of the public-land laws was continued throughout
1942. Office activity resulted in the addition of 19,618 acres to powersite
reserves and the elimination of 22,720 acres therefrom, with net
reduction of the outstanding reserves in 22 States and Alaska to
6,615,746 acres; in the publication in mimeographed form of 6 preliminary
reports on stream utilization; and in final action involving
hydraulic determinations on 228 cases received for report from departmental
sources and the Federal Power Commission. Reservoirsite
reserves in 9 States remained unchanged, at 137,172 acres.
In the field, topographic surveys were made of 68 linear miles of
stream valley, of 9 dam sites, and of 1 mineral leasehold, and, in
cooperation with the Water Resources Branch, supervision of construction
and operation was given to 160 power projects under license
from the Federal Power Commission and to 136 such projects under
permit or grant from the Department of the Interior. For want of
funds the division office at Sacramento, Calif., was discontinued
during the year.
Mineral Lease Supervision
Mine supervision.—Through the Mining Division inspectional,
regulatory, and accountancy supervision is exercised over operations
for the discovery and production of coal, potassium, sodium, phosphate,
oil shale, and sulfur in public lands; of gold, silver, and mercury
in certain land grants; and of all metalliferous and nonmetalliferous
minerals except oil and gas in tribal and restricted-allotted
Indian lands. The work is done from seven field offices in the West
and Southwest, and on June 30, 1942, it involved 696 public-land
properties under lease, license, and prospecting permit in 15 States
and Alaska and 313 Indian properties under lease and permit in 14
States.
In the field of mine supervision the effects of war on industrial
activity throughout the country, on transportation, and on the fuelconsuming
habits of the American people were beginning to be apGeological
Survey • 63
parent before the end of the fiscal year 1942. The production of
coal, potassium salts, and phosphate rock from public lands in 1942
was substantially greater than in 1941, and the accrued revenues
were correspondingly increased. Additional properties were coming
into production at the end of the fiscal year, and an unusual amount
of prospecting was under way on public lands, particularly for coking
coal suitable for metallurgical uses, for magnesium-rich brines,
and for vanadium-rich phosphate rock.
On Indian lands, mining activity was responsive to the same economic
forces and resulted during the year in a large increase in the production
of lead and zinc, in a substantial increase in the production of
coal, and in extensive prospecting of such lands with a view to the
early development of deposits of vanadium, tungsten, magnesium,
copper, and chromium known to occur therein.
Information and assistance on war-engendered problems involving
the occurrence of coal and of numerous other minerals, both metalliferous
and nonmetalliferous, in various parts of the United States and
its possessions were provided by the engineers of the division both in
Washington and in the field to numerous individuals contemplating
development and to representatives of many State and Federal agencies.
Oil and gas supervision.—Through the Oil- and Gas-leasing Division
supervision analogous to that of the Mining Division is exercised over
operations for the discovery and production of petroleum, natural
gas, natural gasoline, and butane occurring in public lands of the
United States, in naval petroleum reserves, and in all Indian lands
subject to departmental jurisdiction, both tribal and allotted, except
those of the Osage Nation, Oklahoma. During the fiscal year 1942
the inspectional, regulatory, and accountancy duties of supervision
were discharged through 16 field offices and suboffices in California,
New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah.
Because of the vital importance of petroleum, its fluid associates,
and its derivatives to industry, transportation, and all phases of warfare,
the transition of- the Nation from a defense basis to an all-out
war basis during the year increased vastly the duties and responsibilities
of oil and gas leasehold supervision. Necessary and farreaching
controls imposed by the Government on oil and gas produc-
• tion and particularly on the multifarious uses of steel throughout
the petroleum industry entailed extensive revisions and modifications
of drilling programs affecting leaseholds under the jurisdiction of the
division, increased vigilance in safeguarding the conservational and
pecuniary interests of the lessors involved, and caused unprecedented
use of the informational and consultive facilities of the division by
lessees, operators, State agencies, and Federal officials.
On public lands the number of properties under supervision at the
64 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
end of the fiscal year aggregated 4,465 and involved 3,513,125 acres
in 20 States and Alaska. Drilling on such lands during the year
included the spudding of 414 wells and the completion of 460 wells,
346 of which were productive of oil or gas and 114 of which were
barren. In all, 10,154 public land wells, including 5,327 capable of
oil and gas production, were under supervision on June 30, 1942.
The production of petroleum, natural gas, natural gasoline, and
butane from public lands in 1942 was substantially greater than
in 1941.
During the year 5 new plans of unit operation involving public
lands were approved and 5 were canceled, leaving 117 approved plans,
involving 1,862,860 acres, outstanding on June 30, 1942. Production
under approved unit agreements constituted about 45 percent of the
petroleum, 55 percent of the natural gas, and 65 percent of the gasoline
and butane obtained from public lands in the fiscal year.
On Indian lands the work of oil and gas lease supervision involved
4,281 leaseholds in 8 States containing, at the end of the year, a total
of 7,875 wells, 4,176 of which were productive of oil or gas, and 213
of which had been completed during the year. Production from such
leaseholds was substantially greater than in the preceding year,
notably from Kiowa lands in Oklahoma, Blackfeet lands in Montana,
and Shoshone lands in Wyoming, and revenues accrued therefrom as
royalty, rental, and bonus are estimated to be in excess of $2,600,000.
On behalf of the Navy Department supervision was continued in
1942 over operations for the production of oil, gas, gasoline, and
butane from 22 properties under lease in Naval Petroleum Reserves
Nos. 1 and 2 in California and for the conservation of shut-in production
in Reserve No. 3 in Wyoming. Production from 294 active wells
on Reserves Nos. 1 and 2 aggregated 2,753,877 barrels of petroleum,
1,931,786,000 cubic feet of natural gas, and 8,918,047 gallons
of natural gasoline and butane, having an aggregate royalty
value of $633,603.64.
Public Works projects.—During the fiscal year 1942 expenditures
of $5,014.39 were made from funds allotted by the Public Works
Administration in the plugging or conditioning, under the supervision
of personnel of the Oil- and Gas-leasing Division, of wells for which no
bonded liability for proper abandonment exists.
Work on Publications
Texts.—The book publications of the year numbered 69 in the
regular series and 20 pamphlets and circulars for administrative use.
' The total number of pages was 7,295. Besides these printed publications
53 brief papers were issued in mimeographed form as memoranda
for the press.
Geological Survey • 65
Illustrations.—The illustrations prepared consisted of 684 drawings
and photographs. One thousand and fourteen illustrations to
accompany 64 reports were transmitted to the printer, and 687 proofs
and 57 edition prints were examined.
Geologic map editing and drafting.—Most of the 107 maps and
illustrations prepared by the section were related directly to investigations
of mineral deposits essential to the war effort. Some of these
were intended for publication in reports of the Geological Survey;
others were sent direct to the War Production Board or other war
agencies. Work was continued on the reconnaissance map of southeastern
New Mexico. Maps and illustrations for 64 reports were
edited, and proofs of 60 geologic maps and sections for 29 reports were
read.
Distribution.—A total of 742 publications, comprising 68 new books
and pamphlets, 102 new or revised topographic and other maps,
1 geologic folio, 39 Tennessee Valley Authority maps with contours,
326 reprinted topographic and other maps, 184 new advance sheets,
and 22 reprinted advance sheets were received during the year. The
total units of all publications received numbered 125,670 books and
pamphlets, 1,410,317 topographic and other maps, and 4,570 geologic
folios, a grand total of 1,540,557. The division distributed 102,124
books and pamphlets, 1,972 geologic folios, and 1,490,140 maps, a
grand total of 1,594,236, of which 1,570 folios and 1,352,823 maps
were sold. The net proceeds (gross collections less copying fees and
amounts refunded) from the sales of publications were $37,200.64,
including $36,842.92 for topographic and geologic maps and $357.72
for geologic folios. In addition to this, $52,686.52 was repaid by
other agencies of the Federal Government at whose request maps or
folios were furnished. The total net receipts, therefore, were
$89,887.16.
Engraving and printing.—During the year 13 special maps and 89
newly engraved topographic maps, 6 of which were revised maps,
were printed, making a total of 102 new maps printed and delivered.
Reprint editions of 309 engraved topographic maps and 17 photolithographed
State and other maps were printed and delivered. Of
new and reprinted maps, 428 different editions, amounting to 1,149,-
957 copies, were delivered. One geologic folio amounting to 4,570
copies was delivered. Printed small sale editions of 57 planimetric,
17 advance photolithographed, and 126 multicolor photolithographed
topographic maps, totaling 247,155 copies, were printed from plates
previously made for official purposes. A large amount of work was
done for 80 other units of the Government, including branches of the
Geological Survey, and the charges-for it amounted to about $220,000,
for which the appropriation for engraving and printing geologic and
topographic maps was reimbursed. Transfer impressions and velox
66 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
prints, numbering 276, were made during the year, and the amount
turned over to miscellaneous receipts was $547.86. Topographic
maps and contract and miscellaneous work of all kinds, totaling 2,-
623,379 copies, were printed and delivered. The photographic laboratory
made 10,517 negatives, 27,435 prints, and 3,075 photolith press
plates, 285 intaglio etchings, and 8 celluloid transfers, and mounted
218 prints.
Library
In the work being done for the armed forces the library is rendering
essential service, not only to its own bureau but also to the War and
Navy Departments and to the various planning and production
agencies, both by loans of material and by service to research workers.
Because of war conditions the new material received has decreased,
the number of books and pamphlets received during the year being
only 12,735. The number of readers jumped to 11,291, an increase
of nearly 4,000 over the previous year. Nearly 56,000 pieces of
material were circulated, an increase of more than 50 percent within
the Survey and 80 percent in interlibrary loans.
Field Equipment
The Division of Field Equipment designs, constructs, and repairs
instruments used by the seveial branches of the Geological Survey in
their war activities, in addition to its woik as custodian of the various
surveying, geologic, meteorologic, and hydrologic instruments used in
the field by those branches. The Division’s greatest contribution
toward winning the war lay in the assistance given to the Alaskan
Branch in the design and construction of numerous mechanical
devices that have greatly accelerated the production of maps in connection
with the mapping program for the Air Corps. The most
important of those devices are the Lewis rectoblique plotter, the
Sketchmaster, and the Lucidagraph. Development work is in progress
on several new devices, such as a double photoalidade and a stereoblique
plotter. By means of instruments of this type, aerial photographs
taken at an angle of approximately 30° below the horizon may
be converted to maps such as are required for the navigation of air
forces over previously unmapped or inadequately mapped areas. The
reconditioning of between 50 and 100 outmoded plane-table alidades
for field use by the Topographic Branch in mapping strategic areas is
another outstanding contribution of the division. These alidades,
although practically discarded during previous years because of newer
improvements, proved to be a valuable resource when the manufacturers
of such instruments became so busy on War and Navy contracts
that deliveries on new equipment became long-delayed or impossible
to obtain.
Geological Survey • 67
Funds
During the fiscal year 1942 there was available for expenditure
under the diiection of the Geological Survey a total of $9,362,809.
Of this amount, $4,997,880 was appropriated directly to the Geological
Survey, and $4,364,929 was made available by other Federal agencies
and by States and their political subdivisions. In addition, $9,800
was allotted from the appropriation for contingent expenses of the
Department of the Interior for miscellaneous supplies.
Funds available to the Geological Survey in 1942 from all sources
General administrative salaries, Interior Department
Appropriation Act_______________________________________ $187, 000
Topographic surveys:
Interior Department Appropriation Act_________ $1, 962, 500
States, counties, and municipalities_____________ 340, 605
War Department_____________________________ 1, 046, 070
Tennessee Valley Authority____________________ 53, 000
Public Roads Administration_________________ 33, 815
Public Works Administration__________________ 37
Miscellaneous repay___________________________ 51, 606
— — — 3, 487, 633
Geologic Surveys:
Interior Department Appropriation Act_________ 500, 000
Third Supplemental National Defense Appropriation
Act___________________ 1, 440
States, counties, and municipalities-_____________ 45, 117
Bureau of Mines______________________________ 80, 000
National Defense allotment (Office of the President)
_____________________________________ 30, 000
Miscellaneous repay__________ 6, 410
—----------- 662, 967
Strategic and critical minerals:
Interior Department Appropriation Act_________ 195, 000
Second Supplemental National Defense Appropriation
Act____________ ■______________________ 50, 000
State Department (for work in other American
Republics)_________________________________ 50, 000
..... ........ - 295, 000
Mineral Resources of Alaska:
Interior Department Appropriation Act_________ 75, 000
Third Supplemental National Defense Appropriation
Act_________________________________ 540
War Department_____________________________ 124, 842
Office for Ejnergency Management______________ 164, 642
---------- ------ 365, 024
Gaging Streams:
Interior Department Appropriation Act_________ 1, 274, 500
Third Supplemental National Defense Appropriation
Act_________________________________ 11, 000
States, counties, and municipalities_____________ 1, 038, 320
68 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Funds available to the Geological Survey in 1942 from all sources—Continued
Gaging Streams—Continued.
Permittees and licensees of Federal Power Commission_____________________________________
$19,556
Department of the Interior:
Bureau of Reclamation________________ 3, 485
Fish and Wildlife Service---------------------------- 3, 838
Office of Indian Affairs____________________ 23, 468
National Park Service_____________________ 350
Bonneville Power Administration___________ 224
Department of Agriculture_____________________ 45, 477
Commerce Department________________________ 448
Federal Power Commission------------------------------- 264
Federal Works Agency________________________ 1, 064
Department of Justice_____________________________ 792
National Youth Administration________________ 60
Navy Department________________________ -— 2, 508
State Department____________________________ 58, 600
Treasury Department_____________________________ 928
Tennessee Valley Authority________________________ 55, 000
War Department:
Office of Chief of Engineers____________________ 658, 659
’ Mississippi River Commission__________________ 4, 670
Quartermaster Construction Division___________ 680
War Production Board____________________________ 47, 440
National Resources Planning Board_________________ 939
---------- ------ $3, 252, 270
Classification of lands:
Interior Department Appropriation Act_________ 105, 000
Miscellaneous repay___________________________ 400
---------------- 105,400
Printing and binding, Interior Department Appropriation
Act.______________________________________________ 125, 000
Preparation of illustrations, Interior Department
Appropriation Act_________________________________________ 25, 000
Engraving and printing geologic and topographic maps:
Interior Department Appropriation Act___________ 159, 900
Third Supplemental National Defense Appropriation
Act______________________ 3, 000
Miscellaneous repay___________________________ 220, 000
---------------- 382, 900
Mineral leasing:
Interior Department Appropriation Act_________ 317, 000
Third Supplemental National Defense Appropriation
Act_________________________________ 6, 000
Navy Department____________________________ 45, 000
Office of Indian Affairs____ ____________________ 100. 000
Public Works Administration__________________ 5, 297
Miscellaneous repay___________________________ 56
------------- — 473, 353
Payment from proceeds of sale of water, special account___________ 1, 262
Total_________________________________________________ 9, 362, 809
Bureau of Mines
R. R. SAYERS, Director
GF oreword
UIDED by more than three decades of experience in the
conservation and development of mineral resources, the Bureau of
Mines quickly and efficiently completed the conversion of its activities
to the national-defense program by the beginning of the 1942
fiscal year, and when hostilities began in December 1941, the Bureau
adjusted all its widespread operations to a full war basis.
Many valuable contributions to the war program were recorded
by the Bureau of Mines during the fiscal year. Engineers and
technologists explored domestic mineral deposits throughout the
United States and in Alaska, and revealed several hitherto unknown
reserves of strategic, critical, and essential ores; metallurgists presented
the country with new and improved methods for beneficiating lowgrade
domestic ores and thus developed additional means for obtaining
some of the metals vitally needed for guns, ships, planes, and tanks;
petroleum and gas engineers increased by many times the output of
helium at the Government-owned plant; solid-fuels chemists developed
further the knowledge of domestic coking coals; health and
safety experts concentrated on conserving skilled manpower for war
industries; and mineral economists and statisticians collected and
interpreted data on the production, consumption, and uses of minerals
and helped guide the Federal war agencies and private war industries
in essential planning for prosecution of the war.
Former dependence upon imports for many critical and strategic
minerals and the necessity for a quicker change to utilization of the
domestic low-grade ores, which was created partly by American
shipping losses, brought the exploratory and metallurgical work of
the Bureau into sharp focus during the 1942 fiscal year. The Bureau’s
mining engineers made known important additional reserves of chromite,
manganese, mercury, tungsten, iron ore, bauxite, and alumina
clay. As a result of this work, the estimated reserves of chromite
alone were increased about 2,300,000 tons, and production was
begun in three areas; there were two important discoveries of high-
485482—-42——7 69
70 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
grade mercury and five significant findings of tungsten; the reserves
of manganese ore of milling grade were increased at least 1,100,000
tons; more than 1,000,000 tons of usable bauxite were found; and
drilling at five clay projects indicated 4,600,000 tons that contained
35 percent alumina. Altogether, 740 deposits of strategic ores were
examined and rated as to relative importance.
To utilize to the fullest extent both the newly found ores and
other known low-grade domestic deposits, the Bureau’s metallurgists
and chemists labored in the 1942 fiscal year to develop and perfect
new treatment processes and to improve old ones. Laboratory
investigations and pilot-plant tests showed that substantial amounts
of manganese, chromium, magnesium, and aluminum could be made
available. Methods also were developed for treating ores containing
aluminum, cobalt, and magnesium, and laboratory work was continued
on the beneficiation of ores containing antimony, copper, iron,
mercury, nickel, tungsten, zinc, and fluorspar. A number of specific
proposals for increasing domestic production were submitted to the
war-production agencies. Because of the importance of manganese
in steel-making, considerable attention was given to developing the
vast low-grade reserves of this metal. Through its network of laboratories
and pilot plants, the Bureau expanded and intensified its
work in ore dressing, ore concentration, hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy,
and pyrometallurgy.
Proportionate attention was directed toward the development and
use of many of the important nonmetals, such as graphite, kyanite,
talc, glass sand, and forsterite. A shortage of flake graphite for
crucible and steel-ladle stoppers was foreseen during the fall of 1940,
and in consequence of the Bureau’s experiments on graphite from
domestic deposits, the War Production Board made arrangements for
five mills. Substitutes were found for Indian kyanite. Samples of
talc were tested to find ceramic talc suitable for radio insulators;
some West coast sands were found to be usable, with treatment, as
substitutes for imported glass sands; and deposits of volcanic rock of
a certain type were found to be good substitutes for magnesite brick.
The Bureau’s technologic work on solid fuels included the analyzing
and testing of coal samples from all parts of the United States;
advising the Government in the purchase of coal; exploring for western
coal deposits and testing these coals to find those suitable for coking
to be used in the steel industry of that region; making gasoline from
coal; devising a new method of extinguishing magnesium incendiary
fires in industrial plants; and treating and conditioning boiler waters.
More than 15,000 coal analyses were made. New blast furnaces in
the West and a lack of coking coal led the Bureau to analyze numerous
western coals; as a result, it was found that certain coals will
meet needs for coking coal in the West.
Bureau of Mines ■ 71
In response to the increasing demand for high-octane gasoline to
run the engines of the United Nations’ fighting planes throughout the
world, the Bureau examined the aviation-gasoline stock of 200 crude
oils and the products of 25 condensate plants. It also made a series
of tests on the blending of high-octane gasoline and studies of the
available reserves. The Bureau opened a new petroleum field office
at Franklin, Pa.
An outstanding accomplishment last year was the promptness with
which the Bureau increased helium production at its plant in Texas
to supply greatly increased demands for this lightweight, noninflammable
gas to fill submarine-patrol dirigibles, Army blimps and
balloons, meteorological balloons, and barrage balloons, and for other
military and essential civilian uses. Helium production in 1942 was
higher than at any time in the 13-year history of the Government
plant, as output actually exceeded the rated plant capacity.
Explosives research and testing by the Bureau in the 1942 fiscal
year resulted in an increased volume of work to meet the growing
demands of the mining industry, which normally uses more than twothirds
of all the industrial explosives manufactured in the United
States. The Bureau made numerous chemical analyses, gallery tests,
and control tests of a physical nature in the program of retaining safe
characteristics of permissible mining explosives and also cooperated
with the Ordnance Department of the Army and the Army Board of
Engineers in explosives and demolition studies.
Effective December 26, 1941, the Bureau of Mines was designated
by Congress to administer the Explosives Act of 1917, which was
amended and invoked shortly after the United States went to
war. Thereupon the Bureau set up a system of control by licensing
manufacturers, dealers, and users and by establishing a field force of
investigators. Licensing agents were appointed for nearly every
county in the United States, regulations were promulgated under the
law, and other effective steps were taken to prevent explosives or the
ingredients of explosives from reaching and being used by persons
hostile to the United States or persons careless or inexperienced in
the use of explosives.
The far-flung health and safety activities of the Bureau assumed
added importance because of the necessity for conserving skilled
manpower and maintaining uninterrupted production in the mineral
industries. A new responsibility in this field during the fiscal year
was the setting up of the coal-mine inspection program as authorized
by Congress in May 1941. Despite a delayed start, approximately
400 coal mines, producing almost 25 percent of the total coal tonnage
annually produced in the Nation, were inspected up to June 30, 1942.
Nearly 100 coal-mine inspectors were hired and trained and sent into
the field, beginning December 1, 1941.
72 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
The Bureau continued instructing workers in the mining, petroleum,
and allied industries in accident prevention, mine rescue methods, and
first aid to the injured, bringing the total persons trained since 1910
to more than 1,500,000; investigating and reporting on mine explosions,
fires, and miscellaneous accidents; and making field studies of
various mining problems. A new unit composed of doctors, engineers,
and chemists was established to investigate occupational disease in
the mineral industries and to perform other important duties in the
Bureau’s program of improving health in this field of employment.
Other war agencies throughout the year called repeatedly upon the
Bureau for economic and statistical information, and the requests were
answered with full and complete data at all times; The Bureau’s
services in this respect included the collection, analysis, and publication
of current and periodical data on all mineral commodities; studies
of special economic phases of the mineral industries brought on by the
war; and compilation of the Minerals Yearbook, the internationally
recognized economic and statistical authority in this field. Many
special statistical studies and investigations on strategic and critical
metals and nonmetals, as well as fuels, were undertaken by the Bureau
in cooperation with the several Government war agencies.
The Bureau published over 400 reports, including numerous bulletins,
technical papers, handbooks, and Minerals Yearbook chapters.
It replied to more than 100,000 letters of request for information and
distributed about 550,000 copies of Bureau publications. Educational
motion pictures acquired during the year.totaled 546 sets; the outstanding
borrowers of films from the Bureau of Mines were the Army
and Navy air services, the Coast Guard, the CCC, and schools offering
defense training classes.
The Bureau of Mines coordinated its work with that of other
agencies of the Department of the Interior through the War Resources
Council for the Department, which was established by Secretary
Ickes for the purpose of mobilizing the strategic natural resources of
the Nation on the scale made necessary by global warfare.
Future Work
To devote to the Nation most effectively the full benefit of its
knowledge and experience for the winning of the war, the Bureau of
Mines during the fiscal year 1942 made definite plans not only to
utilize immediately the vast store of technical information acquired
over a long period, but also to undertake new phases of work and new
endeavors that would help to maintain the security of domestic
mineral production and help to speed victory through the expanded
output of usable strategic and critical minerals.
In anticipation of authorization and appropriation of funds by the
Congress, the Bureau of Mines planned still greater enlargement of its
Bureau of Mines • 73
helium-producing facilities; an increase in its program for the exploration
and development of domestic deposits of strategic, critical, and
essential mineral ores; an intensification of its search and development
of domestic substitutes for minerals formerly imported or for which
the United States is still largely dependent upon foreign sources; and
an expansion of its field investigations and laboratory and pilot-plant
studies that would tend to increase production from known sources
and develop usable substitutes for domestic materials in which
critical shortages apparently were developing.
To expedite its future work as planned, the Bureau reorganized
its operating structure during the last days of the fiscal year. Among
the changes was the expansion of the Office of the Director to include
an Assistant Director. As a result of new work undertaken during
the year, the Health and Safety Service was expanded to include three
additional divisions—a Coal Mine Inspection Division, the Explosives
Control Division, and the Mineral Production Security Division.
The phases of work the Bureau scheduled for the fiscal year 1943
include the following:
The erection of pilot plants for investigating the best methods of
producing sponge iron on a commercial scale will be undertaken.
Direct reduction of iron ore by solid fuels and by natural gas are two
of the processes to be employed to obtain a material that can be
utilized during the war as a suitable substitute for scrap iron to mix
with pig iron in the manufacture of steel.
To satisfy the anticipated needs of the military forces for helium,
the Bureau will increase substantially its output of the noninflammable,
light-weight gas by many additional millions of cubic feet-.
To achieve this unprecedented production goal, the Bureau planned
to complete within the shortest possible time the new addition to its
Amarillo (Tex.) plant, to undertake immediately the construction of a
new plant, and to intensify the studies of other gas fields and to investigate
possible additional plant sites.
Because of the limited known reserves of high-grade bauxite in the
United States for the production of aluminum metal and for chemicals
and abrasives essential to war industries, the Bureau will expand its
investigations of methods of beneficiating low-grade bauxite ores,
alumina-containing clays, alunite, and other potential raw materials.
Other strategic, critical, and essential minerals also will be investigated.
The mineral exploration program will be expanded to include
new areas and additional minerals. Hand in hand with this field
work, laboratory studies of selected ores wrill be carried out and
economic studies will be undertaken. From the data obtained,
recommendations, where warranted by the facts, will be made to
private industry and to Federal war agencies with a view to bringing
all vital metals and nonmetals into production.
74 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Further research will be done on magnesium in the laboratory and
in pilot plants, additional studies will be undertaken on the beneficiation
of chromite and on the production of electrolytic chromium,
a pilot plant will be constructed and operated to obtain engineering
data on the reduction of zinc concentrates with methane gas, and the
resources of the West will be investigated and examined with a view
to the feasibility of establishing a larger steel industry in that area.
Plans also were made for more effective enforcement of the Federal
Explosives Act by the placement of explosives investigators throughout
the Nation. Under the sponsorship of the Office of Civilian
Defense, and in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local
agencies, the Bureau will help protect the Nation’s mines, quarries,
smelters, and allied mineral facilities from sabotage and subversive
action.
Review of the Year’s Work
As the changes in the organization of the Bureau of Mines were not
effected until 2 weeks before the close of the fiscal year, the activities
of the Bureau described in the following paragraphs reflect the
activities of the organization when it comprised four branches—
Technologic, Health and Safety, Economics and Statistics, and
Administrative. These branches administered and planned in
Washington the activities that were carried on largely in the principal
mining districts of the country through experiment stations, field
offices, and district representatives.
Technological Work
Exploration of Ore Deposits
The Bureau of Mines centered its program of examination and
exploration of ore deposits mainly on ores designated as “strategic” by
the Army and Navy Munitions Board, namely, ores of antimony,
chromium, manganese, mercury, nickel, tin and tungsten. Investigations
also were started of raw material resources for western steel
production (iron ore and coking coal) and of deposits of bauxite,
alunite, and aluminum-bearing clay for the production of alumina.
Near the end of the year, the Bureau began drilling for deep-lying
magnesium chloride salts in Utah.
Highlighting the accomplishments of the year’s work were the
following:
About 2,345,000 tons of chromium ore—in Montana, California,
Oregon, and Alaska—was added to the known reserves of the Nation.
Three of the properties explored during the year already are in
production.
Bureau of Mines • 75
An important new find of mercury ore of good, commercial grade
was made in central Idaho, where 436,000 tons of low-grade (2.7
pounds mercury per ton) had been indicated earlier in the year in a
partially developed section of the same property. The high-grade
ore is in a body about 30 feet thick and at the end of the year had been
traced by four diamond-drill holes over a strike length of 200 feet.
It probably will be found to contain much more than 50,000 tons,
assaying 8 pounds of mercury per ton. A second discovery of commercial-
grade mercury ore was made by diamond drilling in an old
mine in Oregon, recently closed because of depleted ore reserves.
The exploration of one deposit in Idaho indicated probable tungsten
ore reserves of 150,000 tons, with reasonable expectation of developing
300,000 to 500,000 tons more. (In the 1941 fiscal year the largest
and most important discovery of tungsten ore was made by the
Bureau of Mines and Geological Survey. This deposit of ore is now
making a substantial contribution to the war effort.) At three other
tungsten mines in Nevada where ore reserves had been depleted,
productive operations were resumed on new ore made known by the
Bureau of Mines. Exploration at these mines was continuing at the
end of the year.
Sampling in southeastern California and western Arizona revealed
enough manganese ore to warrant construction and operation of one,
and possibly two, 100-ton beneficiation plants, and completion of
exploration in Arkansas established sufficient reserves of wad ore to
warrant a 300- to 500-ton mill. More than 20,000,000 tons of iron
ore were indicated by exploration of about 1 mile of an iron-bearing
formation 6^ miles long in California, and over 8,000,000 tons in two
other areas in Arizona and Oregon, respectively. Drilling in Georgia
and Oklahoma revealed deposits of bauxite estimated to contain
1,165,000 tons of usable ore.
Seven hundred and forty deposits containing strategic minerals
were given preliminary examination and were indexed and rated as to
their relative importance. Sixty-five exploration projects were active
during all or part of the year as follows: 1, antimony; 10, chromite;
21, manganese; 4, mercury; 2, nickel; 8, tungsten; 1, coking coal; 6,
iron; 5, bauxite; 2, alunite; and 5, alumina clay. Some of these
projects comprised work on 2 to 10 separate deposits.
Persons throughout the United States interested in the search for
strategic minerals sent in samples of ore to the Bureau. More than
7,000 of these were examined during the year.
Metallurgical Investigations
Because many of the domestic ore deposits already known or
explored by the Bureau are low-grade or complex, or both, the program
76 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
of developing and testing methods of beneficiation was given considerable
attention. The laboratory investigations and pilot-plant tests
demonstiated that substantial amounts of vital minerals for the war
can be made available from domestic ores.
Methods have been developed for the concentration of many manganese
ores to ferrograde manganese; for the recovery of chromium
and ferrograde chromite from low-grade chromium ores; for the preparation
of alumina from clays and alunite; for the production of
magnesia and magnesium; for the recovery of cobalt metal or oxide;
for increased production of lead; and for the beneficiation of ores
containing antimony, copper, iron, mercury, nickel, tungsten, zinc,
and. fluorspar.
Ore Dressing.—Ore dressing provides a quick and inexpensive means
to beneficiate the mined product. Studies were made of the concentration
of ores containing the following strategic and critical metals
and minerals: Antimony, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese,
mercury, nickel, tungsten, zinc, magnesium, fluorite, and andalusite.
The-results of laboratory investigation of about 140 ores containing
one or more of these metals have been encouraging in almost every
instance.
The concentration of more than 125 manganese ores from the
Western States was investigated. Although only half of the ores
tested may be classified as amenable to concentration to ferrograde
manganese, the production fiom these ores could make up much of the
indicated deficiency. Most of the ores that could not be beneficiated
to ferrograde were readily concentrated to an intermediate grade,
which would be desirable feed to either leaching or pyrometallurgical
processes to produce high-grade manganese products.
Ore-dressing methods also were used in the laboratory and pilot
plants for beneficiating manganese ores from the Eastern States.
A pilot magnetic roasting and magnetic separation plant treated
various manganese ore samples from the Cuyuna range of Minnesota
and the Batesville district of Arkansas. Construction of float-andsink
and leaching plants was undertaken to provide additional facilities
for ore testing. Manganese concentration mills were designed
for the Batesville and the Cuyuna range districts, and for the Deming
district of New Mexico. Flow sheets for these mills were based upon
laboratory and pilot-plant tests.
The ore-dressing pilot mill at Boulder City, Nev., was completed
in September 1941 and immediately put in operation for treating the
manganese ore from the nearby Las Vegas Wash area. The operations
proved, the feasibility of beneficiating higber-grade ores to ferrograde
and the lower-grade ores to an intermediate grade. Early in April
1942, the pilot mill was converted to testing the low-grade and refractory
Artillery Peak (Ariz.) ore.
Bureau of Mines • 77
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The Chamberlain (S. Dak.) pilot manganese-concentration plant
was treating the nodule-bearing shale of the area to recover nodules.
The process includes hand sorting, kiln drying, and screening the
nodules from the shale. For experimental purposes, an explosive
shattering unit was added to the plant.
Hydrometallurgy.—Numerous laboratory leaching tests on manganese
ores that were not amenable to concentration by ore-dressing
methods were completed. New procedures for dissolving manganese
from the ore were devised and older processes improved. The nitrogen
dioxide process reached the pilot-plant stage. The sulfur dioxidesulfuric
acid leach was modified to produce a high-grade product from
ores containing up to several percent phosphorus. Large-scale laboratory
leaching tests using smelter flue gas containing sulfur dioxide
were conducted. A new process was developed that may be used on
manganese ores containing appreciable quantities of objectionable
impurities, such as zinc.
The hydrometallurgical pilot plant treated ores too low grade for
direct use in standard industrial ferro-alloy production. The manganese
from low-grade ores was leached with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide gas, or dilute sulfuric acid. Manganese sulfate or manganese
nitrate was obtained by evaporation of excess water. Further treatment
by this leaching method yielded material highly suitable for
electrolytic deposition of high-purity manganese metal in the pilot
plant.
Domestic chromium ores usually may be concentrated to a product
of low chromium:iron ratio. Reduction roasting of subgrade
concentrates followed by acid leaching of the iron produces a residue
that is smelted to standard ferrochrome. Construction of a 25-tonper-
day reduction roasting and leaching pilot plant was undertaken. .
A process was developed for recovering cobalt from domestic lowgrade
oxidized cobalt ore. This process yielded a high-grade cobalt
oxide or cobalt compound suitable for the production of electrolytic
cobalt metal.
Studies of various proposed methods for preparing alumina from
alunite, clays, and other aluminum-bearing materials resulted in the
selection of a procedure for investigation in a small pilot plant.
Samples from most Western States were run through the plant. The
operation included dehydration of the clay followed by an acid leach.
The electrolytic precipitation of hydrous alumina and the dehydration
of alum produced in various ways were studied. Production of
metallic aluminum from these products will be investigated.
Electrometallurgy.—The operations of the electrolytic manganese
pilot plant determined optimum electrolyte concentrations, economic
current densities, and the most satisfactory cell-room equipment for
78 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
commercial installations. Current efficiency was increased to 60
percent.
A process for producing magnesium metal by direct electrolysis of
magnesia in a fused salt bath was developed. It showed excellent
possibilities for utilizing domestic magnesites and dolomitic ores. An
8,000-ampere pilot electrolysis cell was placed in operation. Electrothermic
reduction of magnesia by carbon is potentially a superior
process for producing magnesium metal. Improved methods of overcoming
technical difficulties were developed in a small pilot plant at
Pullman, Wash. Methods also were developed for the production of
high-purity electrolytic chromium.
Conditions were established for the electrodeposition of metallic
cobalt from solutions obtained by the treatment of low-grade oxidized
cobalt ore.
PyrometallurgyRefractory low-grade manganese ores were successfully
smelted with pyrite in an electric arc furnace to produce a
manganese sulfide matte. This matte can be used as such in the
steel industry or can be sintered to a 60-percent manganese product
that will meet ferrograde manganese specifications. Fine, high-grade
manganese oxide and carbonate ores, manganese carbonate flotation
concentrates, calcines from deleading manganese oxide flotation concentrates,
and calcines from the treatment of manganese sulfate were
successfully sintered to meet ferrograde specifications.
The recovery of vanadium from titanomagnetites by smelting a
sintered concentrate in the 6-ton University of Minnesota experimental
blast furnace was investigated. Results showed trends that
may be investigated in more detail in industrial furnaces and should
lead to the recovery of a substantial quantity of vanadium from
domestic deposits heretofore not utilized.
Methods were developed for taking advantage of the more rapid
smelting rates for lead on the Scotch hearth furnace, using pelletized,
richer and more finely divided flotation concentrates. A mechanical
charging device was designed and installed. It was found that a good
portion of the zinc wasted to lead blast-furnace slags may be separated
and saved.
Testing Methods .—Many ores containing war minerals were subjected
to microscopic examination, chemical analyses, and physical
testing. In all, 3,500 prospectors’ samples were tested for the occurrence
of strategic minerals. The properties of various alloy systems
were studied. New equipment was designed and built to extend the
facilities of the laboratory. Considerable X-ray work was done on
determining the structure of various alloys and in distinguishing
between closely related minerals.
The investigation of the thermoelectric method of checking the
composition of metals was continued to materials of higher alloy
Bureau of Mines • 79
content. Its usefulness in making acceptance tests on purchased
materials and in sorting scrap metal was demonstrated. A simple,
quick method, based upon the emergence of substances of fixed melting
points, was developed for determining the temperature of molten
metals, and work was begun to produce a complete series of test substances.
Metallurgical Fundamentals.-—Because the control and improvement
of energetics of processes for critical metals require precise data
on the various forms of energy content involved in transformations of
these substances, the Bureau determined the quantities of the various
energy forms for the most important critical substances, with special
emphasis on manganese, chromium, and magnesium. The magnetic
properties of certain manganese alloys also were studied.
Nonmetals Research
The Bureau of Mines met heavy demands for cooperative assistance
in the field of nonmetals, as well as metals, by the Federal war
agencies.
The removal of impurities from low-grade bauxite by gravitywashing
and froth-flotation methods was undertaken just before the
beginning of the fiscal year, and by October 1941 improved methods of
washing were determined.
A special appropriation for the investigation of calcium aluminate
processes for extracting alumina from siliceous bauxite was used to
test the Seailles process. The conclusion was that while the process
can be operated technically, it is not attractive from the economic and
practical standpoints. The lime-soda sintering process was one of
the methods thought to be more practical. A sequence of operations
was worked out that gives high extractions and recoveries of alumina
of satisfactory grade. The process was scheduled for testing in a
subcommercial test plant in the fall of 1942.
Foreseeing that the metallurgical demands for bauxite would make
it necessary to substitute clay for bauxite in making aluminum sulfate
(used in water treatment, paper manufacture, etc.), the Bureau undertook
studies on preparing clays to make them suitable for this purpose.
As a result substitution of properly calcined kaolins for bauxite can
be recommended; and the War Production Board was reported to be
working out the means for the production and use of such clay.
Substitutes were found for Indian kyanite, a mineral used for
special refractories, formerly imported from near Calcutta. The
most attractive one is topaz, which can be mined commercially in
South Carolina. The War Production Board reported it is making
arrangements for commercial production.
The shortage of flake graphite, normally imported from Madagascar,
80 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
for crucible and steel-ladle stoppers was foreseen during the fall of
1940, and work was initiated on the Alabama graphites that had been
exploited during the First World War. A far larger size of flake now
is needed than in 1917. Suitable means of milling the graphite rock
were developed. The War Production Board, guided by these
results, made arrangements for building five mills in three States.
Radio ceramic talc suitable for radio insulators was found to be
insufficient for expanded needs during the winter of 1941. The
Geological Survey sought suitable grades of talc available in quantity
and the Bureau of Mines did the technical work of testing the talcs.
Many were found to need flotation to remove impurities. Increased
production along the lines recommended by the Bureau of Mines is
expected.
The war in Europe cut off Belgian glass sand, which had supplied
Pacific coast glass plants. A study was made of methods for scrubbing
off iron stains and removing feldspar and heavy minerals from West
coast sands. One of the larger glass companies undertook construction
of a plant at Monterey, Calif., which will incorporate the
Bureau’s findings and produce high-grade sand in large quantities.
Deposits of the volcanic rock, dunite, made up mostly of olivine,
exist in the Eastern States, as well as in the Far Western States, and
electric-furnace fusion of the rock with sufficient reducing agent
produces ferrosilicon and fused magnesium silicate, or forsterite.
Tests of brick made with the forsterite showed it to be a desirable
supplement to magnesite brick and usable as a substitute for refractory
material formerly imported from Austria and Greece.
Coal and Coal Products
The Bureau of Mines expanded the consulting service that it
maintains for all the Government agencies for: (1) The purchase and
operation of steam generating and heating equipment, (2) the purchase
and analysis of coal, and (3) the conditioning of water used in
boilers. Consultation, acceptance tests, and inspections were provided
on numerous equipment installations, particularly for the War
Department. Attention was directed to the conversion of Federal
plants on the East coast from oil- to coal-burning equipment.
More than 15,000 coal analyses were made and about half of these
were in connection with the purchase of 3,130,000 tons of coal for the
War and Navy Departments and 518,000 tons for other Government
agencies. To obtain analyses for awarding Government coal contracts,
Bureau of Mines coal-sampling trucks visited 468 mines in
12 States and collected 1,740 samples, primarily in areas adjacent to
new war activities.
Coking CoaL—The construction of seven new blast furnaces in the
West has created a demand for western coals that have satisfactory
Bureau of Mines • 81
coking properties. The Bureau’s field exploratory crews and the
coal-carbonization laboratory in Pittsburgh showed that certain coals
of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming
will meet the needs. The survey of the coking properties of coals of
the United States, which the Bureau of Mines began in 1927, has
been especially valuable in the selection and blending of coals for
blast-furnace coke. Bureau of Mines laboratory research also provided
information for coke-plant operators on the storing properties
of coals of various compositions.
Gasoline From Coal.—The Germans, who have been working on
processes for the conversion of coal to gasoline and oil since 1913,
were so successful that it is estimated now that their plants will
produce about 5,000,000 tons of gasoline annually. The Bureau has
experimented with a hydrogenation process for several years and has
determined the amenability of many American coals to liquefaction,
which will be most useful in the future; moreover, the Bureau has
developed a relatively low pressure hydrogenation treatment forproducing
a heavy fuel oil suitable for use as Bunker C cil. Valuable
byproducts, such as phenols, cresols, and xylenols, also can be
obtained from coal-hydrogenation products. The Fischer-Tropsch
water-gas method is to be investigated during the coming year.
Hydrogenation byproduct lignin from paper-pulp manufacture has
been found to yield isopropylcyclohexanol, a material valuable in
the plastics industry and of possible importance as an antiknock
addition agent to gasolines.
Boiler Water.—Proper conditioning and treatment of boiler waters
assumed added importance because of the war demand for uninterrupted
steam production. Analyses of boiler water samples by the
Bureau increased by 250 percent over 1941. Material improvement in
efficiency and economy for boilers operated by the War Department
resulted from this water-conditioning service.
Coal Storage.—To protect industrial and domestic consumers against
coal shortages, storage of ample quantities of coal became essential.
Because bituminous and subbituminous coals are subject to spontaneous
heating and ignition, the Bureau instituted a survey of the action
of coal under storage conditions in industry to determine the best
practical methods of storing individual coals.
Coal Mining.-—The Bureau initiated studies relating to consumption
of power in the mines and indicated ways and means of effecting
economies with no losses in efficiency.
Petroleum and Natural Gas
Although the war did not change the character of the research and
investigative work of the Bureau of Mines on petroleum and natural
82 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
gas, it changed the emphasis on particular problems, created demands
for volumes of factual data, and allowed less time in which to assemble
and collate essential information. The Bureau was able to respond to
the immediate needs of the War and Navy Departments, the Office of
the Petroleum Coordinator for War, and othei Government agencies
for technical advice and information on several phases of the national
program of supplying petroleum products for war uses.
Petroleum engineers of the Bureau made a suivey of more than 200
crude oils and of the products from 25 condensate plants to determine
their content of high-octane aviation-gasoline stock. They also undertook
a series of tests to determine the most effective blending of various
components of 100-octane aviation gasoline, and initiated a study to
determine the components of the reservoir fluids and the available
reserves in fields of the condensate type which yield hydrocarbons
needed in aviation gasoline. Other typical assignments included a
study of all possible petroleum sources of toluene for use in the manufacture
of explosives, and a study of the possibility of augmenting
supplies of paraffin wax.
In April 1942 the Bureau opened a petroleum field office at Franklin,
Pa., to help 15,000 oil pioducers in the Appalachian region who lack
technical staffs of their own to determine the best practical means of
repairing wells and repressuring the sands with air and gas to stimulate
the production of oil needed for special lubricants.
The Bureau turned the whole chemistry and refining program of the
Petroleum Experiment Stations at Bartlesville, Okla., and Laramie,
Wyo., to the search for technical answers to current practical questions
regarding the essential nature of crude oils, natural gas, condensates,
and their components. High-efficiency fractionating towers were
designed and built; work progressed on desulfurization of marginal
aviation-gasoline base stocks to improve their response to tetraethyl
lead; and reports gave valuable information on volume and types of
asphalts needed for military aiiport runways and loads.
Reports on the Bureau’s methods of collecting and examining
subsurface samples of petroleum, the results of its field studies, and a
new basis foi analyzing reservoir behavior, using pressure-production
data, hay e advanced the technology of determining oil and gas reserves
and pointed toward advisable methods of withdrawal under war
conditions. Special attention wras given to the effects of high gas:oil
latios, excessive pressure declines, and abnormally low rates of water
encroachment. Subsurface samples were taken in various fields and
analyzed foi quantity of gas in solution, shiinkage resulting from gas
liberation, and composition of the oil-gas mixtures in reservoirs. Core
samples were subjected to connate water determinations, and studies
were made of the permeability of porous rocks and productivity indexes
of wells and fields. Contributions were made to the subject of well
Bureau of Mines • 83
spacing. The Bureau made reports on the propel' blending of oil-well
drilling mud-fluids and on methods of combatting heaving shales.
Information on the chemical nature and gas-water ratios of gas
hydiates was obtained in cooperation with the American Gas Association.
As a result, gas transmission lines can operate at higher capacities.
Deteiminations were made of the distribution of residual gases
returned to the producing formations by cycling operations in condensate
fields to obtain maximum yields of liquefiable components.
The Bureau gathered a fund of information on stimulating production
in “stripper” fields containing large oil reserves that may be
iecovered by well-planned, secondary-recovery methods. They also
reported on the treatment of oil-field brines and their use as a repressuring
medium in water-flood projects.
The Bureau conducted tests on tanks which gave valuable information
on changes that may be expected in aviation gasoline and
evaporation losses of blend components stored for the war use.
The far-sighted policy of research, development, and conservation
followed since the Bureau’s helium program was initiated during the
last World War makes it possible to supply this gas in quantity to the
United States armed forces in the present conflict. The Amarillo
(Tex.), helium plant produced more helium in 1942 than in any previous
fiscal year. The Amarillo helium plant is being enlarged, and a new
plant is being built. The Cliffside field now has a total of nine wells
producing helium-bearing gas.
Explosives
Experimental research on explosives developed new findings,
many of which are directly applicable to military explosives and have
been used by the war agencies. The research program included
studies of sheathed explosives, the production of toxic gases by explosives,
the ignition hazards of explosives when used in the presence
of combustible gases and dust, the strategic properties of liquidoxygen
explosives, and an underlying inquiry into factors affecting
the temperatures and pressures developed by explosives.
For protection of equipment and personnel in special war industries
against very rapid gas explosions, certain high-speed explosion
diaphragms were developed; and to assist the synthetic rubber and
plastics industries, studies were made of explosion and inflammability
characteristics of butadiene, styrene, acrylonitrile, chlorobenzene,
and trichlorethylene. Other studies included one of methods of
preventing explosions due to hydrogen liberation in the charging of
storage batteries. Further work was done on the use of helium in
preventing explosions of anesthetic mixtures; and a study of the
chemical factors controlling anthracite mine fires was completed.
84 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
For safeguarding war industries using Diesel engines in explosive
or combustible atmospheres, a testing gallery was completed and put
in operation.
The Bureau explosives-testing program, carried on for many years
with a view to maintaining safe characteristics in explosives and
blasting devices used by the mineral industries, moved forward
rapidly. The Bureau made 111 chemical analyses, 958 gallery tests,
and 678 control tests of a physical nature in the 1942 fiscal year.
As part of the scientific research carried out in connection with
administration of the Federal Explosives Act the Bureau, at the
request of the Ordnance Department of the Army, made plant-security
studies of some ordnance facilities and developed valuable information
relating to manufacture of explosives. The Bureau also
made some demolition studies in cooperation with the Army.
Several disasters were investigated, including those that occurred
at a black powder plant, a primer plant, two pyrotechnic plants, a
railroad torpedo plant, and a quarry.
Since the increasing use of inflammable metal powders in the war
industries has created new and additional dangers from dust explosions,
the Bureau extended its studies of metallic dust hazards. One
result was the discovery that hard pitch (in granulated form) is an
excellent agent for extinguishing magnesium fires in industrial plants
where the use of sand and similar agents might harm machinery and
equipment.
The Bureau assigned an engineer to cooperate with the Chemical
Warfare Service of the War Department, in connection with the latter’s
civilian protection activities, to conduct training work and to assist
in the research work on the extinguishment of incendiary bombs and
on kindred war problems.
Upon completion of its studies of the effects of seismic vibrations
from quarry blasts, the Bureau began a study of air waves from
blasts, and the technique developed was applied to military problems.
Safety, Plant Protection, and Health Activities
Conservation of manpower and mining equipment and the protection
of mineral facilities from serious damage or destruction by carelessness,
neglect, sabotage, or subversive action were made paramount
by the war. Safety education and accident-prevention work, supported
by investigative and testing activities, carried on in the same
manner and with equal effectiveness as in past years, constituted the
keystone of the vastly expanded safety and security program. The
power of entry to coal mines, conferred on the Bureau by the Federal
Coal Mine Inspection Act enacted in the previous fiscal year (May
1941), and the regulatory powers granted by the Federal Explosives
Bureau of Mines ■ 85
Act approved December 26, 1941, as well as the, broad authority
implied in Executive Order 9165, of May 19, 1942, dealing with the
national facility security program, proved to be of considerable
assistance.
The need for safety education and training and retraining of mineral
industry workers in first-aid, accident prevention, and mine rescue
operations, became progressively greater as increasing numbers of
employees were drafted for military service, migrated to better-paying
war industries, or absented themselves, leaving their ranks to be filled
by men inexperienced and untrained in the newer mechanized operations.
Safety Work
Engineers and safety instructors of the Bureau trained 90,206
employees of the mining and affiliated industries in first aid and mine
rescue during the fiscal year, bringing the total number of persons
who have completed such courses since the establishment of the Bureau
in 1910 to 1,538,758. Moreover, with the training of 1,459 persons
as first-aid instructors, more than 16,000 persons throughout the
country became qualified to teach the Bureau of Mines first-aid course
in the civilian defense program of the Office of Civilian Defense.
During 1942, 117 additional mines and plants were awarded certificates
showing that all employees had been trained in first aid. Since
the Bureau has been convinced that persons trained in first aid are
less likely to injure themselves or be involved in accidents, it has
further promoted such training by endorsing and aiding first-aid
competitions. During the year, it awarded certificates to 1,072
persons who qualified as judges for first-aid contests and assisted in
conducting 61 first-aid contests in 11 States.
The Bureau’s personnel instructed 2,008 mine workers in mine
rescue work, and gave its advanced mine rescue training course to 138
persons during the year. These men, familiar with the use of gas
masks, oxygen breathing apparatus, and procedures connected with
fires and explosions in confined places such as mines and tunnels,
constitute an efficient reserve for use in civilian defense and rescue
work.
At virtually all major mine disasters, Bureau personnel assisted
in the rescue and recovery operations, sometimes at the risk of life
or limb. The Bureau’s engineers investigated 24 mine explosions in 11
States, 25 mine fires in 15 States, and 52 miscellaneous accidents in
24 States during the year. Rigid inspections were made of 43 privately
owned mine rescue stations at the request of the owners.
The Bureau’s plan of giving accident prevention courses was continued.
During the year 112 persons were trained in the course for
coal-mine officials. A total of 8,521 mine officials and others have
485482—42------- 8
86 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
taken the complete course, and 5,122 have received partial training
since 1930 when the course was inaugurated. The accident-prevention
course, especially designed for coal miners, has been given in complete
form to 1,841 miners and in partial form to 795 others since the course
was organized in 1940. An accident-prevention course for metal
miners was introduced and given to 160 metal-mining officials. During
the fiscal year, 170 persons completed a course of instruction in
petroleum safety, and 120 others received part of the training.
In its safety education program for the mineral industries, the
Bureau utilized motion pictures, slides, exhibits, testing galleries
and similar educational tools extensively. During the year, sound
motion pictures on safety subjects were exhibited 170 times at safety
meetings. Thirteen safety exhibits were shown in 10 States at fairs
and expositions in mining districts and at mining conventions. The
Bureau’s representatives attended, and at tim.es addressed, 612
safety meetings held in 33 States.
Testing work on electrical machinery and equipment, to determine
their safety for use in gassy and dusty atmospheres in mines, was
continued. The Bureau approved 50 additional machines and types
of apparatus during the year, and made 282 explosion tests for the
Navy on certain explosion-proof enclosures intended for use on ships.
The Bureau has three all-steel railroad coaches equipped for safety
training and for recovery work following mine disasters; two are in
active service, and one is held in reserve for emergency use.
The yearly Nation-wide statistical survey of mines, quarries, mills,
smelters and coke ovens, which reveals the number of men employed,
man-hours worked, and the number and causes of occupational
accidents, was made again, bringing up to date this information that
is essential to accident-prevention work. A preliminary survey also
was begun to obtain accident data on the petroleum industry.
Coal-Mine Inspection
Although the Federal Coal Mine Inspection Act of May 7, 1941
(Public Law 49, 77th Cong.), was passed before the United States
entered the war, its importance in the war effort has increased correspondingly
with the growing dependence on coal to keep the Nation’s
vital industries operating at full speed. Despite a delayed start in
inspecting mines, because of the time required for examining, qualifying,
certifying, and appointing applicants through the Civil Service
Commission and for training the new inspectors in the Bureau’s
policies and procedure, 400 coal mines in all were examined between
December 1, 1941, and June 30, 1942.
Most of the mines inspected were the larger ones; their combined
production was 24.7 percent of the total annual output for the United
Bureau of Mines • 87
States in 1941, and their combined employment was 117,346 persons,
or 21.9 percent of the total coal-mine employment in that year.
The mine inspections consisted of a thorough examination of the
local conditions, including careful observation and study of the
practices, conditions, and equipment in and about the mines, the collection
and analysis of dust and air samples, and a compilation and
interpretation of the mine accident records. A preliminary report,
calling attention to the hazards that require immediate attention, was
posted at the mine at the completion of each inspection; and a detailed
report, available for public inspection, was transmitted later to the
management, the miners’ labor organizations, and the State mine
inspection agency.
The reception of the inspection program by the industry was
favorable generally, once the inspection work got under way. Although
there were some criticisms, mine management, mine workers, and
State inspection services demonstrated their cooperativeness. In
many instances, hazardous conditions and practices pointed out by
the inspectors were corrected immediately.
In addition to the inspections, inspectors and other engineers of
the Bureau made special investigations relating to explosives and electrical
equipment in mines and other individual phases of coal mining.
Federal inspection of mines has not been in operation long enough
to determine what effect it will have on the disaster and accident
records of the country. The inspection procedure is, however, exerting
a definite influence toward the reduction of accidents, in spite of
handicaps resulting from the war. According to available records, all
major industries have shown far greater increases in accident rates
than the coal-mining industry since war production entered its peak
phases.
Explosives Control
The Bureau of Mines is charged with administering the Federal
Explosives Act of 1917, which was amended and invoked on December
26, 1941 (Public Law 381, 77th Cong.). Aimed at the prevention of
sabotage and the misuse of explosives, it provides for control of the
manufacture, purchase, sale, use, and possession of nonmilitary explosives
and explosives ingredients by means of a licensing system, accompanied
by investigations of the manufacture and storage, thefts
or losses of explosives, and fires and explosions in which explosives
are believed or known to be a contributing factor. Regulations
promulgated by the Bureau have the force of law, and violations
thereof are penal offenses.
The Bureau appointed 4,400 licensing agents throughout the United
States and Territories and possessions. These licensing agents, who
serve without pay except for a 25-cent fee which they are entitled to
88 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
collect from each person to whom a license is given, issued about
145,000 licenses to vendors, purchasers, and foremen by the close of the
fiscal year. The Bureau itself examined and acted upon 2,000
additional applications for licenses from manufacturers, schools,
colleges, and laboratories.
Forty-eight explosives investigators were appointed and stationed
in the various States and in Alaska to supervise and guide the licensing
agents and to investigate the manufacture, handling, and use of
explosives. Inasmuch as the mineral industries are the principal
nonmilitary users of explosives, the investigators’ work was directly
connected with the safety and mineral security program of the Bureau.
The investigators, who made reports on more than 750 stores of
explosives of which 450 were in critical areas, were assisted by other
engineers and technicians of the Bureau in investigating fires and
explosions in mines, quarries, munitions plants, and fireworks factories.
To facilitate its explosives control work and to coordinate it with
the entire Federal program, the Bureau established liaison with the
Army and Navy Intelligence services, the Office of Civilian Defense,
and the office of the Chief of Ordnance and the Provost Marshal General.
Information was collected by the Bureau, as in past years, on the
quantity of industrial explosives manufactured and used in the
United States, and the estimated quantity of nitroglycerin and other
ingredients used in the manufacture of explosives.
Antisabotage
As its part in the Nation-wide emergency program of the Federal
Government to protect vital production, supply, storage, and transportation
facilities, the Bureau undertook to make secure the continued
production of vital war material from the metal mines, coal mines,
quarries, mills, smelters, and allied mineral facilities. The Bureau
received an allotment of funds from the appropriation made by
Congress for this program toward the close of the fiscal year. The
administrative organization to handle this work was set up, and the
Bureau prepared to employ and train an initial field force of 75 to 100
engineer-investigators who could carry out the work in close coordination
with the mine inspectors, explosives investigators, safety
engineers, and other field personnel of the Bureau, as well as in co- 1
operation with the field personnel of other Federal agencies concerned
in the facility security program.
Health i/n the Mineral Industries
Activities of the Bureau in the field of health were expanded
during the year. A new unit comprised of doctors, chemists, and
Bureau of Mines • 89
■engineers was established to make investigations and studies of
occupational diseases in the coal-mining industry, in conjunction
with the inspection work; and the Bureau’s gas and dust laboratory
was enlarged to handle the greatly increased volume of analytical
work created by the large quantities of mine gas and dust samples
received from the mine-inspection field force. The laboratory
analyzed 5,300 gas samples as compared with approximately 1,500
during the previous fiscal year.
The Bureau tested scores of respiratory devices for protection
against noxious gases, fumes, and dusts, which were submitted by
manufacturers, and gave its approval to several such devices. Manufacturers
were advised on the development of more efficient respiratory
equipment, and information was provided the public on the use and
limitations of existing respiratory equipment. The Bureau issued
more than a dozen publications on air contamination or contaminants.
At the request of, and in cooperation with, the Army and the Navy,
confidential studies were made with respect to health factors in some
military equipment.
Tlirough laboratory studies and through investigations in underground
tunnels in New York, Tennessee, and Colorado, the Bureau
obtained information that may be of value in increasing the use,
under well-controlled conditions, of Diesel equipment on underground
main haulage without hazard to health.
At the request of the New York City Tunnel Authority, the Bureau
also investigated the probable effects of air contamination at a portal
of a newly projected vehicular tunnel. Tests also were made in a wind
tunnel, the results of which may lead to the safe ventilation of vehicular
tunnels without contamination of the atmosphere at the mouths
of such tunnels.
Economics and Statistical Services
The accelerated demands resulting from the war for current comprehensive
data on production, trade, distribution, supply, and consumption
of minerals and mineral commodities on the part of the
operating divisions of the Bureau, as well as the increasing needs on
the part of the other Federal war agencies and the war industries,
resulted in a marked expansion of the Bureau’s economics and statistical
services. In addition to the collection, analysis, and publication
of current and periodical data on all mineral commodities, the Bureau
studied and reported on special economic phases of the mineral
industries, with particular emphasis on the strategic and critical
metals and nonmetals and the fuels required by the war industries.
By means of the available data and through representation on
committees and conferences, the Bureau was able to advise the war
90 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
agencies on threatened bottlenecks in supply, on advisability of
expanding plant facilities, on production and plant capacities, and
on possible substitution of some minerals for others.
The Minerals Yearbook (Review of 1940) was published at a much
earlier date than in the previous year, and the preprints of all chapters
were available by August 1941. Many chapters of Minerals
Yearbook (Review of 1941) were prepared and some were available
for distribution by the close of the 1942 fiscal year.
Metals
Although domestic metal-production facilities were sustained at
maximum capacity throughout the year, the demand for metals in
many cases exceeded the supply, and as a result the Government
imposed a priority allocation system and placed severe restrictions
on the consumption of critical metals by other than the war industries.
To keep pace with the rapidly shifting situation, the Bureau’s wartime
augmented staff of commodity experts was frequently consulted
and the Bureau provided the war agencies with detailed statistical
studies of 30 commodities on a monthly basis to cover both producer
and consumer phases. In the case of many of the metals, similar
data were furnished to show the picture of raw materials used. Of a
total of 120 separate surveys conducted during the past fiscal year,
75 were designed specifically for the use of war agencies. This not
only represents an increase in the number of surveys undertaken but
also a marked expansion in the number of persons replying to Bureau
questionnaires.
As the problem of obtaining additional supplies of new metal
became more acute, the question of available secondary metals was
raised to major importance. The Bureau, now operating under
policies outlined in the general preference orders of the War Production
Board, converted the quarterly iron and steel scrap survey to a monthly
statistical review showing stocks, receipts, production, consumption,
and other data as reported by about 19,000 respondents, including
producers, dealers, brokers, and consumers of scrap. Results of the
surveys were made available to various war agencies and served as the
basis of much of the scrap allocation program. Surveys of 3,000
consumers and 4,000 dealers of nonferrous scrap were broadened to
include the reports of metal produced from scrap as well as scrap consumed.
Magnesium was included for the first time in the growing
roster of scrap metals.
The monthly canvasses of copper, lead, and zinc production inaugurated
the previous year also were expanded. The usual preliminary
reviews of nonferrous metal mining, including gold and silver,
in 13 Western States in 1941 were released by the middle of January
Bureau of Mines • 91
1942; and final detailed statistics on copper, lead, and zinc for each
of the 13 Western States and for Alaska, for incorporation in the
individual chapters of Minerals Yearbook, 1941, were completed
before the end of June 1942.
Nonmetals
In addition to the regular, periodic compilation of data on nonmetallic
minerals, including two monthly cement reports, a quarterly
gypsum report, and a semiannual phosphate rock report, the Bureau
made monthly canvasses of mica, graphite, asbestos, barium oxide,
and natural sodium compounds; a semimonthly canvass of cement;
and special canvasses of quartz crystal, mineral pigments, and industrial
diamonds.
Special studies also were conducted by staff members on the sources
of high-grade dolomite needed for making magnesium metal; sources
of magnesia; processes for recovering magnesia from dolomite;
magnesia refractories; resources and uses of monazite; uses and supplies
of strontium; sources of high-grade clays for aluminum salts; and
nonmetallic mineral industries in the South.
The Bureau compiled a review of all important trends and accomplishments
in the nonmetallic mineral field in 1941; and, to assist
present or prospective operators in securing markets for their products,
developed special facilities and prepared a series of reports covering
the marketing problems of various minerals and including lists of
prospective buyers.
Petroleum and Natural Gas
The Bureau continued its comprehensive collection of statistics
and economic data covering the operations of the petroleum and
natural gas industries. Although the Bureau has no jurisdiction
with regard to transportation shortages, control of production,
rationing, readjustments in refinery operations and similar problems
brought on by the war, it was able to assist those Government agencies
responsible for solutions with essential current data.
The monthly statistics of aviation gasoline, initiated in October
1939 and supplemented by capacity surveys, proved of special value
to the program of expanding output to meet war requirements. The
Bureau adapted and altered its work on forecasts to meet Government
requests for longer-term estimates of national demands, as well
as to forecast requirements on critical areas such as the East coast.
The forecast of demand for crude petroleum by States of origin found
use as basic data for Federal allocations.
92 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Coal and Coke
Because of the altered conditions in the coal and coke industrybrought
about by such factors as the increased needs for metallurgical
coke, the off-season demand for solid fuels, and the greater storage of
coal by consumers in anticipation of transportation difficulties, the
Bureau found the Federal war agencies dealing with this industry in
need of more comprehensive and more up-to-date statistical information.
Accordingly current studies were expanded, new studies were
inaugurated, and the dates for the return of questionnaires by the
industry were in many cases moved ahead.
The Bureau completed according to schedule its regular annual
reviews on developments in the Pennsylvania anthracite industry
and the lignite, byproduct and beehive coke, fuel briquet, packaged
fuel, and peat industries; and continued its monthly and weekly reports
on the various phases of the anthracite, coke, and byproducts industries.
At the same time, it furnished the war agencies with special
reports.
A field survey on the dredging of anthracite and an historical study
of the production of coal, petroleum, natural gas, and electricity in
the United States, 1929-40, were completed.
Data on Foreign Minerals
The lack of statistical and economic data formerly obtained from
official sources in Axis and enemy-occupied countries, and suspension
of the publication of similar data usually obtained from allied and
neutral countries prompted the Bureau to establish a service whereby
essential statistical information relating to current production, stocks,
and exports of strategic and critical minerals is obtained on a confidential
basis from official sources in nonenemy countries.
As a result of the Bureau’s policy of withholding publication of all
data that might give aid to the enemy, publication of foreign statistical
and other economic information was stopped but was provided on a
confidential basis to all war agencies.
The five foreign mineral specialists assigned the previous year as
technical advisors to certain of the American embassies in Latin
America continued in the same status during the current fiscal year.
A mining engineer was assigned to Mexico for checking Mexican
resources of mica, manganese, tungsten, tin, mercury, and other
strategic minerals.
Public Information
In response to direct requests from individuals and agencies concerned
in mineral production, the Bureau distributed about 196,000
Bureau of Mines • 93
copies of the Bureau’s printed publications and approximately 350,000
processed reports and monthly lists of publications. About 100,000
copies of the printed reports of the Bureau were sold by the Superintendent
of Documents.
The Bureau decided that some of the material published previously
might be of aid and comfort to the enemy, and for that reason, as well
as the desire to economize wherever possible, discontinued a few of its
publications such as the Foreign Minerals Quarterly, and changed
its other reports dealing with foreign conditions to a confidential basis.
Other current reports dealing with demand, supply, and consumption of
strategic and critical minerals also were placed on a confidential basis
and their distribution was restricted to a limited list of Federal officials.
All other publications were carefully reviewed to avoid the disclosure
of vital information; the size of the editions of processed material was
cut, and the style altered with the resultant saving of about 400,000
sheets of paper.
Exactly 440 reports (comprised of 22,500 manuscript pages and
1,800 illustrations) were prepared for publication as bulletins, technical
papers, handbooks, Minerals Yearbook chapters, and contributions
to technical journals. The Bureau added 3,314 books to its
Washington library; received 295 periodicals; and loaned 23,788 publications
for outside use. In addition to the thousands of letters dealing
with technical material, the Bureau replied to more than 70,000 letters
from the public requesting publications or general information on
minerals. Ten exhibits illustrating the Bureau’s work were prepared
and shown.
Educational motion pictures from the large film library of the
Bureau were circulated more extensively than ever. The Army Air
Forces, the Naval Air Stations, the Coast Guard, the N. Y. A. and
schools, colleges, and other centers for defense training were outstanding
borrowers. The total number of showings during the year was
reported as 99,699, with an estimated attendance of 10,366,166 persons.
The Bureau acquired 546 sets of new films, all made, in accordance
with past procedure, in cooperation with industrial concerns that
pay all of the costs of production and provide the Bureau with copies
for free loans.
Administration
The Bureau’s activities during 1942, as in past years, were administered
from Washington, D. C., but were carried on mainly in the
field. The Bureau opened a new petroleum field office at Franklin,
Pa., and a new district office for health and safety work at Mount
Hope, W. Va.
94 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Personnel
On June 30, 1942, there were 2,104 full-time employees on duty in
the Bureau, as shown in the following table:
Classification and number of appointees
Professional
Subprofessional
1 C.A.F. Custodial
2 Total
Washington ... . ___ __ ... 3 66 4 301
141
6 377
457
1, 270
Pittsburgh___ ____ _________ . _ 4146 88 82
Field___________________________________ 3 613 157 291 209
Total_________ _______________________ 825 249 733 297 2,104
1 Includes instrument makers, etc.
2 Includes laborers, mechanics, etc.
2 Engineers, 14; chemists, 4; metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, 3; miscellaneous, 45; total, 66.
4 Engineers, 48; chemists, 53- metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, 3; misceallaneous, 42; total, 146.
s Engineers, 221; chemists, 71; metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, 98; miscellaneous, 223; total 613.
In addition to the foregoing full-time employees, there were 798
employees holding appointments on a when-actually-employed basis
as follows: 42 consultants; 125 excepted; 13 classified; 3 unclassified;
and 615 field agreements.
Property
The records as of June 30, 1942, show that the property of the
Bureau had a total valuation of $7,320,530, of which $3,209,606 was
for land, buildings, and improvements; $1,127,928 for machinery
and power-plant equipment; $713,415 for laboratory equipment;
and the remainder for certain helium properties, office furniture,
automobiles, and other goods.
Finances
The total funds available to the Bureau of Mines for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1942, including direct appropriations, departmental
allotments, reappropriated balances, and sums transferred
from other departments for service work, were $10,894,518. Of this
amount, $9,133,940 was spent, leaving an unexpended balance of
$1,760,578. On the regular work of the Bureau, $7,210,643 was
expended. These figures are subject to revision because of unpaid
obligations.
Table 1 presents classified and complete information regarding the
financial history of the Bureau since its establishment in 1910.
Table 2 gives a statement of the distribution of congressional
appropriations to the branches and divisions and the expenditure of
these funds in 1942 by Bureau divisions.
Bureau of Mines ■ 95
TABLE 1.—Bureau of Mines appropriations and expenditures, fiscal years ended
June 30, 1911-42
Fiscal
year
Appropriated
to Bureau
of Mines
Departmental
allotments
1 11
Funds
transferred
from other
departments 2
•Total funds
available for
expenditure
Unexpended
balances
Total expenditures
Expenditures,
exclusive of
service items 3
1911.— $502, 200.00 $34, 200.00 $536,400.00 $22,818.27 $513, 581. 73 $513, 581. 73
1912.... 475, 500. 00 45,640.00 521,140. 00 6, 239. 77 514, 900. 23 514, 900. 23
1913.... 583,100.00 47, 850. 00 630,950. 00 4, 087. 20 626,862. 80 626,862. 80
1914.... 664, 000.00 57,307. 79 721, 307. 79 4,678. 29 716,629. 50 716,629.50
1915.... 730, 500. 00 55,424.60 785,924.60 4,178.11 781, 746. 49 781,746.49
1916.... 757,300.00 48, 710.87 806,010. 87 9,058.63 796,952.24 796,952.24
1917.... 981,060.00 52,400.00 1,033,460.00 48, 588. 10 984,871.90 984,871.90
1918.... 1,467,070. 00 51,901.98 4 $3, 062,000.00 4, 580, 971. 98 395, 745.10 4,185, 226.88 1,172,939.64
1919.... 3 3,245,285. 00 49, 542.86 3 8,600,000. 00 11,894,827. 86 2,452, 236.78 9,442, 591.08 1,137,471.37
1920.... 1, 216,897.00 52,800.00 1, 269,697.00 9, 592.18 1,260,140.82 1,245,891.36
1921.... 1,362, 642. 00 62, 618. 72 666, 720.00 2,091,980. 72 13, 985. 89 2,077,994. 83 1, 412, 923.15
1922.... 1,474, 300. 00 59, 800.00 182, 200.00 1, 716,300.00 52,120.45 1,664,179.55 1,483.038.47
1923.... 1, 580, 900.00 70,814.30 97,100. 00 1,748,814.30 10, 959.08 1,737,855.22 1,640, 840. 57
1924.... 1, 784, 959. 00 50, 710. 00 347,820.00 2,183,489.00 38,085.43 2,145,403. 57 1, 804,800.41
1925.... 2,028,268.00 57, 500. 00 236, 465.86 2,322, 233. 86 107, 743. 20 2,214,490.66 1,998,669.20
1926.... 1,875,010.00 81, 220. 00 510,501.15 2,466,731.15 28,891. 78 2,437,839.37 1,841,150.80
1927.... 1, 914, 400. 00 94,443. 39 325,000.00 2,333,843.39 44,871.29 2, 288, 972.10 1,926, 910.12
1928.... 3,025,150.00 113,266. 45 328,000. 00 3,466,416.45 7 736, 235. 62 2,730,180. 83 1, 997,270.66
1929.___ 2, 725,118.00 103,000.00 205,500.00 7 3,753,094.67 8 152,701. 34 3,600,393. 33 2, 280, 960.68
1930.... 2,274,670. 00 123,300. 00 166,200.00 8 2,684,386. 38 9 135,714. 93 2,548,671.45 2, 216,995. 72
1931.__. 2, 745,060. 00 120,680. 91 166, 500. 00 9 3,134, 595.10 43 195,534.37 2,939,060.73 2,304,121.45
1932.... 2, 278, 765. 00 137,866. 48 194, 500. 00 >o 2, 770, 712.18 44 344,689.43 2,426,022. 75 2,186, 799. 92
1933.... 1,860,325. 00 75,100.00 184,000. 00 11 2,361,138.96 42 475,895. 41 1,885,243.55 1, 710,949.42
1934.... 1, 574,300. 00 50,230.00 17,000.00 42 1,872, 586.04 43 397,131. 28 1,475,454.76 1, 254,846.72
1935.... 1,293, 959. 07 50,000. 00 126, 513.10 13 1, 520,472.17 44 34,154.47 1,486,317.70 1,349,490.11
1936.... 1,970,311. 00 69, 500.00 47, 570. 00 44 2,114, 966. 51 43 14,074.34 2,100,892.17 2,052,751.87
1937.... 2,093, 200.00 69,000.00 73,000.00 43 2,237,812.45 43 8,700.66 2, 229, 111. 70 2,161,472.73
1938.... 2, 272, 720. 24 83,000. 00 62,300.00 43 2,421,985.69 47 59,920. 71 2,362,064. 98 2, 286,858.08
1939.... 2,892,880. 01 88, 790. 00 96,650. 00 47 3,086,719. 30 48 77,198.05 3,009, 521. 25 2,480,485.08
1940.... 2,980,498.88 93, 290.00 100,000.00 48 3,187,330.29 49 106, 925. 87 3,080,404.42 2,946,170.44
1941.... 3, 952,400.95 91, 290. 00 2, 219,400.00 49 6, 269, 590.95 23 1,069, 240.11 5,200,350.84 5,111,010.54
1942.... 8, 961,686.00 97,490. 00 1,835, 342.00 23 10, 894, 518.00 24 1,760, 578.00 9,133,940.00 7,210,643.00
1943.... 12, 525,365. 00 106,450. 00 4,910, 700. 00 24 18,653,246. 00 22 14,300, 227.00
1 Includes printing and binding, stationery, and contingent funds.
2 Includes proceeds from sales of residue gas.
3 Service items include Government fuel yards, helium, and other investigations and services for other
departments.
4 Includes gas investigations for War Department.
3 Includes $1,586,388 for Government fuel yards.
6 Includes War Minerals Relief Commission, $8,500,000.
7 Includes $719,476.67 unexpended balance reappropriated.
8 Includes $120,216.38 unexpended balance reappropriated.
9 Includes $102,354.19 unexpended balance reappropriated.
10 Includes $159,580.70 unexpended balance reappropriated.
11 Includes $241,713.96 unexpended balance reappropriated.
12 Includes $231,056.04 unexpended balance reappropriated.
13 Includes $50,000 unexpended balance reappropriated.
14 Includes $27,585.51 unexpended balance reappropriated.
16 Includes $2,612.45 unexpended balance reappropriated.
16 Includes $3,965.45 unexpended balance reappropriated.
17 Includes $8,399.29 unexpended balance reappropriated, and balance of $35,544.39 receipts from sale of
helium and other products.
18 Includes $13,541.41 unexpended balance reappropriated, and balance of $58,822.55 receipts from sale of
helium and other products.
19 Includes $6,000 unexpended balance reappropriated, and balance of $85,452.95 receipts from sale of
helium and other products.
20 Includes $934,013.68 balance reappropriated, and balance of $87,431.51 receipts from sale of helium and
other products.
21 Includes $1,229,937 balance reappropriated and balance of $128,019 receipts from sale of helium and
other products.
22 Estimated.
96 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
TABLE 2.—Bureau of Mines expenditures, fiscal year 1942
Bureau of Mines 97
98 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
TABLE 2.—Bureau of Mines expenditures, fiscal year 1942—Continued
Bureau of Mines • 99

Bituminous Coal Division
DAN H. WHEELER, Director
TJLHE attack on Pearl Harbor found the bituminous coal producing
industry, with its markets stabilized under the Bituminous Coal Act
of 1937, in the soundest condition in many years to meet its wartime
responsibility as the Nation’s principal source of fuel.
It found in the Bituminous Coal Division, the administrator of this
law, a central source of statistics and other information and technical
assistance readily available to the Government in taking steps to
protect the soft-coal supply.
In addition to regulating the coal markets to help the producing
industry keep itself in a sound condition, the Division since the war
has become one of the primary aids of the Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator
for War. Also, it is assisting the Office of Price Administration
in maintaining an anti-inflationary ceiling over soft-coal prices,
and is serving as the principal source of statistics and, in many instances,
providing technical advice for the various other governmental
agencies concerned with problems relating to the fuel supply.
Industry Strengthened
A little more than a year prior to the attack upon the United States,
the bituminous coal producing industry, with the establishment of
minimum prices and marketing rules and regulations on October 1,
1940, had emerged from nearly two decades of savage, competitive
warfare that had financially drained and seriously weakened it. The
year and three months of market stability which the industry had
enjoyed under Coal Act regulation had given it an opportunity to
repair much of the damage of the years of chaos before it plunged
into the job of meeting wartime fuel demands.
Decisive battles are fought on the industrial front, and fuel is vital
ammunition in this modern age of highly developed industrial organization
and mechanical warfare. Bituminous coal is the Nation’s
principal fuel. The head start which the soft coal industry had in
485482—42------- 9 101
102 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
rehabilitating itself, and the continuation of the stabilization of its
markets under the Coal Act, are major contributions toward assuring
an adequate supply of this fuel for war needs.
Prior to the war, soft coal provided approximately 75 percent of the
power for manufacturing, 80 percent of that for railway locomotives,
and about 70 percent of that for steam-generated electricity. Also, it
was the most common fuel for homes, and the source of raw materials
for many essential military and civilian materials, such as explosives,
artificial silk and rubber, medicines, plastics, paints, and chemicals.
Now that the war is reducing the availability of other fuels in certain
areas of the United States and Canada, coal must carry a still greater
share of the fuel burden.
Aids Planning Coal Supply
Planning and protection of an adequate coal supply in time of war
is one of the most important governmental functions correlated with
its actual military operations. The industries that mine and transport
this fuel require much labor and large quantities of strategical
materials. They are constantly exposed to the disruptive forces set
loose by world conflict, and careful thought and constant vigilance
are necessary to keep coal moving in required quantities from the
mines to consumers.
In requesting the Secretary of the Interior to act as solid fuels coordinator
to protect the fuel supply, President Roosevelt, in his letter
of November 5, 1941, stated:
As the defense effort progresses it will become increasingly urgent to assure
that the supply of solid fuels will be adequate and that they will be readily available
at consuming points when required for military, industrial} and civilian purposes.
Difficult problems are already arising with respect to their supply and
availability for such uses. These problems require the efficient and careful
coordinated development, production, distribution, utilization, transportation,
and handling of solid fuels.
You have in your Department extensive information and facilities with respect
to solid fuels. I refer particularly to the Bituminous Coal Division, the Bureau
of Mines, and the Geological Survey. In addition, in your capacity as Petroleum
Coordinator for National Defense you have important functions with respect to
oil and gas. It is essential that the handling of solid fuel and of oil and gas problems
should be closely coordinated in the present emergency.
Immediate Action Made Possible
Rather than to organize a large staff to carry on the work of coordinating
the soft-coal supply, the facilities of the Bituminous Coal
Division were made available for that purpose. Additions were made
to the Division where necessary to accommodate the additional duties
entailed by the Solid Fuels work. A great deal of information perBituminous
Coal Division • 103
taining to the production, transportation, distribution, storage, and
consumption of soft coal, compiled primarily for use in the regulation
of coal markets, was made immediately available to the Solid Fuels
Office. In addition to this, a well-trained staff of technical employees
was placed at the disposal of that Office. This saved a great deal of
valuable time and a substantial amount of money, and it materially
speeded the work of protecting the Nation’s coal supply.
With this assistance, the Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator for War
was enabled to launch immediately a program to aid the coal and
transportation industries and fuel consumers to take wartime precautions.
This program included steps to stimulate consumers to increase
their stocks of coal while the fuel was readily available as protection
against possible emergencies; to keep coal moving in heavy volume
during the off-season to avoid loss of the use of limited labor and
equipment; to aid producers in obtaining priorities to obtain-rationed
equipment and materials; to help the coal industry establish emergency
movements to counteract the loss of regular coal transportation facilities
due to wartime disruptions, and other actions in connection with
planning and maintaining an adequate coal supply.
Additional Data Necessary
Although the information readily available in the Division made it
possible for the Solid Fuels Office to begin effective work at once,
sound planning required the compilation of much additional data to
meet problems peculiar to the wartime coal supply. Much of the
information had been compiled in shape designed particularly for
market regulatory purposes, and had to be revised and brought up to
date to be adequate for use by the Solid Fuels Office.
For instance, information available from mine invoices showed each
mine’s shipments of particular kinds, qualities, and sizes of coal during
recent years, thus giving some indication of the mine’s past ability to
produce. Other information was available which shed still more light
on mine capacity. But the available data left too much to guesswork
, in estimating the Nation’s capacity for producing and shipping the
various kinds, qualities, and sizes of coal with the degree of accuracy
necessary in wartime.
With the aid of the Bituminous Coal Producers’ Boards, the
Division, at the request of the Solid Fuels Office, began a more adequate
survey of actual and potential mine capacity; the first to be
made in recent times. The Producer’s Boards are comprised of the
elected representatives of the producers in each district, and represent
the industry in participation in the administration of the Coal Act.
They have intimate contact with the mines in their respective districts.
At the close of the fiscal year, this survey was well under way and
104 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
already was providing useful information, although it was not complete,
due to the large number of mines to be covered.
Early in the war it became manifest that the draft, enlistments, and
the loss of men to other industries were having a substantial effect in
reducing the labor supply available to the coal industry. Some
producers reported that their production was being severely hampered,
particularly by the loss of keymen. The Division was requested by
the Solid Fuels Advisory War Council, a wartime industry-public
advisory body on coal and coke problems, to make a study of the
effect of the war on mine labor. This study showed that the mining
industry had lost 48,439 1 men as of March 31, 1942, because of war
reasons.2 Appeals were made by industry and the Solid Fuels Office
to Selective Service authorities to help protect the supply of mine
labor.
It became apparent that the rubber shortage would have a substantial
effect upon the coal supply that would require planning to
counteract. The Division studied the over-all effects of the rubber
situation, to provide information as required. It was found that
approximately 50 million tons of soft coal per year move from the
mines to consumers in motor trucks.
Coal Stocking Program Aided
Statistics compiled by the Division showed that all during the
spring of 1942, coal was flowing into consumers’ storage piles in great
amounts, in response to the program operated by the Solid Fuels
Office in conjunction with other agencies of the Government and the
coal and transportation industries. But, the available figures indicated
that a great many individual consumers, including many
important war industries, were failing to take adequate precautionary
measures. To probe this situation accurately, the War Production
Board and the Solid Fuels Office undertook, with the Division’s help,
a plant-by-plant survey of the precautions being taken by prime war
industries and the railroads.
The investigation bore out what previous information had indicated.
Many industries were not taking adequate precautions. These were
searched out, and the Division was engaged in preparing notices warning
the individual plants of their situation, which were to be sent out
by the Solid Fuels Office.
At the request of the Solid Fuels Office, the Division investigates
and makes recommendations upon applications by coal producers for
priority ratings to obtain materials and supplies for expanding or
i This figure was computed on 80 percent of the tonnage. Projected to cover 100 percent of the industry,
it would indicate a loss of 60,549 men. Due to recruitment, the net shortage of men was computed at 33,765
as of Mar. 31, 1942.
* Entering military service, shifting to other industries, and because of inadequate transportation.
Bituminous Coal Division • 105
rehabilitating mine production facilities. Such applications are
referred to the Solid Fuels Office by the War Production Board for
advice before acting upon them.
Also, the Division investigates and makes recommendations to the
Solid Fuels Office regarding applications for necessity certificates in
connection with income-tax deductions sought under section 124 of
the Internal Revenue Code which provides for amortization within
5 years of the cost of expanding plant facilities for the production of
goods essential to the war program.
The Division has furnished technical personnel which is engaged
currently in assisting preparation of details of an emergency coal
distribution program for the Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator for
War. All the information in the Division’s records, needed in preparing
the program, has been made available to the Solid Fuels Office.
The program will be put into effect only if the coal supply system
breaks down under the stress of war pressure and shortages threaten
to impede operations of essential war plants or to cause civilian
suffering.
Maximum Coal Price Regulation
Approval of the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942 on January
30 opened a new field for the Division’s participation in prosecution of
the Nation’s coordinated war effort. Through an exchange of letters
between Secretary Ickes and Price Administrator Leon Henderson,
the groundwork was laid for cooperation between the Division and the
Office of Price Administrator in taking steps necessary to prevent wartime
inflationary prices for bituminous coal.
Accordingly, a plan was developed whereby the Division recommends
to the Price Administrator suitable action under powers vested
in his office by the Emergency Price Control Act with reference to
control of maximum bituminous coal prices charged by producers,
distributors, and sales agents. The plan was devised under section
201 (a) of the Price Control Act, which provides that the Price Administrator
may utilize the services of other Federal agencies in
administering the act. In order to discharge its recommendatory
function, the Division was empowered to conduct hearings, conferences,
and handle necessary correspondence.
The first fruits of this cooperative arrangement was establishment
of Maximum Price Regulation No. 120, setting up maximum prices
for producers, sales agents, and distributors on deliveries from mines
and preparation plants. Participation of the Division in its establishment
is described in the regulation itself, as follows:
At the request of the Price Administrator the Bituminous Coal Division, United
States Department of the Interior, has cooperated with the Price Administrator
in the formulation of the maximum prices established by this regulation in accord106
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
ance with the arrangement effectuated by the letters dated March 9 and 13,
exchanged between the Price Administrator and the Secretary of Interior.
As in the case of its cooperation with the Office of Solid Fuels
Coordinator, the Coal Division was exceptionally well prepared to aid
the Price Administrator in setting up maximum bituminous coal
prices.
This was due, in a measure, to the fact that the Coal Division, at the
time the Emergency Price Control Act was approved, had before it
Docket No. A-983. This was a proceeding instituted on application
of the Bituminous Coal Consumers’ Counsel seeking establishment of
maximum prices under provisions of the Bituminous Coal Act. The
Acting Director ruled continuation of these proceedings was unnecessary,
but instructed the Division staff to proceed with a careful study
of all materials presented and filed.
OPA Aided By Division
These and other voluminous data in the Division files concerning
costs of production and invoice prices were made available for use in
formulating the maximum prices established under Regulation No.
T20. The regulation itself leans heavily upon the size groupings and
classifications set up in the minimum price schedules established by
the Coal Division, and the minimum price schedules lent a systematic
pattern for formulation of a readily comprehensible set of maximum
prices for coal delivered from the mine. In addition, Regulation
No. 120 contains many provisions designed to assure that the maximum
price regulation will be consistent with the minimum prices and
marketing rules and regulations.
In addition, the Division was consulted in respect to Maximum
Price Regulation No. 122, which governs bituminous coal delivered
from docks, yards, and terminal facilities. In connection with this
regulation, Division technicians made two studies: One concerned
the interrelationship between Regulation 120 and 122. The other
dealt with the interrelationship between Regulation 122 and Bituminous
Coal Division regulation over minimum prices and marketing
rules and regulations applicable to distributors, including dock
operators. Various suggestions offered by the Division were utilized
in the final form of the regulation.
It was upon advice of the Division that OPA granted a request from
the War Department that Alaska be deleted from the maximum price
schedule.
Division Investigates Violations
However, the responsibility of the Bituminous Coal Division in
prevention of wartime inflationary bituminous coal prices is not disBituminous
Coal Division • 107
charged merely by furnishing the Price Administrator with economic
data and technical advice on the bituminous coal industry. In the
agreement between the Secretary of the Interior and the Price Administrator
the task of detecting and investigating violations of
Maximum Price Regulation No. 120 was assigned to the Division.
This arrangement, including recommendations to OPA as to the
application of appropriate measures, was consummated because the
Division had a compliance staff with the specialized training needed
for the task. The arrangement likewise obviated the possibility of
overlapping activities by the two Federal agencies. As the fiscal year
concluded, this additional and important work had been assumed by a
compliance staff fully aware of the extensiveness of the undertaking.
As of June 30, 1942, there were 186 cases involving violations of
Maximum Price Regulation No. 120 under investigation by the
Division.
Division Recommends Amendments of Maximums to OPA
Still another important task devolves upon the Division in connection
with establishment, enforcement, and maintenance of wartime
maximum bituminous coal prices for mine shipments. It is called
upon to consider and make recommendations concerning the many
requests for relief by way of adjustment, exception, or amendment
from the maximum prices or accompanying regulations..
These requests for relief from persons affected by the regulation,
are made in petitions or protests filed in accordance with Procedural
Regulation No. 1 of the Office of Price Administration. When filed
with OPA, the protests or petitions are docketed and referred to the
Division where they are processed and analyzed in the light of data
available to the Division and the coal needs of the Nation.
On the basis of such study the Division recommends to the Office
of Price Administration the disposition it believes should be made of
the petition or protest.
Cooperation With Other Agencies
With the advent of war, the Division, in addition to duties imposed
by statute or arrangement, has developed a highly important function
as a service unit for other war agencies and departments of the
Government. This is especially true of the relationship between
the Division and the Departments of War and Navy, the War Production
Board and its various subdivisions.
The Under Secretary of War, the Quartermaster General, and other
high officials of the War Department and of the Navy Department as
well, have frequently sought from the Division, especially the Mar108
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
keting Branch, its technical advice and assistance. Many of their
problems concerned availability of coal of various types for Army and
Navy concentrations, its qualitative value, price at the mines, freight
rates, and other questions of supply.
Because of the threatened shortage of other fuels, the War and Navy
Departments have urged use of coal for power upon many plants being
constructed for war goods production. The Departments have
called upon the Marketing Branch to recommend sites for these plants
with reference to readily available supplies of suitable coal.
The problems upon which technical advice has been sought and
received from the Division went farther afield than coal availability.
For example, they include such diversified matters as discussions with
War Production Board officials on proper coals for steel making and
with the Chemical Warfare Service on properties of fly ash. Explosive
plants, arsenals, the Treasury Department, the Post Office
Department, Rural Electrification and the Interstate Commerce
Commission are among other Government agencies which the Division
has supplied with teclmical information.
The Division has granted a request advocated by the Consumers
Counsel that the War Department temporarily be exempted from a
marketing rule that requires purchasers to pay interest on past-due
transportation charges prepaid on coal shipments by code member
producers and registered distributors. At the request of the War
Department the Division likewise facilitated establishment of new
transportation facilities for war materials from the Huntsville Arsenal.
This was done by establishing minimum prices to permit shipment of
coal in barges via the Tennessee river from “truck mines” in the
Tennessee-Georgia field. This action was sought by the War Department
chiefly to render feasible development of interrelated barge
shipments of coal and other raw products to, and the processed goods
from, the Huntsville Arsenal and a nearby Army fabricating plant.
Administration of Regulatory Functions
The Bituminous Coal Act of 1937 was designed to free one of the
Nation’s most vital industries from a savage competitive warfare
which was rapidly dissipating its $2,500,000,000 investment, plunging
many of its 500,000 miners into dire poverty, impoverishing entire
sections of the country, and causing serious dislocations in the whole
economy of the country.
These grievous conditions did not arise overnight. They stemmed
largely from World War I which saw a vast expansion in the productive
capacity of the bituminous mines. This was due partly to
increased fuel requirements for war goods manufacture. In part it
was due to attempts to make up deficiencies of supplies at various
points of consumption caused by transportation shortages.
Bituminous Coal Division • 109
After the war, however, demand and potential supply were thrown
far out of adjustment. Although manufacturing remained at a high
peak, demand for bituminous coal lessened year by year. This
situation was caused by increased efficiency in the use of coal coupled
with growing competition from other fuels.
The excess capacity created by lessened demand led to lowered prices
which were often below the cost of production. Producers sold their
coal for what they could get in the wholly human hope of “weathering
through” until markets improved.
In consequence, the era of prosperity enjoyed by other industries
from 1923 to 1929 found a sad contrast in the bituminous coal industry.
They were years of mounting losses to coal producers, which were
heightened in the depression years which followed. In 1929 the industry
produced 525,000,000 tons of coal but suffered a net loss of
$11,822,033. In 1932 the net loss was $51,167,000.
Need of Regulation Obvious
It became obvious that in the absence of some regulation the Nation
soon would lose its chief source of energy or find it controlled by the
few financially able to survive the destructive competitive price war.
To obviate what threatened to be a major blow to American industry,
the Congress enacted a statute under which are established
minimum prices designed to return to producers a realization which
approximates the weighted average costs in their respective areas.
The law established the framework of a public policy within which
the industry could function efficiently in the interests of the producers,
miners, and the consuming public. This was the objective of the coal
act, rather than any attempt at coercive interference with coal producers.
The Supreme Court, in an opinion holding the act constitutional
said, “The history of the bituminous coal industry is written in
blood as well as in ink ... If the strategic character of this industry
in our economy and the chaotic conditions which have prevailed in it
do not justify legislation, it is difficult to imagine what would.”
Providentially these “chaotic conditions” were removed by the
operation of the act long enough in advance of America’s full swing
into the war to permit producers to strengthen themselves sufficiently
financially to undertake the all-out production demanded. They
likewise were able to throw their resources into production with the
comforting assurance that the minimum price structure would provide
them realization on sales at least approximately equal to weighted
production costs and protect them against price cutting.
In addition to the benefit of stabilization through operation of
minimum price schedules, the industry has enjoyed in many markets
increased consumer requirements for coal and consequent price in110
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
creases for certain grades and sizes because of the huge war goods
manufacturing program.
Regulatory Structure Still Required
Wartime price improvement is not regarded by Division economists
and marketing experts as any valid reason for relaxation of the market
regulatory structure which brought about and is maintaining
stabilization.
Statistical studies made during the fiscal year showed that some
coal still was competing in various markets at pi ices close to the
minima established under the act. The obvious inference was that
this competition would have resulted in prices for this coal which were
below the cost of production, in the absence of any regulatory structure.
In addition, there are certain competitive factors peculiar to,
and variables inherent in the coal industry which often act as disturbing
forces on parts of the market when there is a rising demand in
another. The only effective control over these factors ever devised
is minimum price schedules.
For instance, requirements are never uniform through the range of
sizes and qualities of coal. The mine owner, in producing the size for
which there is need often must, of necessity, produce sizes for which
there is little or no requirement. Since it is generally economically
unfeasible to maintain storage at mines, the slower moving sizes are
loaded into whatever cars are available where they clog up tracks and
hamper movement of sizes for which there is a ready sale. Until
establishment of minimum price schedules it had been the historic custom
of the coal industry to dump this coal at any price obtainable,
regardless of production costs. However, what was a “dumped” size
for one producer may have been a major size for another so that in the
maze of sales the price level was influenced strongly by the quotations
on the distressed residuals. With transportation facilities dwindling
day by day and requirements centering more and more on industrial
sizes, it is obvious that this dumping practice would be resumed upon
any relaxation of the act’s regulatory features.
Fluctuations in Production
One of the variables with which the coal industry must contend is
low production in the summer season. This may be illustrated by
observing the 3 years of 1936, 1938, and 1940. During each of these
3 years production was not seriously interrupted by stoppages due to
strikes. Considering the average monthly production in these 3 years
as 100 percent, the average January production in the United States
was 113 percent, while the average April production was 83 percent,
Bituminous Coal Division • 111
with averages for May and June at about the same level as April.
The average December production was 121 percent. Low summer
production was most marked in District 14 (Arkansas-Oklahoma)
where the average January production was 183 percent, with the averages
for April and May being 23 and 24 percent, respectively.
Another variable is week by week production in any season. For
example, the production of the week ended July 5, 1941, was only
61.2 percent that of theprevious week and only 70.9 percent that of the
following. Production for the week ended September 20, 1941, was
90 percent that of the previous week and 90.7 percent that of the following.
With both winter and the war effort in full swing, production
for the week ended January 3, 1942, was only 88.7 percent that of the
following week.
It is obvious that such extreme fluctuations in production result in
periodic surpluses. It is a fair assumption that, in the absence of
minimum price schedules, these surpluses would be disposed of by
the price cutting technique which brought about the chaotic conditions
from which the industry suffered for more than two decades.
The history of the bituminous coal industry, “written in blood as
well as in ink,” records its plunge into chaos when its economy was
disrupted by the cataclysm of World War I. The bituminous coal
industry, however, has in the Bituminous Coal Act of 1937 a tested
bulwark to protect it now and in the approaching period of reconstruction
against such a buffeting as it suffered as a result of the last
war.
Adjustment of Minimum Prices
The period covered by this report saw the conclusion of the first
phase of a proceeding, designated as General Docket 21,3 instituted
by the Division to determine whether or not production costs had
changed sufficiently to make appropriate a general revision of minimum
price schedules. Adjustment of effective minimum prices is
required by the statute whenever it is determined that the weighted
average costs of the producing industry have changed in excess of 2
cents per ton in any minimum price area.
The first phase of the proceeding dealt solely with determination of
cost changes in various price areas throughout the Nation. The
Acting Director issued determinations that costs had increased in
virtually all minimum price areas and that the weighted average
increase for the Nation was 10.63 cents a ton. The findings were
reviewed and affirmed by Secretary of the Interior Ickes, whereupon
2 Since the conclusion of the fiscal year, Trial Examiner Floyd McGown, who heard the proceeding, made
his report and recommendations to Acting Director Dan H. Wheeler of the Bituminous Coal Division.
Acting Director Wheeler received briefs, heard oral arguments, and on Aug. 28,1942, issued an order, effective
Oct. 1, 1942, establishing minimum prices which represented increases in minimums of 5 to 30 cents for
various designated areas.
112 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
the second phase of the proceeding was initiated. The second phase
looked toward revision of minimum price schedules as required by
the statute in view of the change in costs, and was still in process at
the close of the fiscal year.
Aside from changes in the costs used in formulating minimum
prices, there are constant changes in other factors affecting the
marketing of coal that require constant adjustments to minimum
price schedules and marketing rules and regulations. To make
possible the maintenance of the regulatory structure on a sound basis,
the Congress expressly provided for ready adjustment in section 4 II
(d) of the Bituminous Coal Act. It authorizes the filing with the
Division of petitions seeking modification of the effective minimum
price schedules and the Marketing Rules and Regulations. Code
members, district boards, the Bituminous Coal Consumers’ Counsel,
and governmental subdivisions have availed themselves freely of this
privilege of petition.
Price Adjustment Petitions Lessen
In the 9 months elapsing between establishment of minimum price
schedules and Marketing Rules and Regulations on October 1, 1940,
and June 30, 1941, 944 petitions were filed under this section. They
sought either supplementation or revision of effective minimum price
schedules and Marketing Rules and Regulations. During the entire
fiscal year ended June 30, 1942, only 572 petitions were filed. The
majority of these were requests for the establishment of minimum
prices for new mines, additional minimum prices for new sizes produced
by old mines, additional minimum prices for rail shipments
from mines which had formerly shipped only by truck, and new or
additional loading points for mines already shipping by rail. Thus
it may be seen that the majority of petitions stemmed from developments
in business rather than objection to minimum prices already
established.
Of the 1,516 petitions filed from October 1, 1940, to June 30, 1942,
all but 10 had been acted upon in an appropriate manner by the latter
date and 909 had been disposed of finally by order or memorandum.
When numerous petitions were filed for adjustment of the complex
price structure immediately after establishment of minimum prices
and Marketing Rules and Regulations in October 1940, the Coal
Division deemed it necessary to give full opportunity to all parties
to present evidence concerning their complaints. Hearings were held
in virtually all 4 II (d) proceedings except when the parties interested
waived them. As a result of those hearings, the Coal Division has
devised appropriate methods for expediting adjustment of established
price structure to reflect the continual changes in the coal industry.
It is now possible to curtail greatly the number of hearings.
Bituminous Coal Division ■ 113
Requests for the establishment of new prices for new mines, for
revisions in established prices, for establishment of new prices for
newly prepared sizes at old mines, for establishment of new loadingpoints,
have been ruled on when possible without formality of oral
hearings. On the basis of affidavits from petitioners and others
interested in such cases, the Coal Division has endeavored to dispose
of requests for adjustment by orders granting temporary relief.
These orders provide conditionally for final relief to become effective
60 days from the date of the order. Wide opportunity is given anyone
interested to object and be heard. Thus in 568 out of the 1,516 proceedings
conducted under section 4 II (d) such temporary and conditionally
final orders were issued.
River Transportation Problem
Several proceedings have arisen which involve controversial problems
arising out of the river transportation of coal in relation to coal
transported by railroad or other means. Among them is one affecting
the Cincinnati, Ohio, market area, which still was pending at the
end of the fiscal year. The Cincinnati area consumes annually
approximately one and a half million tons of coal shipped via the
Ohio River and one and a half million tons of coal shipped by rail,
largely from the high volatile producing field in District No. 8. In
view of the many complaints particularly from retailer dealers and
retail dealer associations in Cincinnati, the Coal Division, in January
1942, initiated a proceeding, known as Docket No. A-1239, in order to
determine the exact nature of the problems affecting the Cincinnati
area insofar as the shipment of bituminous coal and resale of such coal
in that area were concerned, and looking toward a solution. The
hearing in that proceeding lasted for approximately 8 weeks, when,
because of the difficulty in procuring cost figures from producers
shipping by river and from retail dealers allegedly adversely affected by
the minimum prices established by the Division, the hearing was
temporarily adjourned. The failure of several persons to produce
materials required under a subpoena issued by the Acting Director
made necessary the institution of a court proceeding, which is still
pending. As a result of initiation of the court action, however,
negotiations have been conducted with the persons affected with a
view toward procuring the necessary cost material without recourse
to a court order.
Compliance Under Coal Act
To an extent as great as possible with the limitations of the staff
available, the Division has checked carefully the market activities of
114 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
companies subject to the Bituminous Coal Act to prevent violations
of minimum prices, the Marketing Rules and Regulations and other
orders. A review of the numerous checks leads to the conclusion that
the pledges of compliance have been kept faithfully by the preponderance
of the industry and that the disastrous marketing conditions and
practices which the Congress desired to prevent have been eliminated.
However, the magnitude of the task of checking compliance can
be appreciated only on the basis of full knowledge of the variable
channels and methods used in marketing bituminous coal, the unstandardized
nature of the product, and of the multiplicity of unfair
trade practices formerly prevalent in the industry. The scope of the
undertaking may be indicated, however, by noting that bituminous
coal is sold by more than 17,000 companies or individuals, who as
producers, sales agents, or distributors have agreed to observe the
regulations.
It is reasonable to assume that under less favorable market conditions
than those prevalent during this fiscal year there may have
existed a greater incentive to sell coal at less than the minimum prices
and engage in unfair methods of competition.
The general conclusion, that for the most part, compliance pledges
were kept faithfully is not meant to indicate a condition approaching
total absence of violations. Despite the upward trend of prices
generally, great quantities of bituminous coal have competed on
the market at prices approximating the minimum. As might be
expected, this has been particularly true of low grade coals. Such
competition also results from the inability of the mine operator to
produce particular sizes of coal in a volume proportionate to the
market demand for those sizes without also producing residual sizes
for which at times there is no corresponding demand. The compliance
staff, with the cooperation of the District Boards, has uncovered many
instances of violation as a result of these conditions and the sanctions
provided in the act and the regulations have been imposed on the
violators.
Penalties provided for producers include the revocation of membership
in the code with a condition of restoration being the payment of
a tax of 39 percent of the sale or minimum price to the United States
Treasurer, or else orders directing the producer to cease and desist
from further violations. Applications may be made by the Division
to the Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States to enforce such
orders. The penalty provided for distributors, acting as such or
when purporting to act as sales agencies, is suspension or revocation
of their registration thereby depriving them of the privilege of receiving
a discount from the minimum price when purchasing coal
from the producer.
Bituminous Coal Division • 115
Procedure in Violation Cases
When checks of records of companies disclose what seems to be
wilful violations, steps are taken to set such matters for hearing. If
evidence and testimony at the hearings lead to the conclusion that
wilful violations have been committed, appropriate orders are issued
imposing the sanctions.
During the fiscal year 829 such investigations have been completed,
283 hearings have been held and 232 orders imposing the penalties
under the act and rules and regulations have been issued. Of these
orders 103 directed producers to cease and desist from further violations;
95 revoked the code membership of producers, the restoration
of which was conditional upon the payment of taxes ranging from
moderate sums up to $12,000.14 and totaling $89,072.41; 29 suspended
the registration of distributors from 30 days to 9 months and
4 revoked the registration of distributors.
Of the 232 compliance orders, 35 were entered without formal hearing
pursuant to the Division’s procedure under which compliance
proceedings may be disposed of without formal hearing on the basis
of an application filed by the alleged violator. At the close of the
fiscal year 497 investigations were in process and 122 hearings had
been held as a result of which final orders had been entered.
A great many investigations disclosed violations which did not
seem to be wilful or circumstances which made it inadvisable to
institute formal compliance proceedings. In such cases the Division
usually disposed of the matters informally. Often it required sales
agents and distributors to render corrected invoices for the full
minimum price or required sales agents and distributors to refund
unlawful allowances received by them from producers.
Litigation
Only two important court decisions were rendered during the year
directly affecting the Coal Division. One of these, a decision by the
United States Supreme Court, is regarded as a milestone in the field of
judicial review of administrative adjudications.
Seaboard Air Line Case
On December 15, 1941, the Supreme Court, with three justices dissenting,
rendered its opinion in H. A. Gray et al. v. Legh R. Powell,
Jr., et al. No. 18, October Term, 1941, reversing the Circuit Court
of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and upholding the Division’s order
denying the Seabord Air Line’s petition for exemption from mini116
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
mum price regulation.4 The railroad had contended that under section
4 II (1) of the coal act exempting coal consumed by the producer
thereof, it was entitled to an exemption in the situation where it had
leased coal lands and entered into agreements with three independent
contractors to mine coal for petitioners. In upholding the Division’s
order the Supreme Court stated the determination of who is the “producer”
is a matter for the expert and informed •judgment of the body
entrusted with the administration of the act.
\
The Midland Cooperative Case
The Director’s interpretation of the unfair trade practice provision
of the act was upheld in all respects by the Circuit Court of Appeals
for the Eighth Circuit in Midland Cooperative Wholesale v. Harold L.
Ickes and H. A. Gray, No. 12,085, November Term, 1941.
The case was instituted by a petition filed by Midland Cooperative
Wholesale to review an order of the Director which held that the Midland
Co. could qualify to receive discounts from the minimum prices
only with respect to that coal which it purchased for resale to bona
fide and legitimate farmers’ cooperatives. Petitioner, however, contended
that (1) the permission granted to “farmers’ cooperatives” in
the last paragraph of section 4 II (i) of the act was intended by the
Congress to be extended to all types of cooperative organizations and
(2) that the distribution by it of patronage dividends did not disenable
it from qualifying as a distributor.
In an opinion in which the Division’s brief is quoted at length, the
court ruled that the Director was correct in ruling that Congress had
not intended to extend to consumer cooperatives the same privileges
it had extended to farmers’ cooperatives. It also ruled that the Director
had correctly found that petitioner could not qualify as a distributor
since in its capacity as a “purchasing agent” for those of its
member associations which were not farmers’ cooperatives, it was an
“instrumentality of retailers” within the meaning of paragraph 12 of
section 4 II (i) of the act and was therefore prohibited from receiving
discounts from the established minimum prices.
Petitioner’s request for certiorari was denied by the Supreme Court
on April 27, 1942.
Miscellaneous
On November 28, 1941, Wheeling Valley Coal Corporation, et al.,
code members in District No. 6, filed a petition with the Circuit Court
of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to review an order of the Director
« The decision was rendered as a result of a reargument of the case before the court, the court having previously
(Mar. 31, 1941) by an evenly-divided vote upheld the decision of the Circuit Court of Appeals for
the Fourth Circuit.
Bituminous Coal Division ■ 117
which denied the request to establish special “ex-river” prices on shipments
of coal to certain northern Ohio market areas. Subsequently
petitioners filed a motion for leave to apply to the Division to reopen
the matter before it. The court granted such leave and petitioners
on July 24, 1942, after filing a petition to reopen the cause with the
Division pursuant to leave of the Division, filed a motion to dismiss
its petition with the court.
On January 26, 1942, the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Seventh
Circuit granted the Division permission to intervene in the case of
Bell & Zoller Coal Co. v. Wilson & Co., Inc., a proceeding instituted
by the Bell & Zoller Coal Co., a code member, to recover the difference
between the minimum price and the contract price for certain
coal shipped after October 1, 1940, pursuant to a contract entered
into prior thereto which provided for a sale price below that established
as the minimum price. In resisting payment, the defendant
contended that the price provisions of the act could not lawfully be
made applicable to coal moving wholly within the State of Illinois
and attacked the validity of an order entered earlier by the National
Bituminous Coal Commission ruling that all commerce in bituminous
coal within Illinois directly affects interstate commerce.5
On March 4, 1942, a suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Appeals
for the Sixth Circuit by Edwin R. Eberhart, a code member, to review
an order entered by the Acting Director revoking and canceling Eberhart’s
code membership and for a stay of the effective date of that
order. The court first granted the stay and thereafter, upon motion
of the Division, modified the stay order by adding a condition that
pending final disposition of the petition for review, Eberhart was not
to sell coal in violation of the price requirements of the act. On
May 6, 1942, the court, acting on stipulation of counsel, dismissed the
proceeding and vacated the stay order.6
On May 19, 1942, the city of Indianapolis filed with the Circuit
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit a petition to review an order
of the Acting Director denying the city an exemption from the act
with respect to the mining operations of its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Milburn By-Products Co. Petitioner’s request for a stay of the Acting
Director’s order was denied by the court but the case has not yet
been considered on the merits.
On May 23, 1942, the Ozark Coal Co. filed a petition with the Circuit
Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit seeking a review and reversal
of an order establishing prices for the coals produced by the
company at its Arkansas mine. The cause has not yet been scheduled
for argument.
5 On Aug. 10,1942, on stipulation of counsel an order was entered in favor of the plaintiff for the full amount
of the difference between the established minimum price and the contract price.
6 Eberhart’s code membership was reinstated upon payment of a tax in the amount of $4,648.41 as provided
in section 5 (c) of the act.
485482—42-------10
Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator
for War
HOWARD A. GRAY, Deputy Coordinator
TJLHE adequacy of the coal supply is a matter of much concern to
the Nation in time of war. Coal is the basic source of heat and power
for industrial and household uses, and, certain kinds are necessary for
the manufacture of steel, rubber substitutes, explosives, and other
military and civilian goods.
The war has exposed the coal supply to many difficulties and disruptions.
The production of war goods, military activities, and their
repercussions are substantially reducing the availability of manpower
and necessary materials used in coal mining. Coal production requires
much highly trained labor, men of military age and physical
fitness, and huge quantities of such critical materials as steel, copper,
rubber, and heavy machinery.
One of the most important elements bearing upon the coal supply
that is being affected by the war is transportation. The movement
of coal is the biggest job entailed in transporting any single commodity.
The railroads normally carry approximately 85 percent of
the supply some part or all of the way from the mines, over distances
often long and through regions of congested rail traffic. Heavy tonnages
are moved also by ocean shipping, inland waterways, and motor
trucks, each offering its own peculiar wartime problems.
The war has increased the burden upon the transportation system
enormously, but limitations of manpower, time, and materials have
prevented a corresponding increase in transportation facilities.
In a letter dated November 5, 1941, requesting the Secretary of the
Interior to serve as Solid Fuels Coordinator, President Roosevelt
wrote as follows:
As the defense effort progresses it becomes increasingly urgent to assume that
the supply of solid fuels will be adequate and that they will be readily available
at consuming points when required for military, industrial, and civilian purposes.
Difficult problems are already arising with respect to their supply and availability
for such uses. These problems require the efficient and carefully coordi-
118
Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator for War • 119
nated development, production, distribution, utilization, transportation, and
handling of solid fuels.
A short time after the Secretary of the Interior took over these
new responsibilities, the Office of Solid Fuels Coordination was established.
On May 25, 1942, the name was changed, by direction of
the President, to the Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator for War.
Rather than build a large, new organization, whose work would
duplicate part of that normally carried on by the Bituminous Coal
Division and the Bureau of Mines, the staffs of these agencies and
much valuable information in their possession were made available
to the new office. The staff of the Solid Fuels Office was held to a
minimum. This saved much money, and enabled the Coordinator to
begin functioning effectively almost at once.
Immediate steps were taken to organize the several industries dealing
with the coal supply on a war basis, and to establish channels of
communication between them and the Government to facilitate expeditious
and effective action. The industries cooperated heartily in
this undertaking. In response to the Coordinator’s invitation, representatives
of the bituminous and anthracite mining industries, coal
transporters, distributors, dealers, and mine labor met with him on
December 18, 1941, at Washington, D. C., where the ground work for
organizing the industries was laid. As a result, there was established
an Industry Committee on Solid Fuels, whose 18 members represent
the various industries concerned, and mine labor and the public.
This group, which later was named the Solid Fuels Advisory War
Council, meets regularly each month (or upon call), and discusses in
detail the various problems affecting or threatening the supply of
coal, coke, and other solid fuels.
Estimates, made early in 1942 with the aid of the Bituminous Coal
Division and the Bureau of Mines, indicated that the Nation would
require between 550,000,000 tons and 570,000,000 tons of bituminous
coal, approximately 60,000,000 tons of anthracite, and about 70,000,000
tons of coke during the calendar year of 1942. This would be the
largest bituminous production since 1926, the largest anthracite in
over a decade, and the greatest output of'coke in history. Later experience
indicates that these early estimates are in line with actual
requirements.
In view of disruptions and difficulties caused by the war, and the
large increase in fuel needs, it will require careful planning and organization
of production, transportation, and distribution to assure that
the supply of coal and coke will be adequate where and when needed
in 1942. After establishment of the Solid Fuels Office, no time was
lost in beginning this task.
By the close of the fiscal year, it appeared that unless unforeseen
difficulties occur, the steps taken to protect the solid fuel supply will
120 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
make it possible to provide sufficient coal of some kind, quality, or
size to keep homes warm and factories running throughout the winter
of 1942-43. However, in order to enable mines and carriers to supply
the coal it will be necessary for dealers and consumers to order their
fuel early enough to enable the mines and carriers to have full use of
their limited manpower and equipment during the summer. This is
necessary to reduce the fall peak in coal shipments to a size that will
not overburden facilities, and to provide sufficient storage of coal in
consumers’ bins to protect them against any local emergencies or
delays in shipments that otherwise might catch them without adequate
fuel.
To bring about public cooperation in this task, the Solid Fuels
Office, in cooperation with other Government agencies and industry,
launched a “Buy Coal Now” campaign in the Spring of 1942. At the
close of the fiscal year, consumers were cooperating heartily.
Both bituminous and anthracite coals were being produced and
transported at a rate much higher than normal seasonal requirements,
and, generally speaking, production and transportation were functioning
relatively smoothly in light of war difficulties. The bituminous
output was averaging well above 11,000,000 tons per week and
anthracite was flowing in excess of 1,000,000 tons per week. Although
the bituminous mines could supply much more, the anthracite mines
were working at near capacity, due to the handicap of the results of a
flood during the Spring. Ample transportation was available.
A great deal of this fuel was going into dealers’ and consumers’
storage. The amount of bituminous held in storage totaled 73,268,000
tons as of June 30, 1942, and was expected to exceed all past records in
history before the end of the year. No records were available as to
the amount of anthracite in storage, but factors indicated that it was
high.
The production of bituminous coal during the first half of 1942 was
estimated at 284,808,000 tons, or more than half of the year’s anticipated
requirements. Anthracite production for that period was
estimated at 29,507,000 tons, or close to half of the year’s expected
requirements.
In addition to the summer coal storage drive, the Coordinator’s
office was engaged in numerous other activities designed to assure an
adequate supply of coal, coke, and, other solid fuels. Among them
were:
1. A survey of the Nation’s coal requirements, and of actual and
potential mine production capacity. Although helpful preliminary
information is now available from both studies, the latter one is not
completed.
2. Studies of the adequacy of coal stocks held by consumers. Most
of these investigations were carried out with the aid of the Bituminous
Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator for War • 121
Coal Division and the War Department, and a survey of stocks held
by war industries and the railroads was made in conjunction with the
War Production Board. Wherever large war industry consumers or
railroads were found to have insufficient coal on hand, they were
advised to build up stocks. Essential consumers and war industries
were advised to store sufficient coal to last from 90 to 120 days. Other
industries were advised to store an average of 60 to 90 days’ supply.
3. The planning and recommendation of emergency coal movements
in various areas to supplement disrupted or deficient transportation
via normal routes, or the inability of normal sources to supply wartime
needs in various areas. It was necessary to arrange for emergency
routing of coal, particularly to New England, to make up for the loss
of colliers. Also, it was necessary to transfer heavy tonnages to allrail
routes to certain areas along the lower Great Lakes as a result of
the diversion of lake colliers from coal to other war service. In other
instances, the necessity for arranging supplemental movements into
certain Midwestern areas and into the States of Washington and
Oregon to make up for a deficiency in production capacity in the mines
normally serving those areas is under study.
4. Survey of the availability of mine labor and consultation with the
Selective Service System and the War Manpower Commission in effort
to protect the mine labor supply. Preliminary studies indicate that
the mines have suffered a net loss of upward of 40,000 workmen in
the first half of 1942,. because of the effects of the war.
5. Investigation of the need for priorities to enable producers to
obtain necessary critical materials used in mining.
6. Studies of coke requirements, and the recommendation of
necessary steps to assure sufficient coke to meet steel manufacturing
needs. It appears that all coke requirements can be met, barring
unforeseen difficulties, although a situation wherein the supply of
low-volatile coking coals is tightening is being carefully watched.
7. Formulation of a proposed emergency distribution system for
recommendation to the appropriate Governmental authority for
establishment if and when necessary. The work of formulation is
well under way.
War Resources Council
STEPHEN RAUSHENBUSH, Acting Director
N December 7, 1941, the Secretary of the Interior put all
employees and all bureaus of the, Department on a war emergency basis.
He established a War Resources Council, with Michael W. Straus as
Director, to expedite this policy, and approved a war program to serve
in mobilizing strategic natural resources of the Nation on the scale
made necessary by global warfare. It has as its aim the supplying of
essential raw materials, ores, minerals, metals, fuels, and power to
the industrial processors and fabricators in order to attain the national
war production goals set by the President. The Department and all
of its agencies are devoting the full knowledge and experience gained
through years of development, conservation, and study of these natural
resources to the winning of the war. The council has been called
upon to help in developing many parts of the program, and in coordinating
the work of several bureaus.
Metals for War
Machines have made this war unique and have raised metals to
first rank among essential war materials. Years of exploration and
experiment have prepared the Bureau of Mines and the Geological
Survey to move the country forward toward production on a victory
scale by turning known but unused, low-grade materials into metals.
The Department has begun to secure the immediate use of new processes
tested in its own laboratories which can supply enough manganese
to make 87 million tons of steel annually from low-grade domestic
manganese ores. Its program is: To give all aid possible toward the
establishment of plants using the Department’s improved acid process
for producing aluminum; to make available its magnesium processes
utilizing domestic ores; to complete and secure the prompt use of a
process for producing half a million tons of chromium concentrates
annually from low-grade chromium ores; to develop a sponge iron
program to meet the Nation’s deficiency in scrap metal; to carry
122
War Resources Council • 123
explorations for copper, lead, zinc, iron, chromite, aluminous clays,
vanadium, tungsten, and mercury to the point of action; to furnish
the War Production Board as needed with a ranking of the best possible
new developments of all critical ores; to formulate for it a domestic
ore-buying program, and to stand ready to supervise it if requested.
Oil for War
Without petroleum products, the war machine of the United States
and the United Nations could not function. Preparations to meet
the challenge were made through the Office of the Petroleum Coordinator
for War. This organization, although not a part of the Department
of the Interior, was placed under the leadership of Secretary of
the Interior Harold L. Ickes as Petroleum Coordinator. Its functions
are among the most important of war activities, as the organization
was charged with assuring an adequate supply of petroleum for both
military and civilian use. While not an agency of the Department,
the importance of its functions merit recognition in any discussion of
the war responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior.
The Office of the Petroleum Coordinator for War organized, through
the industry, petroleum production based upon sound engineering
techniques, stimulated exploration for new reserves. Its program is:
To multiply the industry’s capacity to manufacture high-octane gasoline;
to establish new and more effective transportation methods
required in moving blending stocks for aviation gasoline; to reshape
the complex transportation system of the oil industry by substituting
tank cars, trucks, barges, and pipe lines for tankers diverted to war
service; to aid in marketing, and in the manufacture of rubber ingredients,
and of toluene; to aid in a drilling campaign, and to aid in the
production, handling, and transportation of petroleum products.
Power for War
The war budget of 56 billion dollars will require 154 billion kilowatthours
of electric energy annually for the manufacture of airplanes,
tanks, guns, warships, and fighting material. The Department is the
major producer of power in areas where the principal undeveloped
resources are located. Units recently completed at Boulder, Bonneville,
and Grand Coulee Dams now make the Department ready to
produce at the rate of more than 7 billion kilowatt-hours annually.
The Department has begun to triple the 1941 output of producing
agencies in the Department by the program now under way, and to
add by 1945, about 1,480,000 kilowatts, with an output of 9 to 10
billion kilowatt-hours, to the power capacity now scheduled, by
constructing new hydroelectric and steam plants.
124 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Fuel for War
Coal provides half the Nation’s energy, and coke fires the blast
furnaces in the steel mills, and supplies many basic chemicals.
The Office of the Coordinator for Solid Fuels estimated that more
than 600,000,000 tons of anthracite, bituminous, and lignitic coals
were required in 1942, and 70,000,000 tons of coke. The facilities of
the Department have been mobilized to see to it that an adequate
supply of coals and coke is available where and when it is needed, to
organize the production of coal so that sufficient quantities of necessary
types and grades are available for war industries.
Its program is: To promote orderly production and distribution; to
urge the maintenance of large reserves in consumers’ storage; to
encourage the conservation of high-grade coals for metallurgical uses;
to aid users of special kinds or grades of coal; to determine minimum
and maximum prices as required in the public interest; to administer
the market regulato y features of the Coal Act in order to keep the
bituminous coal mining industiy in a sound operating condition, and
to conduct a rigid mine safety inspection program for elimination of
hazards.
Helium for War
Helium is a light, noninflammable war gas of which the United
States Government has a world monopoly. To supply the increased
demand for helium that has arisen from the war, the Department has
begun to double in 1942 the record production of the 1941 fiscal year.
It is making a comprehensive survey of gas fields suitable for helium
production in order to select sites for additional helium plants. It is
continuing research to reduce costs of production of helium.
Food for War
Adequate food is essential to success at arms. In many ways the
Department contributes to the food supplies of the United Nations.
It will increase these contributions. For example, the 1,921 million
pounds of fishery products utilized in 1939 can be increased in a few
years, without injury to the resources, to 3,582 million pounds through
proper management and development.
The Department has begun to increase as required within the next
few years by 1% billion pounds, our fishing products. Its program is:
To store and deliver water for the irrigation of 10,000,000 acres of
land in the arid west for the production of food crops, long-staple
cotton and other fibers, and rubber-bearing plants; to assure more
adequate forage on Federal ranges for the 12,000,000 head of livestock
grazing there, in order to increase up to 10 percent the products now
War Resources Council • 125
produced; to increase the production of cane and beets; to explore
new sources of aquatic products for use as foods, vitamin oils, and
animal feeds; to augment predatory animal and rodent control work,
including plague-bearing rodent control efforts, and to conduct a
food-drying program to relieve demands on tin and containers.
Land, Water, Timber for War
The increased production of those war necessities which are products
of the forest, of the land, and of the water is receiving careful attention
from the Department which supervises and manages the Federal land
estate of 283 million acres. The Department has begun to increase
to a billion board feet in 1942 and to a billion and a quarter in 1943,
if required, timber production from the Oregon and California revested
lands and from Indian reservations. Its program is: To establish
fire lookout and air-raid warning towers; to provide trained crews
to combat forest fires; to assure water supplies for municipalities and
military concentration; to aid road building in Alaska; to map areas
of military significance; to provide hospital and other emergency
facilities, together with medical staffs, along the West Coast and in
Alaska; to increase the fur and wool supplies for clothing for the armed
forces; to withdraw public lands and to clear them of mineral and
other claims so as to permit the establishment of military ranges,
cantonments, and aviation fields, and to provide special facilities for
rehabilitation and recreation of members of the armed forces.
The council is now composed of Stephen Raushenbush (Acting
Director); Under Secretary Abe Fortas; John C. Page, Commissioner
of the Bureau of Reclamation; R. R. Sayers, Director of the Bureau of
Mines; Joel David Wolfsohn, Assistant Commissioner of the General
Land Office; and Walton Onslow, Acting Director of Information.
R. H. Rutledge is Acting Director of the Western War Resources
Council, with headquarters in Salt Lake City.
Petroleum Conservation Division
J. W. STEELE, Acting Director
N April 1, 1942, the Petroleum Conservation Division began its
seventh year of administration and enforcement of the Connally Act.
The act, approved February 22, 1935, for a period of 2 years, extended
by Congress in 1937, again in 1939, and in June 1942 made permanent,
prohibits the transportation in interstate commerce of petroleum or
its products produced in excess of amounts permitted by State laws.
During the fiscal year 1942, in addition to its regular functions, the
Division has cooperated with other Government departments, particularly
with the Office of Petroleum Coordinator, in furthering the
defense effort. Monthly reports of operations received by Federal
Tender Board No. 1 have proved invaluable sources of information
in respect to petroleum resources.
Federal Tender Board No. 1, Kilgore, Tex., established March 1,
1935, to issue certificates of clearance on petroleum and its products
moving in interstate commerce from the East Texas field, and to conduct
investigations of violations of the act within and without that
area, was, by an order of the Secretary of the Interior, approved by
the President May 26, 1941, given supervisory authority over an
additional area of 102 Texas counties, two counties of New Mexico,
and the entire State of Louisiana. In this area, which comprises the
major oil producing sections of the south and southwest, monthly
reports of operations of producers, refiners, and transporters of petroleum
are required to be filed with the Board, and subordinate
offices of the Board are located at strategic points therein to investigate
alleged violations of the act and to enforce the rules and regulations
contained in the order of May 26, 1941.
Operations of Federal Tender Board No. 1
The order of May 26, 1941, became effective in the extended area
August 1, 1941. Prior to that date, Federal Tender Board No. 1
had maintained active supervision in an area comprising two oil
126
Petroleum Conservation Division • 127
fields containing 25,700 producing wells, with an average daily production
of 330,000 barrels; 5 refineries, with an average daily production
of 10,500 barrels; 16 casinghead gasoline plants, with an
average daily production of 20,000 barrels of petroleum products.
Since the Board assumed administrative jurisdiction over the extended
area, active enforcement has been in effect in an area comprising
703 fields containing 71,500 wells with an average daily production
of 1,650,000 barrels of oil; 70 refineries, with an average daily
production of 1,480,000 barrels of oil, and 120 gasoline extraction
plants with an average daily output of 96,600 barrels of petroleum
products. All of the above operations are reported to Federal
Tender Board No. 1 on sworn monthly reports, but certificates of
clearance were required only in the designated five-county area of
East Texas.
Subordinate offices of Federal Tender Board No. 1 were maintained
during the fiscal year at Houston, Corpus Christi, and Midland, Tex.,
and New Orleans, La., within the above area, and at Wichita, Kans.,
outside the area.
Effective at the close of the fiscal year 1942, the requirement of
certificates of clearance in the East Texas area was rescinded by order
of the Secretary of the Interior, and that area will, after July 1, 1942,
be included within the enforcement area designated by the order of
May 26, 1941.
Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions
During the fiscal year 1942, the volume of routine investigations by
the Board of producing, refining, and transporting facilities increased
as a result of extension of the supervised area. In addition to these
matters, eight cases of Connally Act violations under investigation
on June 30, 1941, were completed, and several major investigations
were initiated. Cases and investigations carried over from the fiscal
year 1941 and those instituted during the fiscal year 1942 were disposed
of as follows:
Of six cases pending in United States district courts on June 30,
1941, three were terminated by successful prosecution, one was dismissed
upon recommendation of the United States attorney, and two
were pending June 30, 1942.
Of two cases pending with the Department of Justice on June 30,
1941, one was closed by the United States attorney and one remains
unchanged.
Of eight cases under investigation on June 30, 1941, three were
closed by the Board for lack of sufficient evidence, five were completed
and submitted to the Department of Justice, of which one was
128 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
successfully prosecuted and four were pending further action on June
30, 1942.
Of 19 investigations begun during the year, 6 were incomplete on
June 30, 1942, 5 were closed by the Board for lack of sufficient evidence
and 8 were submitted to the Department of Justice for prosecution.
Of the latter 8 cases, 1 was successfully prosecuted, 2 were
presented to grand juries and indictments returned, and 5 were
pending action of the Department of Justice on June 30, 1942.
The five cases successfully prosecuted during the year resulted in
assessment of fines totaling $121,800, and imposition of several suspended
sentences ranging from 6 months to 2 years.
General Land Office
FRED W. JOHNSON, Commissioner
T_LHE need for new supplies of strategic minerals, power, and grazing
facilities, and the military and naval requirements for large areas of
public lands placed increased responsibilities upon the General Land
Office during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1942. The regular activities
of the General Land Office are now geared to meet war needs,
and they are effectively coordinated with the activities of other
agencies for the purpose of facilitating the prosecution of the war
program.
The withdrawal of public lands has been expedited by Executive
Order No. 9146, authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to sign
public land orders effecting the withdrawals. These withdrawals
include lands for aerial bombing ranges, antiaircraft fields, combat
training areas, artillery practice grounds, air navigation sites, flying
schools, ammunition storage, and ordnance depots. Designated
employees are devoting themselves exclusively to this work and a
priority of routing has been established on all matters relating to the
war. More than 7,000,000 acres were withdrawn during the year,
making an aggregate of more than 13,000,000 acres withdrawn for
military purposes.
In addition to the millions of acres of public lands made available
by the General Land Office, the Government is acquiring for military
and allied purposes extensive acreages of other land, which raises a
serious post-war land use question. The General Land Office is
studying this problem along with the other studies being made
relative to uses of public lands which are to be returned to its administration
at the close of the war under the reversion clauses in the withdrawal
orders.
The war has prevented the importation of many minerals from their
usual soutces and these products must now be obtained as far as
possible from domestic deposits. The General Land Office has
cooperated with the Defense Plant Corporation, the Metals Reserve
Co., the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, and other agencies in
developing strategic and critical minerals.
129
130 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
In order to help make our Nation more self-sufficient, the General
Land Office is conducting studies to determine new uses that may be
made of resources on the public domain. New values are being found
in the minerals, natural vegetation, sites for health and recreation,
and other resources which heretofore were considered of little importance
or not known to exist. Commercial quantities of strategic
minerals may be developed from hitherto unused deposits, and such
materials as fiber, rubber, turpentine, and resin may be produced
from desert shrubs. A number of health and recreational sites have
already been developed in desert areas. Barren desert areas so
sparsely vegetated as to have little or no value for grazing or agriculture
have been found to have terrain and climate especially adapted
to the training of our armed forces. Other areas heretofore remote,
inaccessible, and thinly populated have, because of these limitations,
become very valuable for such purposes as heavy artillery or bombing
practice areas.
Recent legislation has authorized the Secretary of the Interior to
lease or sell lands in the public domain “for use in connection with the
manufacture of arms, ammunition, and implements of war, or the
production of equipment, supplies, and materials, or machinery usable
in such manufacture.” Under the Secretary’s regulations, the Commissioner
of the General Land Office will negotiate transactions providing
land to be used for its yield of timber, sand, gravel, and stone;
and as factory sites, housing development sites for war workers, and
as expansion area for plants bordering the public domain.
Notwithstanding the increased burdens incident to the war which
were handled without increased appropriation, the General Land
Office maintained its position as one of the few agencies of the Federal
Government whose operations resulted in revenues exceeding expenditures.
Total cash receipts from all sources during the year amounted
to $9,014,172.87, which represents an increase of $1,281,830.94 over
the preceding year. The receipts were almost four and one-half
times the amount of the expenditures ($2,047,504.64), and this was
the sixth consecutive year in which the receipts were in excess of
$7,000,000.
With the development of war plans, the Oregon and California
Revested Lands Administration of the General Land Office immediately
gave particular attention to special war needs, in addition to
providing for the needs of the industry in manufacturing the usual
types of lumber.
The volume of timber cut during the year was 456,131,000 board
feet which represents an increase of 19 percent over the cutting of the
preceding year.
During the fiscal year, the General Land Office increased its efforts
to provide grazing land in areas in the Western States outside of
General Land Office • 131
grazing districts, and it now has outstanding 8,821 leases, covering
9,871,843.19 acres.
Because of the special hazards due to the war, the General Land
Office greatly increased its fire prevention and suppression activities
in the “O and C” forests in Oregon, the forest area in Alaska, and on
the public domain generally.
During the past fiscal year, many township plats and State maps
were furnished to the War Department. For many parts of the
United States, the best map data available for military purposes are
the General Land Office township plats showing the boundaries of
lands and the general topographic descriptions compiled in connection
with the public land surveys.
The efficiency of the General Land Office was enhanced through the
creation of a Branch of Field Examination by Secretary’s order of
January 17, 1942. It is the function of this branch to make such
inspections, surveys, or other field examinations as are essential to
the operation of the General Land Office and of such other agencies
of the Department as may best be served by it. The staffs for this
unit, including regional field staffs at San Francisco, Calif.; Billings,
Mont., Salt Lake City, Utah; and Albuquerque, N. Mex., were supplied
by the Division of Investigations of the Department which
heretofore had handled such field examination work.
The total number of permanent employees of the General Land
Office as of June 30, 1942, was 776. Of this number, 447 employees
had headquarters in 36 cities in 13 Western States and Alaska.
Recommendations
As a result of the experiences and problems of the General Land
Office, the following recommendations are made:
1. A leasing system applying, under certain conditions, to all
minerals not now subject to leasing is urged. With respect to metalliferous
minerals, there are no leasing or similar laws under which, the
Federal Government can share in any gains that might result from
its exploration or development work. As a result of the operation
of the present mineral laws, metallic mineral deposits, upon discovery,
may pass immediately into private ownership, and therefore,
there are no known reserves of the metallic minerals on the unappropriated,
unreserved public lands of the United States. New
interest in the possibilities of producing strategic and other minerals
from public domain lands has arisen because of the requirements of
the war. Some procedure should be made possible, therefore, under
which the Government could carry on additional exploratory work
for metalliferous minerals on public domain lands and retrieve any
gains from discovery for the benefit of the Government and the
132 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
public. Such a procedure would make it economically feasible to
carry on much exploratory work not otherwise possible. An important
part of such a procedure would be the requirement that certain
lands be segregated so that they would not be subject to mining
claims but rather to mineral leasing laws.
2. In order that the Government may have a better knowledge
and insight into the situation with regard to minerals, especially
strategic and critical minerals, placer claim holders should be required
to record their claims in the district land offices.
3. Provision should be made to prepare a comprehensive report
upon a plan for the post-war development of the Territory of Alaska.
The report should include not only the necessary basic information
upon resources, conditions, and markets, but also recommendations
for legislation, financing, and procedure. Such a report is necessary
as a basis for planning an integrated economic development for
increasing the permanent welfare of the present and future population
of the Territory.
4. In administering the 5-Acre Tract Act, a number of difficulties
have arisen because of the short-term lease system. It is believed
that the tracts could be made much more satisfactory to those who
wish to place substantial improvements on them, and that at the
same time the public interest would be better protected, if, for certain
classified lands, long-term leases could be granted. Study is being
made as"to the desirability of permitting sales in special areas.
5. In the interest of conserving our natural resources, additional
attention should be given to war and post-war fire protection and
control on public domain lands. In Alaska, particularly, much
additional effort should be given to protecting public domain forests,
grass lands, tundra, and coal deposits from destruction by fire. Not
only are there millions of dollars worth of direct damage done annually
to these resources, but inestimable damage is done in land erosion
and destruction of all forms of wildlife.
6. Federal public lands are now administered under some 5,000
public land laws. It is recommended that at the first opportunity
provision be made for the careful study and restatement of the public
land laws.
Military Reservations and Withdrawals
From July 1, 1941, to June 30, 1942, withdrawals from the public
domain in the United States and Alaska aggregating more than
7,000,000 acres were made to permit construction and operation of
facilities required by the Army, the Navy, and the Civil Aeronautics
Administration.
General Land Office • 133
The registers of the district land offices determined the status of
thousands of acres and contributed thieir special knowledge of the
districts in assisting in the selection of lands suitable for war purposes.
Upon request of the Navy Department, the field examiners
of the General Land Office assisted in the appraisal of privately
owned lands. The General Land Office investigated thousands of
unpatented mining claims in withdrawals for War Department use.
Strategic, Critical, and Other Minerals
The leasing and other activities of the General Land Office were
greatly increased insofar as they may help to accelerate the production
of minerals essential to the prosecution of the war. Every
effort has been made to provide mineral lands and to facilitate their
operation to the fullest extent.
In opening reserved mineral deposits to exploitation, the General
Land Office has made available large quantities of such minerals as
tungsten, manganese, and other minerals equally essential to the
war effort. The production of oil and gas from 690,919 acres of
leased public land is of vital importance. The potash reserves in
New Mexico and California, operating under leases, now provide
large supplies of potassium at less than one-sixth of the price paid
for potassium during the First World War. Rents and royalties
paid to the Government on mineral leases and permits amounted to
$7,393,046.37 for the fiscal year 1942, as compared with slightly over
$6,000,000 for the preceding year.
Food, Fiber, Leather, and Rubber
The production of beef, mutton, lamb, wool, mohair, and leather on
the western ranges constitutes a very important contribution toward
winning the war. During the period covered by this report, the
General Land Office intensified its efforts to provide necessary grazing
land and it now has outstanding 8,821 leases, covering 9,871,843.19
acres. Work is now under way on converting these leases from a
short-term to a 10-year basis. '
From July 1, 1941, to June 30, 1942, the General Land Office
expended $255,417.70 of Range Development Service and Soil and
Moisture Conservation funds in the rehabilitation of public domain
lands situated in the 10 Western States. The primary purpose of
the range development work is to increase the carrying capacity of
these lands from 500,000 animal units per year to 750,000 animal
units. This objective can be accomplished by the exercise of proper
range improvement and by an extended program of water development,
reseeding, destruction of noxious weeds, rodent control, and
485482—42------- 11
134 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
similar measures. Although it will take a considerable period of time
in which to bring about the desired result, effective headway was made
in this direction during the period under consideration.
In the interest of the livestock industry, stock driveway withdrawals
in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Washington,
and Wyoming, covering 10,928 acres, were made during the year.
Other adjustments were made for the purpose of improving the location
and increasing the usefulness of the driveways. These withdrawals
and adjustments are of particular significance to the prosecution of
the war as they have facilitated the movement of stock made difficult
by the curtailment of other means of transportation. Stock driveway
revocations, releasing for grazing purposes lands no longer needed for
driveways also have been prepared.
Investigations have been made of the possibility of using yucca
growing on the public domain as a substitute for fibers that can no
longer be obtained from the usual sources. Information has also been
gathered on the possibilities of helping to relieve the rubber shortage,
particularly through furnishing land for raising guayule, and making
rabbit brush available from the public domain.
Lumber and Timber
The volume of timber cut during the year from lands under the
jurisdiction of the Oregon and California Revested Lands Administration
of the General Land Office was 456,131,000 board feet, which
represents an increase of 19 percent over the cutting of the preceding
year. Sales of timber on these lands amounted to 482,271,000 board
feet. The quantity sold showed a decrease of 2 percent, as compared
with the preceding year, but on a value basis sales showed an increase
of 24 percent. The chief factor affecting the rate of timber cutting
at the present time is the limited ability of the industry to produce.
Owing to the great need for lumber for war construction and as substitutes
for steel, demand is far greater than present ability to produce.
The “O and C” Administration has employed additional personnel,
partly for the purpose of making and supervising timber sales which
call for the cutting of special grades of timber required in the war
program. The cutting of these special grades causes much unnecessary
waste, unless carried out on a selective basis and properly
supervised.
The “O and C” Administration participated in special surveys to
determine how much Sitka spruce, suitable for aircraft manufacture,
is available, and to determine the volume and location of the remaining
supply of Port Orford cedar on “O and C” and other lands.
As a contribution to the defense of the Northwest, the Civilian Conservation
Corps, under the supervision of the “O and C” AdministraGeneral
Land Office • 135
tion, built various war structures including revetment structures needed
by the armed forces for the protection of aircraft. In other ways, the
three Civilian Conservation Corps camps assigned to the General
Land Office for work in the “O and C” area were utilized more than
ever because of the importance of forest and forest products in time of
war. In this connection, 10.8 miles of new high standard truck trails
were constructed and 60 additional miles were maintained and
improved. The importance of this work was recently highlighted by
the designation by military authorities of one of the CCC constructed
trails as an important link in the.military transportation system of the
coastal area. Other activities included the construction of telephone
lines and horse trails, fire hazard reduction, forest nursery development,
reforestation, white pine blister rust control, preparation and
transportation of materials, and forest fire suppression, all of which
contribute to the conservation of a nation’s forest resources and to
the security of a country at war. The closing of these camps on
June 30, 1942, brought to an end the fine work they were doing in
the protection and development of the “O and C” forests.
Fire Protection
The General Land Office increased its fire prevention and suppression
activities, especially in the “O and C” forests in Oregon and the
forest areas in Alaska, because of the additional hazards incident to
the war.
In order to coordinate the forest fire-control activities of all agencies
within the State of Oregon, the Oregon Forest Defense Council was
created. Through the work of this Council, plans and policies were
adopted which will greatly increase the effectiveness of fire-suppression
agencies not only in meeting and handling the normal but also the
abnormal forest-fire condition. Pursuing the cooperative policy
which is guiding the forest-fire activities within Oregon, the “O and C”
Administration has established several emergency fire-control camps to
augment regular forces in such a way as to deal effectively with any
emergency which may arise as a result of the war. Arrangements
have been made with other protection agencies whereby the fullest
cooperation will be maintained at all times in order that all forest,
brush, or grass fires will be controlled as quickly and efficiently as
possible with a minimum disturbance of war work.
The Alaskan Fire Control Service, under the jurisdiction of the
General Land Office, is charged with the prevention and suppression of
fires on the public domain lands of Alaska. Of the approximately
323,000,000 acres of vacant and unreserved public domain, an estimated
250,000,000 acres of timber and grazing lands need fire protection
to assure continuance of Alaska’s rich natural resources of timber,
136 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
furs, and wildlife. An additional amount of $115,000 lias been made
available for prevention and suppression of forest fire to supplement
the regular appropriation of $27,000. A vigorous educational program
in fire prevention has been continued during the past year.
Because of war limitations on paper and radio releases, greater emphasis
has been placed on personal contact in group gatherings, such
as 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chambers of Commerce, and
Service Clubs. The objective has been to bring fire consciousness to
every class of people.
A Civilian Conservation Corps camp, under the supervision of the
General Land Office, continued its work of suppressing the outcrop
coal fires which were threatening with destruction an inestimable
amount of the Nation’s coal resources lying in the vicinity of Little
Thunder Basin, Wyo. These coal deposits represent a fuel reserve
of untold value. , Despite the closing of this camp in May, all of the
fire-suppression projects except one are in good enough condition to
withstand further combustion for some time. However, several of
the projects have not been completed and work should be resumed
as soon as possible.
Surveys and Maps
Surveys have been undertaken at the request of agencies engaged in
war work. The following surveys and resurveys, important to our
war activities, were authorized, in progress, or accepted between
July 1, 1941. and June 30, 1942: a resurvey in Colorado, requested
by the Bureau of Mines in connection with helium production; a
resurvey in Utah, requested by the Bureau of Mines in connection
with exploratory drilling for magnesium; resurveys in Nevada,
requested by the War Department; resurveys in California, requested
by the'War Department; survey in California of the Argus townsite
needed to provide housing of workmen employed in potash and other
war chemical plants; surveys in Alaska which were necessary in
connection with War and Navy activities; and a resurvey of 65,500
acres of O and C land in western Oregon.
Land Classification
The purpose of land classification is to facilitate the best use of the
land. Recent events have further emphasized that changing conditions
and new demands affect what constitutes best land use. The
impact of the war, for example, has created uses not existing or in
demand in 1934 when the Taylor Grazing Act went into effect.
Fortunately, large areas of the public domain have been found to be
eminently suited for necessary war purposes.
Changing economic conditions have likewise resulted in a great
variety of demands for use of the public lands. The construction of
new roads into previously isolated areas, the erection of war plants, the
General Land Office • 137
development of air fields, the extraction of minerals and the increased
demand for recreational facilities are but a few of the causes which
make it impossible to classify permanently lands for one use or another.
A number of area examinations and classifications, as distinct from
classifications of tracts embraced in specific applications, have been
undertaken during the past year. These areas, among others, are the
Fence Lake-Quemado area of western New Mexico and the Dove Creek
region of southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah. Classification
in these areas entails consideration of the social, economic, and agricultural
problems incidental to dry farming, further complicated by relative
isolation and a short growing season. The Casa Grande area of the
Santa Cruz valley in Arizona presented a ground-water problem,
which involved a determination of the relation of the ground-water
supply to permanence of agriculture in the region, to find out where
and to what extent additional public land could be reclaimed for
agricultural purposes.
The Public Lands
The original public domain, exclusive of Alaska, aggregated
1,442,267,520 acres. As of June 30, 1942, 1,322,241,257 acres had
been surveyed, leaving 120,026,263 acres unsurveyed. In Alaska,
embracing about 365,481,600 acres, the area surveyed as of June 30,
1942, was 2,277,469 acres, leaving 363,204,131 acres unsurveyed.
On June 30, 1942, the area of the vacant and unreserved public
lands, exclusive of Alaska (unreserved except for the general orders
of withdrawal issued in 1934 and 1935) aggregated 38,504,043 acres
outside of grazing districts. The area of vacant public lands within
grazing districts and subject to grazing use was 135,504,043 acres.
The area which was vacant and unreserved, in Alaska, is estimated
at 323,000,000 acres.
Leases and Permits
The extent of the leasing activities of the General Land Office is
shown by the following tables:
Mineral leases, permits, and licenses outstanding,1 as of June 30, 1942
Mineral
Leases Permits Licenses Total
Number
Acres Number
Acres Number
Acres Number
Acres
Coal_____________ ...
Oil and gas______
Phosphate__________
Potash_____________
Sodium_____________
Total_________
372
2 3, 325
7
20
4
71, 284
2, 562, 222
4,938
47,092
1,873
124
3 14
89,607
27, 477
99 3,193 595
3,3397
21
105
164,084
2, 589, 699
4.938
49, 631
158, 514
1
101
2, 539
156, 641
—
3,728 2,687, 409 240 276, 264 99 3,193 4. 067 2,966, 866
1 Act of Feb. 25, 1920 (41 Stat. 437), and other acts.
’ 1,453 producing leases (690,919 acres); the remainder are prospecting leases. 2 Alaska.
138 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Leases other than mineral leases outstanding, as of June 30, 1942
Type of lease Number Acres Annual
rental
Aviation ____ _ _ ________ _ ______.. ____ ____ ____ 40 25,915. 90 $475. 00
5-acre tracts______________________________________________________ 298 1, 490. 00 1,490.00
Fur farm (Alaska) _ ________ _________________________________ _ 20 96,080. 00 800. 00
Grazing (Alaska)________________________________________________ 9 1,168, 953.93 1, 269.35
Grazing (Taylor Act, sec. 15) __________ _ _____ __ _______ 8, 821 9, 871,843.19 196,452. 89
Recreational 18 19, 899.19 1, 463. 52
Water well______________________________________________________ 10 400. 00 360. 50
Others___________________________________________________________ 3 153.01 10. 00
Total__________________________________________ „_____ ____ 9,219 11,184,735. 22 202, 321. 26
Mineral land withdrawals and classifications outstanding, as of June 30, 1942
[In acresl
Class of mineral land Area withdrawn
Area classified
Total
Coal_____ ________________ _________________________________________
Oil ________________________________________________________________
Oil shale__________________________________________________ _________
Phosphate__________________________________ _______________________
Potash_____________________________________________________________
Metallic minerals___ j___________________________ __________________
Total________ ________ _______________________________________
24, 017, 364
2 4, 859,154
5,989, 949
1, 889, 601
9,411, 906
8, 507
>34,923,945
71,884
4, 081, 208
302, 219
58, 941,309
4, 931, 038
10,071,157
2,191,820
9,411.906
8, 507
46,176,481 39,379, 256 85, 555, 737
1 Includes 5.229 acres of coal land reserved for the use of the United States (Coal Reserves Nos. 1 and 2).
2 Includes 13,578 acres withdrawn as a helium reserve.
Acreage of lands patented with minerals reserved to the United States,
as of June 30, 1942
1 Includes coal reserved in combination with other minerals.
Type of mineral reservation
Patented during
fiscal
year 1942
Total patented
through
June 1942
Reservation of all minerals:
Under stockraising act _ ____ ______ ___ ____ ______ 193,861
665, 415
' 33,433,330
Under other acts_____ •_____________________________ ________________ 1, 897, 514
Total_____________________________________ __________________________ 859, 276 35, 330,844
Reservation of specific minerals:
Coal __________ _________ ________________ ___________ _______ 10, 224
14, 371
10,846,077
Others*__________ _____________________________________________ __ 1,859, 722
Total. _ __ _______ ______ _ _ __________ . __ ___ 24. 595 12, 705, 799
Grand total___________________________________________________________ 883,871 48,036, 643
' Homesteads, Sales, and Other Entries
Transfers of lands under laws providing for homesteading and mining
claims and for sale of isolated tracts, timber, stone and town sites,
are shown in the tables which follow:
General Land Office • 139
Original entries and selections 1 fiscal year 1942
Type of entry or selection
Public lands Ceded Indian
lands Total
Number
Acres Number
Acres Number
Acres
1
Homestead entries:
Stockraising _________________ .. 14
7
59
5
198
8,451
1,503
6,805
296
20,073
14
7
61
5
198
8,451
1, 541
7,034
296
20,113
Enlarged. ~_________________________ (1 2)
2
38
Reclamation_________________________ 229
Forest________________ _____________
Sec. 2289 R. S., et al__________________ (») 40
Total______________________________ 283 37,128 2 307 285 37,435
Other entries and selections:
Desert land entries ________________ 18
50
1
121
97
21
1, 738
85,311
39
10,165
(*)
115
40
18
50
1
121
97
21
1, 738
85, 311
39
10,165
State selections. ____ __ ___________
Timber and stone application . .. ..
Mineral applications and adverse
claims ________________________
Townlots3____ ______________________
Lieuselections_________ ____________ 115
Scrip selection_________________ ___ 40
Total_____________ _____ __________ 290 97,408 290 97,408
Grand total________________________ 573 134,536 2 307 575 134,843
1 An original entry or selection is one made in pursuance of an act of the Congress which prescribes the
terms and conditions under which patent may be issued or other evidence of title granted. An original
entry becomes a final entry upon compliance by the entryman with further requirements of the law, such as
residence or additional payment, and upon the issuance of a final certificate. A State selection becomes
final upon certification by the Commissioner of the General Land Office.
2 One entry amended. '
3 Townlots upon which only part payment was made.
4 Area not tabulated.
Final entries 1 fiscal year 1942
Type of entry
Public lands Ceded Indian
lands Total
Number
Acres Number
Acres Number
Acres
Homestead entries:
Stockraising_______________ _________
Enlarged____________________________
Reclamation_________________________
Forest. _ ______ ___________________
286
29
214
6
5
187
138,989
7, 541
21,455
844
500
18,678
17
4
45
6,460
547
5,668
303
33
259
6
18
202
145,449
8,088
27,123
844
1,324
19,839
Commuted__________________________
Sec. 2289 R. S., etal__________________
Total______________________________
Other entries:
Desert land entries ________________
13
15
824
1,161
727 188,007 94 14,660 821 202,667
52
230
1
107
157
7,192
20,256
39
10, 860
5,989
52
233
1
107
171
7,192
20, 540
39
10,860
10,393
Public auction sales2________________
Timber and stone entry______________
Mineral entries______________________
3 284
Miscellaneous entries________________
Total_______________ ______________
Grand total___________ ____ ________
’14 4,404
547 44,336 17 4,688 564 49,024
1,274 232,343 111 19, 348 1,385 251,691
1 A final entry is one upon which final certificate has issued showing that the lax? has been complied with
and that in the absence of irregularity, the entryman or claimant is entitled to a patent. If the requirements
of the law have been met, the equitable title to the land passes to the claimant upon the issuance of the final
certificate.
3 Isolated tracts.
3 One entry (4,080 acres) on Indian tribal lands.
140 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Patents and certifications,1 fiscal year 1942
Public lands Ceded Indian lands Total
Type of patent
Number
Acres Number
Acres Number
Acres
Homestead patents:
Stockraising _ ___ _______ _ _ 380 191, 439
10.141
11 1,227
5, 559
160
391 192, 666
15, 700
30, 224
1, 203
534
Enlarged _______________________ 41 41 82
Reclamation ___________ _ _________ 306 30.064 1 307
Forest.. __ ______ ______________ 18 1, 203
414
18
Commuted __ ____________________ 5 1 120 6
Sec. 2289 R. S., et al_ _______________ 210 22, 111 17 1, 336 227 23,447
Total______________ ______________ 960 255, 372 71 8,402 1,031 263, 774
Desert land patents __________________ 57 9,417
29, 641
279
57 9,417
29, 641
279
Public auction patents 2 _____________ _ 279 279
Timber and stone patents _____________ . 4 4
Mineral patents 1___________________ _ 89 4, 392
8. 985
89 4, 392
12, 216
7,090
706, 917
Indian patents .. .. ... ________ 108 185 2 3, 231
640
293
Miscellaneous cash sale patents ________ 164 6,450
704,003
3 167
Exchange patents . . _____ 234 1 3 2, 914 235
Curative and supplemental patents_____ 4 312 312
Miscellaneous patents _______________ 102 7,150 2 3 4. 093 104 11, 243
Total__ _________ _ _________ _ . 2,309 1,025. 689
10,447
262 19, 280 2,571 1,044,969
Certified to states_______________________ 10, 447
Grand total_______________________ 5 2, 309 1,036,136 262 19, 280 2, 571 1,055,416
i Where upon final examination it is found that an entry or selection is in proper form and that the law
has been complied with, a patent conveying the legal title to the claimant is issued. In the ease of indemnity
state selections, the legal title is conveyed upon approval thereof by the Secretary of the Interior and certification
by the Commissioner of the General Land Office.
2 Isolated Tracts.
2 Indian tribal lands.
4 Acreage not counted because previously reported.
*Includes a small number of patents on Indian lands.
Land. Grants
Despite the concentration of its efforts on war activities, the General
Land Office has maintained its peacetime functions of assisting the
States in providing for schools and internal improvement. Indemnity
school land selections, amounting to 6,777.75 acres, were approved
and certified to the States, with minerals reserved to the United
States upon 1,760 acres. Selections under quantity grants to States
for specific purposes, embracing 1,455.02 acres, were approved and
patented with all minerals reserved to the United States, and
1,142.24 acres of swamp lands were patented. Patents for granted
school sections were issued for 600,311.26 acres.
The rights of the land-grant railroads to institute higher rates for certain
Government transportation services in return for releasing claims
to additional lands expired on September 18,1941, under the provisions
of the Transportation Act of 1940. Before the expiration date, 65
of the 72 unforfeited railroad grants had been formally closed and the
remaining 7 had been filed for closing. This brought to an end a phase
of land activity which in pioneer years was of outstanding interest
to the developers of the West.
Applications for 381 rights-of-way for railroads, highways, reservoirs,
irrigation, and telephone, telegraph and pipe lines were approved.
General Land Office • 141
Of the number approved, 155 were for permits or easements, with an
annual rental of $4,250.
Land Exchanges
Exchanges with private owners of land resulted in the addition to
grazing districts of 19,830.42 acres, in exchange for 30,394.38 acres of
Government lands; to a bird refuge 4,491.83 acres in exchange for
1,960.25 acres of Government land; to Indian reservations 17,889.70
acres in exchange for 167,135.18 acres of Government land; and to the
national forests 484,804.17 acres in exchange for 10,524.7 acres, and in
addition sufficient timber to equalize the values as is permitted in
exchanges of this character.
Exchanges of lands with the States under the Taylor Grazing Act
amounted to 492,269.02 acres, with all minerals reserved to the United
States. These exchanges were made upon an equal area basis. Other
exchanges of lands with the States amounted to 5,388.74 acres, patented
or certified.
Receipts and Expenditures
The total cash receipts from all sources were $9,014,172.87. The
total expenditures from appropriations made for the conduct of the
bureau were $2,047,504.64.
The following table shows the distribution of the receipts:
Disposition of receipts of the General Land Office,1 fiscal year 1942
Covered in the Treasury earmarked for—
Source of receipts
General fund Reclamation
fund
States and
counties
Indian trust
funds Total
Sales of public lands____________
Fees and commissions__________
Mineral leases and permits:
Mineral Leasing Act_______
Red River oil and gas lands..
Potash_____________________
Other1 2 3 4 s____________________
$38, 700.12
10,602. 78
2 691,925. 29
39, 623.38
27, 727. 55
$90,018. 26
33,272.14
3,630, 606. 23
3 254,435.04
$4, 688. 44
2, 593, 290.16
2, 569.14
148, 587. 69
$4, 281. 89
$133, 406.82
43,874. 92
6, 915, 821. 68
6, 851. 03
442, 646.11
27, 727. 55
Total mineral____________
Oregon and California grant
lands_______________________
Coos Bay grant lands___________
Taylor Act grazing leases.._____
Rights-of-way leases____________
Sales of Reclamation town lots..
Sales and lease of Indian lands...
Copying fees___________________
Miscellaneous__________________
759, 276. 22
239, 503. 21
184, 498.35
97,425. 24
32, 991.44
15,463. 65
20, 204. 54
3, 885,041. 27
« 6, 510. 99
2, 744, 446. 99
718, 509. 62
3 25. 700.00
97, 425. 23
4, 281. 89
5,612.49
7,393,046.37
958,012. 83
210,198.35
194, 850.47
32,991. 44
6, 510.99
5. 612.49
15,463. 65
20, 204. 54
Grand total_______________ 1, 398, 665. 55 4,014, 842.66 3, 590, 770.28 9, 894.38 9,014,172.87
1 Before final settlement of all accounts by the General Accounting Office.
2 Includes $381.25 collected in Alaska.
3 Includes $46,412.27 collected in California under act of Oct. 2, 1917 (40 Stat. 297).
4 Includes $16,844.35 collected in Wyoming under act of June 26, 1926 (44 Stat. 1621) and $10,883.20 collected
in Alaska.
s Estimated.
* Includes $58.74 collected from sales of Reclamation lands under act of May 20,1920 (41 Stat. 605).

Grazing Service
R. H. RUTLEDGE, Director
"P
XJVENTS of the 1942 fiscal year broadened the scope of Grazing
Service activities and tested its ability to meet new situations caused
by the stress of sudden and total war.
Immediately after Pearl Harbor the Secretary of the Interior placed
the Department on a wartime footing, declaring that: “Actions upon
matters resulting from declarations of war will have precedence over
all other duties.” Spurred by that declaration, the Grazing Service
reexamined its problems and stepped up its operations to a war
tempo, gaining momentum as the year progressed. Advisory boards,
other ranchers, and citizens cooperated to protect forage and timber
resources, produce more meat and fiber, and to promote full partnership
in the fight for survival.
New uses of public lands.—To meet the increased demands made
upon the range by war, the public domain took on new and added
importance. Furnishing proving grounds for the thousands of American
planes, bombers, and tanks, nearly 3,500,000 acres in Federal
grazing districts were converted during the year into training areas,
bringing the area withdrawn for military purposes in 2 years to
8,500,000 acres. Although requiring sudden adjustment in some
cases, stockmen gave whole-hearted support to the program. At the
same time livestock production was kept on a high level. Certain
hardships were experienced by growers in some areas but to them the
training program was of paramount importance.
Decentralization.—During the first week of August 1941, the transfer
of the headquarters of the Grazing Service from Washington to
Salt Lake City was completed.
Salt Lake City is at the hub of the Federal range territory. Spokes
radiate from this hub to the 10 regional offices, none of which is more
than 500 miles from the Director’s desk in the Walker Bank Building.
In bringing the Grazing Service to the center of its job, the transfer
helped to advance cooperation among all agencies engaged on western
resource problems. Technicians of the Department were brought to-
143
144 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
gether to discuss how the several agencies could contribute, promptly
and effectively, to the solution of the waf problems.
Western War Resources Council.—At the suggestion of the Director
of Grazing, 20 men from the several Interior Department bureaus
operating in Western States met in March 1942 and organized a
Western War Resources Council to coordinate ideas and to integrate
facilities for war purposes. The Director was made chairman and
his office was designated as a clearing house for information and
prompt contact with war agencies, producers, and the Secretary’s
War Resources Council. In this way technical and skilled assistance
was rendered promptly to individuals, corporations, agencies, and
groups working on discovery, development, merchandising, transporting,
stockpiling, and processing of materials for war.
National Advisory Board Council.—Livestock people cooperated in
every way possible to protect resources and to help win the war.
Reflecting full accord of the industry, the National Advisory Board
Council recommended a program to maintain the ranges in full productive
capacity, organize range users to protect ranges and forests
against fire and other destructive elements, combat subversive activities
and sabotage, and produce more pounds of wool, meat, and
hides by better husbandry of range and stock.
This council, composed of 20 leading stockmen in the 10 range
States, continues to cooperate on all matters of vital interest to the
industry itself and the 21,000 licensees and permittees in grazing
districts.
The Federal Range Code.—A revised draft of the Federal Range
Code, which had been considered jointly by the advisory boards and
the Grazing Service during the previous year, was studied by the National
Advisory Board Council in Salt Lake City in January 1942.
Upon conclusion of its 2-day session, and agreement on certain further
changes, this council voted that the revised code be submitted to the
Secretary for approval.
Protection of nonuse.—Under the full impact of war, policies of conservation
with use undergo the supreme test, and the experiences of
the past year have broadened public support for these fundamental
principles.
An important part of the Nation’s Food-for-Victory program is to
produce more tonnage of meat and yet maintain the range in good
vigor. In recent years stockmen themselves have proven that this
can be done with greater net returns realized. In many areas it has
been achieved by voluntary reduction of numbers, improved breeding,
culling of herds, and better range management coupled with water
development and other improvements. The livestock operator and
the Grazing Service have never before been so closely in agreement
on the dual objectives of conservation with economic use, and the
Grazing Service • 145
percentages of operators who are applying these principles are increasing
steadily.
The Secretary, recognizing the need for the protection of operators
brought about by the unusual conditions existing because of the war,
established a departmental policy of granting nonuse permits for an
indefinite period when:
1. The range is overstocked and the operator voluntarily states that
he is willing to run the reduced numbers until such a time as the range
shows improvement.
2. The range is not overstocked but the operator is unable to obtain
replacement numbers after selling or culling for the purpose of meeting
increased marketing goals that are established as a part of the Foodfor-
Victory program.
Going one step further, he extended the same privilege under other
conditions which may arise, but which are entirely beyond the control
of the individual operator.
Licenses and Permits.—Stockmen took advantage of good prices to
reduce numbers and shape herds, resulting in a decrease of 111,101
head on the range as compared with the previous year. A total of
6,110, or about 29 percent of the users, were on a term permit basis
at the end of the fiscal year. Matters that deterred the desired progress
on permits have been cleared up in most regions, and a high percentage
of all users will be on a permit basis at an early date. Wilful
trespass was kept to a minimum due to the cooperation of range users
and to further subdivision of the range into individual and group
allotments. A summary of range use in 1942 is shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1.—Livestock use of grazing districts, fiscal year 1942
Region
Number of
licensees
and permittees
Number of
cattle
Number of
horses
Number of
sheep
Number of
gcats
Total livestock
Arizona_______ _ . __ 648 100, 364 3, 391 118,155 29 981 251 891
Colorado. _ _______ _______ 2, 111 179,640 5,351 798' 438 98 983’ 527
Idaho________________________ 3,280 200,679 20, 366 1, 613, 324 118 1, 834, 487
Montana..____________________ 2, 955 151,840 24, 425 974, 281 46 1,150, 592
Nevada-California_______ 1,932 347,818 19, 721 944,621 4,837 1,316, 997
New Mexico _ ___________ 2,136 282. 863 14, 443 619, 702 81 687 998 695
New Mexico No. 7_____ ____ h 378 4, 755 8, 525 150' 686 19, 056 183? 022
Oregon ... ____ _____ 1,417 186, 869 14,352 470)028 671’249
Utah . ____________________ 3, 946 195,572 10,129 1, 705' 652 13. 840 1 925’ 193
Wyoming__________________ _ 1,446 159,846 13,154 L 479^ 123 360 1.652’ 483
Total________________2_1_,249 1, 810, 246 133,857 8, 874,010 150,023 10,968,136
Reseeding.—Range reseeding experience furnished a valuable guide
to better future methods and to the selection of species which are most
likely to succeed on the arid and semiarid ranges. A total of 199,670
acres was reseeded in 1942 compared with 66,000 acres the previous
year. It has been definitely shown that for successful reseeding there
146 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
must be a coordinated program of rodent control and other control
features.
Range Surveys.—Nineteen million acres of range lands were surveyed
and a recheck survey accomplished on 10 million acres during the year.
Most of this field work was compiled and kept current for administrative
use.
Advisory boards continued to give their support financially and
otherwise to the range survey program, and this technical work reached
a new high in its contributions to the objectives of the Service.
Soil and Moisture Conservation.—The second year of activities under
the President’s Fourth Reorganization Plan dealing with soil- and
moisture-conservation work in grazing districts advanced the over-all
range development program. Original range project areas were reduced
in size, conforming to grazing administrative units, and the soil
and moisture work became an integral part- of the entire job, being
coordinated into a closely knit Departmental program.
Range Studies.—Work at the Squaw Butte Range and Livestock
Station was correlated with the Harney Branch Agricultural Station
at Burns, Oreg., under a superintendent employed by the Grazing
Service. Conducted as before in cooperation with the Oregon State
Agricultural College, the new arrangement afforded a year-long livestock
study applicable to a ranch and range empire aggregating about
30 million acres in four States.
The collection of actual range use records through utilization checks
continued to furnish guides for helping the stockmen and the Grazing
Service determine rate of stocking, seasons of use, and other information
where range surveys are as yet incomplete. The range appraisal
study was continued by collecting additional range-operation data.
No recommendation has been made as to the establishment of grazing
fees varying from those now in force, such being held in abeyance
until after the war. Cooperative range studies were expanded to
many areas in several States. Field work on the Elko County, Nev.,
project was completed and the results analyzed, compiled, and shaped
for joint publication.
Wildlife.—Wildlife conservation, predatory animal control, rodent
control, and State Pittman-Robertson Act projects advanced under
continued cooperation with the Fish and Wildlife Service, with other
Federal agencies, and with States and groups interested in such problems
in grazing districts. In certain congested areas plans were
developed to increase the big-game kill under systematic hunting
supervised by appropriate authorities. Surveys indicate a big-game
population of about 419,000 such animals in Federal grazing districts,
with some only seasonally.
Range Improvements and Maintenance.—Range improvement work
was confined largely to water development, construction of trails and
Grazing Service • 147
feeder roads, revegetation, maintenance, and other activities requiring
little or no critical material. With dwindling enrollee strength and
shortage of materials, the accomplishments fell below those of the
previous year when 89 camps were maintained in full operation. A
summary of major accomplishments for the fiscal year and for the
period April 1935 to June 1942, is shown on Table 2.
TABLE 2.—Major range improvements, end fiscal year 1942
Type of project Unit Fiscal year
1942
Total,
April 1935
through
June 1942
Springs___ ______ ____________________________________ Number_________ 182 826
Reservoirs, for watering stock.. ___________________________ Number__________ 420 1,795
Wells ... ____ Z________________ Number_______ 60 ' 299
Pipe and tile conduits_____ _____ ___ ______ Linear feet_______ 31,845 276,138
Fences .. ___________________________________________ Miles____________ 1' 018 5,413.3
Cattleguards_______________________________________________ Number_________ 88 ' 648
Corrals________________________________ __________ ___ Number_________ 28 371
Bridges_______ _______________________________________ ___ Number_________ 19 322
Truck trails (minor roads)_________________________ . . Miles ___________ 620 9, 266.5
Stock trails .. ___ _______ __ Miles__ _________ 104 1’ 260.3
Permanent check dams_______________________ ___________ Number_________ 676 8. 141
Temporary check dams ........ .. .. ______ Number_________ 1,938 49, 873
Water control structures other than dams_________________ Number_________ ' 993 1', 527
Rodent control____________ _ _. ____ _______ ______ Acres____________ 1,370, 756 11,469, 993
Insect pest control... __________________________ _________ Acres____________ ' 307,376 ' 469, 512
Range revegetation (reseeding) ___________________________ Acres__ ____ 199,670 348' 046
Tree planting, gully________________________________________ Square yards_____ 2,000 11, 580
Diversion ditches _______ _______ _ .____ ___ Linear feet______ 10,500 272, 876
Channel construction____________________ _______ ...__ Linear feet_______ 15,432 27' 973
Water spreaders. ._ . .... _____ _ __ _____ Linear feet.. ____ 26, 410 179,915
Clearing and cleaning channels____________________________ Square yards____ 72, 720 183, 540
Riprap and paving.. _________________________ __________ Square yards___ . 4,960 153,128
Fire fighting________________ _____________________________ Man days________ 9, 538 12L 970
Range Fires.—Due to increased forage growth, curtailment of CCC,
and possible increase in subversive activities on the range territory,
the fire hazard is of growing concern. CCC enrollee contributions
cannot be measured in dollars and cents. In 6 years prior to January
1,» 1942, these boys devoted 180,000 man days (500 man years) to
range fire control. During the 1941 calendar year alone there were
433 fires in the grazing districts and a total burn of 1,614,000 acres.
This destroyed forage that would feed 16,000 cattle or 80,000 sheep
one year, representing a loss of 4,000 tons of meat. Grass fires move
fast and, without manpower and tools ready for quick counterattack,
the results are devastating.
To help meet this situation in the face of reduced manpower, the
Service reorganized its fire fighting setup. A fire supervisor, with a
small contingent of trained men and with authority to recruit per
diem guards and fire fighters subject to call when needed, was appointed
in each of the 10 grazing regions and coordinated with the Office of
Civilian Defense in accordance with Executive Order No. 9165 of
May 15. Cooperation with ranchers, highway patrols, CAA training
posts, and other groups for prompt reporting of fires, provided an effi148
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
cient, widely spread fire detection plan. The sum of $25,000 appropriated
by Congress to control range fire was thinly spread in the
regions of highest fire hazard. For the present season the Office of
Land Utilization has allotted $100,000 to the Grazing Service for
emergency fire protection.
Civilian Conservation Corps.—Wherever possible CCC work in
grazing districts was devoted to war-aid projects. As the number of
camps and the size of enrollee strength tapered downward, facilities
and equipment were put in shape for military requests. Eight camps
finished the year on a full-time war basis, constructing roads to mineral
deposits, posting bombing ranges, guarding water supplies, and
developing airfields in four States. One side camp, connected with
10 camps in the intermountain area by short wave radio, operated
as a central detection service in cooperation with the Office of Civilian
Defense. At these stations enrollees kept a 24-hour alert, and some
instances of private unauthorized night flying were detected and
reported.
Hearings and Appeals.—Of the 326 appeals involving grazing privileges
filed during the year, more than half were disposed of by local
agreements or by examiners’ decisions. Twenty-three grazing cases
involving 48 persons were appealed to the Secretary of the Interior
during the year. The Secretary rendered 30 decisions on grazing cases
during the year.
Consolidation.—During the year a chief counsel was attached to the
Office of the Director to coordinate and to integrate legal matters
with the Office of the Solicitor. Full cooperation was had with other
agencies of the Department on a multitude of interlocking problems
which required legal interpretation. The work of the Engineering,
Inspection, and Safety units and the Range Surveys unit, formerly
operating as field units at Salt Lake City, also was consolidated in
the Office of the Director.
Funds and Personnel.—Administrative funds provided by Congress,
including per diem and travel for district advisers, totaled $800,000
for the fiscal year. Other funds allotted and contributed for soil and
moisture conservation work; for construction and maintenance of
range improvements; for protection against range and forest fires; for
leasing of Pierce Act grazing lands, and for CCC camp operation,
totaled $2,778,329.94.
Salaried employees totaled 658 on June 30, a net decrease of 482
during the year, due primarily to abolishment of CCC camps, military
furloughs, and transfers. Ninety-six employees entered military service,
46 transferred to war agencies, and others resigned to work in
war production plants.
Grazing Fees.—Earned grazing fees in the 10 States totaled
$899,962.12 during the year, bringing the total so earned since 1936 to
Grazing Service • 149
$4,567,456.71. Except an item of $1,382.21 deposited to the credit of
Indians in certain grazing districts, one-half of the 1942 earned fees
($449,289.94) is shared by the 10 States in proportion to the amount
users paid in those States as follows: Arizona $25,909.48, California
$9,818.38, Colorado $29,636.80, Idaho $55,291.21, Montana $33,494.08,
Nevada $80,307.22, New Mexico $52,646.44, Oregon $26,392.00, Utah
$69,908.40, and Wyoming $65,885.93. To date, the States mentioned
have shared in earned grazing fees to the extent of $2,262,711.69.
In turn they have contributed $421,191.04, to be used under State
laws for range development work specified by the stockmen’s advisory
boards. In the 1942 fiscal year $68,621.22 was contributed for such
purposes. This is commonly referred to as the 50 percent fund.
Equipment.—Much heavy CCC equipment was transferred to the
Army Quartermaster and some was delivered to central repair shops.
Certain units were later loaned back to the Grazing Service for fire
protection and access road construction, thus placing the Grazing
Service in a fairly good position with equipment to conduct pressing
emergency work.
Whenever possible, travel was made by common carrier. When
absolutely necessary to travel by automobile, pool trips were arranged
within the Service itself and a plan worked out with other Interior
Department agencies in the West for interbureau pooling of automobile
travel when feasible. Strict accountability was placed on drivers
and mechanics to maintain rigid inspection and upkeep standards, to
reduce accidents, conserve fuel, rubber, and rolling stock.
Job Load Analysis, Audit, Inspection, and Training.—Job load
analyses, based on 31 primary grazing district activities, revealed a
much greater work load than the present force can possibly accomplish.
A system of proprietary accounting was installed at the beginning
of the year and all business transactions of the Grazing Service were
reviewed, resulting in improved fiscal and propeity records in the districts.
Reduction of the auditor force, leaving only one such employee
in the Service, slowed down this important phase of the work.
Training at CCC camps consisting of on-the-job instruction involving
machinery, tools, drafting, and specialized classroom work
equipped thousands of enrollees for effective front line and supply line
duty. A 3-week field conference of 37 key district men featured
tr aining-in-s ervice.
Status of Grazing Districts.—One additional district was established
during the year, bringing the total to 58, with an approximate gross
area of 264,600,000 acres. Vacant public land in grazing districts
totalled 133,419,100 acres. Sixty-two modification orders resulted in
additions to grazing districts of 1,995,000 acres and the elimination of
2,252,000 acres from districts. About 93,000 acres were added to
districts by orders revoking stockdriveway withdrawals created by
485482—42------- 12
150 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
other public land laws. A breakdown of grazing district areas by
States is shown on table 3.
TABLE 3.—Acreages in grazing districts, June 30, 1942
State
Number
of
districts
Gross area
Vacant unappropriated
public land
Other public
land
Total administered
by
Grazing
Service
Other
land
Arizona ________ _ _____ 4 18,171, 400 10, 067,100 719,900 10, 787, 000 7,384,400
California_________ _________ 2 8,050, 300 2, 869, 700 812' 400 3' 682', 100 4, 368, 200
Colorado________ ____ ____ 8 15' 903, 700 7' 190, 200 643, 600 7, 833, 800 8,069,900
Idaho________________________ 5 21,867,600 11', 000', 000 762', 200 lb 762', 200 10,105,400
Montana____________________ 6 31,968, 700 4, 555,100 923, 800 5,478,900 26,489,800
Nevada____________ ___ __ 5 48. 560, 200 34, 466,800 549, 700 35,016, 500 13, 543, 700
New Mexico_________________ 7 39, 747, 400 14, 506', 200 684, 400 15; 190' 600 24^ 556' 800
Oregon_______________________ 7 20,346, 500 12, 245,100 148,300 12,393,400 7,953,100
Utah________ ___________ 9 37,487, 800 23, 582, 700 2,142, 900 25, 725,600 11, 762, 200
Wyoming________ ____ ______ 5 22,506,100 12,936,200 1,092,900 14i 029', 100 8,477,000
Total______________5_8___ 264, 609, 700 133,419,100 8,480,100 141,899, 200 122, 710, 500
Office of Land Utilization
LEE MUCK, Assistant to the Secretary
T_LHE Department of the Interior is charged with the administration
of a vast national estate and although about 12,000,000 acres
were withdrawn for military purposes during the fiscal years 1941
and 1942, there are still under the jurisdiction of the Department
approximately 275,000,000 acres in the continental United States
and 350,000,000 acres in the Territory of Alaska. The condition of
these lands, including the resources thereon, is highly variable, ranging
all the way from open grazing areas to primeval forest and from
bare desert to scenic masterpieces.
The state of extreme diversification which exists has resulted in a
correspondingly wide range of aims and purposes and has created a
situation which requires a high degree of coordination if a unified
conservation policy is to govern the administrative management of
the estate. In recognition of the necessities in this connection the
Office of Land Utilization was established as a unit of the Office of
the Secretary under date of April 15, 1940.
The Office of Land Utilization is charged with the responsibility
of securing the cooperation of the action agencies and the correlation
of their functions, programs, and activities in the field of resource
management. It supervises the expenditure of departmental conservation
appropriations and exercises the fiscal control incident to
such supervision, including the preparation of estimates, the presentation
thereof to the Bureau of the Budget and to the Congress and the
allotment of funds to the bureaus and agencies concerned with soil
conservation and emergency protection programs.
Activities Reoriented
Before the fiscal year 1942 had reached its median point, the Nation
was shocked by the attack upon Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Imperial
Government and the consequent declaration of war by the American
Congress. This necessitated a reorientation of the activities of
151
152 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
the agencies in the Department of the Interior having control or
supervision over natuial resources. Fortunately the steps toward
reorganization, cooperation, and correlation that had already been
taken were such as to facilitate a prompt and effective meeting of
the new problems encountered. Without endangering gains already
made, or in any way compromising the conservation aims of the
Department, the Office of Land Utilisation has, during the last half
of the fiscal year 1942, given first attention to directing coordinated
land-management programs so as to increase timber production and
to augment the quantity and quality of products from the western
range lands under the administration of the Department of the
Interior. Increased amounts of timber, food, minerals, and other
raw materials are now flowing directly into war channels from.forest,
range, and other types of land under the supervision of the Department
of the Interior.
In recognition of the requirements of the war emergency, action
has been taken toward the restriction of developmental activities to
those that are urgently essential to a maintenance of existing values
and to the highest possible contribution to the effective prosecution
of the war. Emphasis is being placed upon projects that will contribute
directly and substantially to the accomplishment of military
objectives. The funds available for forest and range purposes are
being devoted primarily to the protection of existing resources, and
the development of those that will serve the imperative current needs
of the Nation. Many improvements that are recognized as desirable
on public lands, national parks, reserves for wildlife, and Indian
reservations will be deferred until after the war has been won.
Soil and Moisture Conservation Operations
The President’s Reorganization Plan No. 4 transferred the functions
of the Soil Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture
with respect to operations conducted on lands under the jurisdiction
of the Department of the Interior to the Department of the Interior
effective July 1, 1940. The transfer imposed new and enlarged
obligations upon the latter Department. However, it was a logical
development in the plan of the President to establish definitive fields
of responsibility in Federal administration. The coordination of the
soil and moisture conservation activities of the Department was
assigned to the Office of Land Utilization, and field operations were
placed under the direct supervision of the action agencies.
The soil and moisture conservation program of the Department of
the Interior had been fully organized and was well under way by the
end of the fiscal year 1941. Governing policies and procedures had
Office of Land Utilization • 153
been fully laid down; practical project plans formulated and approved;
and a competent technical staff placed in charge of field operations.
An appropriation of $2,178,700 was authorized for the fiscal year
1942 and since this was only slightly less than the amount made
available for the preceding year, operations were continued for the
first 6 months in accordance with the plans formulated during 1941.
Promptly after Pearl Harbor, however, the soil and moisture
conservation program was modified; the acreages included in project
areas were reduced; and operations were restricted to those which
would produce prompt results. The primary purpose of this streamlining
process was to limit work to those projects which would give
immediate results (1) by actually increasing livestock production,
and (2) by reducing siltation, flood damage, or other adverse conditions
affecting irrigation projects or strategic facilities which might
adversely affect production.
Special emphasis was placed upon projects which would increase
production. Range reseeding, small water developments, water
spreading, vegetative gully control, and similar projects that are low
in cost, and require the use of local materials, were the principal types
of work engaged in during the year. Soil and moisture conservation
operations such as these helped to increase the forage resources of
the range without taking from industrial proj ects the critical materials
so urgently needed in the production of equipment and facilities of
primary importance in the war program.
Past cpnservation programs on range lands under the jurisdiction
of the Department of the Interior, coupled with the simplified but
highly productive program carried out in the fiscal year 1942, not
only insured better and higher production of range products for war
but guaranteed continued protection of the publicly owned range
lands from overuse and misuse during the period of hostilities.
Close cooperation was maintained by field offices throughout the
year 1942 with local soil conservation districts. A cooperative agreement
for use by the land-management bureaus of the Department and
local soil conservation districts was formulated. These cooperative
agreements, when entered into between the bureaus of the Department
and local soil conservation districts, provide for conducting
correlated programs of soil and moisture conservation on public and
private lands within such conservation districts. Cooperative relationships
were greatly strengthened through the declaration of a
joint policy by the Department of the Interior and the Department
of Agriculture. This policy statement set forth the broad principles
for initiating and carrying out simplified soil and moisture conservation
operations on an integrated basis on both public and private
lands.
154 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Forest Conservation and Development
The forest resources under the jurisdiction of the Department of
the Interior are so strategically situated and so well developed as
to make substantial contributions to the prosecution of the war.
These resources are in a position to furnish large volumes of essential
forest products during the existing emergency, and the administrative
agencies in charge of development have been so organized as to
meet the substantial increase in demand which has developed. Under
forest management plans devised and put into practical application
by the Oregon and California Revested Lands Administration, a
division of the General Land Office, and the Forestry and Grazing
Division of the Office of Indian Affairs, timber cuts have been substantially
increased to help fill the Nation’s war demands for forest
products.
Immediately following the entrance of the United States into the
present conflict, the Department of the Interior set up a production
goal of over 1 billion feet b. m. of timber from the Oregon and California
revested lands and from Indian forests for the year 1942.
Timber cutting rates were increased immediately and the sale of
additional timber was authorized from both Indian lands and 0.
and C. lands.
During the fiscal year 1942 a total volume of 456,131,000 feet
b. m., having a value of $1,079,000, was cut from the O. and C.
forests. Thus, for the first time the sustained-yield capacity of
500,000,000 feet b. m. per annum prescribed by the act of August
28, 1937 (51 Stat. 874) was approached. The volume cut during
1941 was 383,000,000 feet b. m., thereby reflecting a production
increase for the year 1942 of approximately 75,000,000 feet b. m.
One hundred ninety-five new timber sale contracts on the O. and
C. lands were completed during the fiscal year 1942 involving a volume
of 482,271,000 feet b. m. for which the purchasers agreed to pay a
total of $1,356,820. In the previous year 172 timber sale contracts
were completed, involving 493,000,000 feet b. m. and a value of
$1,095,584, reflecting an increase of approximately 25 percent in the
value of the timber sold. The cost of administration and protection
on the O. and C. lands for the year 1942 was $228,000, which amount
when considered with the cash receipts for that period of $1,189,000,
reflects a ratio of cost to income of about 19 percent.
The sale of timber from Indian forests was also increased substantially
during the fiscal year 1942 and the income received therefrom
also greatly increased. Stumpage prices were advanced on practically
all timber contracts in effect and several new large contracts
in the States of Oregon and Washington were executed and approved.
The total income from Indian forest and range lands during the
Office of Land Utilization • 155
fiscal year ending June 30, 1942 was $3,378,000 and the cost of
administration and protection $610,000, reflecting an operating
coefficient of approximately 18 percent.
Although the production of timber from both Indian forests and
0. and C. forests was increased during the year 1942, the development
of these resources was conducted in full accordance with the
Department’s conservation policies and the legal requirements with
respect to the application of the principles of sustained-yield forest
management. The conservation aspects of good forest management
were in no way subordinated to the development program. Thus
the forests under Department of the Interior administration are meeting
the demands for increased production for war without jeopardizing
the forest resources under management.
Programs Related to War
In addition to conducting its regular land-management functions
and activities during the fiscal year 1942, the Office of Land Utilization,
in cooperation with other bureaus and agencies of the Department
of the Interior, was charged with additional authority and responsibility
in connection with the supervision of programs related
directly to the war.
Under date of August 17, 1941, the Director of the Office of Civilian
Defense, acting under a directive from the President, initiated the
organization of a Facility Security program in cooperation with the
departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The Facility
Security program has as its objective the mobilization of existing
authorities and nonmilitary forces of the Nation into a well-organized
front against subversive action. It also seeks a reduction of danger
from fire and other hazards of accidental origin which may possibly
disrupt the war program.
The execution of the protection program for strategic resources
and facilities was delegated to appropriate agencies of the Federal
Government operating in the various resource and facility fields. In
this connection 10 facility protection subcommittees were organized,
namely: communications, air commerce, highways, railroads, public
buildings, timber and related facilities, minerals and related facilities,
foodstuffs and storage, power and irrigation water, and domestic water.
The forestry agencies of the Department of the Interior, in cooperation
with the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, have
been charged with the prosecution of the timber security program;
responsibility for the protection of minerals, including petroleum,
has been delegated to the Bureau of Mines and the Office of the
Petroleum Coordinator for War; and the Bureau of Reclamation, in
cooperation with the Federal Power Commission, has assumed the
156 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
responsibility of protecting the power resources and irrigation facilities
of the Nation. The Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior in
Charge of Land Utilization was designated as the chairman of the
Timber and Related Facilities Subcommittee of the Office of Civilian
Defense, and acting in that capacity, and under the coordinating
authority vested in him by the Department, organized the fire protection
program covering the lands under the jurisdiction of the
Department of the Interior.
On May 19, 1942, the President issued Executive Order No. 9165
which directed the Office of Civilian Defense to assume responsibility
for the development and execution of a program of protective measures
against subversive enemies. This order gave authority and impetus
to the plans and programs which had already been worked out by the
various facility security subcommittees of the Office of Civilian Defense.
In fact, surveys had been conducted in the various facility
and resource fields and action programs formulated in detail. As a
result of the state of completion of the plans covering the timber and
mineral fields, protection programs were ready for immediate action
upon the enactment of the Sixth Supplemental National Defense
Appropriation bill for 1942-43. The bill, which was signed by the
President on April 28, 1942, included $812,000 for the protection of
forest, brush, and grasslands under the jurisdiction of the Department
of the Interior and $800,000 for the protection of mineral resources
and facilities of the Nation including petroleum. Subsequently an
additional appropriation of $95,900 for the protection of forests was
authorized in the Appropriation Act of the Department of the Interior
for the fiscal year 1943.
Within a comparatively short period of time after the appropriation
had been made available for the protection of forest, brush, and grasslands
under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior, funds
were allotted to the action agencies by the Office of Land Utilization
and detailed programs of protection formulated and approved. By
the end of the fiscal year 1942 the emergency fire protection program
had been fully organized, and for the first time in the history of the
Department a comparatively adequate plan of protection for the
resources under its jurisdiction was placed in effect.
The emergency protection funds authorized by the Congress made
it possible for the Department of the Interior to greatly strengthen its
protection organizations on Indian lands, the Oregon and California
revested grant lands, the national parks, and the wildlife refuges.
Protective measures were also provided for the unreserved and unappropriated
public lands under the jurisdiction of the General Land
Office. Operations in the continental United States were confined
largely to lands situated within 300 miles of the eastern and western
coasts and gulfs of California and Mexico by reason of the strategic
Office of Land Utilization • 157
importance of these zones from the standpoint of possible attacks
from the air. However, attention was also directed to areas of high
hazard where accidental or incendiary fires might totally disrupt or
temporarily obstruct the progress of the protection programs essential
to the prosecution of the war.
Owing to the strategic importance of Alaska, special consideration
was given to the large areas of forest and brush land in the interior of
the Territory. Adequate funds have never been available for the
protection of these vast resources. However, the Sixth Supplemental
National Defense Appropriation made it possible to set aside $200,000
for the protection of these lands and to initiate measures which would
provide at least a fair degree of security.
As a part of the emergency fire protection program, plans were
completed during the latter part of the fiscal year 1942 providing for
the cooperation of the Civil Air Patrol in the protection from fire of
forest, brush, and grasslands in the continental United States. The
establishment of this service greatly strengthened the programs of the
protection agencies and made the Civil Air Patrol available to these
agencies for fire detection and the transportation of men and supplies
to fires in inaccessible areas. The details of the plan were worked out
by the Civil Air Patrol in cooperation with the United States Forest
Service, Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Land Utilization
and the protection agencies of the Department of the Interior.
The emergency fire protection program of the Nation was further
strengthened by the establishment of the Forest Fire Fighters Service
by the Office of Civilian Defense in cooperation with the forestry
agencies of the Department of the Interior and the Department of
Agriculture. The purpose of the organization is to safeguard forest
lands and other related facilities and resources and to aid in the
prevention and suppression of fires which might endanger such facilities
or resources. The Forest Fire Fighters Service cooperates with
the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, State
forestry officials and private forest protection organizations in mobilizing
the manpower necessary to safeguard forest resources. The
organization is being trained by specialists of the various agencies
under which they will operate wherever increased manpower is
essential for adequate protection. It will assist materially in providing
the protection agencies of the Nation with trained manpower.
Another program of outstanding importance to the prosecution of
the war, with which the Office of Land Utilization was directly concerned
during the fiscal year 1942, was the relocation of Japanese
evacuees from the West Coast areas upon lands under the jurisdiction
of the Department of the Interior. The Office of Indian Affairs, the
Bureau of Reclamation and the Office of Land Utilization cooperated
effectively with the War Relocation Authority from the inception of
158 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
this undertaking and large numbers of evacuees were relocated upon
Department of the Interior lands in Arizona and Oregon. Several
other projects for the relocation of evacuees were under consideration
at the close of the year and the working out of cooperative agreements
and land-use permits by the War Relocation Authority and the Department
of the Interior were in process. It is expected that the
responsibilities assumed by the Department of the Interior agencies
in this connection will be continued for the duration of the war.
National Park Service
NEWTON B. DRURY, Director
TJL.HE fact that the Nation is at war and that all resources, material
and spiritual, must be mobilized for victory has altered the immediate
program of the National Park Service but has given added meaning to
its ultimate objectives.
Visitation has declined, many activities have been curtailed or
deferred, and the Service has faced the necessity of adapting itself to
rapidly changing conditions. It has been possible to give direct aid
to the war program through properties and personnel. Uses of park
areas not contemplated in peacetime are being undertaken, even to
the point of sacrifice of park values where clearly necessary and with
no alternative, as part of the cost of victory.
At the same time the stress of war has compelled the Service to
take stock of its primary functions and responsibilities. As trustee for
many of the great things of America—areas of outstanding natural
beauty, scientific interest, and historical significance—the National
Park Service has realized its obligation to harmonize its activities with
those relating to the war, aiding wherever possible, and striving to hold
intact those things entrusted to it—the properties themselves, the
basic organization trained to perform its tasks, and, most important
of all, the uniquely American concept under which the national parks
are preserved inviolate for the present and future benefit of all of our
people.
In war, no less than in peace, the national parks and allied areas
have served as havens of refuge for those fortunate enough to be able
to visit them. Providing an environment that tends to give relief
from the tension of a warring world, the parks are being looked upon
as a factor in a program of rehabilitation, physical and mental, that
will be increasingly necessary as the war progresses. In the past 12
months, July 1, 1941, to June 30, 1942, approximately 650,000 members
of the armed forces have visited the parks. Even though the
demands of war may sharply curtail use by the civilian population for
a time, Americans will still take pride and courage in the fact that this
part of their cultural heritage is being preserved for future enjoyment.
159
160 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
The wisdom of the Nation in preserving these areas is clearly evident
on the American continent today as increased demands upon our
natural resources are invading and forever changing the native landscape.
The national parks and monuments may soon be among the
few places in the world where forests continue to evolve normally,
where animal life remains in harmonious relationship to its environment,
and where the ways of Nature and its works may still be studied
in the original design.
War Activities of the National Park Service
On December 16, 1941, the Secretary of the Interior called upon all
bureaus of the Department for “full mobilization of the Nation’s
natural resources for war . . . upon a basis best suited to serve our
military and naval forces without waste, and with a view to saving all
that we can of such resources for future generations.”
The National Park Service has responded to that call, doing those
things that came within its functions, endeavoring meanwhile to
perform its established tasks, and not looking upon the war program
as an opportunity to expand.
In all, 125 permits have been issued by the Department of the
Interior to the War and Navy Departments and war agencies to
make use of National Park Service lands, buildings, and facilities.
These permits have ranged from the installation of direction finders
along the coastal areas to the complete assignment during the war
period of two national monuments—Fort Pulaski in Georgia and
Cabrillo in California. The extent and nature of most of these permits
of necessity is confidential.
The Paradise section of Mount Rainier National Park was used last
winter for training troops in mountain warfare.
At Boulder Dam National Recreational Area, lands for an airport,
rifle range, recreational development, and rights-of-way for water
lines to serve the Defense Plant Corporation with water from Lake
Mead for the operation of a vital magnesium project were turned
over to the Army, Navy, and war production agencies. Temporary
emergency permission was given to the Defense Plant Corporation
for the removal of salt, necessary in the production of magnesium,
from Death Valley National Monument.
The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park now
accommodates a large Army recreation camp; it also is a training
center for the Provost Marshal of the United States Army.
To assist the War Production Board, approximately 40 Service
employees were assigned to a pig-iron survey in about 900 foundries
located in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and
Wisconsin.
National Park Service • 161
Immediate steps were taken after the declaration of war to establish
fire-lookout and air-raid-warning towers in forested areas and to provide
trained crews to combat forest fires and maxi lookout and patrol
stations. Arrangements have been made whereby the observers
cooperate with the designated authorities in spotting and reporting
airplanes. The Service has taken part in the formation of emergency
fire organizations in the Pacific Coast States and Montana. Fire
schools were conducted throughout the park system for training
instructors in forest and building fire suppressio r, control of incendiary
bombs, defense against sabotage and other war hazards, law
enforcement, protection of visitors, and conduct of operations under
war conditions. Emergency organization plans have been developed
i i each park area.
First-aid courses and ambulance service training have been given
in practically all areas of the National Park Service. Hospital supplies
from Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks were made available
to hospitals in the San Joaquin Valley to accommodate patients that
were moved from the San Francisco hospitals required for the sick
and woupded from Pearl Harbor.
There have been numerous instances throughout the National
Park System where the Service personnel were the only sources of
authentic information and Government-owned lands, buildings, and
equipment were the only readily available facilities. In many small
towns and isolated areas Service buildings were used as headquarters
by the Selective Service System, Office of Civilian Defense, Aircraft
Warning Service, rationing boards, and other public organizations.
Direct assistance has beer given and is being given to the Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel in providing quarters,
bivouacking for troops on maneuvers, and furnishing equipment and
supplies that are often required. The knowledge that Service personnel
have of the areas under their administration is constantly sought
by military authorities. The Army has requested Service landscape
architects, engineers, and field men to assist in locating gun emplacements
and effectively camouflaging them, and in reporting weather
data, condition of roads and trails, and accessibility of mountain
and densely forested areas.
Army Rest Camps
Early in the spring of 1941 the Army recognized the desirability of
providing inexpensive facilities in areas which would be available for
use by soldiers on leave or which could be used for a week or two at a
time to give men relief from the training grind. Field technicians of
the National Park Service were called upon to assist in planning and
directing our CCC forces in the construction of Army rest camps.
162 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
As the first six camps approached completion, a steadily increasing
number of locations were considered ard designated by the Army,
most of them in or near centers of population and one on the Lake of
the Ozarks Recreational Demonstration Area in Missouri. Thirtythree
camps with a capacity of approximately 20,000 men were constructed
in 23 States and the District of Columbia.
Rest and Relaxation for British Sailors
When the American shipyards were thrown open to the British
Navy, the British Advisory Repair Mission was faced with the problem
of making provision for the crews of these vessels that would
permit the sailors to get away from the sea for as complete a change
of scene as possible. The group-camping facilities in the recreational
demonstration areas and five vacant CCC camps were offered to the
British Navy through the United States Navy. These areas have
been used by approximately 10,000 British sailors who have been
accommodated in them for periods ranging from 3 days to 10 weeks.
Recently the National Park Service has been called upon to supply
or arrange for additional temporary housing for British crews. In
addition to the use bqing made of the recreational demonstration areas,
the Service has been able to transfer strategically located CCC camps
to the United States Navy for this purpose.
War Use of Park Areas in the Nation’s Capital
Adaptation to wartime conditions has been a matter of principal
concern to the District of Columbia and the National Capital Parks
during the fiscal year. Not only has military occupancy of some
park areas been arranged, but it has been necessary to construct temporary
war buildings in the Mall, West Potomac Park, the President’s
Park, the Washington Monument Grounds, and the George Washington
Memorial Parkway.
The result of this military need was the withdrawal from public use
of approximately 30 percent of the major recreational facilities of the
National Capital Parks. The replacement of these facilities at other
locations is gradually being accomplished to meet the needs of the
increasing population of the Nation’s Capital.
Fort Washington, Md., and Fort Hunt, Va., were taken over by the
War Department, and the protection of the Washington water supply
necessitated closing to public use certain sections of the Chesapeake &
Ohio Canal.
National Park Service • 163
Travel to the National Park Areas
Although the National Park Service is accustomed to reporting
large annual increases in travel, this year’s figures show a decrease of
30 percent from last year, and travel for the month of June 1942, as
compared to June 1941, showed a 50 percent decrease. However, an
impressive total of approximately 16,030,000 visitors, including an
estimated 650,000 members of the armed forces, visited the Federal
park areas between July 1, 1941, and June 30, 1942, approximately
4,000,000 of whom were visitors after December 1941. The rubber
and gasoline shortages, the need of conserving transportation equipment
for use by the military and war agencies, and the limited vacations
of workers in war industries made advisable the curtailment of
promotion of park attendance not only by the National Park Service
but also to a large extent by the park operators. Two meetings of
representatives of the park operators were held with the Director after
the declaration of war. Insofar as was consistent with the changing
war program and the position taken by higher authority, it was agreed
that the parks would remain open and public-service facilities would
be made available to provide accommodations for the people who are
able to visit the parks. Special reduced rates were continued in effect
for members of the armed forces. The park superintendents were
delegated authority to adjust rates and services to meet the rapidly
changing war conditions.
Analysis of the travel figures since the outbreak of war shows that
while the number of visitors decreased the per capita day use of park
areas increased. Most of the people who were able to visit the parks
and monuments remained for a longer period than in previous years.
In accordance with orders from the Office of Defense Transportation,
all sightseeing and charter bus service was brought to a close in
the national parks and monuments. Transportation from rail and
bus terminals to established destinations such as the hotels and lodges
within the parks has been maintained.
Visitation to Hawaii National Park, Hawaii, and Mount McKinley
National Park, Alaska, was stopped by the outbreak of the war.
The superintendents of those areas and their staffs, however, continued
to protect them, to assist with local civilian defense programs,
and to make park features available to the members of the armed
forces and civilians in the vicinity.
National Park Concessions, Inc., the nonprofit distributing corporation
authorized by the Secretary of the Interior in 1941 to operate
public facilities at Mammoth Cave National Park, Ky., completed a
year of successful operations. One concession unit was established
on the Blue Ridge Parkway and plans are being made for the post-war
164 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
operation of facilities by this corporation along the entire length of
the parkway.
Travel Bureau Operates on War Basis
The program of the Travel Bureau—established by Congress in
1940 and placed under the supervision of the National Park Service—
was revised to eliminate promotion of travel. The field offic s in
New York and San Francisco were closed. A small force is continuing
in Washington to serve as a liaison agency in supplying essential information
to the travel industry, to war agencies, and to the public. The
travel interests of the country, in collaboration with the Bureau, set
up the North American Travel Conference, the keynote for which
was the utilization of available recreational travel facilities to keep
war workers and the public fit for their patriotic duties. This conference
first promoted the idea of staggered vacations which later was
established as an official policy. Through the Interdepartmental
Committee in Cooperation with the American Republics in forwarding
the Good Neighbor Policy, and under an allotment of $25,000 from
that committee, the Travel Bureau, assisted by the Photographic
Section of the Division of Information, scored 12 reels of film in
Spanish and Portuguese for distribution by the State Department to
the American Republics.
Problems of Protection Growing Out of the War
In connection with the war program there have arisen proposals to
open national park areas to lumbering, mining, grazing, and other
commercial exploitation. These present a problem of major importance.
The National Park Service is aware that the cost of victory
in this war is going to be high and that oui natural resources are
going to be called upon more and more to meet the shortages in available
strategic materials. It is the responsibility of this Service to
measure the degree to which the justified needs of the Nation require
destruction of irreplaceable national park values and to recommend
accordingly. Inconvenience to 'park administration and to park
visitors or remediable damage to park property have not been considered
sufficient reasons for questioning the use of park resources
for war purposes. Only where uses proposed would do irreparable
damage and entail destruction or impairment of distinctive features
and qualities in the parks have we felt justified in raising the question
as to whether all reasonable alternatives have been exhausted before
invading the national park areas. Critical necessity rather than
convenience should, we believe, be the governing reason.
National Park Service • 165
This test applies, for instance, to such proposals as that for the
logging of airplane spruce in Olympic National Park. The shortage
of Sitka spruce for airplane manufacture is recognized as a direct
threat to perpetuation of these forests in Olympic National Park.
This area has served its highest public use by preserving for the enjoyment
of future generations a representative remnant of the vast
virgin forests that once were the glory of the Pacific Northwest.
Once gone, an outstanding natural spectacle is lost to America forever.
The consensus of conservation leaders is that none of the virgin
forest in this park should be cut unless the trees are absolutely essential
to the prosecution of the war, with no alternative, and only as a
last resort. Other spruce should first be used. Supplies from Alaska
and from Washington and Oregon are being made available for this
purpose, and the Service is cooperating in the provision of some airplane
spruce by modifying the taking lines of the Coastal Strip and
the Queets Corridor Parkway adjoining Olympic National Park.
The Service is following the situation closely, and at each turn of the
war program we shall take a position dictated by paramount national
need.
Similarly with proposals to mine strategic minerals in the national
parks and monuments, the position has been taken that invasion of
a national park by mining can be justified only to furnish strategic
or critical minerals indispensable to the war and not obtainable
elsewhere. In general, studies indicate that strategic minerals are
not present in national park areas in sufficient quantities to be of
economic importance, but the Service, in collaboration with the
Geological Survey, stands ready to aid in determination of the Nation’s
highest interest in the matter of sacrifices necessary to provide war
materials.
The long-range departmental policy of eventually eliminating
grazing from all national parks and monuments has been reaffirmed.
Land-management studies prove that a small acreage of cultivated
pasture is equal to many thousand acres of mountain grazing. The
ruinous erosion caused by overgrazing and the spoiling of mountain
meadows and streams and serious conflicts with recreational use—
all are ample justification for not permitting grazing within the
national parks and monuments. Destruction to roads, trails, and
improvements by trampling, and the expense of developing water,
fences, and other facilities would render such proposed grazing uneconomical;
therefore, it has been held that any extension of grazing
in aid of the demands caused by the war should be made only after
all other possibilities have been exhausted.
In these and other cases where destructive uses of national park
lands are proposed for war purposes the Service does not take a hide-
485482—42-------13
166 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
bound position, but rather one of full attempt to cooperate with the
military authorities in determining whether the need is critical for the
Nation or merely convenient for some individual operation, and
whether the need can be met expeditiously somewhere else without
destruction of the qualities of the national parks.
Protection of Cultural Resources
Through representation on the President’s Committee on the Conservation
of Cultural Resources; by surveying and recording materials
of cultural, scientific, and historic importance in its possession; by
storing irreplaceable items at places which are considered safer than
their original repositories; and in the preparation of the handbook
issued by the committee, chapter 4 of which on the protection of
historic buildings is almost entirely the work of members of our staff,
the National Park Service has aided this important phase of civilian
defense.
Members of our staff are alert and prepared to protect historical,
scientific, and other irreplaceable exhibits that have been entrusted
to our care. The Service has cooperated with Federal, State, and
local agencies and has worked with the Committee on the Conservation
of Cultural Resources, the Office of Civilian Defense, and the
Public Buildings Administration in developing plans for the protection
of historic buildings and cultural materials.
Public Use of Historic Sites
In recognition of the fact that a nation without physical reminders
of its past heroism and military exploits would have little enduring
national pride, the Service not only kept its historical areas open as
in normal times, but also lengthened the hours of visitation and extended
and improved its interpretive programs. Close proximity of
these areas to Army and Navy centers provided many soldiers, sailors,
and marines with opportunities for recreation and patriotic stimulation,
and special programs were arranged for them by National Park
Service personnel.
Much was done to perfect and intensify the basic contribution of the
historical and military parks to the strengthening of morale. Special
theme studies were undertaken to redefine and fortify the National
Park Service interpretation of the great movements and crises of
American history. Interpretive statements were reexamined and in
many cases revised to show how each historical area is an integral part
of the theme of the building of America.
National Park Service • 167
On Guard in the Nation’s Forests
The agencies in charge of the Nation’s forests face perhaps the most
critical fire season in history. The National Park Service is cooperating
closely with the U. S. Forest Service and with State and conservation
agencies. Acute threats of sabotage and incendiarism increase
the normal protection problem—always a serious one—and it is further
intensified by reduction in available manpower for prevention and
suppression activities.
The loss of the Civilian Conservation Corps on June 30 and the withdrawal
from the forested areas of large numbers of trained fire fighters
seriously complicated the fire-protection program. Immediate steps
were taken to locate sources of local labor and to train every available-
Service employee in the essential elements of combating forest fires.
Civilian public service camps, composed of conscientious objectors,,
were able to do effective work in combating a large forest fire in the
vicinity of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plans of the Selective Service
System for locating additional camps of this type in forested areas
are under way.
During the 1941 season, lightning caused more fires than in any
single year of record—over one-third of the 540 forest fires reported in
the parks. A total of 3,788 acres of forest and brush lands were
burned throughout the entire system. In addition, 25,000 acres of
grassland in the Lava Beds National Monument were burned over by
lightning-caused fires.
Although fires started by careless smokers continue to be the most
prevalent of the human causes of forest fires in the national parks, the
intensified fire-prevention program has given encouraging results in
that the total number of preventable man-caused fires has not increased
in proportion to park use.
Measured by acres, the park forests represent a relatively small part
of the forested area of the United States and its Territories. Nevertheless,
aside from the aesthetic value, strategic location makes them
of great significance to the Nation. Situated primarily on mountain
slopes and in high country, their preservation is essential to the protection
of watersheds vital to water supply, agriculture, and power.
Protection Against Forest Insects and Diseases
The forest insect situation in the National Park System is favorable
because of thoroughness of previous intensive control programs. A
few limited outbreaks still require control work. Continual vigilance,
moreover, must be exercised to assure recognition of epidemics at an
early stage. Regular surveys and prompt control of infestations are of
168 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
greater importance now than in normal times because of limited manpower
available.
The white pine blister rust continues to spread among the fiveneedle
pines. Over a third of a million acres of pine forests in the
national park areas warrant intensive control work. The program
was accelerated during the past year through appropriation of special
funds. Complete control work has been carried out on 66,793 acres.
Loss of Civilian Conservation Corps Camps
Reduction of the Civilian Conservation Corps during 1942 and its
abolishment in the 1943 fiscal year as a wartime economy measure
caused the National Park Service a serious loss of manpower. Since
1933 the Service has depended to a large extent upon the CCC for
men to fight forest fires, maintain trails, install recreational facilities,
and carry on general measures of conservation and protection. Rapid
reorganization of regular Service personnel has been necessary to establish
the basis on which many of these protective functions will be
conducted in the future.
The number of CCC camps under the technical supervision of this
Service was reduced from 262 in July 1941 to 91 by June 30, 1942.
Throughout the year as camps were required they were assigned to
Army and Navy areas. In the Hawaiian Islands, the corps as a whole
was allocated to war projects. The St. Thomas camp in the Virgin
Islands was discontinued early in the year as defense work provided
employment for all available youth.
By the end of July 1942, all of the CCC camps will be terminated,
bringing to a close a 9-year cooperative program that has been of
inestimable value in park development and protection. Although
this will be reported upon in the 1943 report, we now salute the
CCC and acknowledge the aid the National Park Service has received
from CCC activities throughout the Nation.
Construction Work Deferred
Along with other civilian agencies of the Federal Government the
National Park Service has virtually halted all construction and development
for the duration of the war. New work was deferred and
reductions were being made even before mandatory restrictions were
issued by the War Production Board. Many members of the staff
engaged in planning and construction joined the armed forces or war
agencies. The Service has made its shift to a war basis for the duration
with little difficulty.
The suspension of construction activities affords an excellent opportunity
for careful and thorough formulation of plans for future work.
National Park Service • 169
A nucleus of the planning branches is being retained in each of the
regional headquarters and the Director’s office. The first call on the
services of these employees will be to meet emergency conditions that
arise. The remainder of their time will be devoted to a “plans-onthe-
shelf” program, which the Service has been instructed to prepare.
This should prove to be an important element in any accelerated
building program that may be decided upon to take up the slack in
employment that may well .be anticipated at the end of the war.
It will also assure mature and sound plans for any future program of
development. The benefit of a “breathing spell” in the matter of
construction and development is recognized by the Service.
Parkways
The National Park Service and Public Roads Administration are
drafting a long-range plan for resuming development of the Blue
Ridge and the Natchez Trace Parkways after the war. The Blue
Ridge Parkway ultimately will connect the Shenandoah National
Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in
North Carolina and Tennessee, a distance of 484 miles. Appropriations
and allotments to date for the Blue Ridge Parkway have totaled
$24,518,047.33, and more than two-thirds of the total mileage has
been completed, with one continuous stretch of bituminous surfaced
road between Adney Gap, near Roanoke, Va., and Deep Gap, near
Blowing Rock, N. C., a distance of 150 miles.
On the Natchez Trace Parkway, which follows the general location
of the Old Indian Trail between Nashville, Tenn., and Natchez, Miss.,
known as the “Natchez Trace,” some work is being completed under
contracts issued prior to the war, and as the present construction
draws to a close 37 miles have been graded and surfaced out of a total
of 454 miles, and 83 additional miles have been graded.
Master Plans
As a basis for the planning program of the national park and monument
areas, a Master Plan Manual was issued for the guidance of
administrative and professional employees of the Service. The
Master Plan is the controlling document which governs the orderly
development of all areas administered by the National Park Service.
Its purpose is to assure the soundness of that development and
coordinate the thought and effort of all persons engaged in establishing
the policies which govern an area’s preservation, interpretation,
administration, and operation. During the 1942 fiscal year, the
Service brought to completion and approval master plans for all 166
units of the National Park System. Based on these, development
170 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
programs were submitted to the National Resources Planning Board
as a basis of the 6-year advance plan and program of Public Works
construction submitted annually.
I nterpretation
An “inventory of values” describing the outstanding features of
-each area and defining the significance of those features in relation to
human experience has been prepared for many of the natural and
historical areas of the Service. These inventories are the result of the
collaboration and research of various technicians, and serve as the
interpretive statements for each area. They are of particular importance
in the master-planning program.
Soldiers, sailors, war workers, and civilian visitors to the national
parks and monuments were given an opportunity to gain a deeper
understanding of the inspirational, historical, and educational significance
of these areas through the guided trips and illustrated talks
given by the naturalists and historians, and the field museums operated
by the Service.
Interpretive activities were cut to a war pattern. Guided trips
calling for the use of private cars (frequently referred to as “caravan”
trips) were practically eliminated, and scheduled hiking trips substituted.
The Yosemite School of Field Natural History, which for
many years served as a training ground for naturalists, and the
Yosemite Junior Nature School were discontinued for the period of
the war.
Many technical, semitechnical, and popular publications and
periodicals were postponed or suspended indefinitely to avoid use of
paper and printing facilities needed for emergency work and to make
possible personnel reductions. The preparation of a series of radio
programs was abandoned, as were the monthly “clip sheets” dealing
with phases of conservation in popular vein.
Museums
Museum exhibits have been directed toward the primary value of
each area in strengthening patriotic thought. One typical exhibit,
’“What We Fight For,” was installed at the historical museum at
Morristown National Historical Park. It presented in graphic form
the ideals of freedom of worship and freedom of speech as exemplified
by George Washington.
The Western Museum Laboratories in California closed upon
termination of Work Projects Administration programs, and the preparation
of museum exhibits has been curtailed throughout the Service.
* Among the acquisitions of scientific and historical materials were
National Park Service • 171
the Wirt Robinson Indian Collection which was installed in the
museum on Jamestown Island section of Colonial National Historical
Park, and the John Nelson Collection of objects relating to the prehistoric
Indians who lived in the vicinity and visited the Mammoth
Cave, which were gathered over a long period of years by John Nelson,
a former cave guide, and were purchased by the Mammoth Cave
National Park Association and donated to the park. They will form
the basis for an interpretive museum exhibit and study material.
The Advisory Board
The Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings,
and Monuments met twice during the year to consider policies involved
in the preservation and use of national park and monument
areas during the war. The interest of this Board and their helpful
recommendations to the Secretary are of great value to the Service.
The members are: Edmund H. Abrahams, chairman; Dr. Clark
Wissler, vice chairman; Dr. Frank M. Setzler, Secretary; and Dr.
Thomas Barbour, Dr. Herbert E. Bolton, Mrs. Reau Folk, George
deBenneville Keim, Dr. Fiske Kimball, Dr. Waldo G. Leland, Richard
Lieber, and Charles G. Sauers.
Archeology
The National Park Service in collaboration with the Bureau of
Reclamation, Office of Indian Affairs, Tennessee Valley Authority,
and Work Projects Administration reviewed, investigated, and conducted
many important archeological studies. Typical of these was
the archeological reconnaissance and obtaining of scientific data
relating to the little-known period of cave habitation belonging to
the early Basket Maker development from the Yampa and Green
River drainage basins in Dinosaur National Monument, soon to be
inundated by project dams and reservoirs, and, also, the salvaging of
important archeological data and collections at Mancos Canyon,
near Mesa Verde National Park. By the end of the fiscal year, archeological
programs under the Work Projects Administration on which
this Service and the Smithsonian Institution have given technical
review were greatly reduced, and all excavations on national park
areas were brought to a close.
Wildlife Conservation
The National Park Service continued its cooperative relationships
with the Fish and Wildlife Service on important wildlife problems.
Recognizing that the sight of animals, large and small, in their natural
i
172 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
habitat is an integral part of the American scene as exemplified in the
national parks, efforts were directed toward wildlife management in
its broad phases.
During the past year wildlife experts recommended reductions in
the number of so-called “big game” and the fur-bearing animals, in
order to relieve overpopulation of the range and guard against deterioration
of these animals through starvation and disease that
accompany continuously overstocked ranges.
The greatest problems occurred in Yellowstone National Park,
which contains the largest mammal population of any unit in the
system. Although the winter range which is shared by elk, deer,
antelopes, and bighorn showed some improvement, this was due |
primarily to weather conditions, particularly mild winters that made
it possible for the big animals to graze in the high country, thus relieving
the regular winter range of its usual grazing burden. To prevent
further jeopardy of the range, and guard against wildlife disaster in
an unexpectedly severe winter, it is necessary to reduce the large
existing elk surplus and maintain the herd at less than carrying capacity
until the range has fully recovered.
A too-large bison population is another Yellowstone problem.
During the year a program was inaugurated for reduction of the
Lamar bison herd leading to its eventual establishment on a selfsustaining
basis. In all, 183 bison were disposed of to Indians, relief
agencies, and the San Rafael Grazing District, Utah.
Elk, deer, and beaver in other areas were reduced, some being used
for stocking purposes on non-Federal areas.
A comprehensive analysis of grazing by saddle stock in Kings Canyon
National Park was prepared as a basis for a protective program
for meadows and open areas and to insure proper watershed and
wildlife forage.
To assist in rendering the Hawaiian Islands as nearly self-sustaining
as possible, grazing was authorized on Hawaii National Park lands
found adaptable therefor.
Fish Conservation
Heavy plantings of fish were continued, with the release of 22 million
fish (eggs, fry, fingerlings, etc.) in waters of 20 park areas. Most of
the planting stock was supplied by Fish and Wildlife Service
hatcheries. Rearing pools were operated by the National Park
Service in Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, and Sequoia
National Parks.
A uniform series of cooperative agreements was entered into between
the Service and the California Division of Fish and Game governing
fish-stocking procedure for each of the national parks in California.
National Park Service • 173
In addition to these annual agreements, a general policy agreement
was reached between the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife
Service, and California Division of Fish and Game.
Soil and Moisture Conservation
In accordance with the program of the Department’s Office of Land
Utilization, much important work was accomplished in soil and
moisture conservation, particularly in the Southwest.
The engineering laboratory of the Service made soils and building
material analyses. Architectural concrete researches were made to
determine effect and weathering qualities of integral colored pigments
and surface stains of importance in camouflage. Continued assistance
was given the Bureau of Yards and Docks of the Navy Department,
both in performance of tests and in the use of laboratory
facilities by naval personnel. In collaboration with the National
Bureau of Standards, further investigations were made of cementstabilized
soils.
Sanitation and Safety Precautions
Close cooperation was continued with the Public Health Service in
maintaining proper sanitation conditions throughout the National
Park System. Sanitary engineers of the Public Health Service
inspected water supplies, sewerage and sewage disposal, garbage disposal,
camp and picnic grounds, swimming pools, and food-handling
places throughout the system. No critical problems of sanitation
arose.
In-Service training courses in fire-protection engineering were given
groups of selected engineers and architects, to familiarize the personnel
with the principles and safe practices of fire protection as they apply
to the design, construction, and operation of building and auxiliary
equipment.
The trend of employee accidents continued downward, with a
reduction of more than 70 percent in the compensation costs for employee
injuries since the establishment of a safety unit in the National
Park Service in 1937. This record is especially noteworthy since for
the 5 years preceding 1937 there was a rising trend of employee
injury costs.
Cooperation in State Park and Related Development
Early in 1942 the Service published its report on A Study of the Park
and Recreation Problem of the United States which was based to a
considerable extent upon information obtained through the various
174 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
State park, parkway, and recreational area studies. Its greatest
value will be in planning future programs, especially during the postwar
period.
The total of State reports was increased to 36 with the completion
of those for Vermont and West Virginia.
Regional park and recreation studies of New England and the Central
Southeast, launched in the preceding year, were suspended for
the duration. A long-range study of the recreational resources of the
Denison Dam, Texas and Oklahoma, was initiated under a special
congressional appropriation. The 1940 quinquennial survey of
county and municipal parks, conducted in cooperation with the
National Recreation Association and the American Institute of Park
Executives, was completed.
The reduction in the number of Civilian Conservation Corps camps
throughout the year, and the redirection of CCC work to activities
contributing directly to the protection of vital resources and to the
military effort, resulted in virtual elimination of State, county, and
metropolitan park projects.
All States that had benefited from this cooperative enterprise were
advised, in anticipation of some form of Federal assistance when the
war is ended, to work along three main lines: (1) perfection of their
administrative and technical organizations; (2) building up their land
ownership, particularly to round out existing parks; and, (3) continued
preparation of adequate plans for future development.
Drainage Basin Activities
An important part of the Service’s cooperative planning work
during the year was the study of the recreational resources of the
various drainage basins throughout the country. This is a part of
the continuing program of drainage basin studies carried on by Federal,
State, and local authorities under general auspices of the National
Resources Planning Board.
Contributions of planning advice through regular attendance at
drainage basin meetings were made in connection with the current
studies in a number of other basins throughout the country. Despite
loss of personnel Service representation continued on all drainage
basin committees.
A plan for the utilization of the recreational resources created by
development of the Grand Coulee Reservoir in the State of Washington
was completed and turned over to the Bureau of Reclamation.
The work was done at the request of that bureau as a part of the complete
analysis of the project’s resources and possibilities. A start
was made on similar planning for the Central Valley project in
California.
National Park Service • 175
In cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, as a part of the
studies to formulate a comprehensive plan for the utilization of the
resources of the Colorado River Basin, a recreational survey was in
progress throughout the year. Special emphasis was placed upon the
most vital water conservation possibilities, suggested by the Bureau
of Reclamation at points along the Colorado and Green Rivers.
International Cooperation in Conservation
Of significance in the preservation of the natural attributes of the
Americas is the Convention on Nature and Wildlife Protection in the
Western Hemisphere.
The necessary number of Governments ratified the convention during
the past year, and it came into force on April 30, 1942. The
treaty establishes conservation principles that will be of great value inpreserving
the natural conditions, birds, and animals of the Western
Hemisphere.
The National Park Service has exchanged information with the
Cultural Relations Division of the State Department and the Hispanic
Foundation of the Library of Congress concerning legislation, classification,
protection, and treatment of historic sites. Representatives
of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Guatemala visited Washington and a
number of the national parks to study park operation, stabilization
methods, legislation and administrative methods used, and archeological
conservation.
Great Britain now is making plans for nature preservation in its
post-war construction, through its municipal corporations and
scientific societies.
At meetings in Mexico City, representatives of the United States
and Mexico made recommendations to carry out the act of August
18, 1941, authorizing the establishment of the Coronado International
Memorial on the international boundary between the States of Arizona
and Sonora.
Additions to the National Park System
One new national monument was established during the past year,
bringing the total number of units of the National Park System to
166. This new unit and additions to existing units increased the total
area of the system to 21,686,029 acres.
The Andrew Johnson National Monument, with a total area of 17
acres, was established by Presidential proclamation of April 27, 1942,
pursuant to the act of August 25, 1935. The State of Tennessee
donated the Andrew Johnson Tailor Shop property at Greeneville,
where the former President engaged in his trade from 1826 to 1843;.
176 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
the War Department transferred the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery;
and the Andrew Johnson Homestead was purchased, bringing
together the essential properties for establishment of the monument.
Additions were made to 25 existing units through the purchase of
2,503 acres; the acquisition by donation of 4,285 acres; and the transfer
of 28,608 acres already in Government ownership.
Progress of National Park Projects
Consummation of several major national park projects appeared
possible at the close of the year, and good progress on several others
can be reported.
The Big Bend National Park project, launched in Texas over 10
years ago and authorized by the act of June 20, 1935, approached
successful conclusion as the State of Texas acquired title to more than
600,000 acres of land within the proposed park boundaries. Additional
purchases are expected to bring the total to approximately
710,000 acres by September 1, after which no further expenditures
can be made against the $1,500,000 appropriated by the State legislature
for that purpose. Land acquisition was handled by the Texas
State Park Board. The Republic of Mexico plans to establish eventually
a similar national park on the opposite side of the Rio Grande.
The two will form an international park on our southern boundary
similar to the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park on the
Canada-United States boundary.
lhe Everglades Rational Park project was authorized by act of May
30, 1934. Negotiations with the State of Florida were continued, and
considerable progress was made during the past year to formulate
plans to exchange miscellaneous State lands for privately owned lands
within the project boundaries, and the eventual transfer of the lands
to the Federal Government. The Governor of Florida has evinced
wholehearted interest in this projected park.
Coronado International Memorial, Arizona.—By act of August 18,
1941, the Congress authorized the establishment of a memorial in
Arizona to commemorate the explorations of Francisco Vasquez de
Coronado. An area of 2,880 acres of land adjoining the international
boundary and located about 10 miles west of the town of Naco has
been selected for this purpose. The act provides that a Presidential
proclamation establishing the memorial shall be issued when the Government
of Mexico has established, or provided for the establishment
of, an adjoining area of similar type and size in the State of Sonora.
At a conference held in Mexico City in June attended by representatives
of the United States Government and Arizona and of the
Government of Mexico arrangements were made to survey the area
proposed for the memorial in the State of Sonora so that a decree
National Park Service • 177
can be issued by the President of Mexico establishing it as the Coronado
International Memorial Park. The uses, functions, development,
and administration of the Coronado International Memorial,
comprising areas on each side of the international boundary, also were
outlined at the conference. This international memorial, when established,
will symbolize the unity existing between Mexico and the
United States.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park project, Kentucky, Tennessee,
and Virginia, was authorized by act of June 11, 1940. A recent
appropriation for land acquisition by the Kentucky Legislature of
$150,000 brought this project nearer realization. The State of Tennessee
had previously appropriated $75,000 with which to acquire its
portion of the tri-State area. Virginia has completed its surveys and
options wuth funds allocated for the purpose and has indicated that
$75,000 will be forthcoming with which to exercise the options.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area project, North
Carolina, was authorized by act of August 17, 1937, and redesignated
by the act of June 29, 1940. During the past year the Cape Hatteras
Seashore Commission has been successful in securing more than 7,000
acres, mostly in lauds belonging to the State and to Dare County, for
conveyance to the Federal Government. At least 10,000 acres must
be acquired before the area, which will include the existing Kill Devil
Hill Memorial National Monument, Fort Raleigh National Historic
Site, and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, can be established.
Saratoga National Historical Park project, New York, was authorized
by act of June 1, 1938. Title to most of the area was conveyed
to the United States by the State of New York in 1941. Options
have been obtained on more than one-half of the remaining lands
which must be acquired before the park can be formally established..
Encouraging as are the foregoing gains, the Service realizes that
effective means have not yet been found to save some unique areas
that are worthy of preservation, the status of which is critical. The
Tensas River forest in Madison Parish, La., and the Porcupine Mountains
forest in northern Michigan are typical examples. In both
areas there are priceless remnants of virgin forest in imminent danger
of destruction, and there are rare wildlife species which must have
adequate sanctuary if they are to survive. The Service is aware, also,
of the continuing deterioration of the values in some of its authorized
projects, where no systematic program of national park land acquisition
has been authorized. Likewise, little progress has been made in
the vital matter of acquiring private inholdings in the established
national parks and monuments. In the Joshua Tree National Monument,
for instance, the private-land situation is such that it prevents
the proper development of the monument for public use or the adequate
protection of the plant species for which the area is named.
178 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Reappraisal of Objectives and Classification
of Areas
World War II brought to a close a 9-year period of park development
that was one of the outstanding phases of the peacetime conservation
and employment programs. This finds the National Park
Service with enlarged responsibilities and functions. The national
park areas now number 166, contain almost 22,000,000 acres, and
were visited during the past 5 years by an average of approximately
17 million people annually. To the 26 areas designated by the Congress
as “national parks” there have been added other types—national
monuments, Historical parks, military parks, historic sites,
parkways, and recreational areas. Under the CCC, the Historic Sites
Survey, and the Park, Parkway, and Recreational Area Study, there
has been a widespread program of cooperation with the States. This
has of necessity called for more complicated organization, greater
personnel, and new policies to meet varying situations and needs.
The Service during the past year, therefore, has thought it appropriate
to analyze its position, and to redefine and clarify its objectives
in the light of changed conditions.
Many members of the Washington Office staff and representatives
from the field have collaborated in preparing a statement of objectives.
This takes into account the increased complexity of the Service’s
activities as a result of the emergency program, the added functions
that by congressional and executive action it has been asked to
assume, and the new types of areas that it has been called upon to
administer.
Today, as in the early years, much of the Service’s prestige and
distinction lie in the fact that it is the Nation’s trustee for certain
outstanding historic shrines and superlative examples of Nature’s
handiwork in the United States. It was such areas that the Congress
had in mind when the basic policy of administering national
park lands was thus stated in the act of August 25, 1916: “To conserve
the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife
therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner
and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment
of future generations.”
This, the foundation idea upon which the Service is built, is basic
today. It provides the unifying element that welds all national park
units into a system. Development and use of the areas must
follow a pattern that will afford to visitors, without material impairment
of the natural and historical characteristics, the deeply satisfying
experience that each area is capable of giving.
National Park Service • 179
The Service has also given considerable study to the question of
terminology, with the hope that the present unwieldy classification of
areas might be reduced and simplified to meet the requirements of
common usage.
Officials Receive Pugsley Awards
The three Cornelius Amory Pugsley medals, awarded by the
American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society each year for
outstanding park achievements, were all given in the national field for
1941 rather than for National, State, and municipal work, as in the
past.
The gold medal was awarded to Secretary of the Interior Harold L.
Ickes for “Distinguished park service in the national field.” Arthur
E. Demaray, Associate Director of the National Park Service, was
awarded the silver medal for his long and able service in the interest
of the national parks; and Miss Harlean James, executive secretary of
the American Planning and Civic Association, received the bronze
medal for her years of devoted service in the inteiest of America’s
parks. Presentation of the medals was made in the office of the Secletary
of the Interior on June 4, 1942.
Former Director Cammerer Honored
At the request of the National Park Service, approved by the Secretary
of the Interior, the United States Board on Geographical Names
authorized the naming of two natural features in Great Smoky Mountains
National Park, Mount Cammerer and Cammerer Ridge, in
recognition of the distinguished services of Arno B. Cammerer,
Director of the National Park Service from 1933 to 1940, and an
official of that agency from July 1919 until his death in April 1941
deprived the Service of one of its most valuable members. Mr.
Cammerer had a large part in the establishment of Great Smoky
Mountains National Park and other eastern national parks; he had
guided the efforts of many thousands of employees and had borne the
brunt of organizing many new and expanded activities of the Service
between 1933 and 1940. Always, he zealously guarded the national
parks against over-development in order to retain their significant
natural and historic character.
Removal of Service’s Washington Office to Chicago
On December 19, 1941, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget
issued a directive providing for the removal of the Washington offices
of the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the
180 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Office of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, to Chicago, Ill.,
as a part of a program to make additional office and housing space
available for the rapidly expanding war agencies. At the close of the
fiscal year, the Office of Decentralization Service, Public Buildings
Administration, had completed negotiations for the rental of space
for the central offices of those agencies in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart
Building. A small liaison office will remain in Washington to handle
matters affecting the National Capital Parks, the District of Columbia
Zoning Commission, and the National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, and to carry out special assignments for the Director.
Personnel Changes
The war has brought far-reaching changes in the personnel of the
National Park Service. The reductions in the CCC throughout the
year and its elimination on June 30, 1942, reduced the working organization
substantially. Curtailment of appropriations brought further
reductions. The move to Chicago made it necessary for many
employees to transfer to other agencies.
Over 300 Service employees, regular and CCC, have joined the
armed forces, and more than 150 have transferred to agencies primarily
engaged in war work.
The Service is proud of those who are making such a worthy contribution
to our Nation by joining the ranks of her defenders and of the
many who have sought arduous and technical assignments in war
production work. We are also proud of the way in which added
burdens have been assumed by the existing staff because of the many
transfers and reductions in personnel.
Throughout the National Park Service our wartime pledge is to
protect for this and future generations the outstanding examples of
the American scene entrusted to us, and to administer each area so as
to maintain integrity of the purpose for which it was established.
We are strengthened in this resolution by your statement that “A
Nation like ours at war is inspired to greater efforts by the thought that
institutions in which it takes pride, and which symbolize its greatness,
are being defended and will exist after the war has been won.”
National Park Service • 181
Statistical Tables
This year, with the annual report reduced in length to economize on
paper and to relieve the burden on printing facilities, only one table
listing the areas administered by the National Park Service, the
acreage in each and the visitation is included. Other statistics on the
operations of the National Park Service have been compiled for administrative
purposes and copies may be obtained from the Director,.
National Park Service, Chicago, Ill.
National park system, acreage, and visitation
Areas (classification)
National parks:
Acadia_____________________________
Bryce Canyon_____________________
Carlsbad Caverns__________________
Crater Lake________________________
Glacier_____________________________
Grand Canyon_____________________
Grand Teton_______________________
Great Smoky Mountains__________
Hawaii_________________________ _
Hot Springs________________________
Isle Roy ale.____ ___________________
Kings Canyon_____________________
Lassen Volcanic____________________
Mammoth Cave___________________
Mesa Verde________________________
Mount McKinley__________________
Mount Rainier_____________________
Olympic___________________________
Platt_______________________________
Rocky Mountain___________________
Sequoia____________________________
Shenandoah________________________
Wind Cave_________________________
Yellowstone________________________
Yosemite__________________________
Zion________________________________
National monuments:
Ackia Battleground________________
Andrew Johnson___________________
Appomattox____ __________________
Arches_____________________________
Aztec Ruins________________________
Badlands___________________________
Bandelier__________________________
Big Hole Battlefield________________
Black Canyon of the Gunnison_____
Cabrillo_____ i_____________________
Canyon de Chelly__________________
Capitol Reef_______________________
Capulin Mountain_________________
Casa Grande_______________________
Castillo de San Marcos___________
Castle Pinckney___________________
Cedar Breaks________ 1____________
Chaco Canyon.____ _______________
Channel Islands____________________
Chiricahua_________________________
Colorado..!________________________
Craters of the Moon________________
Death Valley___________________....
Devil Postpile_____________________
Devils Tower______________________
Dinosaur___________________________
El Morro__________________________
Father Millet Cross________________
Fort Jefferson______ ________________
See footnotes at end of table.
485482—42------ 14
Approximate
visitors,
fiscal year
July 1, 1941—
June 30, 1942
Approximatevisitors,
5-year average,
1938-42
381, 750 395, 500
101, 000 106, 300
219, 250 231, 600
335, 200 255,400
156,400 167, 300
343, 900 375,000
113,150 116. 500
1,188,100 950,500
140,950 235, 250
192, 550 175, 800
7, 350 > 3, 500
152, 900 1 105, 350
95, 750 96, 600
148,100 112, 750
36, 550 35, 500 ■
700 1, 500
399, 700 409, 325
187, 700 98,000-
250,950 304, 300
422,000 600, 800
262,000 270. 000
878,100 950,000
19, 200 18, 700
499, 600 512, 200
490, 500 500. 250
158,100 164, 000
(2) (2)
2,600 i 2. 600
15, 500 13,100
2, 700 2, 500-
11,150 15, 000
210, 300 ‘ 170,000
9,700 12.100
3,450 7, 500
16, 700 17,100
(3) > 150, 000
2,100 2,000
4 1, 050 1,500
33, 200 33. 750
13,400 20,600
231,950 1 232,000-
(’) (2)
13, 200 16,800
1,150 3,400
(2) (2)
8, 300 9,500
22, 850 39,000
14, 400 19, 000
70, 900 73, 500
5,125 7,300
37,350 36, 350
6,300 9,000-
1,150 2,000
(2) (2)
720 1,000.
Location (State) Approximate
acreage
Maine___________ 24, 629
Utah_____ _____ 35, 980
New Mexico... __ 49, 568
Oregon___________ 160, 334
Montana. . ____ 984, 310
Arizona________ 645,120
Wyoming. ____ 96,000
North Carolina- 457) 462
Tennessee.
Territory of Ha- 173, 399
waii.
Arkansas________ 1,011
Michigan_______ 133, 839
California________ 454, 600
____do___________ 104, 527
Kentucky________ 49, 696
Colorado_________ 51, 334
Alaska________ 1, 939,493
Washington______ 241, 782
. .. do. . . 835, 411
Oklahoma________ 912
Colorado_________ 259,416
California______ 386 560
Virginia__________ 193,441
South Dakota . _ 12,640
W yoming________ 2,221, 773
California____ __ 761, 111
Utah_____________ 86,343
Mississippi______ 49
Tennessee.. ______ 17.08
Virginia_______ _ 970
Utah.. _________ '33, 680
New Mexico_____ 26
South Dakota____ 150,103
New Mexico__ 26,026
Montana_________ 200
Colorado_____ __ 13,969
California________ .50
Arizona__________ 83, 840
Utah_____________ 37,060
New Mexico___ _ ' 680
Arizona_______ 473
Florida__________ 19
South Carolina___ 4
Utah____________ 6,067
New Mexico____ 21) 509
California____ ... 1,120
Arizona_________ 10, 695
Colorado_________ 18) 311
Idaho_____ ______ 48)280
C alifornia-N evada 1, 907) 720 '
California________ 800
Wyoming ... _ 1,153
Utah.. ____ ____ 203,965
New Mexico___ ' 240
New York_______ .01
Florida______ ____ 87
182 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
National park system, acreage, and visitation—Continued
See footnotes at end of table.
Areas (classification) Location (State) Approximate
acreage
Approximate
visitors,
fiscal year
July 1, 1941-
June 30, 1942
Approximate
visitors,
5-year average,
1938-42
National monuments—Continued.
Fort Laramie _________ _______ Wyoming_____ _ 214 5,450 2.500
Fort Matanzas ____________ Florida. . ________ 18 9, 600 17, 600
Fort M cHenry __________________ Maryland________ 48 589, 350 461, 500
Fort Pulaski _________ Georgia .____ 5, 427 3 28,800 41,300
Fossil Cvcad ____ __________ South Dakota___ 320 (2) (2)
George Washington Birthplace-------- Virginia__________ 394 35, 700 49,000
Gila Cliff Dwellings_____________ _ New Mexico. ___ 160 300 180
Glacier Bav ______ __________ Alaska. _____ 2, 299, 520 (2) (2)
Grau Quivira ___ ________ New Mexico____ 611 2,550 2,750
Grand Canyon________________ ____ Arizona ._ _____ 201, 291 160 1 100
Great Sand Dunes___ _ __ __ _ Colorado .__ .. 46, 034 11,100 10,600
Holy Cross __________ ..do.___ _ . . 1,392 4 35 50
Homestead __ - ____ ______-- Nebraska. . ____ 161 1,000 ■ 500
Hovenweep _______ - _________ Utah-Colorado 286 50 200
jgyygl Cave - - -____ -____ South Dakota ... 1,275 2, 400 3, 800
Joshua Tree _________________ - California 837, 480 28, 500 11,200
TCatmaf ______ ___________ Alaska. _ ...... 2, 697, 590 (2) (2)
Lava Beds ________________ California.. _____ 45,967 27, 500 33, 000
Lp.hman Caves___________________ Nevada .... 640 3, 600 4, 200
Nfpriwether Lewis. _____________ Tennessee.. 300 19. 050 16,400
Montezuma Castle. -__ _ _ _ Arizona _ .___ 521 8,450 9,000
’’Mound CitV Group-__ _______ - Ohio _ _ ____ 57 (2) (2)
Muir Woods ____ - _ __________ - California__ ____ 425 117,600 128, 500
hJat.ural Bridges - - _ - ___ Utah ________ 2,740 450 750
NTavejo _ __ __ ___ _ ___ Arizona, _ __ - 360 400 500
Ocm111 °'P,e ___ __ __ ____ Georgia___ . . . 683 47, 600 44,600
Old Kasaan __ _________ - Alaska. . ___ . 38 (2) (2)
Grp.gon Caves __ _____________ Oregon. 480 25, 350 48,000
Organ Pipe Cactus.. Arizona__ _____ 330,687 24.450 11, 500
Perry’s Victory and International Ohio ________ 14 20,975 28, 400
Peace Memorial.
Petrified Forest _ _ -___ __ __ Arizona _______ 93,199 189, 750 205, 500
Pinnacles ____ __ ____________ California . _ . 14, 498 7, 500 21, 500
Pipp, Spring ____ __ _ Arizona _______ 40 800 1,850
Pipestone _____- - - - _____ Minnesota .. . 115 2, 250 1 1,000
Rainbow Bridge___ _ ____ ______ Utah _________ 160 185 250
Saguaro _ _ __ __ _________ Arizona . _ _ 63, 284 11, 250 16, 350
Santa Rosa Island _ __ _ ____ Florida ________ 9, 500 175, 200 1 118,100
Scotts Bluff ___ -____ - Nebraska . . 3, 476 65. 250 86, 500
Shoshone Cavern _ _ _ ■ .. Wyoming. .... 212 (2) (2)
Sitka ~ ~ _______________ - Alaska ________ 57 8, 600 i 6, 550
Statue of Tjibertv _ ___ __ __ _ New York. .. .. 10 389, 700 381,750
Sunset Crater _ _ - ___ ____- - Arizona ______ . 3,040 11,050 10,100
Timpanogos Cave. Utah . _ ________ 250 6, 850 10,900
Tonto --------- ------------------- Arizona ________ ■ 1,120 6, 700 6,150
Tumacacori ____ --______ - -- do. .___ - - 10 7,100 11,400
Tuzigoot _ - __ do 43 8, 000 4,700
Verendrye ____ - _______ __ North Dakota___ 253 4 3, 250 5, 850
Walnut Canyon _ __ _______ _ Arizona _ ____.. 1,879 12. 000 12,300
Wheeler ____ __ ______- Colorado. _ 300 4 255 i 500
White Sands _ ___ ___ ____ New Mexico. 144,946 69, 800 74,650
Whitman ___ - -- - -- -- -- Washington___ . 46 4,100 1 2,450
Wiipatki - - _________ - Arizona _______ 35, 813 3, 250 3, 300
Yucca House _______ __ _____ Colorado . 10 50 10)
Zion -- _______________ Utah____ ______ 49,150 4 250 150
National military parks:
Chickamauga and Chattanooga Tennessee __ 8,551 302, 850 364, 850
Fort Donelson _ . _ do _ ___ 103 51,150 40,000
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Virginia__________ 2,424 110, 400 112,250
County Battlefields Memorial.
Gettysburg - - - - Pennsylvania___ 2, 425 490, 650 787,500
Guilford Courthouse North Carolina .. 149 11, 300 38,600
2 813
tlefleld Park project.
Kings Mountain. _ . ------------------- South Carolina___ 4,012 17, 000 23,100
Moores Creek _ __ __ __ North Carolina. . 30 2,950 4, 500
Petersburg - ___ Virginia .. _______ 2,047 207,950 199,400
44,100
Park project.
Shiloh - ______ - --- Tennessee ____ _ 3,717 196, 200 261,450
Stones River _ ______ ___ do.. .. . 324 4, 400 4,300
Vicksburg... ------- -------------------- Mississippi_______ 1. 338 158,450 234,300
National Park Service • 183
National park system, acreage, and visitation—Continued
Areas (classification) Location (State) Approximate
acreage
Approximate
visitors,
fiscal year
July 1, 1941-
June 30, 1942
Approximate
visiters,
5-year average,
1938-42
National historical parks:
Abraham Lincoln__________________ Kentucky________ 111 92,600 115,800
Chalmette_________________________ Louisiana________ 30 17,100 24. 000
Colonial____________________________ Virginia______ •___ 6,793 649,400 563, 800
Morristown________________________ New Jersey______ 1,051 139, 000 169, 680
Saratoga project____________________
National cemeteries:
New York_______ 1, 428 59,100 4 26, 350
Antietam__________________________ Maryland________ 11 (5) (5)
Battleground_______________________ District of Colum- 1 4 1, 500 4 3, 500
Chattanooga...____________________ Tennessee________ 136 (5) (6)
Custer Battlefield ..._______________ Montana______ ... 765 29, 600 23, 000
Fort Donelson_____ l _________ ______ Tennessee____ 15 (5) Fredericksburg_____ ._______________ (5) Viiginia__________ 12 (5) (6) Gettysburg-,_______________________ Pennsylvania____ 16 (6) (3)
Poplar Grove______________________ Virginia__________ 9 (5) (5) Shiloh______________________________ Tennessee ______ 10 (5) (3) Stones River_______ r______________ ___ do_____________ 20 (5) 0) Vicksburg_________________________ Mississippi_______ 120 (5) (3) Yorktown__________________________
National parkways:
Virginia__________ 3 (5) (3)
Blue Ridge________________________ Virginia-North 34, 296 1 300, 000 1 234,-700
Carolina.
George Washington Memorial______ District of Colum- 2,367 (2) (2)
bia, Virginia,
Natchez Trace_____ ._______________
National battlefield sites:
Maryland.
Mississippi_______ 12, 834 (2) (2)
Antietam..________ ._______________ Maryland________ 54 7,900 26, 800
Brices Cross Roads_________________ Mississippi_______ 1 1,500 3,000
Cowpens___________________________ South Carolina___ 1 6, 000 , 5, 000
Fort Necessity__________ ___________
Kennesaw Mountain_______________
Pennsylvania____
Georgia _______
2
60
43.000
19,900
75,000
10,000
Tupelo_____________________________ Mississippi_______ 1 4 3, 600 6,000
White Plains______________ .________
National memorials:
New York_______ (2) (2)
Camp Blount Tablets______________ Tennessee. ____
Kill Devil Hill_____________________ North Carolina.. . 314 72, 950 72,575
Lee Mansion_______________________ Virginia__________ .50 259, 500 393, 750
Mount Rushmore__________________ South Dakota____ 1.710 31,500 4 86. 300
New Echota Marker_______________ Georgia__________ 1 3,000 5.450
Boulder Dam National Recreational Arizona-Nevada.. _ 1,737,893 647, 200 663,600
Area.
National historic sites:
Atlanta Campaign Markers________
Federal Hall Memorial6___________
Georgia__________
New York_______
21
.49 (2) (2) Fort Raleigh 6______________________ North Carolina.. _ 16 79, 350 4 31,075
Gettysburg Cyclorama National
■ Historic Object.6
Pennsylvania____
Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’ Church) 7_.
Hopewell Village 8__ _______________
____ do____________
____ do____________ 6,198
(2)
66, 900
(2)
4 30,950
Jamestown Island 8_________________
Jefferson National Jg^pansion Memorial.
6
Virginia__________
Missouri_________ 77 (2) (2)
Manassas National Battlefield
Park.8
Virginia__________ 1,605 5,050 3, 625
McLoughlin House 7______________ _
Old Philadelphia Custom House 6_. _
Oregon. _________
Pennsylvania____ 1
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
Salem Maritime 8__________________ Massachusetts___ 9 7,450 4 3,850
San Jose Mission 7____ .____________
Vanderbilt Mansion________________
Texas____________
New York______ 212 16,150 4 6, 750
National Capital Parks________________ District of Columbia
76 25, 570
House Where Lincoln Died________ ____ do____________ 31,150 43,000
Lincoln Memorial__________________ ____ do____________ 1,071,150 1,340, 350
Lincoln Museum___________________ ____ do____________ 51,550 67, 700
Washington Monument____________ ____ do____________ 813, 550 894, 500
Grand totals_________________ J... 21,686, 029 16,034, 285 16, 996, 910
1 Less than 5 years. 6 Federally owned; operated by cooperating private agency.
2 Travel record not maintained. 7 Privately owned and operated.
8 Closed to visitors fcr duration of war. 8 Federally owned and operated.
4 Estimated. Complete travel figures are 8 Federally and privately owned and operated.
not available. 10 Includes Chopawamsic Area in Virginia.
‘Included in figures for battlefield site,
military park, or historical park.
184 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Recreational demonstration areas
Areas (classification)
Alex. H. Stephens_________________________________________
Beach Pond_______ _____________________________._________
Bear Brook________________________________ ________________
Blue Knob _______________________________________________
Camden Hills______________________________________________
Catoctin.._____________________________________ .----------------
Cheraw____________________________________________________
Chopawamsie______________________________________________
Crabtree Creek._________________________________________
Cuivre River_______________ _______________________________
Custer_____________________________________________________
Fall Creek Falls__________________________________ -------------
Hard Labor Creek----------------------- ----------------------------------------
HicKt ry Run______________________________________________
Kings Mountain__________________________________________ _
Lake Guernsey____________________________________________
Lake Murray. ____________________________________________
Lake of the Ozarks_________________/_______________________
Laurel Hill________________________________________________
Mendocino_________________________ ______________________
Montgomery Bell________________________ _____ ____________
Montserrat _______________________________________________
Oak Mountain...____ _____________________________________
Otter Creek... ____________________________________________
Pere Marquette------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Fine Mountain____________________________________________
Raccoon Creek____________________________________________
Roosevelt_________________________________ ._______________
St. Croix__________________________________________________
Shelby Forest______________________________________________
Silver Creek_______________________________________________
Swift Creek________________________________________________
Versailles__________________________________________________
Waterloo__________________________________________________
Waysides__________________________________________________
Waysides__________________________________________________
Winamac_________________________________________________
Yankee Springs_________________________ ___________________
Location (State)
Approximate
acreage
Visitors
(1942
fiscal year)
Georgia____ _____ 938 12,533
Rhode Island____ 3,472 34,177
New H ampshire. . 6,155 2 28,699
Pennsylvania____ 5,136 12,214
Maine . ___ __ 4,962 24,290
Mar viand.. ____ 9,746 21,451
South Carolina___ 6,832 (3)
Virginia___ ___ 14, 080 (4)
North Carolina.-. 4,983 79,286
Missouri. 5,802 11, 836
South Dakota ._ 20,167
Tennessee. ___ __ 15, 776 8,457
Georgia. . ____ 5,802 34, 666
Pennsylvania____ 12,908 14, 596
South Carolina___ 6,175 (3)
Wyoming_______ 1,753
Oklahoma___ ... 2,228 10,873
Missouri________ 16, 037 «33,474
Pennsylvania____ 4, 025 2 22, 250
California_______ 5,419 3, 061
Tennessee______ 3,744 15, 762
Missouri_________ 3,439 23, 565
Alabama_____ 7,805 6 4,840
Kentucky_____ .. 2,435 22, 330
Illinois______ ____ 2.522 27,840
Georgia .. ____ 3,018 4,530
Pennsylvania____ 5,034 14, 445
North Dakota___ 63,365 17, 236
Minnesota_______ 18,499 13,870
Tennessee____ ... 12, 305 87,451
Oregon _________ 4,088 2, 961
Virginia__________ 7,610 132,157
Indiana._______ 5,371 10.278
Michigan__ _ 12, 018 35,881
South Carolina 239
Virginia________ 206
Indiana__________ 6,233 39,713
Michigan________ 4,197 196,091
1 Aetof June 6, 1942. authorizes Secretary of the Interior to convey or lease to States recreational demonstration
projects, or any parts of such projects, transferred to him by Executive Order No. 7496, dated
Nov. 14, 1936, the States to administer, operate, and maintain such areas for public park, recreational, and
conservation purposes.
2 Attendance for June 1942, estimated.
3 Leased to State of South Carolina.
4 Transferred to National Capital Parks, August 1940.
5 Figures are for July to December 1940; January to June 1942.
6 Figures for December 1941 to June 1942, estimated.
Fish and Wildlife Service
IRA N. GABRIELSON, Director
Custody of Wildlife and Fishery Resources
in Wartime
TJLITE second year of the Fish and Wildlife Service 1 was one of
the most difficult in a history that through parent agencies extends
well back into the nineteenth century. Still engaged at the year’s
opening in the task of organizing and coordinating the work of a
new governmental unit, the Service had at the same time to face the
adjustments required by the national defense program, adjustments
that became all the more difficult in the middle of the year when
war itself came to the Nation. Soon thereafter the Service was
confronted with the task of preparing for the transfer of its headquarters
to Chicago, Ill., and finally to the perplexities of these problems
were added those of retrenchment in accordance with reduced appropriations
for the next year.
Nevertheless, it is possible to report considerable success in wildlife
and fishery conservation programs, and it is encouraging to realize
that a series of progressive years had placed the resources in good
condition to face the hazards that come to peacetime pursuits in time
of war. Though thus encouraged, the Service and conservationists
throughout the country were engaged in the grim task of conversion
to war. Camps of the Civilian Conservation Corps, for example,
which had provided labor for developing national wildlife refuges,
were reduced from 36 to 12. Of the remaining camps, 4 were working
on military areas, and arrangements were being completed for thus
using the other 8, when, at the close of the year, action of Congress
abolished the CCC. Other aspects of the Service’s work, on the
other hand, received increased emphasis.
Fishery Management
The fisheries of the Nation assumed immediately an outstanding
importance as a source of vital food. The facilities of the Service
1 This Service was formed on June 30, 1940, by consolidating the Bureau of Biological Survey and the
Bureau of Fisheries in accordance with the President’s Reorganization Plan No. III.
185
186 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
for making the fishery contributions most effective were mobilized
and made available to the armed forces, the lend-lease agencies, and
the industry. By the end of the year plans were well formulated for
the program that began later with the appointment of the Secretary
of the Interior as Fishery Coordinator and the Director of this Service
as Deputy Coordinator.
The fishery contributions of food and essential byproducts, it was
realized, are so great that without them the ability of the Nation to
wage war would be lessened materially. Increasing demands for
canned food led to an adjustment of regulations in Alaska whereby
the fisheries may produce the maximum yield consistent with maintaining
a future supply. Adoption of scientifically developed management
measures by the States are allowing more fishes to grow to
marketable size and to spawn, thus resulting in greater yields. Farming
methods were advocated for restoring depleted oyster beds, and
procedures of scientific oyster culture are improving the quality of
the edible product. Although the “popular” fishes, including haddock,
cod, shad, and salmon, are being harvested to capacity, the
fishermen are being urged to concentrate on the landi ng of minor and
less familiar species, with the result that many tons of food and byproducts
are being derived from hitherto underutilized species. There
are possibilities of further increases from this source, not only in the
sea but even in the Great Lakes and the larger rivers. Additional
sources of vitamin-potent fish oils are being sought to supplement
present supplies, and possibilities for developing new products have
been disclosed. The development of farm ponds in the Southern
States is spreading rapidly under scientific guidance, and the adoption
of improved methods of pondfish culture and pond fertilization and
management is producing fishery resources of great aggregate magnitude
in areas where fresh fish hitherto has been a luxury food. Not
only are scientific investigation and development of methods for
controlling industrial pollution saving tons of valuable fishes in inland
and coastal waters, but control methods are resulting in the recovery
of quantities of strategic material from the wastes.
Statistical compilations, too, were made as an essential labor of
the Service. As vital in conservation of fisheries as other natural
resources, these summaries stand as guides for Service activities and
as aids in informing other Federal agencies and the public. Data
collected for 1940 (the latest year for which complete figures are
available) show, for example, that nearly 125,000 fishermen, employed
that year in the catch of 4,059,524,000 pounds of fishery products,
in waters of the United States and Alaska, profited to the extent of
almost $100,000,000—a 2-percent gain in value over the preceding
year despite a 9-percent recession in volume. A total of about
$238,000,000 was estimated as the value of this harvest to domestic
Fish and Wildlife Service • 187
primary fish handlers and processors (in whose plants worked an
additional 90,000 men) as prepared for market in 1940.
Collecting, compiling, analyzing, and issuing current data on the
production, distribution, and marketing of all fishery products provided
information of paramount importance in any Federal program
incorporating food control, information of great value to the Office
of Price Administration, and also to the fishing industry. Investigations
in canning and curing fishery products made available information
on up-to-date methods in food preservation and indicated what
fishes are most suitable for canning or curing when increased supplies
are demanded as a food-conservation measure. Other activities included
examining samples of canned fish for quality; assisting military
procurement officials to draw up purchasing specifications for fish
and advising with them in their purchase of these products; working
out methods of canning or curing species of fishes not now utilized;
and advising on the practicability of proposed new canning ventures
to increase the national food supply for emergency use.
At the request of a committee that included representatives of the
United Nations, the Service’s laboratories expanded their vitamin-A
programs to include a survey of potential sources. In allied interest,
liver and viscera samples were collected from many species of fishes
and studied for A and other vitamin-oil content, concentrates, and
most efficient methods of recovery. Other studies involved a factual
survey on vitamin-D oils, the development of more rapid methods
for drying fish for domestic use or shipment to our expeditionary
forces and to the peoples of the United Nations, and finding a substitute
for the agar-agar used in bacteriological media in many
industrial and drug-manufacturing plants and by hospital and
public-health services.
The purchasing of large quantities of canned fishery products for
use by expeditionary forces and for export under the lend-lease program
were seen as definite limiting factors on the quantity of canned
fish available for domestic consumption. To counteract this effect,
extended study was made relative to preservation of fishery products,
a study that may enable the fishery resources of Alaska to supplement
the domestic supply with minimum requirements for shipping space.
Attention was also given to the rapidly growing importance of coldstorage
locker plants, some 3,500 of which are available in this country
and can be used in substituting frozen for canned fish. Fish producers,
distributors, and locker-plant operators were acquainted with the
manner in which channels of distribution can be established for utilizing
this equipment. Close to half a million tons of fresh and frozen
fishery products have been annually packaged in tin, including salmon,
shad, sardines, tuna, mackerel, crab meat, shrimps, clams, and oysters.
With the tin supply as it is, the Service has engaged in experimental
188 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
and research work on substitute metals, on determining the species of
fish that can be best marketed in forms other than canned, and on the
standardization of the can sizes used for sea foods.
Specialists of the Service collaborated with the Navy Department
and the Maritime Commission to maintain a proper balance between
the number of vessels in each fishery taken for military use and those
retained for food production, and with the Agricultural Marketing
Administration to enable that agency most efficiently to purchase
fishery commodities for lend-lease use. One expert visited Iceland
on a detail relative to fishery matters for the Office of Lend-Lease
Administration, pausing en route in England to make a rapid survey
of distributoin of lend-lease fishery products there.
In cooperation with the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs and
the Department of State, a survey of the fisheries of the countries
surrounding the Caribbean Sea was undertaken. Not only has this
work promise of leading to the discovery of new fisheries and consequently
new supplies of food, vitamin oils, and industrial raw materials
to be developed locally and perhaps tapped by our own fishermen,
but it has also, it is hoped, advanced our good neighbor policy.
For the Office of Price Administration, War Production Board,
Public Health Service, War, Navy, and State Departments, Inter-
American Development Commission, and other Federal agencies,
additional studies are being made, or the services rendered by fishery
specialists levied upon, to appraise species of fishes that can be canned
in quantities for lend-lease or military use; to determine the seasons
of capture of various species in order that net-manufacturing machines
may be more efficiently utilized for making camouflage nets; to prepare
price data for determining ceilings on fishery products; to learn
the needs of the fishery industry for war-risk insurance; to advise on
the position fishery products should take in the stock of reserve
foods to be stored in Puerto Rico and Alaska in the event of curtailed
transportation; and to compile statistics on the production of sea
foods in waters of various countries in the theatres of combat. This
last, at the request of the Board of Economic Warfare, may enable the
military to find local fish supplies abroad for our expeditionary forces
and so allow more space for arms in ships. So, also, more may be
left at home for domestic consumption.
The Service continued its protection of the fisheries of Alaska, which
yield products having an average annual value of more than
$45,000,000, about nine-tenths of which is in canned salmon. Increased
intensity of fishing is considered inevitable under wartime
conditions, and greater vigilance has thus been deemed necessary on
the part of the law-enforcement officers and biological investigators
to prevent impairment of future fishery harvests through inadequate
spawning.
Fish and Wildlife Service • 189
The production of fish and eggs at the Federal fish hatcheries was
maintained at approximately the same level as in the preceding year.
The necessity for more economical operations compelled a revision
of the program with the object of closing some of the hatcheries as
well as deferring all new hatchery developments or expansion of existing
units. Likewise distribution and planting practices were modified
to meet new conditions. Attention was given to stocking farm ponds
for the production of food, and to planting game fishes in more
accessible waters so that urban populations may enjoy angling recreation
with a minimum of travel.
/
Wartime Wildlife Management
Control of predators and rodents that are limiting factors on food
production also took on increasing importance when war began.
Livestock, poultry, and agricultural industries were protected by
the elimination of 123,667 predatory animals, by controlling injurious
rodents on 20,966,606 acres of infested farm and range lands, and by
destroying rats in town and country, thereby saving large quantities
of the Nation’s wool, fats, lanolin, food and feed resources for military
and civilian needs and preventing the spread of animal-borne diseases,
transmissible to man and domestic livestock.
Furs became a concern of the armed forces facing the task of waging
war in cold climates, and the Service rendered assistance illustrated by
the appointment of its outstanding fur expert as a specialized consultant
of the Cold Climate Clothing Section of the Quartermaster Corps.
The Navy Department called upon the Service through its Division
of Land Acquisition to appraise lands for war purposes in the State
of Washington, and later requests for land appraisals and cadastral
surveys in many parts of the United States so increased that at the
close of the year the entire field staff of this division was engaged in
appraising and surveying lands for the Navy Department. Its
Washington staff was also engaged for the most part in preparing
reports and maps submitted from the field on the areas appraised
and surveyed.
In other ways also the Service applied its activities to the fighting
needs of the Nation.
Projects not directly related to the war were drastically curtailed,
but without discontinuing conservation programs that must not be
abandoned. The extensive habitat-improvement and other development
work accomplished during recent years on national wildliferefuge
lands, for example, together with the excellent water conditions
prevailing on most of the refuges last spring, demonstrated the value
of these refuges in this period of national emergency in greatly increased
wildlife production. All forms of wildlife occurred on the
190 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
refuges in greater numbers than ever before. Fur animals increased
to a point where they made a substantial contribution to the war in
providing furs for outfitting troops for military duty in northern
ulimates. Wherever feasible without adverse effect on the wildlife,
grazing by domestic livestock, hay harvesting, agricultural crop
production, and other economic uses of refuge lands were permitted,
thus making many thousand acres available for the production of
food. Almost 1,000,000 acres of national wildlife-refuge lands were
turned over to the War and Navy Departments for military purposes.
In wartime as well as in peace the Nation’s natural resources must
be safeguarded, and the Fish and Wildlife Service is one of those
agencies upon which the responsibility rests to see that no avoidable
damage is suffered on the home front. Its efforts have thus been
exerted to make every possible contribution to the war but at the
same time to provide security for the fish and wildlife resources during
the struggle and for the peace to come—through every means and
every effort that cannot be exerted directly in fighting.
Throughout the year the Service has been conscious of the importance
of outdoor recreation to the citizens of a nation under the
stress of war, and it has done everything possible to continue its
efforts on behalf of those resources that are important to sportsmen
and others who seek relaxation in the outdoors. Despite time
devoted to war activities, increased numbers of persons sought food
and relaxation by hunting waterfowl. This was indicated by the
sale of nearly 1,400,000 migratory-bird hunting stamps, compared
with 1,260,810 sold last year. Enforcement of the Federal laws and
regulations protecting wildlife continued effective, and excellent cooperation
in this work was given by an appreciative public and the State
game departments.
Importance of Fish and Wildlife Research
All the year’s activities again emphasized the importance of the
Service’s fact-finding projects—fish and wildlife research, including
field and laboratory investigations and experiments and the collection
and compilation of statistical data. Wartime shortages of materials
used in rodent control required intensification of studies of substitutes
available from domestic sources. Plans for the best utilization of
food resources were dependent on reliable data, and the development
of new areas from which fishes can be taken required explorations.
Such regulatory work as that of setting seasons for the hunting of
migratory birds, as in the past, seemed feasible only with the knowledge
based on year-round investigations—studies that during this
past year indicated the desirability of relaxing restrictions and thus,
of course, demonstrated the success of the restoration program.
Fish and Wildlife Service • 191
The research and conservation policies of the Department in
management of the national migratory game-bird resources have, in
fact, been fully justified by consistent increases under a sound utilization
program during recent years. A survey inventory of big-game
animals showed improvement in the status of this important food
and recreational resource. Development of new methods for the
control of destructive predatory animals, rodents, and birds assumed
greatly increased importance in the war requirements for meat,
cereals, fruits, and other food products because of the cutting off of
supplies required for the preparation of standard materials heretofore
used. Intensive work was concentrated on this requirement with
promising results. Work on fur and fur fibers was directed vigorously
to meet warm-clothing requirements of military and civilian agencies
through new and improved manufacturing methods in utilizing pelts,
fur, hairs, and waste materials. Increased fur-animal production
was aided by presenting improved feeding and breeding practices
and methods for the prevention and control of diseases. Thus
despite demands for discontinuing many research projects during the
war, it was the duty of the Service to emphasize the basic importance
of continuing its scientific investigations.
Keeping the Public Informed
Though necessarily reduced, activities were continued to keep the
public and particularly conservationists informed regarding the needs
in safeguarding the fish and wildlife resources.. With a curtailment of
programs not directly related to the war, it was realized that prevention
of raids on the resources under false pretexts become more important
than before and require a vigilance on the part of conservationists
that can be maintained only through adequate information
programs. One of the most promising developments in the field of
wildlife conservation in recent years has been the organization and
growth of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and the
increase of outdoor columns in the daily press, supplementing the
contributions of outdoor periodicals and other agencies to conservation
education. Thus, for the sake of maintaining conservation
vigilance and also of meeting the needs of those who serve the information
requirements of the public, it seemed essential to maintain
the Service’s basic responsibility for disseminating information
though the output was drastically curtailed.
In one sense such publicity on the outdoors has seemed to be a
distinct contribution to the Nation at war, for men and women whose
time in the outdoors is limited, whose access to the tonic benefits of
recreation in the open is cut off, may get some of their needed relaxation
in reading, or in hearing radio broadcasts that bring the outdoors
192 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
indoors. Such news items and broadcasts may also in some measure
encourage outdoor interests among the general public, and it seems
apparent that,' like the British people, the Americans will find themselves
in need of such relief from the stresses and strains of carrying
on a difficult war.
In another sense, conservation publicity serves a national need in
preventing the spread of ideas whose folly can be revealed to the public
merely by a word of caution. Considerable display was given by the
American press, for example, to a London report that “sparrows,
starlings, crows, larks, curlews, and even swans are helping to feed
Britain at war.” Fortunately this publicity was followed promptly
by this Service’s widely read comment that, although wildlife has
emergency food values, Americans will make a grave mistake if they
try at present to include song and game birds in their wartime larder.
It has been demonstrated that the song birds will make a much better
contribution to the food-for-freedom cause by making war on the
insect pests of crops. Even game, which becomes a part of the
Nation’s food supply and is estimated to replace annually enough
meat to feed an army of 5,000,000 for 77 days, affords recreation that
Americans consider even more important than the meat obtained
from its pursuit. Yet the general public cannot be constantly aware
of these relationships; it must be kept informed.
Americans have been waging an uphill, though successful, fight to
restore their wildlife populations after disastrous exploitation. Game
laws have been as liberal as the game could stand. Better management
can increase the surpluses, and even at present there is in some
areas a surplus of deer, elk and other animals that might be more
wisely used to the Nation’s wartime advantage. Yet selfish interests
may—without discrimination—be ready to use war conditions as a
pretext for making disastrous inroads on this {resource. If it ever
becomes necessary, Americans can fall back on their wildlife meat
supply, although it would not last long. Anyone advocating this at
present, however, except for species that are locally overabundant,
is either misguided or else is thinking more about his own privileges
than about the needs of the Nation. A most effective way to combat
the wartime spread of such proposals is through making the facts
and actual relationships known.
No Time to Forget Conservation Principles
This is no time to forget conservation principles, and, though
energies must now be applied fully to the task of winning the war,
this should be done without losing sight of the peace conditions for
which the fight is waged. Those who by force of circumstances are
not on the actual fighting front have an increased responsibility—
Fish and Wildlife Service • 193
they should be doubly alert to see that the needs of conservation are
not forgotten when the materials and revenues of the Nation are so
urgently needed for war that conservation programs must be curtailed.
We should realize that information media are now feasible
and most useful instruments for conservation. As shown by the
experience of the past year, they are also instruments that can be
used with comparatively little expenditure of time and effort. Drastic
reductions were in fact made in the small personnel specializing in
information work, and other employees carried on such work incidental
to their specialized duties.
During National Wildlife Week, for example, Service members
throughout the country made 56 broadcasts of a radio program
called Wildlife and the American Way of Living and placed news
items on the week’s significance in 180 newspapers in 40 States.
Officials of the Service, in connection with their attendance at conventions
and meetings, presented addresses and, in response to requests,
described the wildlife situation in articles for periodicals.
Among the latter was an extensive discussion in an article for Audubon
Magazine by the Director with the title No Time To Forget Conservation.
As a result of these incidental, though deliberate, efforts
it is believed that the American public and particularly the organized
conservationists were kept informed and alert and that the hazards
to conservation of a neglectful public were minimized.
So far as expenditure of time, effort, and money was involved, it
should be emphasized again that the Service’s distinctive concerns of
the year were primarily those related to its part in the Nation’s war
program.
Fishery Biological Investigations
Fish for war is the present aim of the fishery biological investigations
of the Service. Procuring a maximum yield of food from the
fisheries, a food particularly adapted to wartime needs, depends upon
management of the fish supply and the rate and method of harvesting.
Without management, overfishing of the most important and
valuable food fishes will continue. Thus production in subsequent
years will be curtailed when ample food supplies will be even more
essential. On the other hand if management is applied this year and
the fishing rate is adjusted to the annual rate of replacement of the
fish stocks, greater yields will be obtained during each succeeding
year with fewer vessels and at smaller cost, the fisheries will be
brought to maximum production, and conservation of the future
supply will be assured.
Principles of management, however, cannot be determined deductively
or applied arbitrarily. Research is required to disclose, year
by year and for each important species of aquatic food animal, varia194
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
tions in the rate of reproduction, in the total fish populations or standing
crops, and in the rate of fishing or withdrawal. The measurement
of these variables involves also a relatively complete knowledge
of the life histories, migrations, and ecological relations of the food
fishes and of both the organisms on which they depend for food and
those that prey upon them. Important, too, but in more limited
spheres, especially in relation to oysters, clams, trouts, salmons, and
certain pondfishes, are the perfecting of methods for artificial culture,
farming, nutrition, and control of diseases, predators, and
parasites—all vital activities in conserving existing stocks, restoring
depleted populations, and creating new supplies. By the conservation
of fishery resources on these principles, man is permitted to
harvest and use the products of the waters to the fidlest extent
consistent with their perpetuation.
Commercial Fishery Management and Conservation
The annual fulfillment of the congressional mandate of February
9, 1871, to determine “whether any and what diminution in the
number of the food fishes of the coasts and lakes of the United States
has taken place” and “whether any and what protective, prohibitory,
or precautionary measures should be adopted” demands more than
simple statistical recapitulation. To meet the need, fishery biology,
an exact science, has been developed by synthesizing the disciplines
of biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, economics, and logic.
A brief resume will illustrate the progress made in commercial fishery
studies; recount new' findings about the fisheries and the animals that
support them; and tell of their use in developing conservation principles
and management practices, of the recommendations adopted
to insure the production of more fish of better quality, and of the
restoration of depleted fisheries.
The possibilities for better coordination of fishery activities and for
eventual attainment of the objective of uniform management are
inherent in the ratification by the Congress on May 4, 1942, of the
Atlantic Coast Marine Fisheries Compact, signed by nine States,
under which the Service has been designated as the chief investigative
and advisory agency.
The Service’s only opportunity for direct application of findings in
fishery biological research is in the management of the Alaskan
fisheries, where the advantages of the flexible modern method as
opposed to the traditional system of regulation by specific rigid
legislation has been demonstrated.
The Fishery Mission to Mexico was continued and has made considerable
progress in studies of the commercial fishery resources and
Fish and Wildlife Service • 195
in the development of sound management measures. Surveys and
restocking of interior waters were also undertaken in cooperation with
B the Mexican Government.
1I
North Atlantic Area
1[ ,i Following the warning issued by the Service a year ago that the
continued capture and sale of baby haddock would result in great
| financial loss and ruin the fishery, the industry voluntarily curtailed
y landings of baby haddock to only about 13 percent of the quantity
landed during the previous year. Recommendations for increasing
> the minimum size limit for haddock from 1}£ to 2 pounds and enlarging
mesh in trawls to release small fish, though not yet adopted, will materially
increase the supply of large haddock.
Flounder catches showed marked improvement, owing to increased
landings of yellowtails. This species dominated the catches, whereas
a few years ago it was of only minor importance. The greater yield
bears out the Service’s forecast that more fish could be produced by
greater concentration on species not widely known or advertised. The
blackback flounder had declined in yield and abundance, and current
studies indicate the probable ineffectiveness of artificial propagation
in maintaining the supply.
Rosefish were landed in greater quantities than ever before, the
catches having risen from an insignificant figure in 1933 to 145,000,000
pounds. This unprecedented catch, an increase of 70 percent over
1940, has caused concern over the future of the fishery. Preliminary
findings indicate the possible existence of more than one stock supporting
the fishery and emphasize the need for control.
The reduced abundance of lobsters during recent years, about onefifth
of former high levels, indicates a need for better management.
In Maine 96 percent of those marketed had never spawned. A
greater minimum size limit, 3% inches carapace measurement, instead
of 3ff6 inches was recommended and already has been adopted
by Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. Canada also followed the
recommendation in parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Since tagging experiments indicate that lobsters move only short
distances, repopulation of depleted areas can be accomplished only by
increased spawning and not by migration from other areas.
Atlantic salmon restoration was begun in Maine through the conclusion
of a cooperative agreement between the Service and State
conservation agencies, and the generous aid of the Canadian Government,
which provided eggs for restocking.
Measurement of changes in mackerel abundance is an important.
•, problem, for the supply varies from year to year by as much as 20
to 450 percent, with corresponding variations in the total yield..
196 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
There seems to be no present danger of depleting the supply, but
observations are being continued to trace trends of abundance as an
aid to stabilizing the fishery at a more productive and profitable level.
Middle Atlantic Area
The 1940-41 blue crab fishery production of Chesapeake Bay was
about 50 percent less than in 1939, due chiefly to lack of an adequate
spawning reserve, although unusually cold weather in January 1940
was presumed to have killed large numbers of crabs, especially females.
Recommendations made for restoration included establishment, now
accomplished, of sanctuaries closed to crabbing from May 15 to
September 1; enforcement of all size limits specified by Virginia and
Maryland laws; discontinuing the holding of green crabs in shedding
floats; and adequate collection-of catch statistics.
The Atlantic coast shad, except in the Hudson River, has been
seriously overfished for years, the total food yield has been reduced,
and shad fishermen are suffering economic distress. Based on studies
in Chesapeake Bay and in North Carolina and South Carolina the
Service recommended a reduced rate of fishing as this would initiate
a recovery of shad populations comparable with that in the Hudson,
where the fishing rate has permitted survival of sufficient spawning
fish to bring the yield to the highest level in history. Maryland has
adopted regulations that embody this recommendation of the Service.
South Atlantic and Gulf Areas
The spawning population of the common shrimp from Georgia to
North Carolina, badly reduced by adverse weather in 1940, is being
restored slowly, and normal fishing can be expected within a year or
two. During this period of scarcity, the grooved shrimp occurred
in unusual abundance, especially off North Carolina and Georgia.
Research has been directed toward perfection of methods to determine
the abundance of shrimp off the Texas coast, and toward correlation
of abundance with climatological changes and assessing the effects
of current fishing practices.
During recent years the crab fishery of Louisiana and the redfish
fishery of Texas have been so intensified that indications of depletion
have become evident.
Pacific Area
Investigations of the Alaska salmon and herring fisheries provided
data on the populations and runs of the various regions, which were
used as a basis for regulations issued by the Secretary. Recommendations
for management of the fisheries were prepared with full
Fish and Wildlife Service • 197
regard for the need of additional canned products and for insuring
continuance of substantial future supplies.
Studies were undertaken at the recently established laboratory at
Little Port Walter, Alaska, the results of which will place regulation
of the great pink salmon fishery of southeastern Alaska on a firmer
basis. By means of a two-way counting weir, the number of fry
returning to the ocean from each year’s spawning is determined.
In this way the size of the next commercial run can be estimated with
considerable accuracy and the fishing regulations adjusted to permit
the maximum safe catch.
The greatly increased demands for canned fishery products, as
well as for meal and oil, have stressed the importance of the pilchard
fishery. A serious feature is that the catch continued to be composed
predominantly of small fish, even in waters north of California, where
hitherto they had been much less numerous. Fishing intensity since
1938 increased fourfold over that from 1925 to 1933. Total mortality
increased concurrently from 40 to 80 percent per annum, a near
maximum rate of exploitation.
The shark fisheries, stimulated by wartime demands for vitamin
A and by its high concentration in certain shark-liver oils, especially
those of the soupfin shark, developed so rapidly as to suggest that the
catch may be too high in relation to the available supply and depletion
may be imminent. In the interest of economy, it has been urged
that carcasses be landed to provide for the utilization of additional
materials that are lost when only the livers are removed at sea and
the carcasses discarded.
Great Lakes Area
The Lake Huron whitefish will soon be added to the list of species
that no longer support fisheries, a fact emphasizing the need for immediate
action to control adverse conditions if these fisheries are to
be preserved. In 1931 the catch of these whitefish was 4,140,000
pounds, but it has declined continuously ever since; in 1939 it was
225,000 pounds; in 1940, 188,000 pounds; and in 1941, 114,000 pounds,
or only 2.8 percent of the 1931 catch. Destruction of the fishery is
imminent, owing to the introduction of the deep trap net in 1928
and its multiplied use during later years. Prompt control of this
highly destructive gear at the outset would have saved the fishery, but
warnings of the Service were not heeded until the damage was done.
The International Board of Inquiry for the Great Lakes Fisheries,
established by Canada and the United States on February 29, 1940,
has completed its work, and it may be forecast with certainty that the
final report will recommend some form of unified control and scientific
management of the fisheries to replace the present divided jurisdiction
of nine regulatory bodies.
485482—42------- 15
198 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Shellfishery Investigations
In investigations directed toward the solution of practical problems,
concerned with the cultivation of oysters and other mollusks, utilization
and management of oyster bottoms, improvement in the food
quality of the product, protection against enemies and pollution, and
measures for restoring stocks, special surveys were conducted in Louisiana,
Texas, and Washington to determine causes of low productivity.
Private oyster farming was recommended as one method of creating
additional wartime food. To enable oyster growers to learn scientific
methods, demonstration oyster farms were set up with State cooperation
in North Carolina and South Carolina. Farming of mussels as
a means of providing more food was undertaken experimentally, and
only a few months’ work has shown its feasibility.
Oyster cultivation has been assisted by the development of a new
method of spreading quicklime on oyster beds to destroy predatory
starfish and by the use of a strong solution of copper sulphate to kill
young oyster drills. In the control of the boring clam, which has been
found more difficult, the best method yet devised is to destroy old
oystershells that harbor the pests and plant clean seeds.
Sponge Investigations
There was a recurrence of the sponge blight that caused widespread
damage off Florida and the West Indies 2 years ago, but it was less
intense and appeared in only a few localities. The causative organism
was identified definitely as Spongiophagus, a water-borne fungus. The
Florida grounds are showing good recovery, and if no further epizootic
occurs a return to normal sponge-fishing operations will be possible
within 2 years.
Management of Angling Resources
The war has given added importance to fresh-water angling resources,
not only because of their recreational aspects but also because
they make a significant annual contribution to the food supply.
Intensification of hitherto limited activities in local fisheries for rough
fishes, and the creation of new fisheries for warm-water species in areas
where fishing possibilities are few, are but two of the direct means of ,
compensating the tremendous demands now made on the commercial
fisheries at all the great coastal producing centers.
The fish-management investigations that have been carried on for
several years are beginning to yield positive results, particularly in
the southern Apalachians, where they demonstrated that trout fishing
can be improved greatly by consistent stocking, even in streams relaFish
and Wildlife Service • 199
tively poor in food. They have also shown that the number of trout
resulting from natural spawning is approximately the same from year
to year and that increases in the numbers available to anglers must be
supplied by artificial stocking. Experiments on conditioning hatchery
fishes have proved that gradual acclimatization of trouts to stream
conditions prior to planting results in much greater survival.
The farm-pond program, a relatively new development, offers possibilities
for increasing fish production and fully utilizing undeveloped
water areas. The belief of many that a fishpond once stocked will
continue to produce year after year, with no attention, is erroneous.
To afford optimum conditions for good fish growth, ponds must receive
care similar to that of farm lands—fertilization, control of
noxious weeds, and careful cropping. Experiments are gradually developing
methods that the layman can apply in good pond management.
Fertilization is not only instrumental in increasing and maintaining
fish production in farm ponds but is also increasingly important in the
production of warm-water fishes at hatcheries. Among various
fertilizers being tested are soybean meal, cottonseed meal, mixtures
of sheep manure and superphosphate, and inorganic compounds.
Heavy fertilization of standing waters is proving to be the most effective
method of controlling undesirable aquatic vegetation, in that
it does not subject fish to the hazards inherent in copper sulphate,
sodium arsenite, and other chemical weed killers.
Testing artificial diets for hatchery fish was continued in various
sections to devise feeding procedures that provide good growth at low
cost—an important factor in raising large quantities of fishes to
fingerling or even to legal size before planting in streams.
Fish Parasites and Diseases
Diseases and parasites are the greater deterrents to hatchery efficiency.
New contributions to the pathology of fishes included the
isolation of the causative organism of ulcer disease, a strain of Bacteria
salmonicida, another strain of which causes furunculosis. Inoculations
of healthy brook trout with a pure culture of the new strain produced
the typical lesions of ulcer disease. Progress was made in the study of
peduncle disease, which, it was determined, is caused by infection by
bacteria not yet isolated in pure culture. Four new species of externa]
protozoan parasites, occurring on gill fiJ aments, were discovered as
infestations of crappies. A new suctorian parasite of smallmouth
black bass was described, and highly effective techniques for controlling
the parasites Costia and Trichodina by means of formalin were
developed, as was the fact that bacterial gill disease can be controlled
by prolonged treatment with nontoxic concentrations of potassium
permanganate.
200 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Pollution Studies
Defense production, followed by actual war conditions, has magnified
existing water-pollution problems and added new or little-known
types of pollution. Wastes from paper, fiber, and pulp industries,
including rayon and viscose plants, increased in volume; the need for
petroleum and its derivatives opened new oil fields with attendant
pollution hazards; and increased and unrestricted mining activities
added volumes of silt and rock wastes to formerly unpolluted waters.
War also brought great changes in the chemical industry that resulted
in new wastes, some harmless and others dangerous, but concerning
which little is known. The mobilization of large concentrations of
troops created in some areas difficult problems of sewage disposal and
sanitation.
Given full cooperation of the War Department, field investigators
of the Service studied pollution problems at 30 ordnance plants and
visited 12 others where no pollution occurred. With standard testing
equipment installed on its laboratory trucks and in permanent pollution
laboratories at Columbia, Mo., Fort Worth, Tex., and Spearfish,
S. Dak., complete analyses of wastes were undertaken and bioassays
determined the effects of their components on fishes. As rapidly as
results warranted, recommendations for pollution control were made
to the proper authorities, who are giving excellent cooperation in
aquatic-resource preservation.
In addition to the special investigations at Army plants, regular
programs for studying industrial pollution were maintained. A report
on arsenical wastes was completed, and detailed researches are being
made on mine wastes and return waters from irrigation projects.
A manual for the study of water pollution is being prepared.
Fish Protection and Engineering Developments
Only in recent years has attention been paid to the preservation of
fish in streams affected by the construction of dams for power generation
and for irrigation, flood control, and other purposes. Consequently,
some fisheries have been permanently lost. Detailed
biological surveys as well as the solution of problems in engineering
design, construction, and hatchery development are necessary for
the protection of fishery resources in waters affected.
Stream surveys were conducted throughout the Columbia River
Basin to appraise the effectiveness of fishery protective measures
already in operation and to learn where additional protection and
facilities are needed. Programs of rehabilitation were planned for use
in the vicinity of Shasta Dam, Calif., where the former spawning
grounds in the upper Sacramento River have been made inaccessible.
Fish and Wildlife Service • 201
The procedure followed is essentially similar to that in operation at
Rock Island Dam on the Columbia River, where the great height of
Grand Coulee Dam prevents the use of ladders or other devices that
enable fishes to pass over lower dams. The upstream migrants are
trapped below the dam and hauled to new streams suitable for
spawning or to holding ponds where they remain until the sex products
ripen, can be stripped, and are incubated artificially in hatcheries.
Surveys in the Willamette Valley were continued in cooperation with
the War Department to determine the need for fish protection in
connection with four high dams scheduled for future construction.
Fish screens have been used with some success for many years to
prevent the loss of fishes in irrigation diversions, but their designs
have not yet been standardized. Screens constructed and operated
by the Service serve both to conserve fishes and to test new designs
and methods of operation. Accumulations of silt and debris on the
screens are troublesome, and efforts are being made to overcome the
difficulty by use of baffles. Fungous growth also clogs the screens,
and customary automatic cleaning methods have been ineffective, but
various devices tested experimentally have proved satisfactory.
Research on Birds and Mammals
Waterfowl and Other Migratory Birds
To supply current information as a basis for sound regulation, investigational
activities were concentrated on the migratory game
birds, a resource of great recreational and esthetic value as well as of
economic worth. The food value alone of the estimated annual bag
of 15,000,000 ducks and geese is not less than $5,250,000 and when
used as food the game releases its equivalent weight in domestic
poultry and other meats.
The Waterfowl Situation
The Service’s minimum objective for a continental waterfowl population
has been achieved, the inventory of January indicating that
the stock of ducks and geese has grown to about 100,000,000 birds,
more than 3^ times the estimate for 1935.
Canada.—Sampling of conditions on important Canadian breeding
grounds was continued in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward
Island, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. A report
on British Columbia prepared by the chief migratory bird officer
of that Province was received through the cooperation of the National
Parks Bureau at Ottawa. A trip was made to Newfoundland, followed
by a survey in the Maritime Provinces during the hunting
202 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
season. In eastern Canada there was a gratifying increase in numbers
in most species of nesting ducks and geese. Only those of the
important black duck appeared to have decreased slightly. During
the fall migration, however, this species appeared in normal numbers.
In the Prairie Provinces there was little change in the general water
situation. Many sloughs and pot holes visited in 1940 were dry,
whereas other areas that formerly grew wheat were supporting broods
of ducks. Insufficient water to last through the season frequently
resulted in waterfowl losses. A few moderately severe outbreaks of
botulism occurred, and comparative analysis indicated that the number
of birds produced probably varied little from that of 1940. Water
levels were below normal in the Athabaska Delta, and although food
was abundant most lakes lacked good rearing cover. As a result
ducks were less common than the year before, and it seemed probable
that many had continued northward to the McKenzie Basin. The
great interior valleys of British Columbia supported a somewhat
larger population of breeding waterfowl than in 1940, which was
particularly gratifying in the case of the diving species.
Alaska.—The biologist of the Mississippi Flyway established summer
headquarters at Chevak, in the lower Yukon Valley and from
that point made an extensive survey of the vast breeding grounds of
the region, which indicated a satisfactory increase in both ducks and
geese.
Mexico.—The biologist of the Pacific Flyway continued studies in
the Valley of Mexico and in western areas. The number of ducks
reaching these winter quarters was far below normal, attractive climatic
and water conditions keeping them in the United States.
Geese and cranes were present in numbers that compared favorably
with those of other recent seasons.
United States.—Studies in the United States were concentrated
chiefly about units of the national wildlife refuge system. Abundance
of water throughout the breeding grounds resulted in the highest
waterfowl production in many years, a fact that was confirmed by
reports from volunteer migration observers. In the North Central
States and generally on the Pacific coast, sportsmen had good shooting,
apparently close to normal. Elsewhere, however, due to continued
mild weather, the kill was light.
Other Migratory Birds
Studies of the woodcock on its breeding grounds in Pennsylvania,
Maine, and the Maritime Provinces indicate slow recovery from the
losses suffered 2 years ago. Regulatory action affording complete
protection to the Wilson’s snipe was fully justified, as reports indicate
a continued decrease in its numbers. The causes are not definitely
Fish and Wildlife Service ■ 203
known, and this species should be made the subject of continental
investigation. Studies of the status of the mourning dove were made
during fall, winter, and spring, particularly in the Southeastern States.
Recovery of this species, especially the eastern form, has not been
satisfactory, indicating need for additional restrictions on shooting.
A definite management plan for the white-winged dove will result
from investigations being concluded during the calendar year 1942,
including those of the biologist of the Central Flyway who worked
south through eastern Mexico to Guatemala and El Salvador, and of
a special party assigned to northwestern Mexico.
Distribution and Migration Records
For reasons of economy and to limit the use of aluminum needed
for war purposes, bird banding was drastically curtailed. Though
practically no new permits were issued, and work with colonial species
was largely suspended, cooperators reported the banding of
280,842 birds, of which 46,758 were ducks and geese. Returns and
recoveries totaling 25,846 brought the grand total to more than
292,000. Distribution and migration data received from 225 observers
added 44,340 records to the files. In addition 900 locality
and 817 bibliographic references were compiled.
• Wildlife Surveys and Management
Wildlife Relationships to Forest and Range
In the Lake States the goldfinch, junco, chipping sparrow, and
Brewer’s blackbird, and the white-footed mouse, chipmunk, and red
squirrel, seriously reduce both the natural and artificial regeneration
of jack pine. The practical remedy after fires or logging operations
is to plant seed at ebbs in these animal populations and to treat the
seed with certain recently developed repellents. Experiments show
that bird damage to longleaf pine reproduction in Mississippi and
Florida, is partially offset by direct seeding following planned burning.
Studies on the San Joaquin Experimental Range, Calif., reveal that
the ground squirrel, kangaroo rat, and cottontail rabbit compete
directly with livestock for forage. Damage by the pocket gopher to
vegetation in foothill areas is adequately compensated through benefits
resulting from the presence of this rodent. Pneumonia and malnutrition
contribute to constant fluctuations in the numbers of all
species of rodents and rabbits and of some species of birds. Investigations
at the Squaw Butte Experimental Range, Oreg., show that
rodents prevent the reseeding of crested wheatgrass in midsummer.
The remedy appears to be artificial seeding in periods of rodent scar204
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
city. A plague of meadow mice destroyed 50 percent of grasses and
25 percent of bitterbrush and other browse plants in some eastern
Oregon areas. Experiments were begun in Montana and Idaho to
determine the effects of fire on rodent populations and the measures
necessary to protect forest plantations from rodents. Pocket gophers
are of importance on Rocky Mountain and Intermountain range areas
in relation to livestock grazing. Overutilization of range by both
livestock and deer constitutes a serious problem in Nevada and Idaho
forests, and recommendations were made for liberal reductions in deer
and livestock herds in critical areas. Damage to ponderosa pine in
Arizona by Abert squirrels was controlled by live trapping for stocking
other areas and by supervised hunting.
In Arizona and New Mexico jack rabbits were most abundant on
overgrazed livestock areas. Smaller numbers were noted on weedy
ranges, and an increase on good grass lands. Active cooperators in
the work on forests and ranges included the Forest Service, Grazing
Service, Soil Conservation Service, and State conservation departments.
Cooperative Wildlife-Management Research
Active cooperation with the land-grant colleges, State conservation
departments, and the American Wildlife Institute was continued in
wildlife management research in 10 States representative of their
regions (table 1). As in preceding years the major objectives were:
(1) Research on important problems in wildlife management, (2) aid
in training young men for management and investigative work, and
(3) cooperation with all agencies in translating research findings into
active programs and practices. A brief tabulation of activities follows:
TABLE 1.—Activities in cooperative wildlife-management research, 1942 1
Units
Projects Graduate
students
trained
Active
cooperators
Units
Projects Graduate
students
trained
Active
cooper-
Car- ators
ried
Completed
Carried
Completed
Alabama_______ 6 0 7 15 Pennsylvania 11 2 6 20'
Iowa. _________ 10 2 8 17 Texas__________ 7 0 7 18
Maine. ________ 8 3 6 18 Utah.. 9 4 6 20
Missouii____ 17 7 13 22 Virginia_______ 11 5 9 16
Oregon__________ 7 4 8 16 Total____ 98 32 78 177
i Wildlife under investigation: Wild turkey, quail (bobwhite and mountain), ring-necked pheasant,
grouse (ruffed and sage), mourning dove, woodcock, Hungarian partridge, deer (whitetail, mule, and
blacktail), antelope, snowshoe hare, cottontail rabbit, squirrel (gray and fox), muskiat, beaver, skunk,
opossum, weasel, red fox, predators, and waterfowl.
Fish and Wildlife Service • 205
Biological Investigations on Wildlife Refuges
On the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Okla., rainfall above
normal produced a heavy growth of annual forage plants and an increase
in long grasses, possibly crowding out some of the valuable short
grasses. The small herd of introduced pronghorn antelope is slowly
increasing. On the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge, Nev., and the
Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Oreg., competition between
wild game and domestic stock and the range requirements of the antelope
were studied. A co ver-type map of the Sheldon Refuge was completed
in cooperation with the Grazing Service and a management
plan projected.
State Biological Surveys and Faunal Studies
Investigations were continued on a biological survey of the State of
Washington, a report on the biological survey of the Aleutian Islands is
nearing completion, a manuscript was completed for publication as a
North American Fauna on the habits, classification, and distribution of
North American wolves, work progressed on revisions of the classification
of American pumas and the white-tailed deer, and a study was
completed of the marten of the northern Rocky Mountains, with plans
for its management. From surveys an estimate was made of
5,964,391 big-game animals in the United States at the close of 1940.
The mammal collection was increased by 800 specimens, 496 specimens
were identified for other institutions, and 706 were loaned. To
the bird collection were added 935 specimens, 819 specimens were
identified for other institutions, and 716 were loaned. A leaflet describing
the Biological Surveys mammal collection was issued. Service
biologists described 12 new mammals belonging to the genera Canis,
Lemmiscus, Lutra, Nasua, Onychomys, Peromyscus, Pitymys, Tamiasciurus,
and Thomomys and one new bird of the genus Colinus. The
Biological Surveys laboratories were used by more than 150 cooperative
research workers.
Economic Investigations on Wildlife
Wildlife relationships.—Studies were continued in cooperation with
the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, Department of
Agriculture, of the relationship of birds to rice production, particularly
to the control of insect pests of rice. Investigations were made
of waterfowl depredations on crops in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and
Washington and of the effectiveness of control methods. In surveys
of damage by starlings to horticultural crops, methods for prevention
206 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
were tested. Economic relationship studifes involved bald and golden
eagles, band-tailed pigeons, gallinules, owls, foxes, raccoons, and bobcats.
Cooperation in wildlife food studies was extended to various
Federal and State agencies, and eight State conservation agencies
utilized the Service’s laboratory facilities for work on wildlife problems.
Completion of field research on the economic status of the
Canadian porcupine included the development of measures that largely
eliminate losses due to local concentrations in timber and forest reproduction
and maple-sugar production areas and in orchard and truck
crops. A color motion picture on the subject was filmed and will soon
be available for public use.
Control Methods
Coyote control.—Research on coyote control methods included tests
to determine the efficacy of a new device, the “coyote-getter,” a toxindischarging
cartridge. Results obtained from 82,000 trap-set days
and 107,000 set days with the new device disclosed that the latter is
less destructive than steel traps to domestic sheep, big game, certain
furbearers, and large birds of prey and that the trap is supprior for
use in cattle pastures and in sections containing bears and domestic
dogs, but more subject to interference by rodents. The coyote-getter
was generally more effective in severe weather; the trap in mild. The
new device is being used to a limited extent in coyote control in several
Western States to supplement trapping operations.
New or substitute control poisons.—As the war has cut off importation
of thallium, squill, and strychnine, programs of predator and rodent
control must depend upon poisons that can be effectively used as substitutes.
Tests thus far made indicate that zinc phosphide, though
not so consistently satisfactory, may serve in place of strychnine and
thallium in rodent control.
Propagation of red sguill.—Toxic red squill, a most important rat
poison formerly imported from Mediterranean countries can be grown
in the United States, although the supply of bulbs and seed for this
purpose is limited. Experimental propagation of the plant is being
developed through cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry,
of the Department of Agriculture. Red squill requires 4 to 5 years,
however, to mature. It is hoped that through careful selection and
tests marked increase can be made in the toxicity of bulbs grown.
Numerous cooperators from Florida to southern California are joining
in this effort. The process for the fortification or strengthening of
low-grade squill powder developed by the Service last year is being
put to practical use in rat-control work. In addition to the Government-
operated fortification unit at Denver, a plant was set up in
Louisiana under technical direction of Service scientists.
Fish and Wildlife Service • 207
Control of rabbits on southwestern ranges.—Ranches in the Southwest
have been periodically confronted with ravages by jack rabbits and
other rodents on the open range, particularly under the combined
pressure of livestock and drought. Removal of livestock alone will
not correct the situation—the rabbits also must be removed for a
time. An investigator is working on a low-cost method for range
lands of relatively low forage production.
Black rat control.—An experienced investigator was sent to Florida
to develop control methods for black and Alexandrian rats in the
southern coastal areas and at ports where the entrance of rats infested
with plague or typhus-bearing parasites might occur.
Eagle studies.—Federal legislation giving protection to the bald
eagle in all parts of continental United States except Alaska has focused
attention on its economic relationships, but investigations of the
status of this and the golden eagle have been largely stopped by war
conditions. The bald eagle is relatively uncommon over much of the
United States though still abundant in the coastal region of southeastern
Alaska, despite being long subject to bounty payments there.
Upland Game Birds
Nutrition and physiology of upland game birds.—As a basis for
management, comparative studies were made of the feeding of immature
ring-necked pheasants and ruffed grouse. In studies of nutritional
requirements of breeding bobw’hite quail the effects of various
grinds of feed on the health of these birds were extensively tested,
certain ones showing important results in the lowered death rate of
young birds. The symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in quail were
determined.
Upland game management.—The results of stocking a pure strain of
wild turkey on Bull Island, S. C., in 1940 were encouragingly successful,
as there was a marked population increase after two breeding
seasons. Cooperating with the Forest Service, Department of
Agriculture, a management unit known as the Wambaw Wild Turkey
Management area was established on the Francis Marion National
Forest, S. C.
Waterfowl Habitat Studies
Marsh management.—Surveys were completed of the 200,000 acres
of wildlife refuge land in Louisiana, and recommendations made to
State authorities for needed biological improvements for fur, fish, and
other wildlife resources. Investigations of waterfowl habitats demonstrated
the relation of shallow water areas and cyclic organisms to the
occurrence of duck sickness and pointed to remedial management
measures. Grazing was shown to be an aid to maintenance of desir208
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
able goose and shorebird habitat. Habitat and economic relations of
the sandhill crane were investigated on breeding grounds in Oregon
and on wintering areas in New Mexico and Texas.
Mosquito control in wildlife habitat.—Completion of a 4-year studyon
means of coordinating necessary mosquito control with wild life
conservation demonstrated that by developing appropriate watercontrol
structures in coastal or tidal marshes so as to maintain fishes
at all times, mosquito breeding usually is practically eliminated and
that improving such marshes for waterfowl may afford local control
of mosquito production. In cooperation with the Tennessee Valley
Authority, an analysis was completed of the results of malaria-control
practices at power and flood-control reservoirs.
Propagation of waterfowl food plants.—In studying optimum storage
conditions for the germination of seeds of five valuable species of
bidrush, in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry, it was
found that material stored wet gives uniformly better results than
that kept dry. The effects of changing salinities and of silting on the
production of marsh and aquatic plants were recorded for the tidal
section of the Potomac River. Successful experimental plantings of
waterfowl foods were made in storm-created ponds at the Delta
National Wildlife Refuge, La.
Control of pest plants.—Changing undesirable to desirable plant
associations and maintaining the latter is imperative in developing
and managing areas for producing game and fur. Intensive investigations
were made on refuges in Louisiana, Tennessee, New Mexico,
Oregon, Utah, and Maryland. Experiments in plant growth control
by alteration of water levels, by planting desirable competing species,
by use of chemical agents and mechanical devices, and by grazing
and burning, showed that each method is effective under appropriate
conditions.
Fur Animal Conservation and Restoration
Wartime Use of Furs
To render maximum service toward insuring that our armed forces
in cold climates shall be properly equipped with- warm clothing, the
fur resources program was reorganized, cooperative arrangements
were entered into with the Quartermaster Corps and the War Production
Board, and the Secretary of War appointed an official of the Service
as fur consultant. The Service supplied samples of numerous
furs for use in determining their frost-resistant qualities and testing
their suitability for sleeping bags and certain types of clothing. At
the request of war agencies, comparative tests of furs and fabrics
were initiated in cooperation with the Bureaus of Home Economics
Fish and Wildlife Service • 209
and Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture. The receipts
from furs sold by the Service amounted to $2,466,308. These comprised
furs taken on national wildlife refuges, $73,891.77; predatory
animal pelts, $22,389.47; experimental and miscellaneous skins,
$9,328.76; and fur seals and blue foxes, $2,360,698.
Cooperative Research
Fur-fiber investigations.—Continuing the study of factors contributing
to desirable quality in pelts of fur animals, a preliminary analysis
was made of inherited fur fiber characteristics associated with woolliness
in domestic rabbits. Studies of luster in Karakul sheep pelts
were furthered by construction of new apparatus, and information on
growth characteristics of Persian lamb curls was assembled from
available foreign literature, contributing to investigations conducted
in cooperation with the Bureau of Animal Industry. Toward the
end of the year the entire program was so revised as to handle new
projects having direct bearing on the war. These include studies of
the suitability of furs and fur fibers for war use, and the utilization of
waste fur and fur scraps.
Reproduction studies.—In studies on the reproductive cycles of fur
animals, continued in cooperation with Swarthmore College, work on
the silver fox was concentrated on the relation of onset of heat to
ovulation, maturation of the ovum, sperm transport and respiration,
spermatogenesis, and on chromosomes. A survey of breeding practices
in mink ranching was begun. Relationship between delayed
implantation and long gestation period in the marten was established.
Fur seal reproductive and embryological material was also studied.
Nutritional research.—Nutritional studies on fur animals conducted
in cooperation with Cornell University have shown that silver foxes
require vitamins A, Bb D, nicotinic acid, and the antigray hair factor.
The minimum requirements of foxes and minks for vitamin A were
determined. The effects of thiamin deficiency and Chastek paralysis
in foxes were found to be identical. A series of digestion trials
showed that both minks and foxes digest cooked starch to the extent
of 90 percent or more but that they do not digest raw starch so well.
An estimate was made of the maintenance-energy requirement of
adult foxes and minks. Studies were continued on the digestibility of
high protein feeds by foxes and on the relation of nutrition to urinary
calculi and Chastek paralysis in minks.
Fur-Animal Experiment Stations
New York.—Wartime conditions have demonstrated the wisdom of
developing substitutes for raw meat in feeding fur animals. Experiments
at the station near Saratoga Springs showed that beef meal, fish
210 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
meal, and tripe can be used to replace half the raw meat in summer
mink rations. Preliminary studies indicated that mating minks on
two consecutive days after March 9 or 10 is as satisfactory as the usual
practice of mating them several times at weekly intervals. Observations
were made of the effect on the quality of fox pelts of shaded fur
sheds as compared with open, raised wire pens. Data obtained during
the fox breeding season indicated a definite correlation between vulvar
size, cell structure, and ovulation. Experiments are in progress to
determine the minimum calcium requirements of growing fox pups.
California.—In a 27-month test at the Rabbit Experiment Station
at Fontana, in which 56 does and 2,758 young were self-fed during the
lactation period, it was found that a ration containing a limited number
of cereal grains is satisfactory when the rabbits are given free choice of
one or more grains in conjunction with a plant protein supplement and
legume hay. The normal body temperature for rabbits was determined
to be 103.6° F. Encouragement was given to the use of domestic
rabbit meat in the Food for Freedom campaign.
Maryland.—Muskrat investigations at the fur animal field station
on the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge included correlation of
house count with pelt production per acre and field studies of trapping
management methods, effects of sex and season on market classification
of pelts, and feeding and breeding habits. The value of fur
research on the refuge was enhanced by the establishment there of a
Weather Bureau observation unit. Studies of the muskrat and
nutria in pens were expanded. Musk glands of muskrats and beavers
and testes of muskrats were collected for the Bureau of Animal
Industry for analyses with a view to the isolation of new compounds
to point the way to an interpretation of steroid hormone metabolism.
Embryological material also was assembled to complete the representation
for the year. Upon request, a study was made of the possibilities
for raising muskrats in the Mobile Bay Delta, Ala.
Wildlife-Disease Investigations
Fur animals.—Through laboratory and field tests an increased margin
of safety in distemper vaccine for use with farm-raised minks has
been achieved by prolonged exposure of the virus to formalin, f A
valuable contribution to knowledge of the hosts of canine distemper
was made by the detection of this disease in a zoological park in red,
gray, and kit foxes, raccoon dogs, coyote-dog hybrids, and dingoes.
A source of loss in domestic rabbit has been eliminated by the recognition
and removal from forage of the woollypod milkweed (Asclepius
eriocarpa).
Big game.—The practice of vaccinating the buffaloes on game
refuges against brucellosis is being continued, and a considerable numFish
and Wildlife Service • 211
ber of young immunized animals are now safe for introduction into
new localities.
Bird diseases.—Measures for the control of infectious rhinitis in
quail have been improved by the use of bacterins in combating the
secondary invading organism. An important relationship of the
bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Clostridium botulinum in outbreaks
of western duck sickness has been discovered, and steps are
being taken to apply this finding in more effective control measures.
National Park Wildlife
The study of the relations of predators to Dall sheep and caribou,
begun in 1939 in Mount McKinley National Park, was completed.
In the presence of a rather stable wolf population the sheep numbers
seem not to have varied greatly in recent years, as it is generally the
weaker animals that are captured. Wolf predation on lambs during
their first winter seems the most important factor in stabilizing the
sheep population. The caribou, which is the main wolf food, is a
buffer species in respect to sheep and appears to be maintaining its
numbers. No evidence was found of eagles preying on Dall sheep
lambs.
A thorough range survey of Glacier National Park led to the coordination
of the horse-grazing program with improved wildlife, vegetation,
and soil-management practices. In Kings Canyon National
Park, studies of grazing pressure by pack and saddle stock led to
recommendations for the protection of scenic and recreational areas.
Studies were made of livestock grazing in Arches and Zion National
Monuments and Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and of winter range
in Yellowstone National Park and of the possibilities for disease and
probable consequent losses in big game. Survey of the critically
overbrowsed condition of Zion Canyon in Zion National Park showed
that tree and shrub reproduction is impossible with present deer
numbers. As previous live-trapping of deer proved ineffective, more
drastic reduction is imperative. Damage to forests by porcupines
was investigated in Bryce Canyon National Park and Montezuma
Castle National Monument.
Inventories were made of wildlife populations in Kings Canyon,
Sequoia, and Kings Mountain National Parks, Joshua Tree National
Monument, and Cape Netarts State Park. A survey of Custer
Recreational Demonstration Area was made to determine the possibility
of reintroducing big-game mammals. Inventories were made
of the flora of Organ Pipe, Arches, and White Sands National Monuments
and of the proposed Big Bend National Park. Cooperation
was extended to military authorities at Fort Knox in reintroducing
game and fur animals and at Fort Story in plans for mosquito control.
212 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Investigation, of aquatic resources were made in Kings Canyon
National Park and Boulder Dam National Recreational Area. Waters
of five recreational demonstration areas in Pennsylvania were inspected
by Service and State biologists in a movement to formulate a fishstocking
policy for all areas in that State. A study of waters in
Shenandoah National Park was made as a basis for determining
streams to be stocked and for preparing fishing regulations.
Wildlife on Indian Lands
Wildlife research and conservation activities of this Service were
this year extended to cover all Indian lands in the United States—
about 55,006,000 acres. Under an agreement with the Indian Service,
approved August 7, 1941, a project for investigations of wildlife on
Indian lands was organized in the Fish and Wildlife Service to work
on the conservation of wildlife resources of reservations and the
increase of food and fur therefrom. Practical problems studied
included food production from salmon, bison, deer, and other species;
fur production from beavers, muskrats, and other fur animals; rodent
and predator control; conservation and management education;
drafting wildlife laws; and coordination of Indian and State conservation
activities. The facts disclosed and the recommendations made
had the following results: Six tribes enacted laws to maintain high
yields of prime beaver pelts; management of the Crow buffalo herd,
largest in the United States, was directed toward meat and hide
production; salmon fishing was regulated on the Columbia River and
on the Quillayute Reservation, Wash.; Indian claims to fish trap sites
in Alaska were suspended to prevent hindrances to salmon production
during the war; and wartime development of wildlife resources on the
Colorado Reservation was begun by using Japanese evacuees.
National Wildlife Refuge Program
Land Acquisition
The program of land acquisition for national wildlife refuges was
greatly curtailed by economic conditions brought on by the war.
Early in the year it was decided not to institute arbitrary condemnation
cases but to proceed only with those already filed.
The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, at its only meeting
of the year, on January 27, approved the Service’s recommendation
for the lease of 1 tract of 4,756 acres and the acquisition of 203 parcels
totaling 23,511 acres in 22 refuge units, as follows: Bear River, Utah
(an easement); Blackbeard, Ga. (headquarters site); Brigantine, N. J.,
4.6 acres; Chassahowitzka, Fla., 4,837 acres; Chincoteague, Md.-Va.,
10,000 acres; Horicon, Wis., 695 acres; Kentucky Woodlands, Ky.,
248 acres; Lake Ho, N. Dak., 144 acres; Lake Isom, Tenn., 11 acres;
Fish and Wildlife Service • 2.13
Little Pend Oreille, Wash., 681 acres; Long Lake, N. Dak., 320 acres;
Lower Klamath, Oreg., 1,275 acres; Necedah, Wis., 87 acres; Okefenokee,
Ga., 980 acres; Parker River, Mass., 417 acres; Reelfoot,
Tenn, (headquarters site); Santa Ana, Tex., 2,014 acres; Skagit, Wash.,
81 acres; Tamarac, Minn., 212 acres; Union Slough, Iowa, 905 acres;
White River, Ark., 532 acres; and Willapa, Wash., 65 acres.
On 29 refuges 121 acquisitions were closed, adding 58,394 to the
acreage already under the jurisdiction of the Service. Appraisals
were made of 331,000 acres for the program under the Federal Aid to
Wildlife Restoration Act, and by Executive order there were reserved
3,114 acres of public lands in Arkansas and Washington under the
jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior for use by the State
game commissions in connection with State wildlife refuges established
under that act.
Executive orders added 4 national wildlife refuges—the Kenai
National Moose Range and the Kodiak, both in Alaska; the Safford,
Ariz., and the Susquehanna, Md., involving 4,657,000 acres of public
domain, 245 acres transferred from other agencies, and 2,895 acres
leased—and one wildlife-management area of 81,049 acres, the
Beltrami, Minn., for administration under Service custody by the
Minnesota Department of Conservation, through the transfer of
jurisdiction from the Department of Agriculture to the Department
of the Interior; and enlarged the St. Marks Refuge, Fla., by 40 acres
of public lands. Three easement refuges—the Creedman Coulee,
Halfbreed, and Lamesteer, Mont.-—involving 80 acres of publie
domain and 6,826 acres of land under gratuitous easement were added..
Surveys were made of 654 miles of boundary and interior lines; and
87 miles of boundary were staked for fence construction. Survey
descriptions for title examination and preparation of deeds of conveyance
for 411 tracts were completed on approximately 86,731 acres.
In March the Bureau of Yards and Docks of the Navy Department
made the first of many requests for appraisals of lands for war purposes,
and at the close of the year practically the entire land-acquisition
personnel was engaged in evaluating and surveying lands
and preparing reports and maps for that Department.
Development of Refuges
Despite great curtailment in the use of CCC, WPA, and NYA
labor on wildlife refuges, development progressed considerably. The
WPA furnished 5,747 man-months of employment, of which 1,173
were used on road improvements essential in the national emergency.
The projects were operated principally in localities where relief labor
was not required in connection with the war program.
In the past the CCC provided the labor necessary for extensive
development operations on Federal refuges, but this year, in order to
485482—42------- 16
214 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
furnish the greatest possible aid to the war program there was a
transition of CCC activities from refuge development work to important
war work and the number of camps assigned to the Service
was reduced from 36 to 12. Of these, 4 were engaged in the development
and improvement of military areas, and arrangements were
completed for utilizing 8 camps on military areas or on projects
necessary for the protection and conservation of national resources
that are important to the war program. The work accomplished by
the 4 military camps is typical of the contribution made to the war
program by the CCC. It consisted of constructing and improving
truck trails, fences, communications systems, bomb-storage shelters,
pipe lines, rifle ranges, and recreational areas and in improving areas
by mosquito control. Camps not detailed to military areas were
assigned the important task of protecting natural resources, which
involved the construction and maintenance of fire breaks and fire
lines, extensive reduction of fire hazards, fire fighting, completion of
water-control structures, dikes, dams, and other water-utilization
projects, and biological development.
Administration and Management
The number of national wildlife refuges now administered by the
Service is 272 (17,643,915 acres) (table 2), of which 254 (9,592,713
acres) are in the United States and 18 (8,051,202 acres) in Alaska,
Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, 2 having been dropped from the list—
Siskiwit, Mich., and Expedition Island, Alaska. Executive orders
established 7 new refuges, and 8 refuges (1,272,407 acres) were placed
under active administration with permanent personnel assigned.
Exclusive of easement refuges, 101 units (11,960,268 acres) are now
operated by a staff of 261 permanent and 36 part-time personnel,
about the same as last year, although the acreage increased 12 percent,
assistance from CCC and WPA was practically eliminated, and many
employees were on military furlough with the armed forces. War
restrictions on the purchase of tires, equipment, and repair parts
reduced the operation of .automotive and other equipment drastically,
the permitted mileage for cars and trucks from a third to a half that
of the previous year.
TABLE 2.—Classification and acreage of national wildlife refuges administered by
the Fish and Wildlife Service
Classification Number Acres
For migratory waterfowl________________________________________________________
For other migratory birds and general wildlife__________________________________
For colonial nongame birds______________________ _______________________________
For big game________________________________________ ____ ______________________
Patuxent Research Refuge, Md_____________________ ___________________________
184
25
46
16
1
2,962,025
3,973,754
104,149
10, 601, 364
2. 623
Total 272 17,643,915
Fish and Wildlife Service • 215
Funds received from the Sixth Supplemental Defense Act of 1942
for the emergency protection of forests, forest industries, and important
facilities were expended for that purpose on a number of
refuges. Fires on refuges totaled 169 and involved 32,195 acres.
Moneys made available under a special appropriation for soil and
moisture conservation activities were allotted to 10 refuges.
For use for bombing and artillery ranges, troop maneuvers, military
bases, emergency landing fields, and other war purposes, the Service
turned over to the War and Navy Departments for the duration
972,987 acres of refuge lands—primarily submarginal areas in the
South and Midwest and parts of large areas in the West used jointly
for wildlife and livestock. No highly developed wildlife areas were
released and little or no harm to wildlife has resulted from military
activities.
Bird Refuges
The following bird refuges were established by Executive orders:
Ash Creek (Safford), an upland game-bird.area of 240 acres in Graham
County, Ariz., transferred from the Soil Conservation Service
(E. O. April 20, 1942); Susquehanna, an area of 2,900 acres in Cecil
and Harford Counties, Md., primarily a resting and feeding refuge
for ducks during migration (E. O. June 23, 1942); Creedman Coulee,
an easement area of 2,684 acres in Hill County, Mont., as a waterfowl
nesting and resting refuge (E. O. October 29, 1941); Halfbreed
Lake, an easement area of 3,097 acres in Stillwater County, Mont.,
for waterfowl nesting and resting (E. O. May 19, 1942); and the
Lamesteer, an easement area of 800 acres in Wibaux County, Mont.,
also for waterfowl nesting and resting (E. O. May 19, 1942).
Most of the waterfowl nesting refuges had more water and were in
better condition than ever before, and several had an abundance of
water for the first time since their establishment. The spring run-off
gave the water-control structures the most severe test since their installation.
Most of them proved adequate, although some suffered
damage necessitating minor repairs.
Big-Game Refuges
Two new big-game refuges were established, both in Alaska: The
Kenai National Moose Range (2,000,000 acres), for the protection of
the giant Kenai moose and other wildlife (E. O. December 16, 1941);
and the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge (1,957,000 acres), for the
protection of the brown bear and other wildlife (E. O. August 19,
1941):
The numbers of big-game animals on the fenced big-game areas are
given in table 3.
216 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
TABLE 3.—Number of animals on fenced big-game areas maintained by the Fish
and Wildlife Service
ANIMALS AS OF MAY 31, 1942
Refuge Buffalo Elk Antelope
Bighorn
sheep
Deer
Whitetailed
Mule
Texas
longhorn
Total
National Bison Range, Mont_______
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife
Refuge, Nebr_____________________
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve,
N' Dak_________________________
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge,
Okla_____________________________
497
123
16
549
143
31
12
181
Total 1,185 367 49 12 686
170 _______
5 37
____ 241
175 278
864
204
38
1,646
2,752
YOUNG BORN IN CALENDAR YEAR 1941
National Bison Range, Mont-----------
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife
Refuge, Nebr____________________
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve,
N. Dak_________________________
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge,
Okla______________ ____ _______
162
44
12
205
Total______________ ______________ 218 423
Harvesting Refuge Crops
Extensive habitat improvement and other development work on
refuges is resulting in greatly increased wildlife production. The restoration
of drained marsh areas has served to increase substantially
not only the numbers of waterfowl but also of fur animals, the pelts
of which are of great value in outfitting troops in northern climates.
In all, 153,000 muskrats and other fur animals were taken from refuge
lands. Reconditioned water areas are producing enough fishes to
permit the removal not only for sport but also for commercial purposes,
thus supplementing the take of salt-water fishes that has been
reduced because of naval and military coastal activities.
To keep the herds of big game at a level consistent with the available
range, 136 buffaloes, 71 elk, 60 white-tailed deer, and 17 Texas
longhorns wore transferred from the 4 fenced big-game refuges to
State conservation commissions for restocking or were sold or donated
for exhibition, propagation, or food. The harvesting of wildlife from
the refuges for restocking other public lands and through controlled
public hunting increased greatly. Permits issued to State conservation
departments authorized removal of 41,200 ring-necked pheasants,
1,215 deer, and 1,620 fur animals for restocking State areas, and more
than 50,000 ducks and upland game birds were taken on lands open
to public hunting. Grazing by domestic livestock, hay harvesting,
agricultural crop production, timber cutting, and other economic uses
of refuge lands were permitted wherever they would have no adverse
effect upon wildlife. The total revenue from the lease of refuge lands
and the sale of surplus refuge products was $100,396.26.
Fish and Wildlife Service • 217
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
The benefits of 4 years’ operation of the Federal aid in wildlife restoration
program under the Pittman-Robertson Act are' becoming increasingly
apparent. Projects approved are being utilized by State
game departments to gather information on scientific and administrative
problems for which State funds had not been available; areas for
wildlife restoration and perpetuation are being acquired; and developments
are being made on private and public lands for game and fur
production. The Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Act was
amended to extend its benefits to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and
the Virgin Islands. Restoration projects were inaugurated in all these
areas except Hawaii, where action was postponed because of the war.
Acquisitions made by 18 States this year for wildlife breeding, feeding,
and resting grounds totaled 150,081 acres, representing largely
additions to existing State programs. Examples are the placing of
many scattered refuges and game management units in Pennsylvania,
Michigan, Iowa, Utah, and Washington; acquisition by Kansas of
6,800 acres in the Cheyenne Bottoms for developing a combination
waterfowl refuge and public shooting ground; purchase by Wisconsin
of land to restore the southern part of the famed Horicon Marsh; and
purchase by Florida of 19,130 acres in the Charlotte County game
management unit for deer, wild turkeys, and bobwhites.
A comparatively recent development in wildlife management has
been the restoration by Federal aid of desirable species through soilconservation
practices. Game departments of Virginia, Florida,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Nebraska, Idaho,
and Washington are supplying farmers in soil-conservation districts
with seeds of soil-holding plants for use on field borders, gullies, and
odd corners that cannot be successfully cultivated but will provide
essential cover and food for game birds and mammals. Missouri conservation
officials have cooperated with farmers in building ponds in
areas deficient in surface water, to serve as refuges and breeding
places for fur animals, waterfowl, and upland game birds and to provide
water for domestic animals.
Many States are stocking depleted ranges with native wild-caught
birds and mammals. Texas had unusual success with wild turkeys
and reports increases up to 400 percent from transplantings. Virginia,
West Virginia, Florida, and Texas transplanted white-tailed deer from
areas where plentiful to those where scarce. New Mexico, Colorado,
Wyoming, and Texas did the same with antelopes; and Alabama,
Mississippi, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming, with beavers.
The 46 cooperating States, Alaska, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto
Rico submitted and had approved 301 projects involving Federal funds
of $2,075,476.76. Of these projects, 111 ($857,497.49) wTere for the
purchase of lands, 99 ($620,001.39) for developments of lands and
218 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
waters, 70 ($490,901.64) for surveys and investigations into problems
of wildlife management, and 21 ($107,076.24) for direction and coordination
of the wildlife restoration programs undertaken by the
States.
TABLE 4.—Status of Federal aid to wildlife restoration funds for the fiscal year 1942
State, Territory,
or possession
Federal apportionment
fiscal year
1942
Unobligated
balance
June 30,
1941 *
1942 funds
obligated
June 30,
1941
Federal funds
unobligated
July 1, 19412
Obligations
during fiscal
year 1942
Balance
June 30,
1942
Alabama $40, 725. 36 $2, 773. 89 $37,951. 47 $27, 977.02 $9, 974. 45
Arizona 53, 149. 13 $9. 616. 07 62, 765. 20 55, 336. 75 7, 428. 45
Arkansas 31' 388. 09 14, 099. 28 45' 487 37 22, 219. 81 23, 267. 56
California 111, 800. 92 82^ 032. 68 193, 833. 60 150, 572.91 43, 260. 69
Colorado 70, 421. 06 7,133. 53 63, 287. 53 50, 202. 55 13, 084. 98
Connecticut 7, 146. 33 1, 422.10 5, 724. 23 5, 554. 51 169. 72
Delaware 3, 420. 30 3,028. 64 ' 391. 66 3 81.18 472.84
Florida 34, 099. 30 28, 406. 10 62, 505. 40 58, 874. 69 3, 630. 71
Georgia 4 37, 902. 31 32, 644. 80 70, 547 11 70, 547.11
Idaho 52, 386. 41 16, 665. 72 35, 720. 69 35, 720. 69
Illinois 78, 081.94 2,039. 52 80,121. 46 22, 417. 74 57, 703.72
Indiana 75i 403. 24 8, 745. 41 84, 148. 65 65, 535. 90 18, 612. 75
Iowa 54', 319. 36 41, 463. 70 95, 783.06 64, 143. 54 31, 639. 52
Kansas 48, 668,07 34. 497. 62 83,165. 69 52, 287. 41 30, 878. 28
Kentucky 33, 031.15 29, 363. 32 62,394.47 19, 276.18 43,118.29
Louisiana 36, 502. 37 7, 213. 98 43, 716.35 38. 243.82 5, 472. 53
Maine 30, 370. 71 1.33 30, 372. 04 24, 810. 26 5, 561.78
Maryland 17, 372. 27 12, 234. 61 29, 606. 88 16, 932. 99 12, 673.89
M assachusetts 16, 501. 20 779. 70 17, 280. 90 7, 467. 78 9, 813.12
Michigan 143i 946. 94 93,153. 20 237,100.14 149,147. 54 87, 952. 60
Minnesota 76, 662.12 33, 275.94 109, 938. 06 71, 815. 40 38,122. 66
Mississippi 39,711.19 19, 501. 30 20; 209. 89 12, 695. 01 7, 514.88
Missouri 61, 904. 65 22. 436. 95 39, 467. 70 533. 95 38, 933. 75
Montana 77, 247. 05 14, 070. 33 91, 317. 38 39, 942.03 51, 375. 35
N ebraska 54,155.19 12; 324. 47 66, 479. 66 48,157. 53 18, 322.13
Nevada 4 48, 023. 76 43, 456. 27 91, 480. 03 91. 480. 03
New Hampshire 12' 974. 66 2, 279. 24 10, 695. 42 6, 307. 79 4, 387. 63
New Jersey 24, 993. 46 1, 516. 77 23, 476. 69 9, 026. 46 14, 450. 23
New Mexico 55, 671. 21 47, 251. 85 102,923. 06 58, 847. 90 44,075.16
New York 120, 204. 86 2,911. 55 11/ 293.31 53, 993. 63 63, 299. 68
North Carolina 47, 863. 69 304. 67 48,168. 36 44, 381. 95 3, 786. 41
North Dakota 36, 483.89 2, 460.16 38,- 944. 05- 28, 586.12 10. 357.93
Ohio 104, 909. 05 87, 387. 36 192, 296. 41 133,114. 23 59,182.18
Oklahoma _ 47, 090. 65 32, 715. 71 14. 374. 94 31,178.81 15, 553. 75
Oregon 56, 415. 32 23, 443. 04 79, 858. 36 42, 599.20 37, 259.16
Pennsylvania 130, 083. 67 13, 360. 69 116, 722. 98 115,194. 57 1, 528.41
Rhode Island 1, 958. 42 1, 342. 29 616.13 3 39(1. 04 1,012.17
South Carolina 28, 916. 39 6, 266. 27 22, 650.12 14, 695.18 7, 954.94
South Dakota 44, 979. 44 31. 909. 25 13. 070.19 11, 967. 71 1,102. 48
Tennessee 31, 904. 50 3.901. 69 28,002. 81 14, 633.11 13. 369.70
Texas - 132, 716. 54 55, 987. 19 76, 729. 35 44. 947. 48 31, 781. 87
Utah ______ 48, 094. 60 28, 689. 49 19, 405.11 16, 126. 68 3, 278. 43
Vermont 11, 593. 55 7, 758. 52 19, 352. 07 7. 592. 34 11, 759. 73
Virginia _____ 41, 315. 43 19, 259. 20 22, 056. 23 21, 992.03 64.20
Washington 63, 896. 62 1, 477. 72 62, 418.90 53, 075. 20 9, 343.70
West Virginia 35, 658.01 12, 895. 21 22, 762. 80 13, 391. 46 9, 371. 34
W isconsin 72, 939. 26 18, 295.97 91, 235. 23 89, 663. 92 1, 571.31
Wyoming 44, 996. 36 7, 436.16 37, 560. 20 23, 933. 40 13, 626.80
Alaska 25, 000. 00 25, 000. 00 20, 600.00 4, 400.00
Puerto Rico 10 000.00 10, 000. 00 10, 000. 00
Virgin Islands 10, 000. 00 10, 000. 00 10, 000. 00
Total________ 2, 575, 000. 00 686, 319. 90 294,910. 56 2, 966, 409. 34 31, 882, 880. 34 1,083, 529.00
Does not include funds unexpended and unobligated during availability and transferred for carrying
out the provisions of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act.
2 Apportionment of Federal funds to Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands was made on November
19, 1941.
3 Credit adjustments (italic figures) during the fiscal year 1942.
4 Not eligible to participate.
6 Unexpended funds on completed projects have been deducted from this column and credited for future
use.
Fish and Wildlife Service • 219
Propagation and Distribution of Food and
Game Fishes
Hatchery Production
The record of fish-hatchery production deviates from previous
records in that it covers the calendar instead of the fiscal year, a
change adopted because both the practical aspects of hatchery operations
and the reproductive cycles of fishes impose a definite break,
or seasonal interruption, in midwinter. Moreover, planting young
fishes from the hatcheries corresponds in season to the annual increment
from natural reproduction, and an accurate impression of
yearly accomplishment cannot be gained if the tabulations are summarized
in the middle of the propagating and distributing period.
In presenting totals, therefore, there is an overlapping of 6 months
and certain lots of fishes will appear in both reports. The duplication
is more seeming than real, however, as the current report does not
include figures for 2 consecutive reproductive periods for any species.
The gross production of fishes and eggs for the calendar year 1941,
the output of 119 fish-cultural stations, some of which were under
construction, was 5,862,960,200, a decrease of more than 15,000,000
from that of the fiscal year 1941. Among the groups showing increased
production were six species of game trouts, both the largemouth
and smallmouth black basses, and four species of Pacific
salmons. The take of eggs of the buffalofish, an important freshwater
commercial species, was doubled. The eggs were fertilized
and planted on the spawning grounds, as also is done with eggs of
groundfishes along the New England coast.
The policy of not releasing game fishes until they reach a larger size
was reflected in an increase of about 10,000,000 fingerlings. There
were decreases in several of the marine commercial species and in
some of the lesser pan and game fishes.
The Carbon Hill, Ala., Hebron, Ohio, and Moorefield, W. Va., pondfish
stations operated on a productive basis for the first time. Two
cooperative seasonal units were not used—the Senecaville, Ohio, station
was not opened in the spring because of an inadequate water
supply; and the Barneveld, N. Y., station was permanently closed.
Salvage operations along the Upper Mississippi River were insignificant
in comparison with those of earlier years. Slightly more
than half a million stranded fishes were seined from overflow areas.
Construction
All new hatchery developments and work on the partially completed
unit at Earlington, Kans., were suspended at the outbreak of
the war, but projects well advanced were continued, including hatch220
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
eries at Williams Creek, Ariz., Salem, Maine, Austin, Tex., and Corning,
Ark. The substations for salmon propagation at Winthrop and
Entiat, Wash., built by the Bureau of Reclamation, are part of the
field establishment supervised by the Service and the latter was placed
in partial operation. The Bureau of Reclamation continued the construction
of the large Sacramento River salmon hatchery at Coleman,
Calif.
Cooperation With Other Conservation Agencies
I
A decline in the number of applications for fishes submitted by private
individuals does not indicate a lessening of demand but rather
reflects the Service’s policy of handling fish distribution through State
conservation departments and other official bodies responsible for the
management of lands and waters. The advantages of thus coordinating
fish distribution have become increasingly evident, and though
much remains to be done in extending this policy, it has proved to be a
type of informal Federal aid that results in greater returns from funds
expended.
Cooperative Predator and Rodent Control
The control of predatory animals and injurious rodents directly
coptributes to fulfilling the Service’s obligations during the war period
by increasing the food and feed supply through reducing depredations
of ground squirrels, jack rabbits, prairie dogs, and other rodents on
growing and stored crops and range forage and reducing rat damage in
city, town, and country; by increasing the food supply and raw materials
for clothing through protecting sheep, goats, and calves from
slaughter by coyotes, wolves, and other large predators; and by safeguarding
public health through the destruction of rodent and predator
carriers of bubonic plague, typhus, rabies, and other infectious
diseases.
In cooperative predator and rodent control, expenditures were
made of $873,597 from departmental funds; $536,933 from cooperating
States; $1,055,576 from cooperating counties, livestock and agricultural
associations, and others; and approximately $254,146 from
emergency funds.
Predator control resulted in the taking of 111,076 coyotes, 791
wolves, 10,957 bobacts and lynxes, 204 mountain lions, and 639 predatory
bears, a total of 123,667. In rodent control operations, 7,263,448
acres of infested lands were treated under direct supervision, and
13,703,158 under general instructions. In cooperative rat control,
assistance was given local communities in organizing rat control projFish
and Wildlife Service • 221
ects, including permanent control measures. The Service’s Supply
Depot and Laboratory at Pocatello, Idaho, prepared and distributed
821,224 pounds of rodent bait materials to cooperators throughout
the country and manufactured and distributed other equipment and
supplies used in predator and rodent control operations.
Destruction of Food and Property
Because of inability to apply control measures in all areas, heavy
losses often occur in localities where destructive rodents and predators
are numerous, as illustrated by the following instances.
In Arizona a goat raiser near Aquila, and his neighbor, lost 200 to
250 goats annually to predators, and a sheep raiser reported that
mountain lions killed 26 sheep in one night in March. In the
Perraine area of Florida, cotton rats destroyed $10,000 worth of tomatoes
and eggplants on 250 acres. At Belfield, N. Dak., a rancher lost
so many sheep to coyotes that he had to dispose of a flock of 200 sheep
that he had owned for a year and a half; and in Slope County, N. Dak.,
other small flock owners report annual losses to coyotes of 15 percent of
their flocks. A poultryman in Pennsylvania lost 1,500 week-old chicks
to rats in one night. In a Rhode Island orchard 300 apple trees were
girdled by meadow mice with a loss of $4,500. On a sugarbeet-seed
plantation in Weber County, Utah, field mice destroyed 10 acres of
young plants having a value of $3,000. On a farm near Georgetown,
La., wolves killed 192 pigs valued at $768 and 46 calves worth $368.
Conserving Food and Feed Supplies
If, as has been stated, food will win the war, every effort must be
made to produce and to conserve it as a vital factor. To this end
the Service has cooperated with State agencies, local livestock,
poultry, and agricultural interests, individuals, and military establishments
in preventing the destruction and damage of food and feed
by predators and rodents. The chairman of the United States
Department of Agriculture War Board of Cass County, Tex., expressed
thanks to the Service for helping acquaint the farmers with the
agricultural outlook in the Food for Freedom program, stating that
the plan for controlling pocket gophers in and around peanut fields
will greatly assist farmers in meeting their peanut quotas and that
the plan of directly coordinating work toward the - war effort will
materially assist them in meeting their goals.
Cooperative rodent control has been carried on about cultivated
and grazing areas to protect growing farm crops and forage, and
stored food and feed has been protected from rat and mouse damage
by meeting increased demands from many areas for cooperative
222 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
assistance. Rat and mouse destruction of grain in elevators and
mills has been severe. Toxic baits have been used extensively in
combating it, but sanitary and rat-proofing methods of control have
been stressed to insure more lasting results. Cooperation has been
extended to counties and cities in organizing intensive permanent
rat-control projects and to State, county, and local livestock organizations
and individuals in organizing and supervising intensive control
programs to protect sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, and poultry from the
larger predators, thereby safeguarding the Nation’s meat resources.
In 4 counties in South Dakota and 6 in North Dakota cooperative
control operations reduced the average annual sheep loss to coyotes
from 10 to 2 percent. Application of the Service’s rat-control
methods stopped the following losses: $10 weekly to foodstuffs in a
grocery market in Florida, $300 annually to a turkey grower in Maine,
and $2 a ton on 2,000 tons of stored feed at a cottonseed oil warehouse
in Texas. Rats were controlled also in a military warehouse
and an airport hangar in Texas, where they were cutting cords from
parachutes and chewing fabric and stitching off the wings of training
planes. In September, a Service hunter reduced destruction by
taking 6 coyotes in 6 days from an area in Nevada, where, during a
14-day period, 3 purebred Hereford calves valued at $50 each were
lost. In Catron County, N. Mex., cooperative pocket gopher
control effected a 25-percent increased yield of potatoes from a
20-acre field. The carrying capacity of a 40-acre pasture in Beaver
County, Okla., increased five times after removal of prairie dogs at a
total cost of $3. Capture of one bear that killed 20 adult sheep last
fall in Summit County, Utah, ended depredations.
Conserving Raw Materials for Clothing
In the Western States the more than 37,000,000 adult sheep and
lambs that graze on open ranges that are infested with coyotes and
other large predators have been protected by the Service’s cooperative
control operations conducted over the greater part of the range areas,
and thus losses of essential raw materials have been reduced.
QThe need for wool for clothing to meet the Army estimate of 100
pounds of scoured wool for each man during his first year in service
makes it a matter of grave concern to maintain and if possible increase
the output of domestic wool, the only supply deliverable in quantity
to our mills without undergoing the hazards of marine transportation.
The requirement of 15,000,000 shearling pelts for lining aviators’
coats exceeds the present supply. Lanolin, a byproduct of wool, is
needed in quantity to insure the smooth operation of war machines.
In western Wyoming a livestock outfit lost 80 valuable range sheep
to coyotes during January and February, but losses stopped after a
Fish and Wildlife Service • 223
Service hunter took 42 coyotes. In Montana, a producer in Meagher
County running 5,000 head of sheep reduced annual losses from 7 to
less than 2 percent by organized predator control, and in Yellowstone
County a Service hunter stopped losses by taking a female coyote
that had killed 15 of 25 lambs in a short period. During February in
Gilliam County, Oreg., the capture of a single crippled coyote,
called Two-Toes, which was known to have killed 250 lambs and 40
ewes over a 3-year period, prevented further losses. The taking of 1
wolf charged with killing 125 sheep and goats during a short period in
Cisco County, Tex., ended the trouble, and losses were stopped in
Newton County, Tex., by taking an old female wolf reported to have
killed 50 lambs and 14 sheep.
Safeguarding Public Health
During the national emergency, greater attention must be given
to the part played by rodents and predators in the dissemination of
animal-borne diseases. Outbreaks of bubonic plague, rabies, typhus,
infectious jaundice, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, all of which
are transmissible from wild animals to man or to livestock, have
occurred, some of them near military areas; and the Service has
worked closely with war agencies, the United States Public Health
Service, State and local health units, and other cooperators to reduce
the number of disease-carrying rodents and predators. Rat control
was inaugurated at Fort Lupton, Colo., to overcome infectious jaundice
and in Miami and in Dade County, Fla., and New Orleans, La.,
in cooperation with city and county health departments, to suppress
typhus fever; and in San Antonio, Tex., cooperative rat-control
operations reduced the positive laboratory-tested cases of typhus
from 80 to 1. During the spring, 30 people in southern New Mexico
were required to take the Pasteur treatment for rabies, when an
epizootic occurred among coyotes. Valuable livestock also were infected,
but increased predator-control operations are being carried on
with the hope of soon suppressing the disease. In Bryan County,
Okla., Rocky Mountain spotted fever caused the death of an attending
physician and one member of a family of six. Pocket gophers were
found to be infected with the ticks that transmit the disease, and
control measures were promptly applied. Experts from the Service
have been commissioned in the Sanitary Corps of the Army to
supervise rodent control on military areas. Systematic repressive
work is being conducted in cooperation with the Gulf Coast Health
Unit, which is responsible for work on epidemics in coastal parts of
Texas. Control of ground squirrels in and around the army air base
near Boise, Idaho, where bubonic plague was found by the Public
Health Service, was continued.
224 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Fishery Industries
Technological fishery investigations and broad statistical surveys
are functions delegated to the Service by a Congress desirous of fostering,
promoting, and developing an industry that although vast in its
ramifications and great in significance to the economy of the country,
is composed of units too diverse to carry out these essential functions
for themselves. Thus, the fact-gathering facilities of the Service
have been placed at the disposal of the commercial fishing interests,
both to their benefit and to that of the public. By developing more
orderly marketing procedures and more efficient methods of using
raw materials, conservation of fishery resources is promoted, the
Nation’s nutritional level is improved, and great quantities of sea
foodstuffs are made available to meet wartime emergency conditions.
Fishery Exploratory Investigations
During the spring, the United States Government in cooperation
with other American Republics and with the Government of the British
West Indies, undertook through this Service, an inquiry into the fisheries
of the Caribbean Sea. Information thus far collected indicates
that the fisheries in some localities can be materially expanded.
Undoubtedly new industries can be developed in the fishery resources
of South America and the West Indies and areas not now visited by
commercial fishermen can be made highly productive, developments
that are particularly important in wartime. Such cooperative
studies off the coast of neighboring Americas result not only in augmenting
the total food supplies of the Americas, but also in improving
general relationships among the American Republics.
Investigations to Improve Fishery Technology
In technological fishery work the Service is concerned chiefly with
problems in the production, preservation, and utilization of fishery
products and byproducts. Investigational work conducted in the
laboratories at College Park, Md., Seattle, Wash., Ketchikan, Alaska,
and Mayaguez, P. R., made use of applied chemistry, bacteriology,
and engineering in the improvement of current practices and in the
development of new methods and products.
War has created a multitude of new fishery problems and brought
increasing dependence upon scientific research for their solution.
Previous technological work is now proving of direct value in adjusting
and extending fishery activities the better to meet present and
future needs. When early in the war it became apparent that increasing
disruptions in world trade were likely to develop shortages in
Fish and Wildlife Service • 225
a number of items necessary to public well-being that are derived
principally from the fisheries, technological programs were revised to
include investigations of possible new sources of these items or suitable
substitutes. A partial substitute for imported agar was developed;
empty bottles were shown to be desirable as substitutes for
imported glass floats formerly used on subsurface gill nets; and it was
found that a high quality poultry feed can be prepared from dogfish
and shark carcasses—now discarded by the shark-liver fishery—thus
supplementing the vital domestic supply of protein concentrates.
For more efficient utilization of raw material in manufacturing fish
meal and fish oil, additional information was obtained regarding the
solubility of fish proteins during the reduction process. Conversion
of starfishes and other oyster pests into substitutes for some of the
materials that may not long be available is being studied.
Increasing demand for vitamin A for domestic consumption and for
distribution under the lend-lease program directed greater attention
toward possible new sources of raw materials, and caused data to be
obtained regarding more efficient vitamin A recovery from existing
supplies and studies to be undertaken to establish standards of quality.
Increased Government buying of canned salmon, pilchards, sardines,
and mackerel so reduced the supply for domestic needs that it
was sought to develop new canned products from species not previously
used in canning or considered of only limited utility. With the increased
demand for dehydrated foods for transport abroad, attempts
are being made to devise more efficient methods of dehydrating fish.
Investigations to Improve the Economics of Fisheries
Continued studies in fishery economics resulted in two published
reports, one dealing with the retailing of fish in 56 cities in the Eastern
States and the other with similar information on a regional basis for
cities of the upper Ohio River Valley. In addition, brief studies were
made with the object of providing necessary information to the Office
of Price Administration, the War Production Board, and other emergency
agencies and to the trade interests appearing before governmental
bodies.
As war activities intensified, the drainage of manpower and vessels
from the industry became more serious. Lowered production in
combination with vast military and lend-lease purchases reduced
civilian supplies of certain fishery commodities. The market development
work of the Service was gradually reoriented to meet the
situation. Of chief concern now are the encouragement of those
fisheries most susceptible of stimulation under war conditions and a
readjustment of fish consumption to meet new conditions of supply.
The marketing of varieties not usually produced in large volume is
226 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
being encouraged and the public is shown how to make the best use
of them. Consumer information was aided by the establishment of
defense councils under the auspices of the Office of Civilian Defense
and of information centers encouraged by the Office of Price Administration.
The territories of field agents were enlarged, and agents were given
roving assignments to cover specific problem areas. More effective
use of the heavy runs of Great Lakes smelt and herring was stimulated
through work with producers, dealers, and consumers. Lockerplant
operators were shown how they could make fish more readily
available in the Midwest by establishing contacts with producers and
dealers and using their refrigeration facilities. Army purchasers were
helped to get a variety of fishery products beyond that furnished by
the more common species and to get the species favored by personnel
from specific regions. Problems of obtaining adequate quantities
and the desired methods of preparation also were solved. Industrial
plants and schools were helped to add variety to their cafeteria menus
by greater use of fish. Efforts were made to facilitate the conversion
of canneries producing interdicted commodities into those canning
fishery products.
Fishery Market News Service
From field offices of the Fishery Market News Service in New
York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Jacksonville, and New Orleans the
latest available information on production and shipment of fishery
products and marketing data on supply, demand, and prices is sent
out in daily mimeographed reports, telegraphic bulletins, and radio
broadcasts to fishermen, shippers, wholesalers, buyers, and consiimers.
This market news service has been conducted since 1938,
long enough to build up a valuable backlog of fishery data and an
experienced personnel capable of meeting increased wartime demands.
In order that the fishery resources may be utilized to the utmost
extent consistent with conservation, detailed periodic summaries for
the most important markets are prepared. These and the daily
releases on production and current prices furnish the war agencies
charged with regulating our food supplies with price and supply data.
Thus, quickly recognized, surpluses may be removed and shortages
remedied, and military purchase of fishing vessels may be followed in
the daily reports and the effects gaged almost as fast as the vessels are
withdrawn from the fishing fleet. Since Pearl Harbor, purchasing
officers and mess sergeants have been placed on the daily report mailing
lists in order that with a knowledge of market conditions they may
request bids for sea foods, and suppliers are kept informed concerning
Fish and Wildlife Service • 227
the Army’s requirements and Federal specifications. Former Federal
specifications for fresh fish were revised to meet military needs and to
conform more closely to current commercial practices.
One step in the direction of establishing standard Federal specifications
for sea foods and in enabling purchasing officers to buy fish and
shellfish more economically was the issuance of a Fresh and Frozen
Fishery Products Reference Manual, a supplementary number of the
Service’s monthly periodical, Fishery Market News. The text is
replete with tables and diagrams embracing information of paramount
importance to the fishing industry as well as to the military service.
Prepared primarily for use in procuring supplies of fishery products
for the armed forces, it includes data on seasons of abundance, standards,
market forms, food and fuel values, edible portions, fat content,
shipping containers, methods of cooking, basic recipes, and related
information.
Collection and Dissemination of Fishery Statistics
The collection of essential statistics relating to the yield of fishery
products, the employment of men, craft, and gear, and the production
of manufactured fishery commodities was continued, and new surveys
were undertaken to provide specific current information required by
Federal war-training agencies. With expanding civilian and military
markets for fishery products for food and industrial uses and with
increased demands placed upon these by lend-lease commitments, the
commercial fisheries have been subjected to unusual strain. To help
the industry fulfill its obligations, many statistical services have been
rendered in getting priorities, materiel, and Federal aid. A survey is in
progress to learn the exact requirements of the fishery industry so
that allocations and priorities can be most efficiently determined and
necessary production maintained. Data are being gathered upon
gear, fuel-oil requirements, and vessels operated and needed. This
study will guide, especially the War Production Board, the Navy
Department, and the Office of Petroleum Coordinator for War in
work in their respective fields. For use in the price-ceiling schedules
of the Office of Price Administration surveys were conducted to determine
the production of vitamin A fish-liver oils for human consumption,
the normal stocks on hand, and the sales, prices, and anticipated
future production. A similar survey on vitamin D oils for presentation
to various war-planning agencies was made. Finally, the War
Shipping Board was supplied with statistical information on the effects
of Navy purchases of fishing vessels upon landings of fishery products.
.228 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Game Law Enforcement
Administration of Conservation Laws
The principal Federal wildlife-conservation statutes administered
by the Service are (1) the Lacey Act; (2) the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act; (3) the Migratory Bird Conservation Act; (4) the Migratory
Bird Hunting Stamp Act; (5) the black bass law; (6) a law protecting
wildlife and property on Federal refuges (sec. 84, Criminal Code);
and (7) through the Alaska Game Commission, the Alaska Game Law
of 1925, as amended.
Amendments to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act regulations removed
canvasback and ruddy ducks from the list of species that were limited
to 3 in the daily bag, legalized in 15 States the possession of 1 wood
duck, prohibited the use of cattle, horses, or mules as blinds, reduced
the weekly limit on geese in certain counties of North Carolina,
California, and Illinois, closed the season on Wilson’s snipe, and limited
the mourning dove season to 42 days.
Work of Game-Management Agents
The 74 regular Federal game-law enforcement officers, singly or in
cooperation with State agents and United States deputy game wardens
obtained evidence in 2,892 cases of game-law violations. Prosecuted
in State and Federal courts, these resulted in 2,711 convictions (table
5). By undercover operations under rules approved by the Secretary,
and with an expenditure of $599.89, game-management agents
obtained evidence in 54 cases, 11 of which are pending; and in the 43
already tried, fines of $2,385 and jail sentences of 15 months were
imposed.
Cases of violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act disposed of during the year and
cases still pending on June 30, 1942
Disposition Number
Conviction_________________ 552
Dismissal__________________ 73
Nol-pros___________________ 36
Found not guilty, jury trial--- 3
Closed without prosecution___ 15
No bill rendered____________ 5
Closed by death_____________ 1
Pendinij Number
From preceding year_________ 140
New cases__________________ 714
Total________________ 854
Disposed of_________________ 685
Pending at end of year______ 169
Total________________ 685
Fish and Wildlife Service • 229
TABLE 5.—Summary of penalties imposed during the year for violations of wildlifeconservation
laws
Act Convictions
Fines and
costs
Jail
sentences
Migratory Bird Treaty Act_______________________________
Migratory Bird Conservation Act_________________________
Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act____ __________________
Wildlife Refuge Trespass Act_____________________________
Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge Act___
Lacey Act________________________________________________
State prosecutions resulting from Lacey Act Investigations.
State laws, cooperative prosecutions_______________________
Black Bass Act___________________________________________
Bald Eagle Act___________________________________________
Total_______________________________________________ 2, 711 86,919.86
Number Dollars Days
552 17, 826. 71 1, 426
43 1, 215. 00 130
57 879.00
2 40
13 235. 00
3 271. 40
111 5, 895 40 513
1, 927 60, 282. 45 1,394
2 225. 00
1 89.90
3,503
Importations and Permits
The war conditions caused a decrease in importations of birds and
animals from 1,640 to 1,371, including 4 at Honolulu; and the number
of shipments inspected from 250 to 154. Denied entry were 1 mongoose
from India, 2 crested mynas from China, and 2 bullfinches from
Egypt, which were destroyed or returned to the shippers. Birds
imported, including 6,389 canaries, 100 parrots, and 37,490 Mexican
quail, totaled 56,211, compared with 89,028 last year. Among
the animals imported were 6,024 Rhesus monkeys compared
with 8,655 last year, 68 black bear cubs from Canada, 2 giant
pandas from China, 8 gorillas from the Belgian Congo, 1 Chilean fox,
and 19 vampire bats from the British West Indies.
Scientific collecting permits issued aggregated 320, bringing the
total to 1,779. Scientific possession permits numbered 604, and
permits were issued to 132 individuals to possess specimens found dead.
Birdbanding permits numbering 2,363 are in effect.
Propagation permits issued to possess migratory waterfowl numbered
258, and to take migratory waterfowl, 13; 632 propagating permits
were canceled, and 3,716 are outstanding. Permittees reported
the raising in captivity of 3,101 wild geese and 76,072 wild ducks,
of which 71,325 were mallards. Sale of propagated migratory
waterfowl included 31,921 ducks and 329 geese for food, and 11,545
ducks and 1,550 geese for propagation. Propagated birds liberated
included 12,611 ducks, 234 geese, and 33 mourning doves.
Depredation permits were issued in 758 instances to protect crops,
fish, and property, but only after investigation by game-management
agents disclosed frightening devices to be ineffective. Other permits
included 29 for taking birds and mammals in Alaska and 8 for taking
small fishes for bait from the waters in the District of Columbia.
One shore station and two whale catchers were licensed to capture
whales along the California coast and to process them for which the
Treasury received a fee of $1,000.
485482—42----- 17
230 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Alaska Fish and Wildlife
Fishery Laws and Regulations
Under the broad principles laid down in the act of June 6, 1924,.
whereby the Department is vested with full authority and responsibility
for regulating the time, place, and method of commercial fishing
in Alaska, the Service continued its established program for the
protection and conservation of the fisheries to assure a stabilized
yield. The Director and other officials spent several weeks in the Territory
giving attention to problems pertaining to management of
aquatic resources. After the close of the fishing season, public hearings
at which the Director presided were held at seven places in
Alaska and at Seattle, Wash., to obtain recommendations with
regard to fishery regulations. Revised regulations were based upon
testimony presented at these hearings and upon investigations conducted
by fishery biologists and law-enforcement officers on duty in
Alaska. Vigilant control over the fishery resources is necessary to
prevent unwise exploitation in the period of national emergency, when
current market demands stimulate increased operations. The Department’s
regulations are meant to provide a sustained yield so that
any prolonged emergency will not find the Nation lacking in essential
fishery products.
In protecting the fishing grounds, 12 patrol vessels, 13 speedboats,
and a number of other small powerboats, effectively supplemented by
Government-owned and chartered airplanes, were used. The personnel
engaged in fishery protective work numbered 190, including fisherymanagement
agents, stream guards, weir operators, vessel crews, and
biologists. In addition, 11 wildlife agents of the Alaska Game Commission
were deputized to assist.
Throughout the season, careful observations were made of the extent
and condition of the salmon runs and escapements, for guidance in
modification of the regulations. Weirs for counting the escapement
of spawning salmon were operated in 10 representative streams.
Biological investigations concerning the salmon and herring were
continued.
, Products of the Fisheries
The total output of Alaska fishery products in 1941 was 426,369,438
pounds, valued at $63,439,593, compared with 323,507,000 pounds,
valued at $36,441,000 in 1940. The estimated value of the 1941 catch
to the fishermen was about $15,512,000, or about $5,000,000 more
than in 1940. The number of persons employed in the various
branches of these fisheries increased from 25,199 in 1940 to 26,178 in
1941.
Fish and Wildlife Service • 231
Salmon products represented about 83 percent of the weight and 92
percent of the value of Alaska fishery products in 1941. Canned salmon
made up 93 percent of the output, the pack amounting to 6,932,-
040 cases, or 332,737,920 pounds, valued at $56,217,601, an increase
of about 37 percent in quantity and 79 percent in value over the 1940
pack. Red salmon comprised 17 percent and pink 67 percent of the
total pack, as against 19 and 58 percent, respectively, in 1940. There
were 109 canneries in operation, 9 more than in 1940, and the number
of persons employed increased from 19,666 to 21,994.
In the herring industry, the number of operated plants dropped
from 24 in 1940 to 13 in 1941. This decrease was due principally to
the number of small plants closed in central and western Alaska and
had little effect on the total production.
Halibut landings of the Alaska fleet decreased 5 percent in quantity
but increased about 8 percent in value over 1940. Several of the
minor fisheries made gains over the previous year, but there was a
marked decline in the production of clams, shrimps, and crabs,
owing chiefly to labor disputes and to the scarcity of labor.
Pribilof Fur Seals and Blue Foxes
Sealing on the Pribilof Islands and the incidental foxing operations
were carried on by the natives under supervision of white employees.
In all, 95,013 fur seal skins and 834 fox skins were obtained.
At the fur seal byproducts plant on St. Paul Island there were produced
35,000 gallons of No. 1 blubber oil; 19,610 gallons of No. 2
press, or carcass, oil; and 747,546 pounds of seal meal. All the meal
and 39,610 gallons of oil were shipped to Seattle and sold through competitive
bidding.
The annual supplies for the Pribilofs were shipped from Seattle on
the U. S. S. Spica, through the cooperation of the Navy Department.
The Coast Guard also cooperated in patrolling waters of the North
Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea for the protection of fur seals and sea
otters. The Service vessel Penguin made five round trips between
Seattle and the Pribilofs, transporting supplies and personnel.
The Fur-Seal Treaty of 1911 expired on October 23, 1941, 1 year
after formal notice of abrogation had been given by the Japanese
Government. As the expiration was not until after the 1941 sealing
season, both Canada and Japan normally would be entitled to the usual
15 percent of the season’s take. Canada will receive her share, but
in view of the existing state of war, the eventual disposition of the
Japanese share has not been determined.
The estimated number of animals in the Pribilof Islands fur seal
herd as of August 10, 1941, was 2,338,000 or 153,000 more than in
1940, an increase for the herd of about 7 percent.
232 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Two public auctions of fur seal skins were held at St. Louis, Mo. In
September 29,668 sold for $1,363,310.50, including 8,246 dyed black,
8,701 safari brown, 12,075 matara brown, and 646 raw and partly
processed; and in April 30,695 sold for $985,839.75, including 6,101
dyed black, 10,387 safari brown, 13,848 matara brown, and 359 raw
and partly processed. In addition, 2 sealskins were sold for $105.11
at a special sale authorized by the Secretary. In all, 60,365 sealskins
were sold for the account of the Government for a total of
$2,349,254.96.
The care of blue foxes on the Pribilof Islands is incidental to sealing
activities. Of the 834 fox skins taken, 182 were fiom St. Paul Island
and 652 from St. George Island. There were sold at public auction
640 blue and 11 white fox skins taken on the islands in the 1940-41
season. The blue pelts brought $11,634, and the white $236.50, a
total of $11,870.50.
Japanese Activities in Bering Sea
A Japanese fishing fleet, comprising the floating plant Kosei Maru
of Tokyo and 8 trawlers, also the Tenyo Maru and the Sugura Maru,
and numerous small tenders, engaged in fishing operations in the
Bering Sea in 1941. The fleet arrived off the northern coast of the
Aleutian Islands in May, worked northward past the Pribilof
Islands, and spent the greater part of the season fishing in the waters
between the Pribilofs and Nunivak Island and elsewhere. The fleet
withdrew from the Alaska coast sometime in July. Apparently the
catch consisted chiefly of halibut and cod.
Enforcement of Alaska Game Law
The regulations approved for the 1942-43 season under the Alaska
game law prohibit the taking of mountain sheep anywhere in Alaska,
reduce the bag limits on deer and caribou, and generally shorten the
open season on all game animals. On brown bear the bag limit was
reduced to one in the Kodiak-Afognak Islands, and a closed season
provided on the Alaska Peninsula west of Herendeen Bay. An open
season on marten is allowed throughout the Territory, except on
Prince of Wales, Baranof, and Chichagof Islands.
With the purchase of 2 more airplanes, the Commission now operates
three 4-place and two 2-place planes based at Ketchikan, Anchorage,
Dillingham, and Fairbanks, in addition to three salt-water patrol
vessels, 4 river boats, 13 automobiles, and numerous outboard-motor
craft.
Office of Indian Affairs
JOHN COLLIER, Commissioner
TXT IS probably difficult for the average layman to understand why
an agency such as the Indian Service becomes immediately and
directly involved in the war. The Office of Indian Affairs has a wide
range of responsibilities, covering almost every aspect of human
living for a group of some 350,000 Indians in the United States and
33,000 natives of Alaska. In an all-out war these people are vitally
affected. Indians who have heretofore lived in isolated areas on
reservations suddenly find themselves part and parcel of the national
war program. Their young men volunteer or are drafted. Both men
and women enter war industries in large numbers. Blocks of their
lands are requisitioned for cantonments and bombing ranges, and in
the case of natives of the Aleutian Islands the war comes to their
very door steps. Consequently, the Indian Service finds itself
devoting much of its time and effort to problems arising directly
from the war.
Indian Service Administers War Relocation Center
One of the major war connected tasks of the Service had to do with
the evacuation and relocation of Japanese from the West coast.
Even before the creation of the War Relocation Authority, the assistance
of the Indian Service was sought in the handling of this problem.
Within a few days after the creation of the WRA arrangements had
been made to utilize a portion of the Colorado River Indian Reservation
in western Arizona, upon which to locate some 20,000 evacuees.
This project, the largest of all the centers established to handle
evacuees, is being administered entirely by the Indian Service under
an agreement with the War Relocation Authority.
There are approximately 1,200 Mojave and Chemehuevi Indians
living at the northern end of the reservation. They have irrigated
and cultivated some 8,000 acres of land by pumping water from the
Colorado River. Several years ago the Indian Service planned the
233
234 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
subjugation of approximately 100,000 acres of land within the boundaries
of this reservation lying along the eastern bank of the Colorado.
Inasmuch as the resident Indians could use not more than 15,000
or 20,000 acres, it was planned over a period of approximately 15
years to colonize on the newly developed land Indians from other
reservations, such as the Navajo, Hopi, and Papago, where land
resources are utterly inadequate to meet the needs of the existing
population. In 1942, the Indian Service completed the construction
of a diversion dam across the river. In May, the main canal from the
dam was connected with the irrigation system used by the Indians,
substituting gravity water for the water previously pumped.
Several miles to the south of the land occupied by the Indians the
War Department has built three communities for evacuees. The
first accommodates 10,000 colonists and each of the other two accommodates
5,000. A ditch from the Indian irrigation system to the
relocation center delivers water to the communities in order to provide
for the planting of grass and shrubs around their homes. The
colonists are clearing and leveling land in the vicinity of the communities
and crops soon will be planted to aid in their own subsistence.
Eventually it is expected that they will clear, level, and irrigate
25,000 acres, planting this with subsistence crops. After the war
the evacuees will be removed from the reservation and these newly
developed lands will be used by members of the Colorado River tribe,
and of other tribes to be colonized there.
The War Department, under contract, built the communities, but
upon completion, moved out and turned them over to the Indian
Service to administer. The Service found it necessary to transfer
many of its best personnel to the project in order to get it under way
promptly. The superintendent of the Papago Reservation was
detailed to become the director of the project and the superintendent
of the Truxton Canyon Reservation was detailed as his associate.
Many other employees of the Service were detailed to various types of
work within the project.
One of the major problems was to provide necessary school facilities
for the 6,000 children of the colonists. These schools had to be
designed, built, equipped, and staffed between the first of July and
the opening of the school term. The colonists themselves aided in
the construction.
These buildings were constructed of adobe, thus making the maximum
use of the labor of the colonists, both skilled and unskilled.
Buildings of this type are more useful in the hot climate.
The difficulty of securing adequate medical personnel and the delay
in the completion of the hospital units placed increased burdens upon
the project staff. Furthermore, the lack of adequate medical facilities
caused considerable anxiety and insecurity among the colonists.
Office of Indian Affairs • 235
Obviously, the problems of 20,000 people living under most adverse
conditions are very acute. These were further complicated by the
uncertainty of the future and the tremendous shock incident to their
being uprooted, and moved from their homes into a new and utterly
different life. In spite of these conditions, the rate of sickness
actually declined.
The experience of the Indian Service with a minority group over
many years is proving invaluable in the administration of the Center.
With both the Indians and the evacuees the major objective is to
develop functioning local democracies. The colonists have elected a
representative government. Local courts and all aspects of municipal
government have either been formed or are in process of formation.
A month’s intensive training in the principles and procedures of cooperatives
was arranged Li response to the request of the colonists that
stores, amusements, and personal services of all types, be conducted
on a cooperative basis. In cooperation with the Friends Service
Committee and St. Johns’ College a program of adult education has
been initiated. Other types of adult education are also planned.
Full liberty of speech and assembly is granted the colonists.
Relocation Center on Gila River Reservation
On the Gila River Reservation, iu southern Arizona, an additional
15,000 evacuees are being placed. Here the War Relocation Authority
is leasing 7,000 acres of land which the Indians have held in a large
communal tract and which they have operated for cash income in
order to take care of their irrigation costs. On these lands the colonists
will plant crops for subsistence. They will clear and level aa adjacent
8,000-acre tract and construct laterals and bring this land under
cultivation. Upon the termination of the war this improved land will
also revert to Indian use. Many of the Indians are employed upon
the community construction at these two centers.
Japanese Invade Aleutian Homes
Prior to the attack on Dutch Harbor, plans were being developed in
cooperation with the Naval authorities for the possible evacuation
of the Aleutians. Immediately after the attack these plans were put
into effect and all of the natives of the islands west of Dutch Harbor
were evacuated to the mainland. It became necessary for the Indian
Service, in cooperation with other agencies, to make arrangements for
the location of these evacuees, to house them, to provide necessary
relief and medical care, and to plan for their future self-support.
Many of the Indian Service teachers in Alaska are licensed radio
operators under the Federal Communications Commission, and their
236 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
responsibilities for maintaining communication with the military
authorities as well as for looking after the welfare of the Indians and
Eskimos are of prime importance during wartime.
Indian Service Hospital at Unalaska Bombed
Across the narrow bay from Dutch Harbor lies the little village of
Unalaska. In the bombing of Dutch Harbor, one bomber detached
itself from the squadron and devoted its efforts to the destruction of
buildings at Unalaska and the machine gunning of citizens in the
streets. The Indian Service hospital was struck and partially destroyed.
The civilian defense organization had functioned perfectly,
and every patient, nurse, and physician had been removed to more
sheltered quarters.
Enemy Attack Expected
Since the outbreak of war, Alaska’s Indians and Eskimos, constituting
50 percent of the peacetime population, have expected an
enemy attack, and are prepared to meet it. The United States armed
forces in Alaska contain a number of natives, whose special training
is of inestimable value. Alaskan natives are accustomed to travel
all day on snowshoes, are skilled in the use of rifles and knives, have
first-hand knowledge of the geographic and climatic conditions of the
Arctic region, and are accustomed to its peculiar temperatures.
These are factors of prime importance in territorial defense.
The full support of Alaskan natives to the United States Government
is manifested by their eagerness to enlist in the armed forces
and by their generous purchases of war bonds. The largest single
purchase of war bonds in the Territory for the month of January
came from Indians and Eskimos, who presented Gov. Ernest Gruening
with a check for $110,645.72.
A few days after the outbreak of war, Alaska organized an efficient
civilian defense program.
There is much yet to be told of the courageous work of the Indian
Service men and women and the inspiring role of the Alaska natives in
defending their homes and giving their lives in the war for freedom.
Indian Lands Used for Army Purposes
Many requests for use of Indian lands and other facilities for a
variety of purposes were made during the year by both the Army and
the Navy.
For example, the enlargement of a camp and the establishment
adjacent to it of a large bombing range necessitated the almost overOffice
of Indian Affairs • 237
night removal of some 50 Indian families located in the area. It was
necessary to purchase additional land for them, to provide housing
and to rehabilitate these families in new locations.
Almost at the same time the demand of the War Department for
lands for an aerial gunnery range necessitated the removal of more
than a hundred families to another part of an Indian reservation.
There is little tribal land on this reservation; most of it is individually
owned or held by allottees and their heirs under restricted or trust
patent. Therefore, it was necessary to purchase land for these
families and to provide them with the necessary livestock to make
themselves self-supporting in their new location.
The Metlakhatlans in Alaska made part of an island available to
the armed forces.
The Attitude of Indians Toward the War
One would expect the Indians of the United States to be confused
and perplexed by the war situation. Essentially they are a rural
people. Many of them live in remote areas, speak only their native
languages, and have little access to newspapers, radio, or other forms
of communication. How could they be expected to understand the
clash of ideologies which has precipitated the world crisis?
Moreover the treatment which the Indians received at the hands of
the Federal Government during the past century and a half might
easily have alienated their sympathy and loyalty and left them disinterested
in the Nation’s welfare and unwilling to defend it against
its enemies.
From the very beginning, official attitude toward the Indians was
largely one of intolerance and repression. They lost much of their
land through forced treaties and were pushed back onto reservations
which the Government promised to preserve. Treaties were broken,
solemn pledges ignored, and more and more of their land taken from
them.
Finally through the forced allotment of many of the reservations
much of their remaining land was lost to them and their social organization
destroyed and their tribal culture driven under cover.
This “liquidation of the Indian” was accomplished by the destruction
of his ways of earning a livelihood, by the wiping out of the buffalo,
by the Indian wars in which the slogan was that the only good Indian
is a dead Indian, and by a vigorous campaign of education and regulation
to stifle Indian languages, arts, and ceremonials.
Although Federal policies for the past 12 years have been completely
reversed, Indians are still experiencing discrimination on
every hand. In at least three States Indians are still refused the
right to vote. They are often discriminated against in industrial
238 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
employment; are the last to be taken on the job and the first to be
let off. In many areas even where they are permitted to vote, they
have been in a large measure debarred from participation in the civic
life of white communities. How, one might ask, could they be
expected enthusiastically to take up arms in the defense of the country
which has treated them in this fashion?
Strange as it may seem the Indians have responded earnestly and
even enthusiastically to the challenge of the war. From the remotest
parts of isolated reservations has come evidence of Indian concern
over the war. More than once an Indian, or a group of Indians, has
shown up at agency headquarters, each man with his gun, ready to
register for selective service and to proceed immediately to the scene
of fighting. Prior to the Japanese assault at Pearl Harbor, Indians
in the Army alone numbered 4,481, of whom approximately 60 percent
had enlisted either in the Regular Army or the National Guard.
The rate of enlistment increased very substantially since the declaration
of war, until on June 1, 1942, more than 7,500 Indians were in
the armed forces. While this seems relatively a small number, it
represents a larger proportion than any other element of our population
 
Of record in Washington are purchases of $1,270,000 in Treasury
bonds from April 1, 1941, to March 1, 1942. Additional applications
aggregated approximately $750,000.
The Crow Tribe of Montana offered the Government all of its
resources and all of its manpower. Even the girls and women attempted
to enter active military service.
The California Indians, especially, have been at odds with the
Federal Government since 1850, and yet the Mission Indian Federation,
with 3,000 members from 30 reservations telegraphed President
Roosevelt and Governor Olson “a message of loyalty and readiness to
serve our great Nation.”
Indians are serving in almost every corner of the world where
American forces are in action. Large numbers were at Bataan.
Occasionally individuals are singled out for honors. The outstanding
Indian soldier thus far has been the late Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker,
an enrolled member of the Osage tribe, who was lost in the battle of
Midway. Major General Tinker was placed in command of the
Hawaiian Air Force shortly after Pearl Harbor. In the battle of
Midway he selected himself to lead a bomber attack on the Japanese
navy. Flyers in the same formation with General Tinker reported
that his plane was last seen descending rapidly into the ocean. Although
a careful search was made of the area, no trace was found of
the bomber or its occupants.
Lt. Gen. Delos C. Emmons, Military Governor of Hawaii and Commander
of the Hawaiian Department, praised General Tinker’s galOffice
of Indian Affairs • 239
lantry and skill in a statement which he issued shortly after the Air
Force Commander was reported missing. General Emmons said:
“The entire Hawaiian Department mourns the loss of Major General
Tinker and his gallant crew.
“Because General Tinker would not ask his subordinates to undertake
risks he himself would not take, he selected himself as flight
leader of an important combat mission requiring great courage, skill,
and experience.
“He died knowing that he had had an important part in winning a
great victory. His leadership was an inspiration to his command and
his loss is a deep personal one.”
It may not be too great a stretch of the imagination to suggest that
the Indians have identified the struggle of democracies the world over
with their own struggle of the last century. It may be that they see
in a victory of the democracies a guarantee that they too shall be
permitted to live their own lives. Perhaps their experiences of the
last 10 years in which there has been a rebirth of spirit, a reviving of
the smoldering fires of local democracy, and a step toward economic
rehabilitation have helped them to see the possibilities in a world of
the “Four Freedoms.”
A few instances lifted from the official record will serve to show
something of the spirit with which they approach the world crisis:
Immediately after Pearl Harbor, the Indians of the little village of
Santa Ana in New Mexico left their homes and went secretly to their
ancient shrine. There in their former home, long since abandoned,
the entire Pueblo remained for one unbroken month in secret prayer.
Their prayers were for the people of all the world. News of the pilgrimage
became known only when the Indians sent word to the authorities
that they intended to build a great fire at the conclusion of their
ceremony. They wanted the Army to know that this was a sacramental
fire and not the result of sabotage or overt enemy action.
The Pueblo of Zia, also a little village in New Mexico, engaged in
prayer before the second selective service registration. In the Pueblo
of Zuni in New Mexico the Red Cross drive was announced from the
housetops and the canvassing started in a blinding snowstorm. Each
household contributed wheat, corn, or hay, or whatever there might
be available. One family donated $6 and two rings.
The great Navajo Tribe, numbering some 50,000, was so stirred by
this country’s declaration of war that its tribal council laid aside its
pressing business and spent almost an entire day in patriotic demonstrations,
plying the superintendent with questions about the flag
and its meaning, questions as to how the Navajo Tribe could best
contribute to the prosecution of the war. Even the old people were
insistent that they be allowed to enlist and the action of the Selective
Service officials in turning down many young Navajos because of their
240 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
inability to read and write or speak the English language has been
felt very keenly by the entire tribe.
There is some evidence among the Indians of confusion over their
legal obligations and responsibilities under the Selective Service Act.
During the last war most of the Indians in the United States were
not citizens, and were, therefore, declared not to be subject to conscription.
Only those few who were citizens were required to register.
A very large number volunteered, however, and made an enviable
record.
In 1924, Congress passed an act which conferred citizenship upon
all Indians born in the United States who had not already acquired
such citizenship. The courts have now held that by virtue of this
conferring of citizenship the Selective Service Act is applicable to all
Indians. That they should be exempted in one war and drafted in
the second has created some confusion. It has been necessary for
agency officials patiently to explain and to interpret.
The unique legal status of Indian tribes as separate political communities
has further confused some of the Indians with regard to their
status under the Selective Service Act. Indian tribes have many
inherent powers—far more than the average municipality. They
possess all of the powers of a sovereign nation except those specifically
infringed by acts of Congress or by treaties. Several tribes, conscious
of these powers of self-government, have made declarations of war
upon the Axis Powers. Notable in this regard was the action of the
Six Nations of the Iroquois confederacy. Delegates of this historic
-government, representing the 6,000 Indians who reside on eight reservations
in New York State, came to Washington early in June to
present to the President and to the Congress their formal declaration
of war against the Axis Powers.
Indians in Wartime Industry and Agriculture
The Indians are playing an important role in the agricultural and
industrial production piogram of the war. Skilled Indian workers
are to be found scattered throughout important war industries in
almost every section of the country. They are doing highly technical
jobs in aircraft industries on the West coast, in Kansas, and in
New York State. They are to be found among the crews constructing
bases in far-flung parts of the world. They are handling skilled
jobs of every description—welding steel, operating jack hammers, and
handling some of the most difficult machine operations. Under the
program of the Indian Service during the past/10 years thousands of
Indians were employed in the building of truck trails, look-out towers,
highways, and soil conservation structures. They demonstiated
Office of Indian Affairs • 241
marked ability to learn to operate heavy machinery of all kinds.
Hundreds of other young Indians were trained in Indian schools in
sheet metal, welding, auto mechanics, radio maintenance, and other
industrial trades and are now employing their skills in airplane
plants, tank factories, and shipyards.
Indians Grow Food for Freedom
Reports coming to the Indian Office indicate that there has been
a 15-percent increase in the number of gardens planted by Indians
this year and a 35-percent increase in acreage. Field crops are
reported 18 percent greater and the spring pig crop 25 percent greater
than last year. Indian livestock increased by 35 percent during the
first 6 months of this year and sheep by 50 percent.
Every acre of grazing land not essential to Indian operation is
being made available for permittees.
The unsettled conditions in Alaska make uncertain at the moment
the output of the canneries operated by Indians. They have been
urged to make every effort to increase their packs, but the availability
of transportation and cans will partially determine the success of
these efforts.
The Indians of the Red Lake Reservation expect to market a
million pounds of fresh fish during the present season.
Timber Production
In connection with timber production, the Office recently approved
a sale of spruce on the Quinault Reservation for airplane production.
A contract has been let on the Warm Springs Reservation for onehalf
billion feet of lumber. There is under consideration a contract
for one-half billion feet each on the Yakima and Colville Reservations.
Lumber amounting to 400 million feet on the Fort Apache
Reservation and 150 million feet on the Klamath Reservation is available
if scalers can be found to help get timber out of the forests. In
each instance the maximum cut allowable under sustained-yield
operation is being permitted.
Last year approximately 600 million feet of timber were cut from
Indian reservations. It is expected that this will be materially
increased this year.
In addition to the regular funds, $140,000 have been placed in
Arizona, California, and Washington for the employment of lookouts
and guards to protect Indian forests. One hundred and thirty towers
are now manned.
242 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Indian Service Assists Other Countries
The work of the Indian Service during the past year literally
extended to the four corners of the world. For example, the Government
of Saudi Arabia learned of some of the small-scale irrigation
developments among the Indians of the Southwest and the King personally
requested assistance in developing similar facilities among the
people of that country. The Palestine Economic Corporation asked
the Office of Indian Affairs for recommendations and help in the
development of similar work in Palestine.
At the request of the Rosenwald Foundation, studies were made of
Indian education in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, and assistance given
educational officials in those countries in the development of a program
of Indian education.
Active assistance was rendered the Ecuadorian Economic Survey
Mission, formed by the Office of Foreign Agricultural Relations of the
Department of Agriculture, upon request of the Coordinator of the
Office of Inter-American Affairs, to study the possibilities of improving
and increasing the production of sheep and wool in Ecuador.
Service officials assisted the Haitian Government in developing its
rural school program. This service was requested by the Flaitian
Government and the Department of State.
Other activities included a study of Indian administration in the
various Latin American republics, assistance in developing collaboration
among the several governments which have large Indian populations,
and surveys in South America in behalf of the Coordinator of
Inter-American Affairs, in the interests of the popular arts.
Indian CCC Leaves Outstanding Record
The fiscal year 1942 marked the ninth year of conservation work by
Indian enrollees of CCC and concluded a unique chapter in the
annals of Indian Service. The original objectives of CCC-Indian
division were to provide employment and vocational training for
Indians who were in need of work. Actual accomplishments far surpassed
those initial aims.
Conservation structures to check the destructive erosion of lands
now protect the forests, range, and forage cover on Indian reservation
lands and adjacent areas. Thousands of miles of truck trails reach
into Indian forests and range lands. Telephone lines, fences, and
firebreaks aid in the efficient protection and use of forests and ranges.
Fences alone, built by Indian enrollees, measure 12,537 miles—more
than half the circumference of the earth.
More than 75,000 different Indians had a part in the CCC program.
Vocational training was provided in 55 different occupations. Eight
Office of Indian Affairs • 243
thousand Indians earned the rating of skilled workmen. Forty thousand
were classed as semi-skilled in job performance.
Approximately 6,500 former Indian enrollees are now in the armed
forces. The skills and safety habits acquired through their CCC jobs
in truck driving, tractor operation, radio and telephone mechanics,
automotive repairs, jack-hammer operation, handling of explosives,
fire fighting, and the like, will prove of inestimable value to the
Nation.
Others are employed in airplane factories, in shipyards, in munition
manufacturing plants, on highway construction. Among them are
welders, riveters, engineers, tractor operators, metal workers, carpenters,
and masons.
Indian Schools Adapt Curricula to War Training
The schools of the Indian Service naturally have been affected by
the preparations for war and by the program of war training. Many
of the older boys have entered the armed forces of the country and
many of the men teachers have accompanied them. In the Indian
high schools located near war industries, the remaining students
have been rapidly absorbed into such employment as soon as they
have reached an employable age and have had a minimum of skilled
training. On the West Coast, employment opportunities in aircraft
factories and shipyards have been opened to young women and classes
in machine-shop practice and welding for girls have been provided
by the Indian Service. This trend toward female employment is
being carefully watched and similar classes will be opened in other
Indian Service schools as the demand arises. Most of these high
schools have operated on a 6-day week, 12-month basis, to speed up
the training of students and provide for the training of an increased
number. Older men have been welcomed in these schools for retraining
or brush-up work preparatory to entering the war industries.
The Wingate Vocational High School on the Navajo Reservation
has undertaken special preenlistment training for young Navajo men
to perfect their use of English, give them necessary preliminary health
instruction, and the elements of preliminary military training which
should ease their induction into the armed forces and compensate for
their lack of earlier education. The war is resulting in additional
emphasis on the program of native language work for it is through
the use of written Navajo particularly that the older non-Englishspeaking
Indians are receiving instruction in war aims and objectives,
and with regard to civilian activities which contribute to the war
effort.
The reservation Indian schools have taken the leadership in repair
and maintenance of automotive equipment, farm machinery, and
244 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
other similar activities making their shops available for use by adult
Indians in cooperation with the Extension Division and CCC project
leaders. School gardens have been greatly increased and school
personnel has cooperated closely with the Extension Division in
encouraging the increase of Indian community gardens.
The rubber shortage has reduced the use of school buses, and in a
number of instances riding horses or horse-drawn vehicles have been
substituted. The Education Division’s program of breeding Morgan
horses initiated several years ago at Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Tongue
River, Carson, and Chilocco has laid the foundation for the replacement
by horses of much automotive equipment. The success of the
program has led to the introduction of horse breeding on other reservations.
This activity may contribute directly to the war program
in other areas by supplying well-bred horses for military and civilian
use outside the Indian Service.
Cooperation with the Department of Agriculture in the development
of community size dehydrating plants has resulted in the production
of a very useful unit built largely of second-hand material, which has
made possible the quick drying of many types of fruits, vegetables,
and meats. These experiments have been conducted at Phoenix
Indian School and hundreds of tons of this summer’s crop of surplus
food products have been dried and are available for use in Indian
schools in the United States and Alaska. Additional units are being
built for use in other areas of the Service. This is only a portent of
the potentialities of dehydration not only for the Indian Service, but
for commercial production.
Tribal Government in the War Crisis
These war years perforce will hasten the maturing of tribal selfgovernment.
With appropriations reduced, with personnel drawn
off into military service and war industries, and with the Federal
Government concentrating its resources on the prosecution of the
war, the Indian tribes will find it expedient and perhaps necessary to
make ingenious use of their powers of self-government. Some few
tribes may fail for lack of leadership or because of peculiar handicaps,
but for the great number it will be a time of challenge and of growing
into maturity. Under normal conditions this growth might have
been reached through years of hesitant groping. Now, faced by
crisis, there is no choice.
The ground is well prepared for this testing. The tribal governments
which have been fostered since June 18, 1934, the date of the
passage of the Indian Reorganization Act, are survivals of tribal
governments which existed even before the founding of the American
Republic. Were they the recent creations of a federal government
I Office of Indian Affairs • 245
suddenly granting local home rule to Indian groups there could be
little expectation of survival for them during the months ahead.
But the rooting is deep. The powers of self-government possessed
by Indian tribes are not derived from the Indian Reorganization Act.
This act is largely a recognition of the inherent powers of self-government
which the tribes have always possessed and is the means of
helping such tribal government effectively to function.
From the earliest years of the Republic, the Indian tribes have been
recognized as distinct and separate political communities, qualified to
exercise powers of self-government, not by virtue of any delegation of
powers from the Federal Government but rather by reason of their
original tribal sovereignty. The public usually thinks of Indians as
wards of the Federal Government, which exercises over them individually
the kind of power and protection usually exercised by a
guardian over a minor. Many people, otherwise familiar with
Indian affairs, do not realize that Indian tribes are legal entities,
subject to Federal law to the exclusion of State law, and entitled to
exercise their inherent rights of self-government so far as is consistent
with Federal law. An Indian tribe possesses all powers of a sovereign
State except those which have been specifically taken away from it
either by treaty or by act of Congress. Tribes are subject to the
legislative authority of the United States, that is to the Congress.
They are not subject to State laws except where Congressional
action has so decreed.
While the Congress and administrative officials have in numerous
instances frustrated the exercise of tribal powers, the courts have
repeatedly upheld them. And while these powers have been restricted
somewhat by treaties and acts of Congress there still remains
to the Indian tribes a large area in which the inherent powers of
self-government may function. A tribe may determine its own membership,
regulate domestic relations, control the distribution of the
property of its members in the absence of contrary legislation, administer
justice in connection with every offense not specifically made
a Federal offense, and exercise many other rights and powers.
It is well to call attention at this time to the relationship of Indian
tribes to State and Federal government in view of the considerable
attention now being given in this country to problems of colonial
administration likely to be encountered after the war. The Indians
represent conquered nations but nations whose rights are being protected
by the highest courts in the land. However much the Federal
Indian Service may suffer for lack of appropriated money or of
qualified personnel, Indian tribal government should suffer no loss
of effectiveness. On the contrary this should be a time of structural
growth against the future.
485482—42------- 18
246 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Tribes Invest Their Money in Land
One certain indication of the growing earnestness with which Indian
Tribes are facing the task of providing for the future is to be seen in
their willingness to invest their own tribal monies in land. This
trend started several years ago and continues at a quickening pace.
Among the tribes using their funds for land purchases are the Navajo
tribe of New Mexico and Arizona; the Confederated Bands of Utes,
Utah; the Round Valley Reservation, California; and Colville Reservation,
Washington; the Flathead Indians, Montana; the Omaha
Reservation, Nebraska; the Spokane Indians, Washington; the
Chippewa of the Consolidated Chippewa jurisdiction in Minnesota;
the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon, and the Cheyenne River
Reservation in South Dakota. The Flathead tribe, which receives a
sizeable annual revenue from a power site lease, is in the midst of
developing a long-term program which contemplates land purchase,
the resettlement of landless members, and investment in livestock
and farming equipment. A similar opportunity confronts the Blackfeet
Tribe in the same State. Here royalties derived from oil deposits
in tribal land are being converted into the resources and tools required
for an extensive program of tribal and individual rehabilitation.
Lands in Heirship
Absence of an adequate land base is not the only handicap which
some tribes face. In the Sioux area of North and South Dakota there
is abundant land, but unfortunately a great part of it, in the case of
one or two reservations the greater part of it, remains in Indian possession
and yet is lost to effective Indian use through inheritance
possession; ownership has become divided among so many and so
widely scattered heirs that control is lost and the Indian Service is
burdened with a costly and unproductive real estate agentry. This
situation has existed for a number of years. The Indian Service has
made little headway in improving the situation though it has been a
subject of constant discussion during the past decade. The most
encouraging development of these last 10 years is the interest which
the Sioux Indians themselves are now taking in the problem. During
the fall of 1941 meetings were held with Indians on several of the
Sioux reservations, followed by a general conference for the purpose
of summarizing observations and recommendations. Indians eagerly
participated in these conferences and contributed some of the most
searching and constructive thinking. The Cheyenne River Tribe
has already taken the lead in formulating a code of land management
aimed at establishing procedures for consolidating scattered individual
and tribal holdings. It has long been realized that this baffling
Office of Indian Affairs « 247
problem will not be remedied until the Indians concern themselves
with it. From the beginnings now being made in the Sioux country
it is possible that the first real advance toward the solution of this
old dilemma will be made.
Tribes Maintain Their Own Courts and Police
In still another important area of social action Indian tribes are
developing the type of autonomous action which is latent in the
powers residing in them. This is in the field of law and order, domestic
relations, and the conduct of members. Maintaining law and
order among upwards of 350,000 Indians living on 174 reservations
has never been a simple task. Offenses committed by Indians against
Indians on Indian reservations are not usually subject to the jurisdiction
of the State courts. Only 10 major offenses are subject to
the jurisdiction of the Federal courts. Other offenses must be
handled by the Indians themselves through their own courts. To add
to the difficulty there has been a serious reduction in law enforcement
personnel. The Indian tribes have met the situation seriously and
effectively. Out of all the Indian tribal courts and Indian enforcement
machinery now operating, there have been remarkably few
complaints of injudicious action or of failure of the tribal machinery.
A comparative study of the effectiveness of this tribal adjudication
with courts operating in non-Indian communities would probably
illuminate interestingly the essential law abidingness of the Indian
people and the high level of judicious practice. In the allotted
areas where Indians and non-Indians live side by side the enforcement
of law and order through tribal courts is often more difficult.
The Planning and Development Branch has especially emphasized
the necessity of having tribal councils and Indian communities plan
for a more effective utilization of their social and economic assets.
Numerous conferences have been held in the field with Indian Service
personnel and members of Indian councils relative to the formulation
of plans for the establishment of planning committees and the development
of social and economic programs for communities and reservations.
Functioning planning organizations have been established on
the Warm Springs, Flathead, Fort Belknap, Rosebud and other
reservations.
Victory for the Walapai Tribe
On December 8, 1941, the Indians won an important victory in
the Supreme Court of the United States. A unanimous decision
affirms the possessory right of the Walapai Indians to lands which
they have occupied from time immemorial although these lands had
248 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
been granted by the Congress of the United States to the Santa Fe
Railroad prior to the establishment of the reservation.
In 1923, the Santa Fe Railroad, claiming about half of the lands
of the Walapai Reservation under a railway grant act, asked that the
reservation be divided into two equal parts, one of which would
henceforth be the absolute property of the railroad.
Case Lost in Two Courts
Six years ago, the Department of Justice commenced a suit to
establish the continuing Indian right of occupancy to the whole reservation
and, its right to such other areas as still might rest under an
unextinguished right of occupancy. The case was lost in the United
States District Court of Arizona, and again in the United States Circuit
Court of Appeals. The Solicitor of the Interior Department, upon
invitation of the Department of Justice undertook to make a final
effort to have the Supreme Court review and reverse the decision of
the lower courts.
The Supreme Court granted the petition for a review of the case
by certiorari. The case was argued on November 13 and 14.
The Circuit Court of Appeals had held that Indians in this area
are in an inferior legal status to Indians in other areas, because of
supposed discriminations under Spanish and Mexican law. This
position was vigorously rejected by the Supreme Court, which declared
that the rules laid down in earlier opinions guaranteeing respect for
aboriginal occupancy of tribes under former Spanish dominion had
“been so often and so long repeated as respects land under the prior
sovereignty of the various European nations, including Spain, that
like other rules governing titles to property they should now be considered
no longer open.”
Supreme Court Reaffirms Marshall Doctrine
It was argued also that since the land claims of the Walapai Tribe
had never been recognized by the Federal Government either in a treaty
or in any other formal action, the tribe could not show any rights
superior to those of the railroad. In rejecting this contention the
Supreme Court reaffirmed the doctrine of Chief Justice Marshall that
the Indian tribes are “distinct political communities, having territorial
boundaries, within which their authority is exclusive, and having
a right to all the lands within those boundaries, which is not only
acknowledged, but guaranteed by the United States.” Accordingly,
the Court said, the fact that a right of occupancy finds no formal
recognition is not conclusive.
A third question of general interest considered in the Supreme
Office of Indian Affairs • 249
Court’s opinion, written by Mr. Justice Douglas, was whether forcible
removal of Indians from their ancestral homeland terminates their
possessory rights in lands which they have occupied from time
immemorial. The Supreme Court held that where such removal is
not based upon Indian consent, there is no forfeiture of rights. Referring
to the military removal of the Walapai Tribe, the Court said:
Their forcible removal in 1874 was not pursuant to any mandate of Congress-
It was a high-handed endeavor to wrest from these Indians lands which Congress
had never declared forfeited. No forfeiture can be predicated on an unauthorized
attempt to effect a forcible settlement on the reservation, unless we are to be
insensitive to the high standards for fair dealing in light of which laws dealing
with Indian rights have long been read.
The case was remanded to the courts below to secure an accounting
to the Walapai with respect to income heretofore derived by the
railroad from lands legally subject to Indian occupancy.
Supreme Court Upholds Indians’ Fishing Rights
In another significant decision the Supreme Court on March 30,
1942, held that the State of Washington is without power to charge
the Yakimas a fee for fishing in their usual and accustomed places.
Sampson Tulee, a member of the Yakima Tribe, was convicted in
the Superior Court for Klickitat County, Wash., on a charge of
catching salmon without first having obtained a State license. This
conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court of the State of Washington.
In 1855, the Yakimas were occupying lands which the United
States wished to open up for settlers. Representatives of the Government
met with representatives of the Indians and negotiated a
treaty under which the Indians ceded a large amount of land.
Article III of this treaty secured to the Indians the exclusive right
of taking fish in streams running through or bordering the reservation
and also the right to take fish at all usual and accustomed places
in common with the citizens of the territory.
Relying upon its powers to conserve game and fish within its borders
the State asserted that its right to regulate fishing might be
exercised at places not within the boundaries of the reservation. The
appellant, on the other hand, claimed that the treaty gave him the
right to fish in the “usual and accustomed places” free from State
regulations of any kind.
The Supreme Court decision upholds the right of the Yakimas to
fish in such areas without having to pay the State license. The decision,
however, makes it clear that the State does have a right to
regulate the taking of game and fish but holds that the imposition
of license fees is not indispensable to the effectiveness of a State
conservation program.
250 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Menominees Win Court Award in Swamplands
When the United States, in 1854, under treaty with the Menominee
Indians, set aside the present reservation, the Menominees were given
lands which 4 years before had been granted to the State of Wisconsin
as “swamplands.”
The Court of Claims during the past year decided that the Indians
were entitled to these lands and handed down an opinion opening
the way to the recovery of the lands from the State of Wisconsin.
If this opinion is not upset by the Supreme Court, it will dispose
finally of a problem which has vexed the Indians and Indian administration
for many years. These swamplands are scattered over the
reservation—small islands of land, within the reservation, to which
title was in dispute. With the purchase of these the entire reservation
and its timber will belong to the Menominee Tribe.
This reservation has one of the finest stands of hemlock and hardwoods
in the entire Lake States. It has not been cut over as has
most of the area. The Menominees operate a lumber mill and cut
the timber of the reservation on a sustained yield basis.
A Vital Opinion on the Fishing Rights of
Alaskan Natives
The fishing industry is the largest and most important source of
income and of employment for the natives of Alaska.
Originally the natives of the Territory had access to many fishing
areas. Under Indian custom certain families or tribes were accepted
as owners of these areas. From time immemorial, they possessed
hereditary exclusive rights to these sites. The white corporations
came to Alaska and established fishing traps and salmon canneries
and began to encroach upon and to establish fishing sites where
Indians had formerly been fishing.
After the Supreme Court handed down the Walapai decision, the
Solicitor of the Interior was asked to give an opinion as to whether
the Indians of Alaska did not have aboriginal fishing rights which,
according to the principles set forth by the Court in the Walapai
case, were being violated. The Solicitor’s opinion of February 13,
1942, was in the affirmative.
After citing numerous court decisions upholding the possessory
rights of Indians in lands and water where such rights have not been
extinguished by any treaty, statute, or administrative action, the
Solicitor concluded that “Available evidence indicates that the
possessory rights traditionally asserted by Alaskan natives are exOffice
of Indian Affairs • 251
elusive rights, under which the right to exclude others from a given
area is an integral part of the right in itself. In this situation the
Interior Department would have no authority to open up to public
fishing any areas subject to such possessory rights, any more than it
could open to the public a private cannery, whether on land or afloat.”
It becomes necessary, under the opinion of the Solicitor, for the
natives to establish the fact of continued occupancy.
National Indian Institute Formally Created
The report of the Department for 1941 announced the ratification
by the United States Senate on May 26, 1941, of the international
convention creating the Inter-American Indian Institute. This institute
was formally created on March 25, 1942. On that date the representatives
of the adhering nations met in Mexico City, organized the
Governing Board, and selected Mexico City as the permanent site of
the Institute. Commissioner Collier was selected president of the
board. This organization is the official agency for the development
of collaboration among the American nations on matters affecting the
more than 30,000,000 Indians who live in the Western Hemisphere.
Article X of the Convention stipulates that each ratifying nation
shall establish a National Indian Institute to serve as an affiliate
of the Inter-American organization. Pursuant to the provisions of
this article, President Roosevelt, by Executive order, on November 1,
1941, established an Institute to serve the United States.
The National Indian Institute will perform within the United
States functions comparable to those which the Inter-American
Indian Institute performs among the American nations.
The National Indian Institute utilizes the administrative facilities
of the Office of Indian Affairs and receives guidance from a Policy
Board composed of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, two or more
members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, one of whom
must be an Indian, and one representative each to be designated by
the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Smithsonian
Iiistitution, the Librarian of Congress, the National Research Council,
the Social Science Research Council and the American Council
of Learned Societies.
The Department of Interior representatives on the Board are
Assistant Secretary Oscar L. Chapman, who will serve as chairman,
Mr. Rene d’Harnoncourt, General Manager of the Indian Arts and
Crafts Board, Mr. D’Arcy McNickle, who is the Indian member of
the Board, and Mr. John Collier, United States Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, who serves as the director of the Institute.
252 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Activities of the Institute During the Last Year
The National Indian Institute last year sent two field representatives
to Latin America to investigate the Indian policies of the various
countries, to describe the work of the several divisions of the governments
dealing with the Indian problems, and to evaluate the effectiveness
of that work. Reports on the Indian policies of Venezuela,
Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and Guatemala were prepared and the data
were collected for an evaluation of these policies. These reports
have had wide distribution among United States officials interested
in Latin American collaboration.
The war has served to focus the attention of the American people
upon the necessity of improving our relations with the peoples of
other American republics. In this process we are discovering that
in many of these countries the Indians constitute the bulk of the
population. We are finding out, too, that if we are to get rubber
from Brazil, tin from Bolivia, and other strategic minerals from the
Central and South American countries we shall'be dependent almost
entirely upon Indians for labor and transportation. Thirty million
Indians in the Western Hemisphere are a significant percentage of
the total population, indicating that only in our provincial North
American thinking has the Indian and his culture ceased to live and
function. With the increased emphasis upon Pan-Americanism we
shall hear much more of the Indian in the post-war era.
For many years the record of the United States in its handling of
its Indian minority served only to create fear among the countries
south of the Rio Grande with large Indian groups. Fortunately,
however, the new Indian program of the United States, increasingly
effective over the last dozen years, has exhibited nearly all that the
Indians of the southern countries could hope for. This new program
has emphasized the changed attitude on the part of the United States
toward a minority of a different culture and blood, and constitutes a
reassurance to our neighbors. It has provided one of the needed
foundations for Hemisphere cooperation.
Indian Arts and Crafts
The impact of the war economy on the production and merchandising
of Indian arts and crafts has created many new problems that
threaten the gains made in this field under the guidance of the Indian
Arts and Crafts Board. General regulations governing production
and commerce in the emergency must be formulated mainly to fit
Office of Indian Affairs • 253
industrialized production and therefore often create excessive hardship
among Indian craftsmen. The WPB regulation prohibiting the
use of wool in the manufacture of drapes and floor coverings, for
example, would have barred thousands of Navajo weavers from earning
a cash income. Since these Indian weavers are not in a position
to change their technique or to use other raw materials, and since the
total wool consumption by Indian weavers is relatively small, their
case was presented by the Board to the appropriate authorities, and
an exemption was secured for textiles that are both hand-woven and
hand-spun. A similar problem was presented by the restriction on
the use of silver for purposes nonessential to the conduct of the war.
The intervention of the Board has been and is still needed in the
establishment of price ceilings and the posting of price lists based on
price levels as of certain dates in the past. Since many Indian products
are not made in accordance with accepted standards, but vary
from piece to piece, arrangements must be made to allow for the
evaluation of those products for which no precedent has been
established.
One of the tasks of the Board in wartime is to keep up crafts production
among those groups who are unable actually to participate
in work that is directly connected with the war. This is particularly
important, since many of the jobs now available to Indian labor, such
as construction work on factories located near reservations, are only
of a temporary nature.
The present decrease in tourist trade, that is due to the current
transportation difficulties, has been felt in many regional outlets for
Indian arts and crafts. To overcome these difficulties, the Board is
organizing new temporary retail outlets in areas not affected by travel
limitations. The Board has also continued its long-range activities
of initiating and enlarging Indian production and merchandising
organizations.
The Northern Plains Indian Arts and Crafts Association, located
on the Blackfeet Reservation at Browning, Mont., has for the first
time, during the past summer, offered products from several other
nearby reservations, (such as Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy, and Flathead.
On each of these reservations, production groups have been or are now
being organized to supply the Northern Plains Arts and Crafts Association
with merchandise.
Surveys to be used for the organization of production and merchandising
units have been made among the Hopi, the Maricopa,
and the Yavapai.
254 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Research Projects
Several research projects have recently been organized which
should prove of far-reaching value to Indian administration.
The first of these is a study of Indian diet, a study intended to
determine the effects on food habits, of custom, tribal prejudice, economic
factors, and education. The study is to be comparative among
tribes of different environment and tradition. Pilot studies have
been completed on the Papago, Hopi, and Navajo reservations and
for comparative purposes in two Spanish-American communities in
New Mexico. The Indian Service and the University of Chicago
are jointly undertaking this study, field direction under the general
oversight of Dr. Robert Redfield, being provided by Dr. Fred Eggan,
assistant professor of anthropology at the university. The inter-
American Indian Institute has signified its wish to extend this food
study to Latin America.
Of still deeper significance is a study of personality development
of Indian children begun tentatively on the Papago Reservation in
February and now broadened into a well-organized project on six
reservations: Papago, Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Zia, and Pine Ridge. This
research seeks to describe how Indian children grow up, how they are
molded by the world of family, of tribal customs, of white teachers
and government personnel, and how they take their places as adults.
The data gathered by this inquiry will be coordinated by a professional
staff under the chairmanship of Dr. W. Lloyd Warner, professor
of sociology and anthropology at the University of Chicago,
and will be available at the same time for administrative interpretation
by the Indian Service. This project also has been adopted
as an international one by the inter-American Indian Institute.
The study of the relationships of Navajo medicine and religion to
modern medicine, mentioned in last year’s report, has been continued
during the year and will extend throughout the fiscal year 1943. This
study was first begun by Dr. Alexander Leighton and Dr. Dorothea
Leighton of Johns-Hopkins. Dr. Dorothea Leighton has now been
retained by the Indian Service and will continue the study which
already is giving Indian Service physicians an insight into ways and
means of utilizing the therapeutic values inherent in the songs, prayers,
ceremonials, and healing herbs, sweat baths, and other parts of
the native medicine and religion.
Dr. Alexander Leighton was called to active duty by the Navy
but fortunately the Office was able to obtain his detail to the War
Relocation Center on the Colorado River Reservation to direct
needed research in connection with the administration of this project,
where many social problems confront the administrative staff of the
Center.
Office of Indian Affairs • 255
While this particular research does not deal directly with Indians,
the findings should be of inestimable value in future dealings with
Indian groups where many of the same problems are to be found.
It is even probable that this study will prove helpful in coping with
some of the problems of colonial administration which will be encountered
in the post-war reconstruction the world over.
Medical Research
The Indian Service continued during the year its tuberculosis case
findings, although the loss of personnel handicapped these efforts
somewhat. A general survey revealed 419 fewer new cases than the
survey of 1937, indicating at least a slow but definite progress in the
elimination of this scourge among the Indians.
Treatment of trachoma by sulfanilamide has continued to produce
spectacular results. Although close laboratory check has been discontinued,
most patients receiving treatment are hospitalized in order
to assure supervision. Sixty to eighty percent of all cases treated
are reported arrested with remarkable improvement in vision. Many
schools are now entirely free of the disease.
Publication of Handbook of Federal Indian Law
One of the outstanding contributions to Indian administration was
made during the past year with the publication of the Handbook of
Federal Indian Law by Felix S. Cohen, Assistant Solicitor of the
Department of the Interior.
Based on a compilation of some 4,000 statutes and treaties and
5,000 judicial decisions and administrative rulings, the handbook
traces the development of Federal Indian law, Indian administration,
and Indian rights from their origin to present time. The legal basis
of the Federal Government’s treaty relations with Indians is fully
discussed and there is a detailed analysis of the extended relationships
of tribal self-government, Federal powers and reserve State powers
over Indians. Mr. Cohen’s work represents the most comprehensive
survey ever made of laws relating to Indians in the United States.
Indian Service Personnel Hard Hit by War
Indian Service personnel administration has experienced the worst
year, perhaps of all times. Scores of employees have left to join the
armed forces. Many others have transferred to agencies more
directly connected with the war.
256 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
The medical service has been especially hard hit. Twenty regular
physicians and six part-time physicians have been called to active
duty with the armed forces. Replacements are difficult to obtain.
An additional 15 physicians hold reserve commissions and expect to
be called at any time. Some have also left the Service to enter private
practice. There is now a 70-percent coverage of the Indian Service
by full-time physicians. This situation is alarming and it is impossible
to provide Indians with even the most essential medical care.
Nurses likewise have been called to the armed forces. There are
200 vacant positions among the Indian Service hospital and field
nurses. The situation is particularly acute in Alaska with transportation
of newly appointed nurses often delayed for months. To
help meet this critical situation the Indian Health Service is increasing
and intensifying its training program for Indians. Classes for nurseaides
at the Kiowa hospital in Oklahoma now enroll 40 students
instead of 20. Graduation occurs after 6 months of training instead
of the usual 9. Sixty men are being trained as hospital orderlies and
interpreters at various centers, following a regular schedule of class
work. Hundreds of Indians and employees are being given Red
Cross courses in first aid and in home nursing.
Restrictions in local transportation due to rubber shortage further
limits the effectiveness of those employees who remain. Many
ingenious methods of increasing the scope and effectiveness of employees
are appearing on every hand. Extension agents and foresters
are riding horses. Regional supervision has been materially reduced.
There has been a continual recasting of the functions of the Service.
Essential war activities must go on, such as food production, mining
of strategic minerals, protection and utilization of forests, power production
and protection, and cooperation with the War Department
in securing gunnery and bombing ranges and airports. Other services
not immediately war connected will be maintained to the extent
possible with limited personnel. Every effort will be made to continue
to provide medical care and to maintain school facilities for
children, and to operate other functions essential to the welfare of the
Indians.
Civilian Conservation Corps
CONRAD L. WIRTH, Representative, Department of the Interior,
Advisory Council, Civilian Conservation Corps
INURING the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, six bureaus and
offices of the Department of the Interior supervised the conservation
and development of the Nation’s natural resources through the
operation of an average of 309 Civilian Conservation Corps camps
and 71 CCC-Indian units in the continental United States and an
average of 8 camps in Hawaii, Alaska, and the Virgin Islands.
Projects undertaken by the CCC included the protection and
improvement of Federal Grazing lands and Indian reservations;
protection and propagation of wildlife; development of recreational
facilities in National, State, and local parks; cooperation in the
development of irrigation and hydroelectric power programs; broad
conservation of the public domain; and rehabilitation of the human
and natural resources of the islands and territorial possessions.
General Land Office Camps
The General Land Office operated three Civilian Conservation
Corps camps in Oregon, and one in Wyoming, and carried on a program
in the Territory of Alaska. The camps in Oregon were assigned
to the conservation, protection, and development of the 2,500,000
acres of Oregon and California revested lands, an important reservoir
of commercial timber being put on a sustained-yield basis to provide
a productive forest in perpetuity. The declaration of war, however,
caused concentration on activities directly connected with the waging
of the war, with the resultant curtailment of forest conservation work.
Despite this diversion of strength from conservation projects and the
reduction of personnel, however, the camps continued their forest
protection and utilization work. Since the Oregon and California
area is an important source of timber for military purposes, every
effort must be made to protect it and make it available for present use.
The Wyoming camp, until it was closed in May, continued its work
of suppressing the outcrop coal fires which were threatening with
257
258 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
destruction an inestimable amount of the Nation’s coal resources lying
in the vicinity of Little Thunder Basin, Wyo. These deposits represent
a fuel reserve of untold value.
During the year 11 coal fires were attacked, 4 of which were definitely
suppressed. Although all of the fire suppression projects have
not been completed, all except one are in good enough condition to
withstand weathering and further combustion for some time despite
lack of attention.
Civilian Conservation Corps activities on the 325,000,000 acres of
public domain in Alaska were transferred to the General Land Office
on April 1, 1940. Since the impact of the war prevented the enrollment
of the planned number of whites, the enrollment was chiefly
native Alaskan Indians and Eskimos. The program was therefore
directed mainly for the benefit of the native peoples. Working in
cooperation with the Office of Indian Affairs, the General Land Office
coordinated its enrollment, work projects, and camp locations with
the development program of the Indian Office. Wherever possible,
native CCC camps were established in villages in dire need of relief
assistance and where projects would benefit the entire community.
About 50 villages were benefited during the year.
One of the greatest problems in Alaska is transportation. CCC
personnel maintained and staked winter sled trails and maintained
winter landing fields to make mail, freight, and passenger operations
possible with a minimum disruption in service.
Office of Indian Affairs
Both the work projects and training activities of CCC in the Office
of Indian Affairs were modified during the past fiscal year so that the
whole program would be made to contribute directly to the prosecution
of the war.
At the invitation of the War Department, three projects were undertaken
on military reservations to relieve troops for training duty who
would otherwise have been required to do this work. Typical service
rendered was one project where Indian enrollees, using CCC-Indian
division equipment, cleared and leveled the drill fields, removed brush
and filled in gulleys, cleared away debris left by the construction
contractors, built camouflage structures, constructed a rifle range
and a small arms practice range.
During the year, approximately 2,000 Indian enrollees prepared
themselves through national defense training courses for direct employment
in war industries. Over 8,000 Indians have been trained in
forest fire fighting and a similar number have completed the American
Red. Cross standard or advanced first-aid training. There are 250
Indian first-aid instructors in the CCC-Indian division. Camps,
Civilian Conservation Corps • 259
operated by the Indian CCC are located at strategic places in forest
or range areas, thus providing trained crews ready for instant call in
emergency service. Other CCC-Indian division activities have
centered around the Indian communities, thereby permitting close
coordination between CCC and the local programs for civilian defense.
Results of the work of Indian CCC which are helping to win the
war are becoming increasingly evident. The eidarged carrying
capacity of ranges, the saving and storage of water for livestock and
for irrigation, the conservation of ranges and forests, are enabling
the Indian reservations to yield increased quantities of needed food
and wood products.
Bureau of Reclamation
During the fiscal year 1942 there was a reduction in the number of
CCC camps assigned to the Bureau of Reclamation from 43 camps in
operation on July 1, 1941, to 7 camps in operation on June 30, 1942.
The termination of the camps assigned to the Bureau was effected in
company with a general reduction of all camps within the Civilian
Conservation Corps.
In general, the year’s activities were a continuation of previously
initiated programs, accentuated to reflect the country’s war program.
The development of irrigation facilities and the rehabilitation of existing
irrigation facilities were stressed for early completion.
National Park Service
The fiscal year 1942 saw a marked change in the Civilian Conservation
Corps program conducted by the National Park Service. The
development of park and recreational areas gave way to the urgent
business of developing military reservations with the many facilities
needed for proper training of the armed forces that had to be made
available quickly. In July 1941, 262 continental CCC camps were
operating under the technical supervision of the National Park Service,
20 assigned to areas under the jurisdiction of the Army and Navy, 83
to national parks and monuments, 21 to recreational demonstration
areas, 113 to State parks and 25 to county and metropolitan areas.
Because of reduced enrollments numerous reductions in over-all CCC
operations were made until at the close of the year only 89 camps were
being operated, with 50 assigned to military and naval areas, 20 to
national parks and monuments, 10 to recreational demonstration areas
and 9 to State parks.
With the declaration of war, the National Park Service terminated
CCC projects which were not directly related to the war effort. By
the end of the year all work was progressing in the interest of the full
260 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
war program. The on-the-job training that the enrollees had received
in the development of public lands for park and recreational purposes
equipped them well for the work required at the many large military
reservations. This enabled the armed services to devote more of their
attention to the important job of providing military training.
The realigned CCC programs for the protection of Federal and State
areas were planned for defense against direct enemy attack, sabotage,
and other war hazards to forests, waters, strategic structures and other
physical improvements. Major emphasis was placed upon perfecting
methods and organization for protection of important natural resources
and strategic facilities against incendiary fires and high explosives, and
of personnel against war gases. But consideration was also given to
the protection of forest and grass lands which represented the extensive
watersheds essential to agriculture, power, and domestic water supply.
Civilian Conservation Corps activities in the Territory of Hawaii
continued with an authorized strength of 675 enrollees. Until December
8, general conservation projects were prosecuted. Thereafter the
CCC engaged in emergency work directed by the Army. This wartime
work has been reported to be of great importance to the military
authorities.
The CCC in the Virgin Islands completed an important well-drilling
program started in the previous year. Also much general conservation
and development work was continued. After the declaration of war,
CCC labor and resources were used on defense projects requested by
the military authorities.
Grazing Service
The facilities of the Civilian Conservation Corps were utilized by
the Grazing Service in the construction and maintenance of range
improvement projects on the public domain during the past fiscal
year. The work was equitably distributed among the 58 Federal
grazing districts located in the 10 Western States of Arizona, California,
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah, and Wyoming. These districts embrace a total of 142,000,000
acres of range land which provides forage for the seasonal grazing of
11,000,000 head of livestock.
At the beginning of the fiscal year 63 camps were assigned to the
Grazing Service. The number was gradually diminished, however,
until only 10 were in operation at the end of the fiscal year.
In the last half of the year much of the regular range improvement
work was deferred in order to concentrate on projects which contribute
more directly to the war objectives. Minor roads were built
to mines and mills engaged in the development and production of
strategic minerals. Roads were also built to aid in the construction
Civilian Conservation Corps • 261
and operation of bombing areas, gunnery ranges and emergency
landing fields. And, in one instance, many miles of road were constructed
parallel to an international boundary as an aid to border
patrol. The Grazing Service reproduction plants, manned largely
by CCC enrollees, produced many maps and photographs for the
Army and various defense agencies.
On December 9, 1941, less than 48 hours after Pearl Harbor, the
Grazing Service, working in conjunction with the Office of Civilian
Defense of the State of Utah and the Army, established a detection
service for reporting the approach of aeroplanes. Ten Civilian Conservation
Corps camps are equipped with radios and 24-hour service
has been maintained. Any unusual movement of planes is immediately
reported by radio to our station and the information relayed to
the Office of Civilian Defense and the Army.
The CCC camps of the Grazing Service supplied the main source of
manpower for our program of range and forest fire protection during
the year. Extensive training in fire suppression was given to selected
enrollees in order that well-trained and efficient crews would be ready
for any emergency.
Fish and. Wildlife Service
The amount of wildlife conservation and developmental work
accomplished this year by the CCC on refuge areas was greatly
diminished due to the gradual decrease of the number of camps under
the jurisdiction of this Service from 36 to 12. Existing camps have
been or are being converted as rapidly as possible from work on the
refuge areas to more important essential war woik in order to furnish
the greatest possible aid to our war effort. During the year this
Service had 4 camps directly engaged in the development and improvement
of military areas, and arrangements are being completed to
utilize the remaining 8 camps which are scheduled to this Service either
on military areas or on projects necessary for the conservation of our
national resources most important to the war program.
485482—42------- 19

Division of Territories and
Island Possessions
GUY J. SWOPE, Director
JLHE impact of war on the offshore areas coming under the supervision
of this Division has overshadowed all other events. The war
has brought about changes in the lives of the people in the continental
United States, but it can truthfully be said that every aspect of life
has been affected to a much greater extent in all our offshore areas.
In a report such as this it has been customary to present considerable
statistical information as to progress made during the, preceding year
but it doos not seem advisable to attempt to do so in any detail in
this report primarily for military reasons, and also due to the fact
that statistics in a war economy, particularly such as in effect in our
offshore areas, are distorted to such an extent that they are almost
meaningless.
The general pattern during the year up to December 7, in all these
areas, was almost the same. Feverish defense preparations and the
expenditure of large amounts of Federal funds had brought about
increased employment. On the other hand, the cost of living was
rising rapidly and the shipping problem was causing widespread
readjustments in the internal economy of the offshore areas. The
controls which the United States Government placed over exports
and the supply of strategic material and equipment presented additional
problems. Other factors which caused intricate and difficult
questions, notably in the Philippines, were the orders establishing
control over assets belonging to aliens.
These conditions were bringing home to the people the imminence
of war and, to a much greater extent than prevailed generally on the
continent, the people and local officials visualized the problems which
war would bring to the civil governments and the civilian populations.
Preparations for civilian defense were under way in all areas for it
was realized where the brunt of opening attacks would be likely to
fall. Attacks on Hawaii and the Philippines were almost simultaneous
and these were soon followed by hostilities in Alaska. With these
263
264 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
attacks the people of the offshore areas settled down in earnest to
the grim business of war.
The people of these areas reacted in a manner which has been a
source of pride and satisfaction to the government. Whatever our
sins of omission and commission may have been in respect to the
inhabitants of areas over which the American flag was first raised
less than 50 years ago, the fairness and justice of basic policies, in
a time of real emergency, bore abundant fruit. All joined hands
in the common defense of a system of government, the advantages
of which were more appreciated by residents of insular areas than
they were, in many cases, by residents of the continental areas who
for generations had never known any other system of government
;and had come to take their rights and privileges as a matter of course.
A brief resume of conditions in each area follows:
The Territory of Alaska
Actual hostilities came to Alaska in June 1942, when the United
States Naval Base at Dutch Harbor was bombed and this was followed
shortly by the occupation of the three western-most islands, Attu,
Aggatu, and Kiska. Even before this attack, the Territory had
been declared a combat zone. These attacks brought about a continuation
and expansion of a program which has been under way
for 2 years, a program which has affected every aspect of life in
Alaska, and seemed certain to bring about even more far-reaching
changes.
Just what part Alaska is playing in the war cannot be publicly
reported at this time, but eventually the record will foim an interesting
chapter in the history of the Territory.
The routine affairs of the Territory and the activities of the various
Federal agencies which function in the Territory were continued as
well as could be expected under abnormal conditions. The finances
of the territorial government are in excellent shape. The various
Federal agencies which operate in the Territory do so largely on their
own funds which relieves the Territory from what would otherwise
be a heavy burden. Cooperation between representatives of the
Federal Government and the territorial officials has been splendid.
One Federal activity, the Civilian Conservation Corps, closed its
functions on the last day of the fiscal year. The work done by this
organization in its 9 years of operation in constructing emergency
landing fields in remote areas and the building of docks, roads, bridges,
etc., is proving of immense value in the defense program. Extensive
work was done during the year in the development and protection
of wildlife resources which is one of the major assets of the Territory.
Both the Territory and Federal agencies concerned give special attenDivision
of Territories and Island Possessions • 265
tion to the problems of the native population and the means of
adjusting them to a rapidly changing social and economic order.
An extensive program of education and public health designed to
fit the peculiar interests of the natives is followed.
The general public in the United States has little conception of
the present importance of Alaska industries to the economy of the
United States and the latent possibilities of their development of
these resources. Products of the mines, and of the fish, fur, and
lumber industries are of tremendous value in a wartime economy.
Alaskan spruce is of importance in the manufacture of airplanes and
there are extensive forests suitable for the manufacture of newsprint.
It may reasonably be expected that one result of the war will be the
development of aviation both for passenger and freight traffic beyond
anything formerly even dreamed of. More than any other area
under the American flag, such a development would be of importance
to Alaska and the possibilities of aviation and other means of communication
which are being improved as a result of the military
program as a means of developing the latent resources of the Territory
are almost unlimited.
The Alaska Railroad
The Alaska Railroad operated 500.8 miles of line the year around,
furnishing passenger and freight service between Seward and Fairbanks,
and on branch lines serving the Matanuska and Nenana coal
fields.
The passenger train schedule in effect during the summer of 1941
provided for three round trips weekly between Seward and Fairbanks,
one weekly between Fairbanks and McKinley Park, and one every 2
weeks between Fairbanks and Nenana. No regular schedule was
maintained from September until January, when a weekly trip between
Anchorage and Fairbanks was made. Beginning April 24, three
round trips weekly were made between Seward and Anchorage.
Both passenger traffic and freight tonnage showed substantial
increases over last year. A. new freight house was built at Anchorage,
and a new concrete depot and general office building is under construction
there. A dormitory and mess house was completed at Eska
Coal Mine.
River boat service was maintained during the season of river
navigation from Nenana to Tanana, Ruby, Holy Cross, and Marshall.
Territory of Hawaii
Immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7,
1941, the Territory was transformed instantaneously into the center
266 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
of an active combat zone. The Governor of the Territory proclaimed
a state of martial law and suspended the writ of habeas corpus.
Under an act passed a few months before known as the “Hawaii
Defense Act,” steps had been taken prior to the attack by the civil
authorities to prepare for war. The Office of Civilian Defense was
sufficiently well organized to swing into immediate action with its
17 divisions and 12 subdivisions, employing a total of 2,529 persons,
augmented by some 14,000 volunteers. From funds provided by the
Department of the Interior for civilian defense in Hawaii, financial
assistance was rendered and is being continued to four additional
agencies not directly under OCD—the office of the military governor,
public health service, public and private hospitals, and county police
and fire departments.
The more important divisions under the OCD, all of which are
functioning continually, include the bomb disposal division; communications;
gas defense; mortuary and burial division; plans and training;
women’s division; demolition, rescue and repairs; transportation;
air-raid wardens, with nearly 5,500 volunteer members; evacuation
division, emergency medical division, including supervision of the
blood plasma banks, first-aid stations and emergency ambulance
service, the civilian emergency hospital and nursing activities;
registration division; and bureau of classification.
Despite the dislocation in all phases of life and economy in Hawaii
engendered by the state of war, the financial condition of the Territory
continues to be excellent, it was indicated by the general fund revenue
receipts for the fiscal year which totaled $22,065,468.54 against the
estimates as prorated for the fiscal year of $19,707,155.21, or an
increase of $2,358,313.33. From a review of a further revision of
estimates for the next fiscal year it is felt that an unappropriated
surplus of the general fund at the close of the present biennium on
June 30, 1943, will approximate $4,000,000 in the light of present
emergency conditions.
Cash on hand and in banks of all funds deemed to be in the Treasury
of Hawaii amounted on June 30 to $24,529,428.50, an increase of
$4,923,150.51 over the $19,606,277.99 on hand and in banks as of
June 30, 1941.
Collections of the Territorial Harbor Board in the fiscal year ended
June 30 were $891,336.51, a decrease of $66,591.53 from those of the
nrevious vear, due to the current war conditions since December
7, 1941.
This decrease was brought about by reason of the fact that all
shipping between the Territory and overseas as well as interisland
shipping was'operated after December 7, 1941, by agencies of the
Federal Government which paid no charges. Negotiations are under
way by which it is hoped that the territorial government which is
Division of Territories and Island Possessions • 267
required to maintain such harbor facilities may be reimbursed by the
Federal Government.
The Governor of the Territory points with pride to the fact that
Federal internal revenue collections for the fiscal year amounted to
$32,067,927, an increase of more than 100 percent. As compared to
the situation in other offshore areas, the Territory may well be proud
of this record.
Production and shipment of canned pineapple and pineapple juice
continued throughout the year in nearly noimal quantities, shipments
in the 12 months ended May 21, 1941, having been 11,056,491 cases
of pineapple and 11,284,938 cases of pineapple juice. The Federal
Government purchased substantial quantities of these and announced
that its requirements for the coming year would be 34 percent of the
canned pineapple pack and 21 percent of the juice pack for Aimy,
Navy and lease-lend shipments.
Shipments of raw sugar, Hawaii’s other principal agricultural
product, are expected to total 850,000 tons for the calendar year 1942.
In brief, under martial law and under the broad provisions of the
Hawaii Defense Act, the work of virtually every Territorial department
has been turned in some degree to furthering the war effort of the
United States. War and the Nation’s program has affected in some
way the life of every citizen and every person resident in the Territory
of Hawaii.
Territory o£ Puerto Rico
Employment rose during the year to levels hitherto unknown in the
labor history of Puerto Rico. Work on the various military establishments
now under construction on the island thinned out appreciably
the legions of the unemployed, once a salient feature of the local
economic scene.
Wages likewise rose. Increased employment, the operation of the
Fair Labor Standards Act, and heightened union activity, all combined
to ordain sorely needed adjustments. An additional factor, the
Insular Minimum Wage Law, is expected to make a similar and important
contribution during the coming year; it became operative at
too recent a date to make itself felt at this writing.
Prospects foi the immediate future, however, are distinctly less
promising, for as the year drew to a close the employment situation
took a sudden turn for the worse. The cumulative effects of the
shipping problem became increasingly evident as shortages of raw
materials, consumption commodities and gasoline dictated curtailed
operations in private business. Widespread dismissals of employees
ensued, and to aggravate matters, they came at a time when defense
projects were nearing completion.
268 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Organized labor registered a general advance during the year.
New unions sprang up and became affiliated with existing organizations
as discrimination against unionized employees tailed off under
the National Labor Relations Act. A companion measure “To
Protect Workmen and Employees Against Prejudicial Discrimination
of Their Employers, etc.,” was passed by the Insular Legislature
and approved toward the close of the fiscal year.
However, the upward trend of wages can hardly be considered to
have been adequate in the face of the proportionally greater increase
in the cost of living that was registered during the year. Taking
the year 1938-39 as a basis, it appears that indexes of wage rates
were 130 for industrial workers, 136 for commercial employees, and
128 for office workers, whereas price indexes of the main constituents
of the Puerto Rican labor diet were 191 for rice, 310 for codfish, 181
for beans, and 157 for fats; the index for all foods was 172.
As is to be expected in a period characterized by rapidly expanding
commercial activity, increasing employment, and a rising cost of
living, there were frequent industrial disputes during the year. The
Department of Labor aided in the conciliation of 71 strikes and controversies
involving 26,740 workers. In this task the Department
enjoyed the cooperation of the United States Conciliation Service in
the person of Commissioner Charles Goldsmith, whose extremely
valuable assistance in preventing and adjusting strikes served to
promote industrial peace, especially in those operations affecting the
program of national defense.
A wealth of social and labor legislation was passed and approved
during the year with a view to promoting the welfare of insular
society in general and of labor in particular.
The financial progress achieved during the fiscal year amounted
to $10,650,411.82, as against $2,960,415.82 for 1940-41. The general
fund showed a balance of $20,526,788.18, compared to $6,447,843.39
for the previous year.
Total tax collections from the alcoholic beverage industry and
from narcotics reached a new high at the close of the fiscal year under
report. Total collections reverting to the general fund amounted to
$18,044,306.23, an increase of $10,639,184.10, or 143.67 percent above
the previous year’s collections, which amounted to $7,405,122.13.
The tax collections on Puerto Rican rum shipped to the United
States constitute the largest amount ever collected on the island from
a single source of government income. The unprecedented increase
for the present year, is accounted for by the rapid growth of the local
rum industry, and the favorable market conditions prevailing in the
United States.
Income-tax collections also reached a new high during the period
under review. Total collections amounted to $7,635,382.93 as comDivision
of Territories and Island Possessions • 269
pared to $2,843,433.42 for the previous year, the increase amounting
to $4,791,949.51.
During the year the Treasurer of Puerto Rico revised the revenue
estimates for the general fund increasing them from $20,450,000
to $35,200,000, but the revenue collections actually totaled
$37,578,862.49.
Outstanding bond obligations of The People of Puerto Rico on
July 1, 1942, amounted to $23,700,000, as against $26,975,000 on
July 1, 1941. During the year bonds were redeemed in the sum of
$3,275,000.
The Virgin Islands
By reason of their strategic location not only as the most eastern
outpost of the United States but also as the keystone of the arch
protecting the Caribbean Sea approaches to the vital Panama Canal,
it is most natural that the major concern of the Virgin Islands during
the past year has been that of defense, both military and civilian.
Such has been the scope of the defense plans and their fulfillment
that perhaps in no other place under the American flag has the normal
economic and social structure of community life been so radically
affected. Months before our entry into the war, the administration
recognized the gravity of the geographical position of the Virgin
Islands. Steps were initiated immediately toward a concentrated
program of civilian defense. There was a prompt organizing of
Councils of Defense by both island municipalities which were quick
to move into active intensive programs. When war did come, the
Virgin Islands defense program was well under way.
In this connection it is gratifying to note the comments of James
M. Landis, Director of the United States Office of Civilian Defense,
on examination of a report of civilian defense activities in the islands:
From these small dots of American soil in one of the world’s most critical
defense zones, we get a splendid example of civilian alertness to common danger
and timely cooperation to meet it with adequate measures. We must put into
practice in the Nation much of what these islands, which have an area of only
133 square miles, have already done.
On the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix there have been extensive
military preparations. What has been done in this connection
and what the effects have been may not properly be recorded at this
time. It can be said, however, that the entire population of the
islands has responded in an excellent manner and that the islanders
have demonstrated their patriotism and loyalty to the United States.
The war has emphasized the difference in economy between the
islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix. The resources of St. Thomas
are commercial and the increases in trade stimulated by defense
activities raised the estimated municipal revenues of $249,000 to
270 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
nearly $600,000, thus making it possible for the municipality of St.
Thomas and St. John, for the first time since the purchase of the
islands by the United States in 1917, to be financed without Federal
deficit appropriation.
The economy of the municipality of St. Croix is agricultural and it
has been adversely affected during the last 5 years by repeated droughts.
During the year, the Municipal Council of St. Croix with the approval
of the present administration repealed the iniquitous export tax of $6
a ton on sugar, which tax was among the burdens that destroyed the
private sugar industries of St. Croix and added to the losses of the
Virgin Islands Co. which was established by the government solely
to provide employment and. a market for small farmers. Existing nowhere
else under the United States flag, the repeal of this tax had been
urged for many years. About the time of the tax repeal, the present
administration succeeded in having Congress apply to the Virgin
Islands the Sugar Act of 1937. Heretofore St. Croix had been the
only sugar-preducing area of the United States that did not share in
the benefit payments provided by that act, in spite of the fact that
St. Croix’s sugar was required to pay the processing tax from which
such benefit payments were made to all other areas.
Employment, which is the first known measure of economic health,
was at its peak on the island, of St. Thomas where extensive military
preparations gave remunerative employment to every employable
male. In St. Croix, after months of much unemployment, the Work
Projects Administration and the National Youth Administration gave
employment to nearly every eligible male. By the end of June,
however, the WPA employment quota was severely reduced and
the National Youth Administration and the Civilian Conservation
Corps were abandoned. The serious effects of this, as well as the
gradual reduction of employment in the municipality of St. Thomas,
by reason of the tapering off of military construction, will be increasingly
felt in the new fiscal year. Although the employment situation
was most satisfactory, it cannot be said that the economic health, of
the Virgin Islands is sound, despite its fair superficial appearance, because
real economic health depends upon real wage and stability of
employment.
In the municipality of St. Croix the new abattoir built by the Federal
Government was operated as a WPA demonstration and training
project. Many cattle, sheep, and hogs were slaughtered for export to
St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. In St. Thomas the modern cold
storage market built by the Federal Government was substantially
completed. Facilities have been provided for the marketing and
cold, storage of all locally produced foodstuffs, fish, poultry, meats,
vegetables, eggs, and dairy products. The processing, selling, and
cold storaging of meats have been given particular consideration in
Division of Territories and Island Possessions • 271
order to serve as a companion project to the abattoir in St. Croix.
It is expected that the operation of this market together with the
operation of the abattoir in St. Croix will bo within the framework
of the Virgin Islands Co. These two units when organized for
operation will be an important factor in meeting the demand for
foodstuffs created by defense activities and the serious shipping
situation.
The finances of the municipal government in St. Thomas were in
excellent condition. For the first time since 1917, the municipality of
St. Thomas and St. John was financed without a Federal deficit
appropriation. The Federal deficit appropriation of $15,000, which
was made by Congress, was not used. In St. Croix the fiscal affairs
of the municipality, after being at a very low ebb for many years,
took a slightly more favorable turn. For the first time in 4 years
it was not necessary to borrow money to meet an operating deficit
over and above the Federal deficit appropriation. However, an
enthusiastic reception of this golden era must be tempered by the
poor potentialities of the forthcoming fiscal year.
The Philippine Islands
The Philippines are the only outlying possession of the United
States under the jurisdiction of this Department that has fallen into
the hands of the enemy.
In view of the growing tension in the Far East, President Roosevelt,
on July 26, 1941, issued an order calling all of the organized military
forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines
into the service of the armed forces of the United States for the period
of the emergency.
During the preceding months, with the aid and cooperation of the
American authorities, the President of the Philippines had used the
emergency powers granted him by the National Assembly to prepare
and carry forward the work for national and civilian defense. This
foresight proved invaluable when the Philippines were attacked.
National elections were held in November 1941, for President,
Vice President, Senators and Representatives to form the new bicameral
Philippine Congress that was to replace the National Assembly
on December 30. President Quezon and Vice President
Osmena were reelected.
The outbreak of war with Japan came 3 weeks after the sixth
anniversary of the establishment of the Commonwealth Government
and completely changed the Philippine picture. At the celebration of
that anniversary (November 15, 1941) President Quezon renewed the
pledge of loyalty of the government and of the people of the Philippines
to the United States and urged cooperation “in her gigantic
272 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
effort to save democracy and banish totalitarianism from the face of
the earth.” On December 3, 1941, President Quezon declared—
There is no territory under the American flag, including continental United
States, where the people are more united behind President Roosevelt than we are
here in the Philippines. . . . The flag of the United States will be defended by
American and Filipino soldiers until the last round of ammunition has been fired.
The whole Filipino people welcome the opportunity of testing their loyalty to
America through blood and fire.
On December 8 (Manila time) the Japanese attacked the Philippines.
A week later the National Assembly met and adopted a
resolution declaring a state of total war emergency. President
Quezon was authorized to enforce emergency regulations and he
immediately commandeered food, fuel, building materials, and other
prime necessities. He simplified government machinery by merging
the nine cabinet positions into four key posts. When it became evident
late in December that Manila could not be held against the advancing
Japanese forces, it was declared an open city (December 26),
and the United States High Commissioner with certain members of
his staff and the President of the Philippines and cabinet members
transferred their offices to Corregidor. There the second inauguration
of President Quezon and Vice President Osmena took place on December
30. In his inaugural address the President reaffirmed his
loyalty to the United States and pledged the Filipinos to “stand by
America and fight with her until victory is won.” Throughout the
4-month Luzon campaign—on Bataan which fell into the hands of
the enemy on April 9 and on Corregidor which fell on May 6—Filipino
soldiers heroically fought alongside Americans in defense of their
country until disease and exhaustion forced them to surrender. As
expressed by the President of the United States, their gallant struggle
against the Japanese aggressors “elicited the profound admiration of
every American.”
United States High Commissioner Francis B. Sayre and certain
members of his staff were transferred to Australia later in February
and from there returned to Washington. Upon his arrival on March
23, Mr. Sayre submitted his resignation to the President, and it was
later accepted effective as of June 30.
The President of the Philippines and members of his cabinet were
evacuated to the southern part of the Philippine Archipelago late in
February and subsequently transferred to Australia. Later, accepting
the invitation of President Roosevelt, they arrived in Washington
on May 13, and on May 14 formally established a government in
exile. On many occasions since then, the President of the Philippines
has reaffirmed the gratitude and loyalty of the Filipinos, stating “We
stood and still stand with the United States in life and in death.”
He stated that his government’s immediate job was to take care of
Division of Territories and Island Possessions • 273
the thousands of Filipinos stranded here and abroad and to prepare
for the day when his government is reestablished in Manila.
War conditions in the Philippines necessitated prompt action by our
Congress. In December several measures were enacted for the purpose
of dealing with the changed situation. The First War Powers
Act, 1941 (Public 354, 77th Cong., approved December 18) conferred
on the President of the United States broad powers to control foreign
funds and enemy property. The powers of the High Commissioner
were greatly extended by the delegation to him on December 19 of
such powers relating to alien-owned property in the Philippines.
These included authority to take over for safekeeping securities, gold
bullion, silver currency and other reserves and to take steps necessary
to. prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. The work of
collecting tons of metal and paper in Manila and transporting them to
Corregidor, where they were counted and inventoried, was performed
with the aid of the Army, Navy and other government officials under
most trying conditions. The paper currency and treasury certificates
were destroyed; the bullion worth about $1,500,000 and valuable
securities were loaded on a submarine at Corregidor and transferred
in mid-ocean to another naval vessel, which delivered them to the
United States Treasury Department. Thus every ounce of gold and
every security accepted by the office of the High Commissioner for
safekeeping reached the United States safely.
The Sugar Act of 1937 was amended by extending for 3 years (or
until June 30, 1945), payments to the Commonwealth government of
taxes collected thereunder, and an additional sum of $10,000,000 was
appropriated by the Congress for public relief and civilian defense in
the islands for the fiscal year 1942.
Granting in part a petition of the Philippine National Assembly, the
Congress suspended until December 31, 1942, the collection of the
export taxes on Philippine products and the progressive reduction of
quotas prescribed in the Tydings-McDuffie Act as amended. The
assembly had requested such suspension from January 1, 1941, until
July 3, 1946, or during the present emergency.
The total overseas trade of the Philippines during the first 9 months
of 1941 (the last period for which figures are available) amounted to
$245,532,635. Included in this figure is the value of gold and silver
exports ($38,542,914), nearly all of which came to the United States.
Trade with the United States and Territories amounted to $203,526,409,
or approximately 83 percent of the islands’ total trade. The Philippines
purchased from the United States merchandise valued at
$90,113,868, thus occupying seventh place as a customer of the
United States, as compared with ninth place in 1940. In this respect
the islands were outranked by the United Kingdom, Canada, Union of
South Africa, Egypt, Mexico, and Brazil, in the order named. Philip274
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
pine shipments to the United States, including gold and silver,
amounted to $113,412,541, or nearly 85 percent of the total exports,
The above figures reveal that, despite prevailing war conditions, had
trade continued uninterrupted and at the same ratio for the full 12
months, the total external trade of the Philippines for the year 1941
would have exceeded that of the record year of 1929 by $12,469,335,
or nearly 4 percent. It should be noted, however, that there would
have been only a slight gain of $1,647,973 in imports. The increase
of $10,821,362 in exports would have been due entirely to the increased
production of gold and silver, which rose from $3,300,393 in 1929 to
an estimated figure of $51,390,552 in 1941.
Lack of shipping, excessive freight and insurance rates, tightening
of export control and the dislocation of trade due to war conditions in
Europe continued during the first 5 months of the period under review
to hamper the normal interchange of merchandise. During the 3
months, July-September 1941, Philippine exports to Asia and Oceania,
which in pert had compensated for loss of trade with Europe, showed
a decline of almost 22 percent compared with the corresponding period
of 1940. The explanation for this is found in the fact that, due to the
freezing of her assets, Japan’s purchases for the same period had fallen
from $2,312,985 for the same quarter in 1940 to $878,388 in 1941. On
the other hand, the increased demand for war materials in the United
States more than offset this loss, so that in September 1941, the
American market absorbed more than 93 percent of all the products
exported by the Philippines. Had it been possible to ship a substantial
tonnage of the sugar held in Philippine ports because of lack
of shipping space, the United States would have had a virtual monopoly
of the Philippine export trade during the last part of 1941.
At the same time, however, the outlook for Philippine economy was
not promising, especially as represented by the sugar industry, upon
which the government depends for more than 40 percent of its revenue.
The iron ore industry also had lost its best, and practically only,
customer—Japan. Late in October it was reported that, beginning
November 1, the United States Federal Loan Agency would begin the
purchase of specified quantities of certain strategic war materials
such as chrome and manganese ores and form stock-piles in case they
could not be shipped at once. The course of events, however, made
inoperative all measures taken to ward off an apparently impending
economic crisis in the Philippines.
During the year ended June 30, 1942, payments in total amount of
$8,710,030.35 were made by this Division from funds of the Philippine
government. Of this amount $2,086,292.16 was for supplies purchased
in the United States and shipped to the Philippines, $4,109,000 was for
the redemption of Philippine bonds, $1,998,097.50 was for interest on
the Philippine public debt, and the remaining $516,640.69 was for
Division of Territories and Island Possessions • 275
salaries and expenses of Philippine personnel in the United States,
pensions to retired Philippine employees, and other miscellaneous
items. The interest payment on outstanding bonds of the Philippine
government will continue to be met from funds of the Commonwealth
of the Philippines on deposit in this country. No payment of principal
is due until 1946.
As of June 30, 1942, the Philippine Commonwealth had funds in a
total amount of $212,036,221.67 on deposit in the United States,
$210,047,729.54 being with the Treasurer of the United States and
$1,988,492.13 with two national banks. These funds consisted of
$134,169,734 currency reserves, $67,900,933.78 general funds,
$9,950,000 trust fundsand $15,553.89 unexpended balance of funds set
aside for the purchase of bonds.
Included in the amount of general funds mentioned is an item of
approximately $29,000,000 being the proceeds of collections of the
excise tax on coconut oil, which is earmarked for the specific purposes
stated in the Philippine Economic Readjustment Act of August 7,
1939. It is estimated that additional collections to be reported will
raise this amount to approximately $35,000,000.
The United States Treasury Department is also holding for the
Commonwealth silver pesos with a face value equivalent to $315,000,
and gold bullion valued at $1,500,000.
Equatorial Islands
The administration of Howland, Baker, Jarvis, Canton, and Enderbury
Islands, situated in the mid-Pacific Ocean, approximately on the
Equator, continued through the year without any untoward incident
until the outbreak of hostilities on December 7, 1941. A detailed
report on these activities is omitted on account of the was situation.
Puerto Rico Reconstruction
Administration
GUY J. SWOPE, Administrator!
D■ TTP TNG the past year, the impact of war in the Caribbean
brought swift readjustment of several Puerto Rico Reconstruction
Administration operations to meet emergency conditions. Local
production of increased food supplies to take the place of imports
from the States reduced by shipping difficulties became a major objective.
Facilities made available by the long-range program for social
betterment in Puerto Rico were placed at the disposal of the armed
forces. For example, numerous prints of required portions of
PRRA’s aerial survey map of the island were supplied to the Army and
Navy, and the Puerto Rico Cement Corporation plant which was
constructed with PRRA funds has been allocating two-thirds of its
daily production of high quality cement to Army and Navy projects
and a substantial portion of the rest of its production is consumed by
other defense projects. In addition, a butyl alcohol and acetone
plant is delivering its complete production to industries having either
direct or indirect war contracts.
Resettlers on PRRA lands have been moved to other locations in
order that farms and homes they had occupied might be transferred
to meet Army and Navy requirements. First aid emergency rooms
have been provided adequately in the various urban housing projects
and the fullest possible cooperation has been extended to the civilian
defense authorities.
Under the expanded food production program, 175 acres of the land
in the Eleanor Roosevelt Development not occupied by houses and
streets has been planted in rice, beans, corn, and peas; short-term
crops are intensively cultivated under PRRA supervision at the Casi
By Executive Order No. 8888 dated September 3,1941, Guy J. Swope, Director of the Division of Territories
and Island Possessions, was appointed Administrator to serve without additional compensation,
vice Admiral William D. Leahy, who resigned as Administrator in December 1940 when appointed Ambassador
to France. Miles H. Fairbank, Assistant Administrator, who had been interim Acting Administrator,
resigned and was succeeded December 1, 1941, as Assistant Administrator in active charge of work in
the field by Guillermo Esteves.
276
Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration • 277
taner and American Suppliers projects, and in the Lafayette District.
Further, it is anticipated that at least 2,000 additional acres will be
devoted to food production during the next fiscal year as the result of
construction of about 600 small rural houses authorized by the President
on previously undeveloped PRRA lands.
Funds Available
Contrasted with an aggregate of $69,904,000 in relief funds made
available to the PRRA during the previous 6 years of its existence,
the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration has had only $1,428,-
891 available for expenditure during the 1942 fiscal year. Of this,
$175,338 represented unobligated balances as of June 30, 1941, from
previous appropriations, was reappropriated by the Second Deficiency
Act of 1941 to complete the purposes and objects stipulated in section
3 of the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act, fiscal year 1941; and
$1,253,553 was approved by the President for expenditure during the
fiscal year from the Puerto Rico Revolving Fund (49 Stat. 1135) for
the following projects:
Housing management, replacement and repairs--------------------------- $186, 000
Lafayette project___________________________________________ 95, 903
Castaner Farm, operation and maintenance-------------------------------- 50, 000
Loans to cooperatives.._____________________________________ 350,000
Eleanor Roosevelt Development______________________________ 450, 000
Administration____________________________ :----------------------- 121,650
Total 1, 253, 553
A summary of the year’s principal accomplishments follows:
Housing Management
The PRRA manages, operates, and maintains 5 low-cost urban housing
projects containing 1,051 family dwelling units, 2,589 homesteads
in its 7 rural resettlement areas, and 3,129 homesteads scattered
throughout the island. Most of these houses are of concrete, and are
termite and hurricane-proof. In addition there are 5,272 small parcels
of land which are leased for cultivation to laborers at nominal
rentals. The Eleanor Roosevelt urban development near San Juan,
containing about 500 dwelling units constructed under previous programs,
was qualified as a defense housing project; construction of 161
additional units, financed by $450,000 allocated out of the revolving
fund was authorized, and 51 of these have been practically completed;
the remaining 110 will be finished in the next few months. Occupancy
as of June 30, 1942, for the urban projects was 100 percent; for the 7
rural resettlement areas 98.25 percent, and for the scattered rural
485482—42------20
278 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
units, 95.17 percent. Total rental collections amounted to $255,290,
with obligations for management, repairs, and maintenance of $142,900,
leaving a gross return of approximately $112,390. With an estimated
reserve of $40,000 for future replacement and repair work, there is a
net return of about $72,390 as compared with $60,000 for the preceding
year.
Rural Electrification
To complete the program of previous years during which the
PRRA expended approximately 9% million dollars for hydroelectric
projects, transmission and distribution lines, $43,318 of the unobligated
balances authorized for use during the fiscal year was invested
in supplies and machinery for the Dos Bocas hydroelectric project.
The Insular Government has provided the necessary funds for the
small amount of work required to bring this important project to full
completion and use.
Forestry
Having no further funds for continued development and protection
of approximately 22,000 acres of land acquired under previous reforestation
programs, the PRRA has practically completed negotiations
f >r transfer of about 5,000 acres to the Forest Service of the United
States Department of Agriculture, and the remaining 17,000 acres to
the people of Puerto Rico for reforestation purposes.
Soil Conservation
To continue progress in soil conservation practices with emphasis
on increased production of foodstuffs, the PRRA had available during
the fiscal year only $12,000 reappropriated from previously unobligated
balances. However, research, field, and demonstration work on
insular, Federal, and private lands was continued.
Cattle Tick Eradication
The PRRA’s systematic cattle-dipping program of previous years
laid the foundation for providing the island with wholesome milk and
meat. To insure insular continuance of the program, the legislature
of Puerto Rico appropriated $150,000, and the PRRA transferred to
the Insular Department of Agriculture and Commerce all of the
equipment formerly used in the work.
Loans to Cooperatives
With $350,000 authorized for expenditure from the revolving fund,
the PRRA continued the supervision, organization, and financing of
Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration • 279
cooperatives. Particular attention was devoted to the vegetable
cooperatives organized primarily with a view to exporting fresh
vegetables to the New York winter market. To save tomatoes, etc.,
which could not be shipped or sold to Army and Navy bases or in the
local markets, small loans were made for the purchase of cans, and
the addition of the canned product to the island’s needed food supply.
Shortage of cargo space for their sugar has added to the problems
of the cooperative Los Canos and Lafayette sugar mills, and because
of priority restrictions, they have also had difficulties in obtaining
equipment needed for increased operating efficiency. However, they
have done as well as could be expected, and the increased supply of
butyl alcohol and acetone by the Lafayette enterprise to industries
engaged in the war program is a source of real gratification.
An insular act regulating the sugar industry of Puerto Rico was
approved May 12, 1942, effective 90 days thereafter. This new law
makes the manufacture, processing, and refining of sugar in Puerto
Rico a public service enterprise, subject to the control of the Insular
Public Service Commission as to rates, profits, zone of operations,
etc. It is too early to speculate as to the possible effect of this
legislation on the two sugar mill cooperatives financed by the PRRA.
The Puerto Rico Rug Cooperative, which obtained an additional
loan of $10,000 in the fall of 1941, and which from October last to the
first of June this year had shipped and sold nearly 114,000 rag and
string rugs for about $55,500, will now have to reduce operations and
confine itself to the local market until shipping conditions are improved.
An additional loan of $75,000 was made to the Puerto Rico Cotton
Growers’ Marketing Cooperative in July 1941 to finance its rapidly
expanding operations. For the first 5 months of the season members
in the southern district of the island had already delivered to the gin
more than twice the amount of the previous year’s production, and
it is expected that the northern district also will surpass all previous
records in cotton weight and quality. The cooperative has a contract
with the Commodity Credit Corporation for special cotton
required in the war program.
The Sociedad Agricola de Puerto Rico, organized in 1939 principally
to purchase farm supplies (particularly fertilizer), for members
who now number about 1,700, obtained an additional PRRA loan
of $190,000 in February 1942, partly to finance acquisition of a
chemical fertilizer mixing plant, partly for necessary operating capital.
Rural Rehabilitation
No Federal funds were made available for the broad program of
rural rehabilitation which formerly had been one of the most impor280
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
tant PRRA activities. However, through $81,200 appropriated to
the PRRA by the insular legislature, operation of PRRA’S Central
Service Farms was resumed and substantial rehabilitation work in
the rural resettlement projects was continued. With emphasis on
increased production of food crops on approximately 12,000 acres
already in cultivation by PRRA resettlers, 500 additional acres of
seedbeds were planted in bananas, plantains, yams, corn, rice, beans
and various other vegetables. In a coordinated program with the
Work Projects Administration, the PRRA furnished technical
direction, land, work animals, agricultural implements, warehouse
and other facilities, and the Work Projects Administration furnished
labor, fertilizers, insecticides, etc., for planting 300 acres of seedbeds
in grains and tubers to be turned over to the WPA for its planting
and school-lunch programs. Like activities, including repairs and
upkeep of roads, waterworks and buildings in PRRA resettlement
areas, as well as operation of Central Service Farms and the furnishing
of technical advice and help to resettlers in their production
of food crops so badly needed in the island, will be financed during
the fiscal year 1943 by $50,000 appropriated by the insular legislature
and $82,900 approved for expenditure from the revolving fund
Conclusion
The tremendous amount of unemployment which principally
motivated the establishment of the PRRA does not appear in as
bold outline as it did 7 years ago, but the problem of a dense and
ever-increasing population forced to wrest a livelihood, mainly by
agriculture, from exceedingly limited resources, still remains. Recent
financing of the PRRA and the $1,150,380 authorized for expenditure
out of the revolving fund for the fiscal year 1943 is barely sufficient
temporarily to protect Investments of the Government valued at
approximately $20,000,000 produced by previous PRRA programs,
and to conserve some of the social and economic progress which
would be completely lost if the program were entirely terminated.
Unless the present Revolving Fund Act is amended by legislation
(S. 1358) which has long been pending in the Senate so that receipts
from projects financed out of the revolving fund (as present PRRA
projects are financed), shall go back into the revolving fund, that
fund will soon be exhausted. Then either the PRRA will have to
be liquidated, or continuation of its most necessary activities either
by the PRRA or by some other agency qualified to do the work,
will have to be financed by direct Federal appropriations. It is also
to be borne in mind that when the war is over, or sooner if Army and
Navy projects now under way are completed, the unemployment
problem somewhat alleviated by those activities, will again become
Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration • 281
acute. Inevitably then by reason of the insufficiency of the island’s
peculiar economy, consideration again will have to be given as to
whether mere palliative relief should be afforded, or whether in the
light of the PRRA’s experience, relief or other Federal expenditures
should'not be devoted to projects with long range reconstruction
possibilities. The contributions which the PRRA has made to the
development of the natural and human resources of the island, and
particularly the development of more progressive leadership among
those who have received its help and training, should not be allowed
to go to waste.
Division of Investigations
DALE B. WHITESIDE, Director
T, AHE Division during the fiscal year 1942 rendered substantial
services in meeting requirements of our Nation at war.
Before and since Pearl Harbor, large areas of public lands in the
United States and Alaska were withdrawn by Executive order, subject
to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under
the public land laws and reserved for the use of the War or Navy
Departments as bombing or gunnery ranges, or for other military or
naval purposes. Such use required the clearing of title to the withdrawn
areas which necessitated the checking of thousands of mining
v claim records and the examination of several million acres of land.
In order to serve notice of the proceedings, a search was made for
approximately 10,000 claimants. Numerous hearings were held in
contested cases and thousands of invalid mining claims were canceled
as a result of the investigations.
Services performed for the Bureau of Reclamation included the
appraisal of mineral lands and the examination of mining claims
within the Shasta, Keswick, and Friant Reservoirs of the Central
Valley project in California, the Davis Dam project on the Colorado
River, and the Colorado Big Thompson reclamation project in Colorado.
Similar services were rendered in completing the remaining
mineral cases affecting the Grand Coulee project in the State of
Washington.
A recheck appraisal of a considerable area of privately owned lands
to be purchased in connection with the Cascade Reservoir site, Idaho,
was also made at the request of the Bureau of Reclamation.
The Division cooperated with the National Park Service in appraising
lands to be added to parks and in investigating mining
claims on park and monument lands. The work involved in clearing
title to lands within, the Joshua Tree National Monument in California
proved to be extensive as approximately 8,750 mining claims
were found of record. Adverse proceedings have been directed against
3,900 of these claims and 105 applications for hearing are pending.
282
Division of Investigations • 283
A number of investigations were made for the Office of Indian
Affairs, including a survey to determine the grazing privilege rights
of white stockmen on certain lands within the so-called Ute Extension
Area within Utah Grazing District No. 8. The lands in question
had been purchased by the Office of Indian Affairs in furtherance
of a program to make additional areas available to Indians for grazing
purposes.
A substantial part of the work of the Division continued to be the
investigation of grazing lease applications and renewals, in furtherance
of the program to protect and conserve the public domain.
During the fiscal year 2,899 reports were submitted relating to investigations
of grazing lease applications.
The following violations were investigated on which reports were
submitted during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1942, for criminal
prosecution:
Embezzlement_________________________________________ 4
Submitting false claims against the Government-------------------- 3
Perjury______ L_________________________________ ____ 4
Making false acknowledgments in certificates------------------------ 1
Timber trespass________________________________________ 3
Grazing trespass________________________________________ 2
Forgery_______________________________________________ 1
Cuttmg witness trees at section corners------------------------------- 2
Theft of Government property____________________________ 2
Oil and gas frauds______________________________________ 2
Nine of these violators were indicted during the fiscal year and 10
defendants, some of whom were indicted prior to July 1, 1941, were
convicted.
Reorganization
By departmental order dated January 17, 1942, the Division of
Investigations was reorganized. A Branch of Field Examination was
established in the General Land Office to make inspections, surveys,
or other field examinations. The order also established a staff of
field representatives attached directly to the Office of the Secretary
for the purpose of making such over-all studies and performing such
field examining work for the Office of the Secretary and its various
bureaus as the Secretary shall direct.
Summary
The combined units, on June 30, 1942, consisted of 115 employees,
of whom 23 were on duty at Washington, D. C., and 92 in the four
regional offices located at San Francisco, Calif.; Billings, Mont.; Salt
Lake City, Utah; and Albuquerque, N. Mex.
284 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
The following is a resume of the work accomplished during the fiscal
year:
Type of case
Pending
July 1,
1941
Received Closed
Pending
June 30,
1942
Appraisals (including mining claims)__________________________
Application to purchase timber_______________________________
Color of title______ ... ...___ _____________
580
100
4
15
854
0
28
1, 252
468
0
2
128
2
123
39
129
54
4
0
363
120
11
19
13
38
13
1
352
00
120
0
2
95
73
360
12
5
20, 057
1118
19
57
80
2, 492
479
31
443
2
572
9
132
399
0
11
0
91
2
60
13
32
31
4
255
15
1
166
149
51
198
91
5,580
2108
24
859
1
28
2,899
671
0
3
352
3
296
43
198
363
100
211
4
72
22
56
27
4
289
6
0
166
16
101
124
305
9
15,057
0
0
1
4
10
52
7
0
845
276
3
0
219
1
399
5
63
90
3
11
363
0
97
04
14
17
1
318
9
1
120
0
0
3
0
253
12
1
Contest____________ ______ __________ _______________ ______
Court cases, miscellaneous civil_______________________________
Court cases, criminal___ . ___ _______
Desert entries_______ _________ _____________________________ ...
Five-acre tracts___ ______________ ... _____________ ________
Grazing applications.. .._______ _____________ _ _____ _
Grazing leases_______ ___________ _____ _______________ ____
Homesteads____ ___________________________ ______.....
Indian allotments____ _ _____ _____ ...
Irrigation projects_________ ... ____________ _______ _ ____ _
Isolated tracts___________________ _________ ______ ...
Land classification .... ...
Land exchanges_______ _____________ ______________________
Leases, Alaska___ ________ ______ _ _________ ________
Mineral entries______ . ......... ...
Miscellaneous. ___________ _____ _________ _____ _ . ... ...
Official conduct __________________ _______________ ...____
Oil and gas leases___________________ _ ._ ... . _
Oil shale____ ______ ________________________________________
Oil placer claims_____ _______________ . ____________ ...
Permits___ __ ___________________________ . .
Personnel.. .... ___ ._
Qualification of abstractor______ ____ _______ __ .. ... . . .
Rights-of-way__________________ _______ _______ . _
Selections.. _____ ____ _ ... . .
Stock driveways_________________________________________ _
Swamplands. _________________ _______ _ ... . ... .
Timber cases_______________________ ... .. ...
Timber and stone.. .. . ... ...____ . .. __ . _______ .
Town sites... ______ _____________________________
Trespass, coal ... ___ ... ___ . ... ...
Trespass, fire ____________________ ___________________________
Trespass, gravel___ _ ______________________ _________ _
Trespass, grazing.. ._ ________ _______ ____
Trespass, signboard_____________________ ____________________
Trespass, timber.________ ... ... _____ ______
Unlawful enclosures _ _ ... . _____________ _
Unlawful occupancy_______________ ____ __________________
Total__________________________ . . 5,271 25, 629 12, 722 18,178
Division of Personnel Supervision
and Management
MRS. J. ATWOOD MAULDING, Director
T .. XHE Division of Personnel Supervision and Management has
stepped into the pace set by the emergency to meet the heavy demands
for the recruitment of employees created by new war activities,
heavy losses by personnel transfers, decentralization of bureaus, and
the replacement of men leaving for military service. Nearly 5,500
separations in the Department have been directly attributable to
the war, including approximately 1,500 military furloughs.
Many positions have been filled by promotion from within the
service, in accordance with the established policy, and those vacated
by employees going to the armed services are, of course, filled provisionally
for the period of absence. During the year the bureaus
in Washington requested eligibles for 2,460 positions, and single
requests for as many as 50 or more coal mine inspectors, explosives
investigators, geologists, engineers, and nurses were not uncommon.
Over 200 engineering aides were appointed in response to an open
order from the Geological Survey. These figures do not include
the great number of positions filled in the field through the offices of
the district civil-service managers.
On January 1, last, the Civil Service Commission inaugurated a
direct recruiting system for certain types of qualifications, and the
Department has cooperated in this recruitment program. The situation
with regard to stenographers and machine operators has been
particularly acute, and a large number of these were secured through
the direct recruitment process. There has been daily liaison with
the Civil Service Commission and recently the Commission has assigned
a special representative to handle our requests. There has
also been close cooperation with representatives of the Commission
in the negotiation of war service transfers, both to and from the
Department.
Nearly 17,000 applications for employment have been rated in the
Employment Section, and more than 1,000 applicants interviewed,
285
286 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
not including those interviewed in regard to the forthcoming decentralization
of the Fish and Wildlife, National Park, and Indian
Services. Of employees unable to transfer with these bureaus, 274
have been placed in other positions, and 115 persons have been
recruited for the transfer.
In October 1941, the Civil Service Commission delegated to the
Department the authority to approve all promotions and changes in
status for our own employees. In order to regulate these changes,
the Division set up and distributed to the bureaus a comprehensive
set of qualifications standards for various types of positions.
In accordance with the terms of the Ramspeck Act, there was established
a Departmental Board of Review on Efficiency Ratings,
including one member elected by the employees. Only three appeals
were received by the Board. The Department feels rather proud of
this record since it indicates considerate attention on the part of the
rating and reviewing officers and a well functioning grievance machinery.
Effective March 31, last, the Civil Service Commission
prescribed a revised efficiency rating system. This was inaugurated
in the Department with a course in procedures and techniques conducted
for 300 officers who are responsible for rating and reviewing
the work of employees. The interest shown was commendable.
An effort has been made to stimulate training of various kinds
within the Department, especially as a method of meeting the increasing
shortage of available experienced personnel. The Stenographic
Training Center has continued with increased attendance, but because
of the mounting shortage of stenographers, the program of the center
has been curtailed. Its principal objective now is to make newly
appointed stenographers acquainted as expeditiously as possible with
the Interior Department and its style and form of correspondence
make-up and procedure. The short program does not provide much
opportunity for increasing skills in short hand and typing, but an
effort is made, by means of diagnostic tests, to isolate performance
fardts and to prescribe remedial drills.
The volume of paper work in connection with enlarged war activities
and increased personnel turn-over, as well as the loss of a number of
the Division’s own trained persons, have made unusual demands upon
the Division. The volume has also been increased by the operation of
the automatic promotion law, involving the processing of a large
number each quarter. To meet the situation there was installed in the
Appointments Section a “processing line” type of organization for the
speedy transit of personnel actions for signature. Conformity with
the departmental policy, classification, accuracy, and completeness of
action are now checked in one continuous procedure without involved
routing and resulting delay. During the past year, 39,675 personnel
actions have been handled.
Division of Personnel Supervision and Management • 287
The amendment to the Retirement law on January 24, 1942, extended
the benefits to practically every regular Government employee.
This very desirable legislation has greatly increased the number of
records maintained in the Central Office of the Department, and a
large number of inquiries have been handled in recent months. During
the year there have been 188 retirements—65 for age, 65 for
disability, and 58 voluntary retirements before reaching the retirement
age.
A comprehensive Personnel Manual bringing together all existing
orders and instructions relating to personnel management in the
Department was issued in December 1941. The War Service Regulations
and new streamlined procedures adopted by the Civil Service
Commission have made material modifications necessary, but we consider
the manual a valuable aid, especially to the field officers operating
at long distance. The Personnel Bulletin formerly issued semimonthly
is now issued quarterly in line with the desire to conserve
labor and paper.
An Employee Handbook explaining the objectives of the Department
and the regulations, rights, and privileges of employees has been
issued, primarily for the benefit of new recruits, and other steps have
been taken to assist new employees in making a satisfactory personal
adjustment.
Office of the Solicitor
NATHAN R. MARGOLD, Solicitor i
w¥ W ITH the mobilization of the Nation’s vast resources on a wartime
basis there devolved upon the Office of the Solicitor, the bureau
counsel, and field attorneys, a correspondingly heavy burden of complex,
controversial, and unique legal questions. The necessity for
developing and making immediately available all of the Nation’s
resources, without delay to the war program, within the framework of
the law, with due regard for individual rights and with a minimum of
interference with long-established conservation policies and programs,
created many complex legal problems and presented many legal obstacles
requiring resourceful, expeditious counsel.
Shortly after the start of hostilities with Japan, it became important
to determine what measures would be necessary not only to protect
American and Philippine currency and securities in the hands of
United States citizens and nationals but also to prevent the use of
such currency and securities which might be in or which might fall into
the hands of the enemy or enemy agents here and abroad. After
intensive study of the United States and Philippine laws involved,
especially with respect to Philippine credits in the United States, and
following conferences with the representatives of the Treasury Department
and of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, measures were
devised to accomplish the desired objectives and these measures were
successfully carried into effect by the appropriate civil and military
authorities. Similarly, the same subject has been studied with
respect to currency and securities in other areas, as a result of which
instructions have been issued by the Treasury Department providing
adequate safeguards and machinery for the registration, custody and,
if necessary, the destruction of securities and currency in the event of
invasion of such areas.
One of the important laws enacted by the Congress during the year
directly affecting the Department was the Federal Explosives Act of
i Mr. Margold terminated his service as Solicitor on July 9, 1942, to become an Associate Judge of the
Municipal Court for the District of Columbia. Felix S. Cohen served as Acting Solicitor until August 26,
when Warner W. Gardner was inducted into office as Solicitor.
288.
Office of the Solicitor • 289
December 26, 1941. This is a revision of the 1917 wartime explosives
act and was drafted by the Solicitor’s Office during the preceding fiscal
year. It provides the necessary authority and machinery for the
exercise of Federal licensing and control of the manufacture, distribution,
storage, use and possession of explosives in time of war or national
emergency and is designed to prevent the misuse of explosives by
limiting their use and possession to reliable, experienced and loyal persons
or concerns. Regulations and licensing procedures implementing
the provisions of the act were devised and prepared by attorneys
of the Solicitor’s Office, and promulgated with their assistance.
The decision of the commanding general of the Pacific coast area to
evacuate all persons of Japanese descent from within certain limits
and to relocate them on Government land removed from possible
combat zones resulted in a series of agreements between the War Relocation
Authority and the Department of the Interior. Thousands
of acres of the public domain were required for this purpose and both
Bureau of Reclamation and Indian lands have been made available to
the War Relocation Authority for the construction of housing facilities,
the establishment of self-governing communities under Federal
supervision and for farming and industrial purposes. Agreements
also have been negotiated and methods devised whereby the Bureau
of Reclamation will supply these wholly unique proj ects with water
and electric power for domestic and commercial purposes; it also will
construct irrigation works and provide the necessary facilities and
water. Cooperative agreements between the agencies affected, and
with the Indians, provide for the utilization of Indian lands without
extinguishment of the Indian title to such land or the transfer of
title to any other grantee. Not only will the Indian owners receive
money rental, but also any improvements made upon the land will
inure to their benefit. At least 30,000 evacuees will be relocated on
the Klamath, Minidoka, and Shoshone sites, on lands of the Bureau
of Reclamation; at least 20,000 on the Colorado River Indian Reservation
and an additional 10,000 on the Gila River Indian Reservation.
With the rapid development of the war program and the tremendous
expansion of the armed forces it became necessary to make available
to the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps millions of acres of public land
for immediate use as bombing and gunnery ranges, antiaircraft ranges,
training and recreation areas, and combat bases, and for other military
purposes. Lands already withdrawn and dedicated to a particular
use were also made available for military purposes by the
Indian Office, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service and
Fish and Wildlife Service. The orderly, legal, and expeditious disposition
of the lands so required presented a variety of novel legal
problems. Many apparent obstacles had to be overcome and prac290
• Report of the Secretary of the Interior
tical methods devised—consistent with existing law and the emergency
presented.
An important decision concerning the validity of 174 mining claims
situated in the area set aside for the use of the War Department as
the Muroc Bombing and Gunnery Rango, California, was rendered,
thereby expediting the availability of the area for military use.
Greatly increased demands upon the Bureau of Alines by the Navy
Department for helium gas necessitated the consideration of many
intricate legal problems in passing upon the validity of title to easements,
rights-of-way and plant sites, and in the preparation of contracts
for the acquisition of such lands. A recent appropriation of 4
million dollars, to enable the Bureau of Mines to expand its program
to meet the war requirements for helium will, necessarily, result in a
marked increase in the legal work in connection therewith.
Rights asserted by private individuals under applications filed
pursuant to the sodium provisions of the mineral leasing act to salt
deposits in the Death Valley National Monument, California, needed
for Federal use in connection with the production of magnesium, and
private rights sought to be created by locating mining claims under
the United States mining laws for Government-owned sand and
gravel in Nevada, needed in the construction of Federal defense plants
and housing, were held to be without force and effect.
Yucca, a plant found on the public domain and needed in the prosecution
of the war as a substitute for certain strategic or critical
materials formerly imported from abroad, was made available for appropriate
disposition under authority vested in the Secretary of the
Interior by Executive Order No. 9180, of June 5, 1942, issued pursuant
to the President’s war powers.
Hundreds of legislative matters were presented, vitally affecting the
prosecution of the war. Legislation pertaining to the sudden development
of the Nation’s mineral resources, the rapid expansion of industrial
operations and the resultant demand for increased power facilities
in the Pacific Northwest; problems in connection with the use of
public lands by the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, especially by
the air arms of the services; questions affecting an important source
of food supply, the commercial salmon fisheries of Alaska and the
Pacific Northwest, and many others, required extensive legal
consideration.
A substantial portion of the legal work performed during the fiscal
year affecting the Division of Territories and Island Possessions concerned
matters directly or indirectly connected with the prosecution
of the war. Examples of such matters are: Proposed legislation to
provide protection for persons and property in the Territories and
possessions against bombing attacks; authorizing the planting of
guayule for the production of a domestic rubber supply; authorizing
expenditures for evacuating dependents of civilian employees in the
Office of the Solicitor • 291
Territories and possessions; to permit censorship of communications
with and between the Territories and possessions; to provide benefits
for injury, disability, death, or detention of civilians; questions concerning
the filing of income-tax returns and the payment of the tax
by persons in the Territories and possessions affected by the war;
delegation to officers in the Territories of emergency powers with regard
to the making and modification of contracts; contracts, leases,
and other questions regarding relief and civilian defense in the Territories
and possessions; questions regarding shipping rates and
war-risk insurance on shipments to the Territories and possessions;
proposed legislation establishing a military code for Alaska; question regarding
construction of a military highway to Alaska; orders for the
suspension of toll charges on shipments over the Richardson Highway
for war projects; proposed legislation for the employment of
nationals on war projects in Hawaii; questions concerning the appointment
of nonresident police officers in Hawaii to provide protection
for vital facilities; questions concerning the payment of expenses
of the Hawaiian home guard; questions as to civil jurisdiction
within the naval base at San Juan; questions regarding the sugar
shortage and the suspension of quotas under the sugar act; Executive
order certifying Puerto Rico as a distressed emergency area;
questions regarding applicability of Selective Service Act in the Virgin
Islands; Executive order transferring property in the Virgin Islands
to the Navy Department; contract between the War Department
and The Virgin Islands Co. for constructing distribution facilities
and supplying power in connection with Benedict Field, St. Croix,
Virgin Islands.
A most important patent case arose during the fiscal year covering
a new and useful means of extinguishing magnesium incendiary
bombs by the application of feldspar. Manufacture and sale of the
extinguisher is permitted under regulations which were drafted in a
manner to insure availability of the product at low cost, honestly
represented, and which prevent, insofar as possible, monopolistic
practices.
During the fiscal year the office was required to pass upon many
involved legal problems and to devise methods for the expeditious
utilization of Indian lands, resources and facilities necessary or
desirable in the furtherance of the war program, including the production
of strategic minerals, the marketing of commercial timber,
increased grain and other food production, including forage for livestock
on Indian lands, tribal or allotted, and acquisition by the military
forces—Army, Navy and Air—-of needed areas of Indian lands.
A number of legal matters affecting the prosecution of the war
were presented in connection 'with the activities of the Grazing
Service, of which the following are examples: analyzing the means of
providing recreational areas for civilian and armed war forces;
292 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
analyzing legal aspects of access-road problems, and facilitating withdrawals
for bombing, aerial gunnery or chemical warfare areas;
facilitating transfer of Grazing Service equipment needed by the
armed forces or for other direct war work.
The number of items presented to the Counsel at Large for the
Territory of Alaska was 781, many of which directly related to the
prosecution of the war.
Legal questions arising in the Bureau of Reclamation during the
fiscal year 1942 were largely concentrated on activities related to the
prosecution of the war. Contracts were drafted and negotiated for
supplying power from the Boulder Canyon project and other reclamation
projects to vital war industries. Legal arrangements were made
for furnishing water for war industries, for military camps and training
centers. Land acquisitions required in the construction of power
producing projects were expedited. Authority under the War Powers
Act was utilized to expedite construction of power producing projects
such as Central Valley and Colorado-Big Thompson. Requirements
of the War Department and other war agencies for lands, machinery
and equipment necessitated the preparation and negotiation of
numerous leases and sale contracts. The irrigation program, of vital
importance in furnishing food, forage and fiber essential to the successful
prosecution of the war, continued to present the usual large
volume of difficult legal problems.
During the course of the year the Solicitor, or members of his staff,
appeared before the courts in behalf of the Secretary of the Interior
and other officers in many matters affecting the Department. Counsel
assigned to the immediate office, as well as bureau counsel and attorneys
in the field, actively participated in the preparation of numerous
cases referred to the Department of Justice and, in many instances,
cooperated with attorneys of that Department in the actual handling
and trial of cases. The two most important cases decided during the
year were those argued by the Solicitor before the United States Supreme
Court, in each of which the position taken by the Department
was upheld. The decisions in these two cases, United States v. Santa
Fe Pacific Railroad Co. (Walapai case), and State v. Sampson Tulee,
climaxed a record commenced in March 1933 in which the Department
has been successful in every case before the high court wherein the
validity of departmental action by this Administration has been
challenged. The unanimous decision of the Supreme Court in the
Walapai case affirms the possessory rights of the Indians in lands
which they have occupied from time immemorial, even where the title
to such lands has been granted to a railroad. The Sampson Tulee
case affirms the sanctity of Indian treaties and denies the contention
that such rights must yield to State laws; it is expected to have farreaching
influence in the interpretation of Indian treaties insofar as
they deal with fishing rights in the Northwest. These two cases conOffice
of the Solicitor • 293
stitute a sweeping and significant victory for a minority people against
the claims of a dominant majority, and are evidence of the sacredness
with which the United States upholds its obligations toward the
original owners of the continent.
Other litigation of particular interest included the cases of Dow v.
Ickes and Gilbert v. Ickes, which were finally determined in favor of the
Secretary of the Interior by the Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia, the United States Supreme Court denying certiorari.
These two cases were attempts to compel the Secretary to modify
certain provisions of the Alaska Fisheries regulations. Certiorari
was also denied by the Supreme Court in the case of United States v.
Forness, 125 F. (2d) 928, where the Circuit Court of Appeals for the
Second Circuit upheld the position of the Department with reference
to a regulation by the Seneca Tribal Council canceling some 800 leases
in the town of Salamanca on the Allegany Indian Reservation. In
the case of United States v. General Petroleum Corporation of California,
which is presently in the course of trial, the United States is
seeking an accounting of over 3 million dollars in oil royalties alleged
to be due on account of oil and gas produced and sold from Federal
lands. It also seeks to establish the authority of the Secretary of the
Interior to fix, pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of February 25,
1920, reasonable minimum valuations for the purpose of computing
royalty due the United States. Other cases either handled or participated
in by the Department’s attorneys include: Nebraska v. Wyoming
and Colorado, United States, Intervener, pending in the Supreme Court
of the United States; United States v. Orr Water District, and United
States v. Alpine Land de Reservoir Co., pending in the United States
District Court for the District of Nevada, in which the United States
is seeking, among other things, to establish the ownership of unappropriated
water of nonnavigable streams. Important questions of law
concerning the valuation of reservoir and power sites are involved in
the case of United States v. Washington Power Co., pending on appeal
from a decision in favor of the United States in the United States
Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and United States v.
Big Bend Transit Co., pending in the United States District Court
for the District of Washington.
The prepaiation of opinions, decisions and legal memoranda constituted
a very important part of the work of the Solicitor’s Office, and
during the year more than 600 opinions and over 3,000 memoranda
and matters requiring legal interpretation were prepared and disposed
of. The problems presented involved matters of vital concern to the
efficient and lawful administration of the affairs of the Department
and, as has been indicated, included many unique problems growing
out of the war program.
The regulation of the fishing industry in Alaska and certain bills
pending before the Congress seeking to revise the laws regulating the
485482—43------21
294 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
commercial fisheries of Alaska and the Pacific salmon fisheries provoked
numerous legal and administrative problems. The suggested
legislation necessitated extensive analysis with respect to the significance
and implications of the proposed changes in the provisions
of the law and several important memoranda were prepared with
respect thereto. One important opinion held that the Secretary of
the Interior has authority to limit the number of salmon trap sites
which may be occupied in the territorial waters of Alaska by any
individual, concern or combination. The annual revision of the
Alaska Fisheries regulations also required the preparation of legal
opinions by the Solicitor to the Secretary with respect to the aboriginal
occupancy rights of Alaska Indians in the light of the decision
in the Walapai case and, among other things, it was decided that
with respect to areas which may be shown to have been subject to
aboriginal occupancy, fish trap site locations in Alaskan waters may
not be closed to Indians in contravention of established Indian rights.
The revision and preparation of the new Federal Range Code by
the Conservation Division of the Solicitor’s Office, in cooperation
with the Acting Chief Counsel of the Grazing Service, was another
matter of paramount importance. The new code reflects the experience
of the Department in the regulation of the range since the
passage of the Taylor Grazing Act; it clarifies and develops the provisions
of the existing code in accordance with the experiences of the
users of the range; its provisions represent a practical, commonsense
attempt to assure the orderly, efficient utilization, development and
preservation of the vast grazing resources of the Nation.
Approximately 170 laws directly affecting the Department of the
Interior were enacted during the fiscal year. The nature and range
of the subjects covered is indicated by the following list of some of
the more important statutes enacted during the year:
Public, No. 539 (H. R. 6020).—Granting the consent and approval of Congress
to an interstate compact relating to the better utilization of the fisheries (marine,
shell and anadromous) of the Atlantic seaboard and creating the Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries Commission.
Public, No. 151 (S. 178).—Authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to issue
oil and gas leases on certain lands.
Public, No. 586 (H. R. 5394).—To authorize the lease or sale of public lands for
use in connection with the manufacture of arms, ammunition, and implements
of war, and so forth.
Public, No. 381 (H. R. 3019).—To amend the act entitled “An act to prohibit
the manufacture, distribution, storage, use, and possession in time of war of
explosives, providing regulations for the safe manufacture, distribution, storage,
use, and possession of the same, and for other purposes,” approved October 6,
1917 (40 Stat. 385).
Public, No. 624 (8- 2066).—To make permanently effective the act regulating
interstate and foreign commerce in petroleum and its products.
Public, No. 197 (H. R. 4816).—To facilitate the construction, extension, or
completion of interstate petroleum pipe lines related to national defense, and to
promote interstate commerce.
Office of the Solicitor • 295
Public, No. 356 (H. R. 4854).—To facilitate and simplify the administration
of the Federal Reclamation laws and the act of August 11, 1939, as amended.
Public, No. 214 (£>■ 173).—To amend section 61 of the National Defense Act
of June 3, 1916, as amended, for the purpose of extending to Hawaii, Alaska,
Puerto Rico, and the Canal Zone the permission to organize military units not a
part of the National Guard which was granted to the States by the amendment
made to such section by the act of October 21, 1940.
Public, No. 392 (H. R. 5822).—To establish a military code for the Territory of
Alaska.
Public, No. 586 (H. R. 5394).—To authorize the lease or sale of public lands for
use in connection with the manufacture of arms, ammunition, and implements
of war, and so forth.
The reorganization of the legal work of the Department, which
has been in the process of development during the past two fiscal
years, has resulted in a substantial drop in the numerical volume of
routine matters passing through the immediate office, in the elimination
of considerable duplication of effort, and in the saving of much
time formerly expended in routine review. Final disposition by
bureau counsel of numerous classes of matters susceptible of determination
at the bureau level, and the institution of the divisional
system in the immediate Office of the Solicitor, whereby responsibility
for final disposition of certain matters has been vested in the
division chiefs, have made it possible for the Solicitor to devote his
personal attention more fully to matters presenting legal questions
of first impression or of sweeping significance.
The volume of legal work moving through the immediate Office of
the Solicitor is indicated by the following table which shows the
number of recorded items passed upon during the fiscal year 1942:
Requests for Solicitor’s opinions__________________________ 604
Legal memoranda and correspondence_____________________ 3, 008
Legislative matters____________________________________ 1, 705
General Land Office matters_____________________________ 5, 834
Geological Survey_____________________________________ 178
Bureau of Mines______________________________________ 1, 604
Petroleum Conservation Division _________________________ 34
War Minerals Relief Commission___________________________ 12
Grazing Service______________*______________ __________ 178
Office of Indian Affairs_________________________________ 9, 801
Bureau of Reclamation___________________________________ 175
National Park Service__________________________ 721
Division of Territories and Island Possessions________________ 104
Division of Investigations____ __________________________ 88
Fish and Wildlife Service_________________________________ 167
Bituminous Coal Division_______________________________ 31
Matters handled by Counsel at Large, Alaska______________ 775
Construction and supply contracts__________________________ 134
Miscellaneous matters_____________________________ 113
Total______________________________________________ 25, 266
In addition to the matters directly passed upon in the immediate
Office of the Solicitor, a much larger number of matters were disposed
296 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
of by the attorneys who, while acting under the supervision of the Solicitor,
are directly attached to the various bureaus of the Department,
The office of the Chief Counsel, National Park Service, handled
approximately 20,000 matters during the fiscal year and it is estimated
that at least 3,000 matters were handled in the field. It was necessary
to draft many agreements and to revise various regulations to
facilitate the means whereby the Army has been able to use areas
under the jurisdiction of the Park Service for camp sites and other
military purposes.
The Office of the Chief Counsel of the Fish and Wildlife Service
handled approximately 2,400 cases or items which required legal review
or the preparation of appropriate opinions, documents, or other
papers. The matters referred to this office cover a wide field of legal
problems arising in connection with the administration of the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act, the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, and the
several acts relating to the Alaska commercial fisheries, the Alaska
Game Law, and a number of laws specifically applicable to certain
areas or certain species of wildlife. Functions and duties of the Fish
and Wildlife Service with respect to the administration of the Alaska
commercial fisheries and with respect to investigations and recommendations
concerning the commercial fisheries have a direct relation
to the war program.
The volume of public-land litigation and trespass work in the Law
Division of the General Land Office increased substantially during
the fiscal year 1942. Sixty-five cases were referred to the Department
of Justice for appropriate action resulting in the collection of $65,-
205.13, as compared with 31 cases and $47,347.52 collected during the
preceding year. The sum of $35,979.17 was collected in settlement of
trespass on the public lands by administrative proceedings conducted
under the supervision of the Law Division as compared with $27,-
477.50 collected during the preceding year. In the aggregate, the
Law Division of the General Land Office during the fiscal year 1942
received, considered, and disposed of a total of 42,055 items.
During the fiscal year 1942 the legal staff of the Geological Survey
disposed of approximately 2,880 diversified matters. The work related
primarily to mineral leasing operations, chiefly to oil and gas.
Unit plans submitted pursuant to existing statutes necessitated considerable
legal attention. At the present time unitized operations
govern the recovery of 46 percent of all crude oil and 56 percent of all
gas produced from public lands. Legislative reports were prepared
in connection with several mineral bills designed to promote the
utilization of the natural resources of the Nation.
The entire legal set-up of the Solicitor’s Office was seriously handicapped
by a substantial turn-over of the legal staff, caused by military
furloughs and transfers of experienced personnel to important positions
in other agencies engaged in war activities.
Division of Information
MICHAEL W. STRAUS, Director
■R
X XAVING adjusted its activities to meet national emergency
conditions well in advance of the formal declaration of war, the Division
of Information was able to render effective aid during the past
fiscal year by promoting popular understanding of the problems and
aims of the Department in carrying forward the mobilization of the
Nation’s natural resources for victory.
The swift transition from the peacetime field of conservation
operations to that of war endeavor was accompanied by drastic
steps in the curtailment of expenditures. Sharp economies in the use
of postal facilities and paper supplies essential to the war were put
into effect. As early as October 1941, mailing lists hitherto maintained
in accordance with written requests from the public for information
on conservation progress were scrapped for the duration of the war.
Publication of the monthly clipsheet Current Conservation was suspended.
Other publications of the Department and its agencies were
either discontinued or their distribution sharply restricted. Dissemination
of information through press releases was generally limited to
essential subjects connected with the war program.
Discontinuance of these nonwar activities, however, brought no
diminution in the volume of tasks and responsibilities placed upon the
division with its establishment by Congress in 1938; it merely shifted
its objectives from peacetime to war problems. After Pearl Harbor,
the Director served as Director of the Department of the Interior
War Resources Council, and the Division was called upon to assist
in the preparation and distribution of information material setting
forth the Department’s war program for the mobilization of metals,
oil, power, fuel, helium, food, land, water, and timber for war purposes.
During the course of the year, enactment by Congress of the Mine
Safety Act, containing specific directions for publication of findings
brought additional responsibilities to the Division. Facilities of the
Division were opened to the Office of Petroleum Coordinator for War,
and a heavy volume of material was handled for that organization.
Likewise, new activities were created for the Division by placing of the
Office of Solid Fuels Coordinator for War under the leadership of
297
298 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
Secretary Ickes. The Division’s duties subsequently were increased by
the establishment of the Office of Fishery Coordinator by Executive order.
In meeting these responsibilities, the Division issued a total of 1,478
press releases during the year. The increase of 342 over the 1941
fiscal period represented in large measure the volume of informational
material made mandatory under the Mine Safety Act.
Maintaining the organization authorized by Congress, the Division
of Information consists of an editorial branch, a radio section, a
photographic section, and a publications section.
Radio Section
The facilities of the Radio Section were shared by the Department of
the Interior throughout the year with other agencies of the United
States and of foreign governments in the dissemination of information
concerning the United Nations’ war activities. Operating one of the
best equipped broadcasting and recording studios in the country, the
Radio Section rendered full cooperation in the preparation of programs
which, since the Studio maintains no transmitting equipment of its
own, were broadcast through the cooperation of commercial radio
stations of the United States.
Among the governmental agencies utilizing the services of the
section during the year were the Army and Navy, the Office of Emergency
Management, Office of War Information, War Production
Board, Office of Facts and Figures, Office of the Coordinator of Information,
Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, United
States Maritime Commission, War Manpower Commission, Department
of Agriculture, and the United States Public Health Service.
Several hundred programs were prepared for the United States
Army and Navy for use in special training work.
In addition to its work in preparing programs for these agencies,
the section also produced programs in various languages and presented
important speakers for shortwave broadcasts, at the request of
the Office of Coordinator of Information and the Office of War
Information.
In the past year, more than 250 programs concerned with the activities
of the Department of the Interior were prepared by the Radio
Section. Time for these programs was made available at no cost by
major networks and by local radio stations throughout the country.
All in all, a total of over 2,500 stations used these programs from the
Department of the Interior, representing a total number of air
presentations of over 3,300.
Photographic Section
During the 1942 fiscal year, the photographic laboratories and facilities
of this section enabled the Department to carry out its program of
Division of Information • 299
providing service for all its bureaus and agencies, as well as furnish
photographic illustrations pertaining to its varied activities to the
press and other publications. This work included the furnishing of
illustrative material for textbooks, guidebooks, pamphlets and travel
literature requested by many types of educational, technical and
scientific magazines.
Outstanding photographic projects of the year included field work
in a number of western national parks and national monuments, and
a photographic study of the work of the Office of Land Utilization in
Southwestern States. During a visit of members of the Argentine
Congress to the United States in April, a departmental staff photographer
was assigned to accompany this group on its tour, under the
direction of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs.
In addition to its work for the various bureaus and agencies of the
Department, the laboratories and equipment of the Photographic
Section were made available to outside governmental agencies for the
production of material involved in their war programs.
Motion-picture activities were drastically curtailed during the year
with relinquishment of the motion-picture laboratory space to the
War Department for its use in connection with the preparation of special
training films for use in the armed forces and other branches of the
Department. Nevertheless, the section collaborated in the production
of a series of 12 motion-picture films with Spanish and Portuguese
versions for circulation in South American countries, at the request
of the Division of Cultural Relations of the Department of State.
Publications Section
Streamlined procedure to promote speed and efficiency in the production
of printed information essential to the war was put into effect
during the past year by the Publications Section, which serves as the
liaison agency between the Department of the Interior and the
Government Printing Office. A production control system was installed
to insure early delivery of technical bulletins, pamphlets,
statistical data, maps, charts, etc., required by the war agencies of
this and other departments.
At the same time, drastic curtailment was brought about in the
issuance and distribution of informational material not essentially
concerned with the war, through a revision of the publication programs
of the various bureaus and a sharp revision of mailing lists maintained
by the Department. v
Substantial progress toward further economy in departmental printing
costs was accomplished by the preparation of standard forms for
handling routine administrative matters, and the adoption of steps
for the conservation of paper supplies.
Board on Geographical Names
GEORGE C. MARTIN, Executive Secretary
TJL HIS Board is official authority on use of geographic names by the
Federal Government. It decides unsettled questions on form, spelling,
or application of names for use on maps and charts and in publications
by the Government, and considers new names proposed by Government
officers. The Board also serves as informal authority in non-
Government use of place names and gives information on names, and
on location and identity of little known places, on request from Government
and other sources as far as facilities permit.
The Board consists of an advisory committee in which the Government
and some geographic societies are represented, which acts
chiefly by its executive committee, and of an administrative and
investigative unit, the Division of Geographic Names, in the office of
the Secretary of the Interior. The advisory committee, June 30,
1942, included:
W. L. G. Joerg, National Archives (chairman); Lt. Comdr. K. T.
Adams, Coast and Geodetic Survey; Roscoe E. Baber, Government
Printing Office; Clarence Batschelet, Bureau of the Census; James M.
Darley, National Geographic Society; E. E. Carter, Forest Service,
Department of Agriculture; William J. Dixon, Post Office Department;
Capt. Walter F. Jacobs, Hydrographic Office, U. S. Navy; Col.
Lawrence Martin, Library of Congress; W. C. Mendenhall, Geological
Survey, Department of the Interior; Raye R. Platt, American Geographical
Society of New York; Mrs. Sophia A. Saucerman, Department
of State; John R. Swanton, Bureau of American Ethnology;
and Frank E. Williams, Geographical Society of Philadelphia.
The Advisory Committee held one meeting during the year. The
Executive Committee held 16 meetings at which 444 names were
approved. Decisions on those names will be included in a pamphlet
entitled “Decisions of the U. S. Board on Geographical Names
Rendered Between July 1, 1941, and June 30, 1942,” which can be
obtained from the Board without charge when published.
The location by geographic units of the approved names and the
300
Board on Geographical Names • 301
number in each were: Minnesota 106, Alaska 56, California 40,
Oregon 38, Washington 25, Texas 24, Louisiana 22, North Carolina 22,
Florida 19, Arizona 16, Massachusetts 14, New York 8, Montana 7,
Vermont 7, Colorado 5, Mississippi 5, Alabama 4, Connecticut 4,
Maryland 4, Idaho 3, Virginia 3, Bahama Islands 2, North Carolina-
Tennessee 2, Utah 2, Delaware 1, Georgia (Russia) 1, Hawaii 1,
Maine 1, South Carolina 1, Tennessee 1.
The sources of requests for decisions and the number from each
source were: Coast and Geodetic Survey 188, Forest Service 153,
Geological Survey 59, War Department 18, Office of Indian Affairs 15,
National Park Service 5, State organizations 4, Bureau of Reclamation
1, Library of Congress 1.
Interior Department Museum
H. L. RAUL, Museum Curator
Q
K./INCE Pearl Harbor the attendance in the museum has largely
increased due to the influx to the National Capital of servicemen and
new Government workers recruited throughout the Nation. These
visitors find in the Interior Department Museum a graphic visualization,
carefully designed and presented by methods easily understood,
of the history, aims, and the current activities of the
Department.
During the past year, approximately 55,000 persons visited the
museum and visitors from all of the States in the Union were recorded
in the Visitors’ Register. Registrations were received also from
Alaska, the Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Philippine
Islands; also from Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada,
China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, England, France, Mexico,
Soviet Union, and Uruguay.
Recent additions and improvements have greatly enhanced the
popularity of the museum. Pursuant to the order of the Secretary
placing the Department on a war basis, the museum has been augmented
with new exhibit features reflecting the intensified and
enlarged activities of the Bureaus in fields vital to winning the war.
Eight panels based on the war program are shown in appropriate
Bureau galleries under the following title labels: The War Program
of the Department of the Interior; Metals for War; Oil for War;
Power for War; Fuel for War; Helium for War; Food for War; Land,
Water, Timber for War. An illuminated pedestal case, with changing
transparencies, and label text emphasizing the war importance of
every Bureau, has been installed at the museum entrance.
A first-aid animated diorama demonstrating the Schafer prone
pressure method of artificial respiiation, as taught by the Bureau of
Mines, has been installed for public information as well as to assist
the first-aid classes which for months have been meeting in the
museum. A new exhibit, How to Deal With an Incendiary Bomb,
has been installed. This exhibit shows a full-size incendiary bomb
model and cross section with instructions for rendering the effect of
302
Interior Department Museum • 303
the bomb harmless. A new exhibit pertains to the Coal-Mine
Inspections Act under which the Bureau of Mines makes inspections
and investigations in coal mines; another exhibit explains the amended
explosives act governing the licensing, by the Bureau of Mines, of
the manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, and use of explosives.
In the interest of safety, many rare, and original historical documents
displayed in the museum are now provided with replacement
photostat facsimiles.
During the past year the museum educational facilities were
augmented by the installation of three picture projection devices. A
silent motion picture projector shows first-aid and other departmental
films. A motion picture cabinet with sound is in operation
showing important departmental films. The cabinet has been
allocated to the museum through the cooperation of the Bureau of
Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and
the Bonneville Power Administration. An automatic slide projector
with changing series, 70 slides to each program, also features departmental
activities. By order of the Secretary, a similar projector is
maintained by the museum as an extension service for servicemen
at the National Capital Service Men’s Club in Washington.
Upon request the museum furnished Princeton University with
exhibits for use in the university defense course on military planning
and construction and the emergency war course on photogrammetry.
Assistance in scale-model and camouflage techniques was rendered
by the museum to the Army. In addition, the museum during the
year complied with various requests from the Navy Department, the
Department of Agriculture, the Pan American Union, and other
agencies.
Special attention has been given to revisions and additions to the
standing exhibits of the several Bureaus transferred to other cities.
It is realized that with the decentralization of Bureaus to locations
distant from Washington, the Interior Department Museum has an
increased responsibility in making available to the public a visual
representation of the Bureau’s activities during their absence from
the National Capital.
During the year many display cases were redesigned or amplified,
and the Fish and Wildlife Service Exhibit Gallery, comprising 10
display cases and 7 wall niches, was installed. To meet a need of
visiting students of Government procedures, this new gallery was
especially designed to explain in full detail how the actual organization
of a Bureau is accomplished and how its work is performed in all its
functional and regional activities.
The museum cooperated with the Bureau of Reclamation and the
Television Program Department of the Columbia Broadcasting
System in supplying museum exhibit materials for program use.
304 • Report of the Secretary of the Interior
This marked the first time that exhibit materials of the museum have
been shown by telecast and suggest interesting future possibilities.
Among the accessions acquired during the year are included an
additional 512 specimens of the Gibson Collection of Indian Materials,
purchased by order of the Secretary, 1936, transferred by the
National Park Service to the custody of the museum. These specimens
complete the Gibson collection, being supplemental to the Gibson
materials exhibited in 25 display cases located in the main corridor
alcoves. Another important acquisition is the Fish and Wildlife
Service Fuertes Collection, consisting of 50 original paintings in water
color of Birds Common to the United States by Louis Agassiz Fuertes.
Five additional old and rare books on fishes and fisheries have been
added to the rare book collection placed in the custody of the museum.
Two large silhouettes entitled “The Opening of the West” and
“Modern Surveying,” were designed and installed in the General Land
Office Gallery. A colorful and outstanding new exhibit is an Indian
war drum used in the ceremonies of the Iroquois Indian Confederacy
in declaring war upon the Axis nations. Also included are 12 large
dioramas, display cases and other exhibit materials.
During the past year 5 special exhibits were prepared and displayed
by the museum in collaboration with the Bureaus, featuring the
following subjects: Specimens Illustrating Some of the Species
shown in. LT. S. Geological Survey P. P. 146, Part 2, Micro-fossils from
Texas; Scene Near East Base and Antarctic Nocturne, paintings in
oil by Leland Curtis, Antarctic Expedition, 1939-40, Division of
Territories and Island Possessions; Indian Sculptures by Marina
Nunez del Prado, Bolivia, by invitation of the Secretary; Economic
Map of Costa Rica by Carmen Madrigal Nieto; Selected Indian
Materials from the Museum Collections.
Using the facilities of the museum, approximately 400 selected
students from high schools located in States east of the Mississippi
River participated in two student institutes of Government conducted
by the National Capital School Visitors Council. A Teachers Institute
of Government from the University of Maryland also made a
study of the museum displays. Public and private school groups
were given conducted tours of the museum galleries throughout the
year.
INDEX
Page
Bituminous Coal Division___ xvi, 101
Additional data necessary. _ 103
Adjustment of minimum
prices______________ 111
Price adjustment petitions
lessen______ 112
River transportation
problem________ 113
Administration cf regulatory
functions___ ___ 108
Fluctuations in production____________
110
Need of regulation obvious_____
;_____ 109
Regulatory structure
still required_____ 110
Aids planning coal supply._ 102
Coal stocking program aided 104
Compliance under Coal Act. 113
Procedure in violation
cases___________ 115
Cooperation with other
agencies____________ 107
Immediate action made possible_______________
102
Industry strengthened____ 101
Litigation______________ 115
Midland Cooperative
case____________ 116
Miscellaneous________ 116
Seaboard Air Line case. 115
Maximum coal price regulation______________
105
Division investigates
violations_______ 106
Division recommends
amendments of maxi-
. mums to OF A____ 107
OF A aided by Division. 106
Boar d on Geogr ap hi ca l Name s 300
Bon ne vi lle Power Adm in is -
tra tio n ________________ x, 27
Power supply and the future 37
Service for future loads___ 35
New generating capacity
needed_______ 35
Year’s construction_______ 36
Financial statements.37
New facilities energized 36
Year’s operations_____ 36
Year’s power sales_______ 28
Future industrial sales. 34
Page
Bonn evi lle Power Admi ni s -
tra tio n —Continued.
Year’s power sales—-Con.
Market development
emphasized___ _ 30
Other future sales____ 34
Progress of public agencies____________
32
Public agencies’ operating
record_______ 32
Public power market __ 31
Shipyards added to load 29
War market_________ 29
Civ ilia n Con ser va tio n Cor ps . 257
Fish and Wildlife Service. _ 261
General Land Office camps. 257
Grazing Service._________ 260
Indian Affairs, Office of__ 258
National Park Service____ 259
Reclamation, Bureau of___ 259
Fis h an d Wild lif e Serv ic e . _ xx, 185
Alaska fish and wildlife___ 230
Enforcement of Alaska
game law_________ 232
Fishery laws and regulations__________
230
Japanese activities in
Bering Sea________ 232
Pribilof fur seals and
blue foxes_______ 231
Products of the fisheries. 230
Cooperative predator and
rodent control_______ 220
Conserving food and
feed supplies_____ 221
Conserving raw materials
for clothing___ 222
Destruction of food and
property________ 221
Safeguarding public
health__________ 223
Custody of wildlife and fishery
resources in wartime __ 185
Fishery management__ 185
Importance of fish and
wildlife research__ 190
Keeping the public informed_________
191
No time to forget conservation
principles. _ 192
Wartime wildlife management________
189
Federal aid in wildlife restoration______________
217
305
306 • Index
Fis h and Wil dli fe Ser vi c e —
Continued.
Fishery biological investigations_____________
Commercial fishery
management and conservation________
Great Lakes area..
Middle Atlantic
area________
N oth Atlantic area..
Pacific area______
South Atlantic and
Gulf area___
Fish parasites and diseases___________
Fish protection and engineering
developments__________
Management of angling
resources________
Pollution studies--------
Shellfishery investigations___________
Sponge investigations. _
Fishery industries________
Collection and dissemination
of fishery statistics___________
Fishery exploratory investigations_____
Fishery Market News
Service___________
Investigations to improve
the economics
of fisheries______
Investigations to improve
fishery technology__________
Game law enforcement------
Administration of conservation
laws___
Importations and permits
____________
Work of game-management
agents_____
National wildlife refuge program
_____________
Administration and
management-------
Big-game refuges._
Bi#d refuges_____
Harvesting refuge
crops_______
Development of refuges____________
Land acquisition_____
Propagation and distribution
of food and game
fishes_______________
Construction________
Cooperation with other
conservation agencies
Hatchery production__
Page
193
194
197
196
195
196
196
199
200
198
200
198
198
224
227
224
226
225
224
228
228
229
228
212
214
215
215
216
213
212
219
219
220
219
Page
Fis h and Wildl ife Serv ic e —
Continued.
Research on birds and mammals_______________
201
Economic investigations
on wildlife_______ 205
Control methods. _ 206
Upland game birds 207
Waterfowl habitat
studies______ 207
Fur animal conservation
and restoration._ 208
Cooperative research._____
209
Fur-animal experiment
stations_ 209
Wartime use of furs 208
National park wildlife.. 211
Waterfowl and other
migratory birds__ 201
Distribution and
migration records 203
Other migratory
birds_______ 202
Waterfowl situation________
201
W’ildlife-disease investigations_________
210
Wildlife on Indian lands 212
Wildlife surveys and
management_____ 203
Biological investigations
on wildlife
refuges__ 205
Cooperative wildlife
- management
research_____ 204
State biological surveys
and faunal
studies______ 205
Wildlife relationships
to forest
and range___ 203
Gene ral Land Off ic e ____xvm, 129
Fire protection__________ 135
Food, fiber, leather, and
rubber______________ 133
Homesteads, sales, and other
entries___________ 138
Land classification_______ 136
Land exchanges__________ 141
Land grants_____________ 140
Leases and permits_______ 137
Lumber and timber______ 134
Military reservations and
withdrawals_________ 132
Public lands_____________ 137
Receipts and expenditures. _ 141
Recommendations________ 131
Strategic, critical, and other
minerals____________ 133
Surveys and maps________ 136
Index • 307
Page
Geolo gi ca l Surv ey _________xu, 45
Alaskan Branch__________ 50
Conservation Branch_____ 61
Classification of lands. _ 61
Mineral lease supervision____________
62
Field equipment_________ 66
Funds__________________ 67
Geologic Branch_________ 45
American republics___ 49
Military geology_____ 49
War minerals____ ___ 46
Library________________ 66
Topographic Branch______ 53
General office work___ 54
Field surveys________ 55
Mapinformation
Office___________ 55
Water Resources Branch__ 57
Activities carried on for
other Federal agencies____________
58
Cooperation with
States and municipalities
____________ 57
Review of the year’s
accomplishments_ 58
War service_________ 60
Work on publications-------- 64
Gra zin g Ser vi ce ___________ xx, 143
Civilian Conservation
Corps________________ 148
Consolidation___________ 148
Decentralization_________ 143
Equipment_____________ 149
Federal Range Code______ 144
Funds and personnel-------- 148
Grazing fees_____________ 148
Hearings and appeals_____ 148
Job load analysis, audit, inspection,
and training___ 149
Licenses and permits_____ 145
National Advisory Board
Council______________ 144
New uses of public lands. _ 143
Protection of nonuse------ 144
Range fires_____________ 147
Range improvements and
maintenance_____ 146
Range studies________ 146
Range surveys_______ 146
Reseeding___________ 145
Soil and moisture conservation_______________
146
Status of grazing districts.. 149
Western War Resources
Council___________ 144
Wildlife____________ 146
Indi an Affa ir s , Offi ce of . xxi , 233
A vital opinion on the fishing
rights of Alaskan natives. 250
Attitude of Indians toward
the war_____________ 237
Case lost in two courts___ 248
Indian arts and crafts____ 253
Page
Indi an Afe ai rs , Off ic e of —
Continued.
Indian CCC leaves outstanding
record__________ 242
Indians grow food for freedom_______________
241
Indians in wartime industry
and agriculture______ 240
Indian lands used for army
purposes____________ 236
Indian schools adapt curricula
to war training__ 243
Indian Service administers
war relocation center:_ 233
Indian Service assists other
countries___________ 242
Indian Service personnel
hard hit by war_____ 256
Japanese invade Aleutian
homes_____________ 235
Enemy attack expected 236
Indian Service hospital
at Unalaska bombed 236
Lands in heirship________ 246
Medical research_________ 255
Menominees win court
award in swamplands_ 250
National Indian Institute
formally created_____ 251
Activities of the institute
during the last
year------------------ 252
Publication of Handbook of
Federal Indian Law____ 255
Relocation center on Gila
River Reservation_____ 235
Research projects________ 254
Supreme Court reaffirms
Marshall Doctrine_____ 248
Supreme Court upholds Indians’
fishing rights___ 249
Timber production_______ 241
Tribal government in the
war crisis___________ 244
Tribes invest their money in
land__________ _____ 246
Tribes maintain their own
courts and police_____ 247
Victory for the Walapai
Tribe________________ 247
Info rm ati on , Div is io n of ____ 297
Photographic Section_____ 298
Publications Section______ 299
Radio Section___________ 298
Inte ri or Dep ar tm en t Mu -
seu m __________________ 302
Inv es tig at io ns , Divi si on of __ 282
Reorganization__________ 283
Summary_______________ 283
Land Uti li zati on , Offi ce of . xi x , 151
Activities reoriented______ 151
Forest conservation and de-
, velopment____________ 154
308 • Index
Land Utili zati on , Off ice of —
Continued.
Programs related to war__
Soil and moisture conservation
operations_______
Lett er of Tra ns mi ttal _______
Bituminous Coal Division- xvi, 101
Bonneville Power Adminis-
Page
155
152
in
tration_______________ x, 27
Fish and Wildlife Sei vice _ xx, 185
General Land Office___ xvm, 129
Geological Survey_______ xn, 45
Grazing Service_______ xx, 143
Indian Affairs, Office of__ xxi, 233
Land Utilization, Office
of_______________ xix, 151
Mines, Bureau of________ v, 69
National Park Service__ xvn, 159
Petroleum Coordinator for
War, Office of_________ xxv
Power, Division of_______ xi, 39
Reclamation, Bureau of vm, 1
Solid Fuels Coordinator for
War, Office of________ xv, 118
Territories and Island Possessions,
Division of__ xxm, 263
Min es , Bur eau of __________ v, 69
Administration__________ 93
Finances____________ 94
Personnel___________ 94
Property____________ 94
Coal and coal products___ 80
Explosives__________ 83
Petroleum and natural
gas_____________ 81
Economics and statistical
services_____________ 89
Coal and coke_______ 92
Data on foreign minerals__
;__________ 92
Metals_____________ 90
Nonmetals__________ 91
Petroleum and natural
gas____________ 91
Foreword_______________ 69
Future work____________ 72
Public information_______ 92
Review of the year’s work___ 74
Safety, plant protection, and
health activities______ 84
Antisabotage________ 88
Coal-mine inspection__ 86
Explosives control____ 87
Health in the mineral
industries_______ 88
Safety work_________ 85
Technological work_______ 74
Exploration of ore deposits___________
74
Metallurgical investitions___________
75
Nonmetals research___ 79
Nati onal Par k Ser vi c e ___ xvn, 159
Additions to the National
Park System__________ 175
Advisory Board__________ 171
Nati ona l Par k Ser vi ce —Con.
Archeology-------------------- 171
Army rest camps_________ 161
Construction work deferred. 168
Cooperation in State park
and related development. 173
Drainage basin activities__ 174
Fish conservation___ ____ 172
Former Director Cammerer
honored_________ 179
International cooperation in
conservation-...._ __ 175
Interpretation___________ 170
Loss of Civilian Conservation
Corps camps______ 168
Master plans____________ 169
Museums---- ------------------ 170
Officials receive Pugsley
awards_____________ 179
On guard in the Nation’s
forests__________ 167
Parkways.______________ 169
Personnel changes________ 180
Problems of protection growing
out of the war____ 164
Progress of national park
projects__ 1__ _______ 176
Protection against forest insects
and diseases_____ 167
Protection of cultural resources_____________
166
Public use of historic sites._ 166
Reappraisal of objectives
and classification of areas. 178
Removal of Service’s Washington
Office to Chicago. _ 179
Rest and relaxation for British
sailors _ .-.________ 162
Sanitation and safety precautions______
: ____ 173
Soil and moisture conservation___
____________ 173
Statistical tables_________ 181
Travel Bureau operates on
war basis___________ 164
Travel to the national park
areas__________ ____ 163
War activities of the National
Park Service----- 160
War use of park areas in the
Nation’s Capital_______ 162
Wildlife conservation_____ 171
Per son nel Sup erv isi on and
Mana gem ent , Divi si on of . _ 285
Petr ol eu m Con ser va tio n Divis
ion _________________ 126
Operations of Federal Tender
Board No. 1______ 126
Criminal investigations
and prosecutions_ 127
Pow er , Div is io n of _________ xi, 39
Central Valley project____ 42
General__________________ 42
Hetch Hetchy._•__._______ 41
Power for war__ __________ 39
Index • 309
Page
Puer to Ric o Recon str ucti on
Admi ni st rati on ___________ 276
Funds available__________ 277
Cattle tick eradication _ 278
Forestry____________ 278
Housing management, _ 277
Loans to cooperatives-_ 278
Rural electrification___ 278
Rural rehabilitation___ 279
Soil conservation_____ 278
Recla ma tio n , Bure au of ____ vi ii , 1
Central Valley studies undertaken______________
12
Columbia basin investigations
field work virtually
completed___________ 11
Construction results______ 12
All - American Canal
supplies entire Imperial
Valley_____ 17
Boulder Dam supplies
war power_______ 16
Central Valley construction
advanced___ 15
Colorado-Big Thompson
tunnel driven 5 miles. 16
Davis Dam contract
awarded________ ' 19
Deer Creek Dam flushed
on Provo River project_____________
17
Denver laboratory a
crucible of construction____________
14
Field investigations in
full swing_______ 19
Five dams completed. _ 12
Forty years of construction____________
14
Grand Coulee Dam finished___________
15
Marshall Ford Dam finished___________
18
Parker power plant almost
ready for operation____________
18
Palisades Dam authorized____________
19
Rapid progress on Anderson
Ranch Dam__ 17
Two more power plants. 13
W ater conservation program
progresses__ 13
Water made available
for new Yakima land. 18
Page
Recl am ati on , Bur eau of —Con.
Food and forage for war___ 7
In the economic front line.. 2
Irrigation crop returns 35
percent higher_______ 4
Operation of projects_____ 20
Bureau organization being
remolded____ 23
CCC suspended______ 22
Federal investment increased_________
24
Multiple goal pursued. _ 20
Reclamation fund accretions_________
24
Relief to water users reduced__________
22
Six contracts with water
user organizations executed__________
21
Soil and moisture conservation
work continued___
'______ 21
Power gain_____________ 3
Predevelopment studies
started on Gila project 11
Three Japanese relocation
centers established___ 8
Vital structures guarded
against sabotage_____ 8
Soli ci tor , Off ice of the ____ 288
Soli d Fuels Coor di nator fo r
War , Off ice of ________ xv, 118
Ter ri to ri es and Isl and Pos -
sess ion s , Divi si on of xx ii i, 263
Equatorial Islands_______ 275
Philippine Islands________ 271
Territory of Alaska_______ 264
The Alaska Railroad__ 265
Territory of Hawaii______ 265
Territory of Puerto Rico__ 267
Virgin Islands___________ 269
War Reso ur ce s Cou nc il ____ 122
Food for war____________ 124
Fuel for war__ i______________________ 124
Helium for war__________ 124
Land, water, timber for war. 125
Metals for war__________ 122
Oil for war______________ 123
Power for war___________ 123
485482—43----- 22 o



ANNUAL
REPORT
of the
GOVERNOR OF ALASKA
TO THE SECRETARY
OF THE INTERIOR
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1942
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR
Haro ld L. Ickes
Secretary
TERRITORY OF
ALASKA
Erne st Grue ni ng
Governor
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C., Price 10 cents
Contents
Page
Foreword and recommendations............................... 1
Agriculture:
Agricultural experiment stations....................... 2
Agricultural Extension Service........................... 2
Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation (Matanuska
Valley project).................................. 3
Auditor of Alaska..................................................... 3
Aviation and communications:
Alaska Aeronautics and Communications Commission
......................................................... 4
Aviation Section, Territorial Road Board ... 4
Federal Communications Commission........ 5
Mail Service.................................................. 5
Signal Corps.................................................. 5
Civilian Conservation Corps............................... 5
Coast and Geodetic Survey............................... 6
Counsel at large for Alaska............................... 7
Education:
Alaska Historical Library and Museum .... 7
University of Alaska................................... 8
Territorial schools....................................... 8
Engineering projects: United States Engineers Corps . 9
Finances:
Territorial finances.............................................. 9
Territorial banks.................................................. 10
Alaska fund.......................... 10
Fisheries..................................................................... 10
Fur seal service.................................................. 15
Forests........................................................................ 15
Game and fur............................................................. 18
Health:
Alaska insane...................................................... 19
Territorial Department of Health................... 19
United States Public Health Service............... 21
Territorial veterinarian...................................... 21
• ni
IV Contents
Page
Incorporated towns..................................................... 21
Indian Service............................................................. 21
Education............................................................. 22
Native arts and crafts...................................... 22
Social welfare..................................................... 22
Reindeer service.................................................. 22
Construction......................................................... 23
Organization and credit...................................... 23
Communication..................................................... 23
Medical................................................................. 23
Labor: Territorial Department of Labor.................... 24
Mines:
United States Geological Survey....................... 26
Territorial Department of Mines...................... 27
National parks and monuments:
Mount McKinley National Park....................... 28
National monuments.......................................... 28
Public lands:
Alaska Fire Control Service............................... 29
Public survey office.............................................. 29
Public works: Federal Works Agency....................... 30
Roads:
Alaska Road Commission.................................. 30
Public Roads Administration.............................. 31
Territorial Board of Road Commissioners ... 31
Social welfare:
American Red Cross.............................................. 31
Department of Public Welfare........................... 32
Pioneers’ Home...................................................... 33
Social Security Board.......................................... 33
Unemployment Compensation Commission. . . 33
United States Employment Service................... 34
Transportation:
Alaska Railroad.................................................. 35
Steamship companies.......................................... 35
War savings................................................................. 35
Note—Certain details normally contained in this report have
been deleted at the request of the Office of War Information and
the War Department.
Annual Report of
The Governor of Alaska
ERNEST GRUENING, Governor
Foreword and Recommendations
W.« „ ... .. ...... ... .... ...
ending June 30. Prior to December 7 last, there was throughout
the Territory, preparation for defense—the continuation and expansion
of a program less than 2 years old. After December 7,
war. Actual hostilities came to Alaska early in June 1942, when the
Japanese enemy, long intimately familiar with Alaska’s coast, bombed
the United States naval base at Dutch Harbor. Shortly thereafter,
the Japanese occupied the three westernmost Aleutian Islands—■
Attu, Agattu, and Kiska—establishing a new battlefront on the soil
of Alaska. The fate of the inhabitants of Attu is unknown. They
consisted of 54 Aleut natives of the Amerind race with slight admixture
of Russian. Likewise unknown is the fate of the Indian Affairs
school teachers, Mr. and Mrs. C. Foster Jones. While the places
above mentioned are all islands, they are geographically and politically
part of the American continent over which the first action in the war
has taken place in Alaska. Thus Alaska, “the last frontier,” is a first
line of defense—and later, to be hoped, of offense. Alaska has been
attacked and invaded, and both native Alaskans and members of our
armed forces have died in action in repelling the enemy invasion of
North America. Even before this action, Alaska was officially
declared a Combat Zone.
War is revolutionizing Alaska; every aspect of its life is profoundly
affected and destined to be more so. The Territory’s population, its
economy, its daily habits—all are undergoing transformation.
It is to be regretted that a graphic presentation of these changes
cannot be given here. The duties and tasks of all Federal agencies are
greatly increased, while their staffs for a variety of reasons related to
1
2 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 194®
the war are undergoing severe depletion. The inability of five major
Government agencies in the Territory—Army, Navy (including the
Coast Guard), Weather Bureau, Civil Aeronautics Administration,
and Customs Service—even to submit their official chapters for this
report makes clear the necessity throughout of omitting factual relation
of the vital part Alaska is playing in the war, and to omit likewise a
discussion of the impact of war on Alaska and Alaskans. It is to be
hoped that in next year’s report, events will make it possible to go
fully into this now unpublishable and interesting chapter of history.
Agriculture
Agricultural Experiment Stations
At the Fairbanks and Matanuska Stations, projects included
dairying, swine and sheep production, crop rotation, pasture improvement,
grains and grasses, canning peas. At the Petersburg station,
mink, marten, blue fox and white Arctic fox are kept for experimental
purposes, the main projects being feeding, breeding, management
and disease. The use of frozen salmon, flounders and other fish as
the main part of the ration for production of fur is being investigated.
The three stations are cooperating with the Bureau of Plant Industry
in experimental work with test plantings of Kok-saghyz under
the division of rubber plant investigations, with the Northern Research
Laboratory in the introduction of new varieties of potatoes,
and with the Bureau of Animal Industry in the determination of
quality of wool produced in Alaska.
The stations are financed jointly by the University of Alaska and
the Office of Experiment Stations of the Department of Agriculture.
Agricultural Extension Service
This service is closely allied with the experiment station program
and supervised by the same director. Its headquarters are at the
University of Alaska, and field offices are maintained at Fairbanks,
Palmer, and Anchorage. Various homemaking projects among
women are carried on throughout the Territory; dairying, swine,
sheep, and general crops projects are carried on also in the Matanuska
and Tanana Valleys. The 4-H Club work for boys and girls this
year stressed victory gardens and the increased conservation of food.
Extension short courses in gardening were attended by 433 persons.
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 194-2 • 3
Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation
(Matanuska Valley Project)
In June 1942, there were 144 developed colony farms in the Matanuska
Valley, of which 17 were unoccupied and available for new
farmers. New settlers have been encouraged, but they must pay
transportation and finance their farming operations. The land and
buildings may be rented during the first year, after which a purchase
agreement may be entered into, payments extending over a period of
30 years at 3 percent interest. About 400 acres of land were cleared
during the fiscal year by the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation.
The production of Grade A milk has become the leading farming
industry, the milk being sold through the Matanuska Valley Farmers
Cooperating Association to consumers in Anchorage and at Fort
Richardson. The chief crops grown are oats and peas or vetch for
hay; wheat, barley, oats and rye for grain, and a large variety of
vegetables. The approximate total value of crops grown during
1941, exclusive of hay and grain, was about $304,000. In the spring
of 1942, there were about 800 dairy cows, 300 hogs, 1,000 sheep, 100
beef cattle and 2,000 chickens in the valley.
The rural electrification project, under the auspices of the Rural
Electrification Administration, is now operating with a total appropriation
of $213,000. The Matanuska Electric Association, Inc., is
the local cooperative, and has served 184 members to date.
Auditor of Alaska
During the fiscal year, 34,714 vouchers were received, examined
and warrants drawn upon the Territorial Treasurer, representing
payment of the following sums:
Percent
2, 957, 566. 61 100
Education___________________ ______ $615, 789. 88 21
Aid to municipalities__________ ______ 640, 632. 43 22
Welfare and relief_____________ ______ 1, 165, 502. 77 39
Development of Territory______ ______ 258, 766. 10 9
Industrial development________ ______ 132, 398. 21 4
Administration_______________ ______ 144, 477. 22 5
The Territory now employs 334 persons.
Corporations
Forty-five new corporations are qualified to do business in the
Territory: 10 mining, 2 airways, 8 mercantile, 8 nonprofit, 1 cooperative,
1 finance, 3 construction, 1 marine ways, 9 fisheries, 1 transportation,
and 1 printing.
4 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 194®
Insurance Commissioner
Ninety-three companies were engaged in selling insurance; receipts
from taxes and fees totaled $47,589.36.
Registrar of Vital Statistics
With the entry of the United States into the war, many persons
filed delayed certificates of birth and applied for certified copies of
vital statistics records, so that the work of the Registrar greatly
increased. During 1942, 5,697 certificates of birth, death, marriage,
and adoption were filed, as compared with 4,447 during 1941. Certified
copies of records issued totaled 1,642, compared with 794 during
1941.
Aviation and Communications
Alaska Aeronautics and Communications Commission
The Commission is charged with the promulgation, adoption, and
enforcement of rules, regulations and orders to safeguard from accident
and to protect the safety of persons operating or using aircraft, and
persons and property on the ground; provided that such rules, regulations
and orders shall not duplicate or conflict with Federal aeronautical
and communications regulations in force. Radio communication
stations are operated in 20 widely scattered communities; the
operators in many cases also take observations for the United States
Weather Bureau.
Aeronautical operations summary.—The following figures indicate
the growth of aviation in Alaska during the past year:
Number of hours flying time_____________
Number of miles_______________________
Number of passengers flown______________
Number of passenger miles_______________
Pounds of mail flown____________________
During the year, 146,400 pounds of mail
from the States, an increase of 310 percent, and 126,991 pounds were
carried to the States, an increase of 274 percent over 1941.
Increase
over 1941,
percent
10
11
37
43
56
to Alaska
1942
44, 182
4, 932, 868
57, 028
11, 106, 122
954, 026
were carried
Aviation Section, Territorial Road Board
The Territorial Board of Road Commissioners maintains and improves
the aviation fields built by the Territory to aid commercial
aviation. Most of the money spent on new work is matched in part
either by other agencies or by interested persons. The Board of
Road Commissioners also maintains certain telephone lines.
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19f2 ■ 5
Federal Communications Commission
The administration of radio law to all nongovernment radio stations
in the Territory is the function of the Juneau office of District
23, headquarters of the Field Division of the Engineering Department,
Federal Communications Commission.
Radio stations controlled include standard broadcast, relay broadcast,
amateur, ship, ship harbor, coastal harbor, coastal telegraph,
point to point telephone and telegraph, aircraft stations, etc. Also
examinations are conducted lor issuance of radio operator’s licenses,
and periodic inspections of the stations are made.
Mail Service
The transportation of mails in Alaska is under the supervision of
the superintendent of the Thirteenth Division, Railway Mail Service,
at Seattle, Wash. This office exercises supervision over the entire
Alaska service and has immediate charge of all service in southeastern
Alaska and all direct steamship service from Seattle. The Chief
Clerk, Railway Mail Service, at Seward, has immediate charge of the
service provided along the south coast, north and west of Yakutat,
the service over the Alaska Railroad, the upper and lower Yukon
River, Tanana River, Kuskokwim River, and the Seward Peninsula.
Signal Corps, United States Army
The Alaska Communication System which furnishes telegraphic
service t) Alaska is under the Signal Corps of the U. S. Army. Continuous
communication service has been maintained with the continental
United States and the local stations.
In addition, radio telephone service has been maintained between
Juneau and Seattle, between Ketchikan and Seattle, and between
Ketchikan and Juneau. Connections ai’e made with the American
Telephone & Telegraph system in Seattle.
Civilian Conservation Corps
All regular Civilian Conservation Corps field work ceased on the
last day of the fiscal year, when Congress approved liquidation of the
corps. All CCC surplus equipment and supplies will be turned over
to the Army. The Forest Service had charge of GCC work within
National Forests, and concentrated upon work projects which contributed
to the war effort, such as the construction of the Annette
Army Air Field, the development of strategic roads, trails, and community
gardens and the providing of several camps for the armed
forces. A large part of the work accomplished during the entire 9
491981—42------2
6 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19 f 2
years that the corps has operated in the Territory is now of real value
to national defense. Air, sea, and land transportation have been
materially benefited by the installation of docks, floats, and breakwaters,
and the construction of low standard roads, trails, bridges,
shelters, and dog trails. Improvement of sanitation and living facilities
has been made in some Eskimo and Indian villages through the
development of water systems, drainage ditches, sewage disposal
systems, hydroelectric plants, model homes, and street improvements.
Recreational developments on the national forest have received a
tremendous impetus through construction of cabins, shelters, bathhouses,
picnic areas, skiing facilities, and trails.
The Alaska Fire Control Service was in charge of CCC work on
the public domain, and during the past year some 50 villages were
directly benefited through public improvements including community
center buildings, school-houses, boat landings, reindeer corrals, roads,
and trails.
Coast and Geodetic Survey
Close cooperation with the Army and Navy has been maintained
by the Coast and Geodetic Survey during the year, and operations
in the Alaskan area have been predicated upon requests of the military
authorities or anticipation of their needs. Greatly expanded
operations for triangulations, reconnaissance, and astronomic and
geodetic control progressed satisfactorily; detailed information on
tides and currents at various Alaskan points were obtained; extensive
data for the use of air and sea navigators were compiled; eight aeronautical
charts were completed and published; new charts for the
benefit of naval operations were printed.
Sixty-three officers and two hundred and seventy-one men were on
duty during the fiscal year. Surveys were continued in the Aleutian
Islands, along the southerly coast of the Alaska Peninsula, in the
vicinity of Anchorage, in Sitka Sound; the original survey of Raspberry
Strait was completed. Special surveys were made at Captain
Bay and Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Island. Resurveys were made at
Yakutat Bay, as well as Cold Bay and approaches. In cooperation
with the Coast Guard, air photography of the southern coast of the
Alaska Peninsula, sections of Afognak Island and the shoreline near
Yakutat Bay was continued. Three of the Bureau’s survey vessels
were recalled from Alaskan work during the 1941 field season for use
by the Navy.
The Washington office received and registered 44 Alaska topographic
surveys and 37 Alaska hydrographic surveys; 14 topographic surveys
and 26 hydrographic surveys were verified and reviewed. Five new
nautical charts were compiled. The Alaskan series of eight 1:1,000,000
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 1942 • 7
scale aeronautical charts was completed with the publishing of Nome,
Ketchikan, Kuskokwum, Point Barrow and Porcupine River.
The primary tide station at Ketchikan, and secondary stations at
Sitka and Yakutat continued in operation; observations at Juneau
were resumed. Ninety-six bench marks, preserving the tidal datum
planes used in connection with hydrographic and geodetic work and
furnishing initial elevations for engineering work in the locality, were
establist ed or connected by levels at 19 tide stations. A publication
giving descriptions and elevations cf tidal bench marks at 232 points
in Southeast Alaska was issued. Daily density and temperature
observations of sea water were made in connection with tide observations
at Ketchikan, Yakutat, and Jimeau; current observations were
made in Raspberry Strait.
Geodetic parties have been engaged on the extension of an arc
of triangulation from Valdez to Fairbanks, thence to Broad Pass.
Astronomic observations on this arc are in progress.
The Sitka magnetic and seismological observatory continued to
obtain basic magnetic data for the control of magnetic surveys. The
station is particularly w'ell situated for the determination of quakes in
the Pacific, and the University of Alaska cooperated in the collection
of information regarding Alaskan earthquakes.
Counsel at Large for Alaska
The Counsel at Large drafts instruments and proposed legislation,
construes statutes, assists the Department of Justice in connection with
litigation in which the Department of the Interior is involved, and
advises the various divisions of the Department and agencies of the
United States on legal matters.
During the fiscal year, 775 matters were handled. One of the most
important was the settlement of the controversy over the collection
of tolls from truckers on the Richardson Highway under an Interior
Department regulation. The truckers submitted the controversy
without action by stipulation, and the United States prevailed both
in the district court and in the court of appeals.
Education
Alaska Historical Library and Museum
Many valuable donations and loans were made during the year to
both the library and the museum, and seven collections were purchased,
including a group of Attu and Tlingit baskets. A large
painting of Mount McKinley by Sidney Laurence and an unusual
collection of flint artifacts from Kenai were among the items loaned
8 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 1942
to the museum. The Forest Service donated the “Lincoln” carving
from the decaying Lincoln totem pole of Tongass Village, believed to
be the first image ever carved of the Great Emancipator. Visitors who
registered at the museum totaled 8,028, consisting mainly of men of
the armed forces and defense base workers. I University of Alaska
The University of Alaska, situated at College near Fairbanks, is a
land grant college and a fully accredited member of the Northwest
Association of secondary and higher schools. At its twentieth annual
commencement in May 1942, 31 bachelor’s degrees and two professional
degrees were conferred. The 1941-42 faculty consisted of 36
full-time and part-time members.
Four-year bachelor degrees are offered in agriculture, arts and
letters, business administration, chemistry, civil engineering, education,
general science, home economics, mining engineering (with
options in geology and metallurgy), and pre-medicine. Five-year
curricula leading to engineering degrees are offered in civil and mining
engineering, with options in geology and metallurgy. The professional
degrees (C.E., E.M., Met.E., and Geol.E.) are conferred upon
engineering graduates who have satisfied the requirements. Preliminary
curricula, in which degrees are not yet offered, are: aeronautical,
architectural, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering,
fisheries, forestry, journalism, law and nursing.
Short courses, open to all persons without regard to previous education,
were given in 1941-42 in mining, home economics, public
speaking, gardening, business training and anthropology. Mining
extension courses were given to 1,372 persons in various Alaskan
communities during the year.
The Territorial Legislature appropriated $224,400 for the 1941-43
biennium, plus $60,000 for buildings, machinery and equipment; more
funds are urgently needed for construction and equipment of buildings.
The Federal Government also gives the university $50,000
each year, not including the appropriations for the agricultural experiment
station and the agricultural extension service.
Fees charged credit course students included: community fee,
$15.50 per semester; room rent, $10 and $12.50 per month; board, $35
per month; nonresident tuition, $20 per semester. Tuition is free to
residents of Alaska.
Territorial Schools
The Territorial public schools for the education of the white and
mixed-blood children are of two classes: schools within incorporated 1
cities and incorporated school districts, and rural schools located
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 1942 • 9
outside incorporated cities and school districts. Approximately 69
percent of the Territorial fund for school maintenance is appropriated
from the general fund; 13 percent from the Alaska fund, 14 percent
from a $5 school tax levied on all piales between 21 and 49 years inclusive,
and four percent from the Alaska Game Commission (fines of
game law violators), the forest reserve fund, and other miscellaneous
sources. Schools within, incorporated cities derive 20 to 30 percent
of operating costs, as well as expenses of equipment and supplies, from
local taxation; the Territory furnishes 70 to 80 percent of all operating
costs. Rural schools and special schools are supported by the Territory.
Territorial schools are under the general supervision of the
Territorial Board of Education, with the Commissioner of Education
as executive officer.
During 1942, 56 rural and 18 city schools, employing teachers, were
maintained; 6,754 pupils were enrolled. Schools in areas affected by
the defense program had an unprecedented increase in enrollment^
and two new schools at Dutch Harbor and Kodiak were opened.
Engineering Projects
U. S. Engineers Corps
River and harbor 'improvements.—The War Department is charged
with the construction and maintenance of all river and harbor improvements
and certain flood control measures in the Territory. This work
is executed by the Army Engineers, administered through the North
Pacific Division Office at Portland, Oreg., and the District Office at
Seattle with an Area Engineer Office in Anchorage.
The District Engineer also carries out the duties defined by law for
the protection and preservation of navigable waters, involving the
removal of derelicts and wrecks, the consideration of permits for the
construction of bridges, wharves, and other structures in and over
navigable waters, including fixed and floating fish traps.
Finances
Territorial Finances
The fiscal system of the Territory is controlled by laws enacted by
the Territorial Legislature, and is separate from revenues received by
the Federal Government from business and trade licenses which are
covered into and disbursed from the “Alaska Fund” in. the Federal
Treasury. The general revenue act in. effect at this time (ch. 61, art.
IV, sec. 3138, Compiled Laws of Alaska, 1933) and amendments
thereto, impose license taxes for various occupations and industries.
10 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 1942
Alaska has no system of property taxation except for municipal
purposes, but the Territory receives in addition to license taxes a tax
of 1 percent on gross receipts of railroads, 25 percent of receipts of
national forests, and a poll tax for^school purposes of $5 per annum
on all men between 21 and 49. Persons engaged in commercial fishing
are required to obtain licenses costing $1 for residents and $25
for nonresidents. Estates of deceased persons without heirs escheat
to the Territory. The 1919 legislature passed inheritance and profits
tax laws, but thus far very little has been realized under such laws.
The condition of the territorial treasury for the 1942 fiscal year
was as follows:
Net cash balance on hand, July 1, 1941_________ $1, 160. 585. 46
Receipts_______________________________ 3, 797. 863. 23
Disbursements____________•______________ 3, 648. 433. 38
Net cash balance, June 30, 1942_______________ 1. 310, 015. 31
Territorial Banks
Fourteen territorial and four national banks were doing business in
the Territory last year. Supervision over territorial banking institutions
is maintained by the Territorial Banking Board, composed of
the Governor, the Auditor, and the Treasurer of the Territory. Aggregate
banking figures for both national and territorial banks on
June 30, 1942, were as follows: capital, $972,000; surplus and net
undivided profits, $1,464,811.63; deposits, $28,099,866.25. Totals for
the previous year were: capital, $985,000; surplus and net undivided
profits, $1,382,482.82; deposits, $22,110,698.71. Deposits show an
increase of $5,989,167.54 over 1941.
Alaska Fund
The Alaska fund is revenue derived from licenses issued for occupations
and trade conducted outside of incorporated towns, deposited
into the Federal Treasury and disbursed by congressional appropriation
as follows: 65 percent for constructing and repairing roads and
trails, 25 percent for maintenance of schools, and 10 percent for relief
of indigents. The total receipts for the fiscal year were $242,378.40.
Fisheries
Products of the Alaska fisheries in 1941 showed a marked increase
in quantity and value over the preceding year. The increase in quantity
was chiefly in salmon products, while the value of all fishery
products was considerably higher. Production of clams, shrimps,
and crabs decreased somewhat due to wage disputes and the general
scarcity of experienced labor. Salmon products represented about
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19^2 • 11
83 percent in volume and about 93 percent in value of the total fisheries
output in 1941, as compared with 81 percent in volume and 91
percent in value in 1940.
A patrol of the fishing grounds was maintained by 12 statutory and
18 temporary employees, in addition to the crews of 12 vessels of the
Division of Alaska Fisheries and one chartered boat. Airplanes of
the Alaska Game Commission also assisted in the patrol, and 11
wildlife agents of the Commission were deputized to enforce fishery
laws and regulations. Chartered airplane service, insofar as practicable,
was used for patrol and survey work.
Incidental to law-enforcement duties, employees while on patrol
observed the extent and condition of the salmon runs for the purpose
of initiating amendments of the regulations to meet changed conditions
and, when necessary, removed stream obstructions to permit ascent
of brood fish in order to assure the seeding of all available spawning
areas. Ten weirs for counting the escapement of salmon were
operated in representative streams as a means of determining the
ratio ol escape to catch, and of estimating the probable size of the
runs at the end of the succeeding cycle.
The Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as the Chief
of the Division of Alaska Fisheries, was in Alaska several weeks
during the 1941 season to inspect fishery and fur-seal work. A
program for the management of game fish was developed, particularly
in areas affected by the influx of military personnel and defense
workers. At the close of the season, seven public hearings were held
at important fishing centers in the Territory and one in Seattle
regarding regulation of Alaska fisheries. Revised regulations for
1942 were based upon testimony presented at these hearings and upon
investigations of fishery biologists and law enforcement officers on
duty in Alaska. Important changes in the regulations were contained
in the 10 supplements issued after the original regulations were
signed. These supplements temporarily closed a number of trap sites
in southeastern and central Alaska, corrected the description of
certain established locations, granted extensions in the Copper
River and in several southeastern districts, and extended the weekly
closed period in the Chignik area. Also, restrictions on herring
fishing were relaxed in both the Kodiak and Prince William Sound
areas and limited operations were permitted in southeastern Alaska.
The act of June 25, 1938, entitled “An Act To Prevent Aliens From
Fishing in the Waters of Alaska,” became effective on June 25, 1941.
Statistics of Fisheries, 1941
In 1941, 26,178 persons were employed in the commercial fisheries
of Alaska, an increase of 979 over 1940. The total value of Alaska
12 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 194-2
fishery products was $63,439,593, an increase of $26,998,933 over
1940. These figures represent the value of the manufactured products;
it is estimated that the value of the catch to the fisherman was approximately
$15,512,000.
Salmon
The commercial catch of salmon was 108,335,585, consisting of
3,980,911 cohos, 7,567,456 chums, 80,287,617 pinks, 1,126,237 kings
and 15,373,364 reds. This is an increase of 22,481,102 over the catch
in the preceding year, when 85,854,483 salmon were taken. There
was an increase in all species except chums, which show a decrease of
2,512,594 from the 1940 catch.
The catch increased about 81 percent over 1940 in southeastern
Alaska and about 27 percent in western Alaska; the catch in central
Alaska decreased 24 percent due chiefly to the exceptionally poor pink
runs, especially along the Alaska Peninsula and in Cook Inlet. The
pink salmon pack in the central district was the smallest since 1933.
Salmon-fishing apparatus in operation in 1941 included 381 traps,
823 seines, and 4,128 gill nets. Traps caught 54 percent of the salmon,
seines 31 percent, and gill nets 13 percent; lines and wheels took the
remaining 2 percent.
The pack of canned salmon was 6,932,040 cases, valued at $56,-
217,601, as compared with 5,069,343 cases, valued at $31,474,492,
in the preceding year. Red salmon comprised 17 percent and pinks
67 percent of the total pack in 1941, as against 19 percent and 58
percent, respectively, in 1940. One hundred and nine canneries were
operated, 9 more than in 1940; the number of persons employed increased
from 19,666 to 21,994.
Salmon mild-curing in 1941 recovered much of the volume which
it curtailed in 1940 as a result of the war in Europe. Products
consisted of 7,997,898 pounds of kings and 106,900 pounds of cohos,
a total of 8,104,798 pounds, valued at $1,405,816. Eighteen plants
were operated and 1,696 persons employed. The production of
pickled salmon fell considerably below the 1940 output, due chiefly
to the near failure of the red salmon runs along the Alaska Peninsula
and in Bristol Bay. Production amounted to 289,200 pounds, valued
at $39,226, as compared with 811,505 pounds, valued at $90,393 in
the previous year. Fifty-four persons were engaged exclusively in
the industry, as compared with 115 in 1940.
The output of fresh salmon in 1941 was 4,299,747 pounds valued at
$333,118, and the output of frozen salmon was 6,098,757 pounds,
valued at $597,803. In addition, 552,704 pounds of fresh salmon,
valued at $5,379, and 133,763 pounds of frozen salmon valued
at $1,374, together with 10,900 pounds of pickled salmon valued at
$130, were used for halibut bait and for animal feed on fur farms.
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19 f 2 • 13
The production of canned smoked salmon was 1,200 pounds, valued
at $600; dry-salted salmon, 24,632 pounds, valued at $2,441; and
dried salmon, 1,086,000 pounds, valued at $44,040. Byproducts
of the salmon industry amounted to 2,000,000 pounds of meal, valued
at $50,000, and 74,099 gallons of oil, valued at $35,614.
Herring
The production of herring meal and oil increased markedly over
1940 chiefly because of the supplemental revision of the herring fishery
regulations by the Secretary of the Interior and the early settlement
of fish prices and labor contracts in the industiy itself. The revised
regulations permitted a limited operation in southeastern Alaska,
restored the 1940 quotas in central Alaska and allowed unrestricted
fishing outside designated quota areas. The early settlement of labor
agreements enabled the industry to take full advantage of these
changes.
Four plants operated in the Kodiak area and six in Prince William
Sound, the catch in both areas being limited by regulation to 250,000
barrels. Kodiak operators secured their full quota; those in Prince
William Sound were about 33,000 barrels short at the close of operations.
In southeastern Alaska only 24,220 barrels, less than half of
the 50,000-barrel quota, were caught by the three boats fishing in
that area.
The output of scotch-cured herring was considerably smaller than
last year. Of the total output of Seotch-cured herring, 81 percent
was produced in the Kodiak area, 10 percent in the Prince William
Sound area, and 9 percent in the Aleutian Islands area.
For the first time in the history of the industry, the Kodiak area
surpassed Prince William Sound in the production of meal and oil,
producing 50 percent of the total output, Prince William Sound
produced 42 percent and southeastern Alaska 8 percent.
The number cf herring plants decreased from 24 in 1940 to 13
in 1941. Employment was given to 718 persons as compared with
737 in 1940. The total value of herring products increased from
$1,258,071 to $2,461,456, or about 96 percent.
Halibut
The North Pacific halibut fishery officially opened on April 1, under
regulations of the International Fisheries Commission approved March
22 by the United States and Canadian Governments. The most
striking feature of the 1941 season was its extreme brevity: areas 1
and 2 closed on June 30, and areas 3 and 4 closed on September 14.
The quota in area 3 was increased by 1.000,000 pounds, being set at
491981—42—3
14 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19^2
26,300,000 pounds, and area 2 at 22,700,000 pounds. Areas 1 and 4
have no quotas but close with areas 2 and 3, respectively.
Voluntary control measures were again in effect by the halibut
fleet to stabilize the market.
In 1941, 1,142 persons were engaged in the Alaska halibut industry.
Landings of the Alaska fleet, comprising American vessels that land
more than one-half their catch in Alaska or British Columbia rather
than in the States, amounted to 15,984,120 pounds, valued at
$1,552,658.
In addition, halibut livers landed by the Alaska fleet amounted to
173,776 pounds, valued at $60,472, and halibut viscera amounted
to 134,463 pounds, valued at $14,694.
Cod
Cod fishing from shore stations in Alaska was carried on by independent
fishermen in the Shumagin Islands and to the westward,
partly in connection with salmon and herring pickling. The products
amounted to 93,691 pounds, valued at $6,950, as compared with
187,375 pounds, valued at $8,459 in 1940.
Clams
Except for one plant in southeastern Alaska, the entire output of
canned clams in Alaska in 1941 came from the Prince William Sound-
Copper River region. Although the clam beds were apparently in
excellent condition, scarcity of labor, price disagreements, and uncertain
market conditions delayed the start of operations until May
27 and resulted in the smallest clam pack in many years.
The industry employed 234 persons as compared with 550 in 1940.
Products consisted of 22,736 cases valued at -$132,599. The total
“cut-out” or “drained” weights amounted to 272,922 pounds, as
compared with 498,798 pounds in 1940.
Shrimps
The shrimp industry confined to the vicinity of Wrangell and Petersburg
employed 79 persons. Shrimp products consisting of cold-packed
frozen and canned totaled 444,736 pounds, valued at $164,097, compared
with 507,333 pounds, valued at $186,441 in 1940.
Crabs
Crab products were prepared at four plants in southeastern Alaska,
five in Prince William Sound, and one in Moser Bay on Kodiak Island.
In addition, one salmon cannery and one herring plant in the Kodiak
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 1942 • 15
area engaged in experimental king crab canning operations, but no
commercial pack was reported. Employment was given to 231 persons.
Products consisted of canned and cold packed crab meat, crab
meat in bulk and whole crabs in the shell, a total of 284,296 pounds
valued at $103,924, as compared with 316,905 pounds, valued at
$88,533, in 1940. The production consisted mainly of dungeness
crabs.
Miscellaneous
The commercial production of oysters in the vicinity of Ketchikan
was 82 gallons, valued at $289, as compared with 102 gallons valued
at $328 in the previous year. The output of fresh, frozen, and
pickled sablefish was 2,963,963 pounds, valued at $132,810; also
69,149 pounds of livers were valued at $23,840; 51,220 pounds of
viscera, $5,607.
Fur-Seal Service
At the Pribilof Islands in 1941, 95,013 fur seal skins were taken, an
increase of 29,750 skins over 1940, and the largest take since 1889.
Insofar as possible, killings were confined to 3-year old males, with
an appropriate reserve of this age class for future breeding stock.
The computation of the fur-seal herd as of August 10, 1941, showed
a total of 2,338,312 animals of all classes, an increase of 153,176 over
1940.
During the fiscal year, the 60,365 sealskins disposed of at special
sales and at two public auction sales by the Fouke Fur Co. at St.
Louis, Mo., brought a gross sum of $2,349,255.36. The processed
skins were dyed black/safari brown and matara brown.
Also at public auction 640 blue-fox skins and 11 white-fox skins
brought $11,870.50. In the 1941-42 season 829 blue and 5 white
skins were taken.
Nearly all of the byproducts from the St. Paul Island reduction
plant (35,000 gallons of blubber oil, 19,610 gallons of carcass oil, and
747,546 pounds of seal meal) were shipped to Seattle and sold through
competitive bidding, bringing $47,994.38.
Little new construction work was undertaken during the fiscal year.
The St. Paul office building was completed, as was the community
hall on St. George Island. Repairs to existing roads and the construction
of some new extensions were continued on both islands.
F orests
The national forests of Alaska were set apart from the open public
land area between 1900 and 1909 and placed under supervision of the
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, for development under
16 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19f2
policies and methods that will insure continuous forest productivity
and encourage the building of well-rounded, stable communities.
The two national forests are confined to a strip of mainland and
adjacent islands extending 800 miles from the British Columbia
boundary northwest to the entrance of Cook Inlet. The Chugach
National Forest which centers in the Prince William Sound region
and the Tongass National Forest, which comprises the greater part
of Southeastern Alaska, have a combined area of 20,864,000 acres.
The chief administrative officer is the regional forester with headquarters
at Juneau. Subordinate officers are permanently located
at Ketchikan, Petersburg, Juneau, Cordova, and Seward.
All the national forest resources are available for use. Standing
timber can be purchased for the use of local manufacturing industries
and individuals. Land most valuable for agriculture, mining,
industrial plants, and town sites can be patented. Areas needed for
waterpower development, fox farming, and other special purposes may
be leased. Tracts are made available for summer houses, public
recreation facilities are provided, and hunting and fishing are fostered.
Timber resources.—The forests are predominantly a mixed stand of
western hemlock and Sitka spruce with western red cedar and Alaska
cedar in small proportions. The commercial forests extend from
tidewater to an altitudinal limit of approximately 1,500 feet on
the islands and mainland. Because of the prevailing steep slopes,
the forests rarely extend inland more than 5 miles, except along the
valleys of the few large streams. This timber is, therefore, readily
accessible from the sheltered waterways. The total estimated timber
stand is 84,760,000,000 feet board measure of which over 90 percent
is on the Tongass Forest. Although the average stand per acre is
about 26,000 board feet, individual logging units have 40,000 to
50,000 board feet per acre.
Defense activities.—Cooperation with the military organizations in
the Territory has been furnished by the Forest Service, including the
use of established camps, warehouses, floating camps, docks, floats,
rifle ranges, and other equipment. Assistance has also been given in
selecting sites for air bases, barracks, access roads, signal stations,
wharves, etc., drafting work plans and specifications, and eliminating
sites for the construction of cabins, trails, etc., for military recreation
and training purposes.
The sale of timber to individuals and manufacturing industries is
encouraged; 37,972,000 board feet, with a stumpage value of $55,267,
were cut during last year. Settlers, miners, and other residents outside
of incorporated towns may take, free of charge, green or dry
timber for personal use. The cutting is done under rules which insure
the renewal of the forest crop on cutover areas.
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19^2 • 17
The great future forest industry of Alaska is the manufacture of
pulp and paper, particularly newsprint paper. The extensive forests
which are well suited to this use are capable of producing over 1,000,000
tons of newsprint annually in perpetuity. This is more than one-fourth
of the present total requirements of the United States. In addition,
abundant waterpower is available for conversion of the raw material
and the equable climate permits plant operation and tidewater
transportation throughout the year.
A survey of the principal known power sites in the Tongass Forest
reveals a year-round capacity of 800,000 horsepower. A number of
power sites are now in use. All water-power sites are publicly owned
and may be leased under the Federal Power Act for periods as long as
50 years. The regional forester is the Alaska representative of the
Federal Power Commission.
Recreational features are a major resource of the national forests.
The scenery is superb, embracing hundreds of miles of protected waterways
and striking fiords flanked with rugged mountains rising abruptly
from the sea. Wildlife of great abundance and variety populates the
hills, valleys, and waters of this frontier land. The Forest Service is
making these recreational opportunities more accessible and usable
through the construction of trails, roads, shelter cabins at strategic
locations, picnic grounds, swimming beaches and bathhouses, and rifle
ranges. Winter sports are becoming increasingly popular with the
construction of ski trails and jumps, slalom and downhill courses, ski
cabins, and skating facilities.
Lands.—-All national forest lands are classified on the basis of greatest
use. In this determination, community welfare transcends the
interests of individual applicants. If the land is most valuable for
mining, agriculture, industrial purposes or for town sites, the land may
be eliminated from the forest and patented. Lands needed for special
forms of occupancy such as summer cottages and fox farms may be
leased. Individual citizens desiring a home may purchase a home site
not to exceed 5 acres of public land at $2.50 per acre. After 3 years’
residence, to the exclusion of a home elsewhere, they can apply for
elimination from the national forest and patent may be obtained
through the General Land Office. Two hundred three Homesite
Permits are now in effect on the national forests and 267 Homesite
areas have been eliminated for patent. Other special use permits in
effect June 30, 1942, include 515 residences and summer homes, 67 fur
farms, 27 fish canneries and salteries, and 578 miscellaneous, 419 of
which are free permits. Of the latter, 55 free permits authorize the
use of land for agricultural and cultivation purposes. Nearly 100,000
acres and 180 square miles of national forest land are under special
use permit.
18 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 191$
Receipts.—-Total gross receipts for timber stumpage and for the
several classes of land use of the national forests during the last fiscal
year were $78,262. Twenty-five percent of the gross receipts,
$19,566, were turned over to the Territory for schools and roads.
Ten percent of all receipts, $7,826, were made available to the Forest
Service for road and trail building.
Game and Fur
The Alaska Game Commission, composed of one member from each
Judicial Division of the Territory and an executive officer, was created
as an autonomous agency by Congressional act of 1925. It meets
annually to study reports and recommendations from field personnel
and individuals interested in wildlife conservation, and to recommend
to the Secretary of the Interior for final approval and promulgation
the adoption, of regulations aimed to permit the maximum use of
Alaska’s wildlife resources without depletion of breeding stock.
During the past year, a resident biologist spent several months
studying sheep ranges in the Mount Hayes district, and at Petersburg
supervised preparation of an experimental deer range. A wildlife
agent continued observations of the bear-cattle situation on Kodiak
Island. Migratory bird nesting areas along the Kuskokwim and
Yukon Rivers were visited; wolf predations and depletion of reindeer
herds were investigated in the Seward Peninsula area and near Kenai
Lake; 47 Reeves pheasants were released.
Fur farming retained its place as an important industry, with -167
licensed farmers last year. The Commission and the University of
Alaska are cooperating on experiments and operation of the Experimental
Fur Station at Petersburg; mink, blue and white foxes were
the main species propagated with some marten breeding experiments.
Wildlife resources of Alaska are valued roughly at 100 million dollars.
Last year, 608,419 pelts brought $2,280,538.50. Muskrats, ranking
first in production with 511,805 pelts, were valued at $818,888. Beaver
brought $525,453, and mink $333,711. Other furs produced, ranked
according to the total value, were: blue fox, white fox, red fox, lynx,
otter, marten, cross fox, silver fox, wolf, weasel, coyote, wolverine,
polar bear, squirrel, black bear, marmot, and hare.
Wildlife agents apprehended 224 persons for violations of the Alaska
game law; offenders were penalized $5,340 in fines and 1,015 days in
jail sentences.
All game, furs, guns, traps, etc., possessed or used in violation of the
law were seized and forfeited to the Government, revenues accruing
from these sources being divided equally between the Federal and
Territorial Governments.
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19^2 • 19
During the year, 77 registered guides were licensed and empowered
to enforce game law provisions.
Health
Alaska Insane
During the past year 69 persons were admitted to Morningside
Hospital at Portland, Oreg., where, the legally adjudged insane from
the Territory have for 38^ years been cared for under contract with
the Department of the Interior. A total of 1,974 patients from
Alaska has been admitted during this period; 318 were in the hospital
on June 30.
Territorial Department of Health
The‘Territorial Department of Health, which functions mainly by
means of funds provided by the United States Public Health Service
and the Children’s Bureau, is supervised by the Territorial Commissioner
of Health, appointed by the Governor. Its work has greatly
increased during the past year. The possible disruption of ordinary
civilian activities by enemy action and the resulting threat of epidemics
have been considered in planning the public health program.
An extensive program for immunization of all children and adults
against communicable diseases has been instituted; plans for the
protection of town sanitary 'facilities and impro vision of accessory
sanitary installations have been prepared and distributed to all the
principal towns in Alaska. Laboratory facilities have been utilized
on a wide scale by the military forces and private physicians, and a
blood-typing program oi all civilians has been started. All public
health nurses are available for emergency duty in first-aid stations,
clinics, and shelters.
Communicable disease control.—During 1942, 5,474 cases ot communicable
disease were reported, with 393 deaths. In conjunction
with the Division of Maternal and Child Health, an extensive program
of immunization is being carried on. Tuberculosis again led
all other communicable diseases as a cause of death, with 264 from
the 522 cases reported. This compares with 293 deaths and 519
cases reported for 1941. Tuberculosis clinics were held in 19 towns
and villages; 1,382 chest X-rays were taken, and 3,012 tuberculin
tests given.
Reporting of venereal disease is still inadequate, but 188 cases of
syphilis and 663 cases of gonorrhea were reported. Diagnostic
facilities are available in the Department’s two laboratories, free drugs
are distributed to physicians for treatment ot these diseases, and
20 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19
every possible aid has been given practicing physicians, but the
incidence of venereal disease cases continues to increase.
Maternal and child health services.—These services, carried out
chiefly through public health nursing programs in the local communities,
offer nursing sendees and instructions throughout the
maternity cycle, nursing care to the sick in the home under the direction
of a private physician, health supervision, super visional services
to infants, children, adults and crippled children, group health instruction,
health educational services and assistance to physicians in
immunization and tuberculosis clinics, dental care and vision conservation.
During the past year, the 14 established public health
nursing services reached 29 communities, and received local support
in varying amounts. Because of the advent of war, public health
nursing institutes which had been planned were not held.
Crippled children’s services.-—This division administers a program
for the location, diagnosis, hospitalization, and follow-up care of
physically handicapped children. Because facilities are lacking in
the Territory, all crippled children are sent to Seattle for hospitalization;
about 50 were hospitalized during 1942. Of the 353 crippled
children registered up to the end of 1942, 179 were crippled by
tuberculosis.
Public health engineering.—This division assists in the control of
environmental sanitation in Alaska on a territory-wide and local
basis through the application of sanitary science and modern public
health engineering practice. Two additional public water supplies,
at Anchorage and Fairbanks, were chlorinated; three other supplies,
at Juneau, Ketchikan, and Wrangell, plan to install chlorination
plants in the near future. Sewerage extensions in Sitka were completed,
water distribution system extensions were started in Anchorage,
and plans for new water supplies were drawn at Kodiak and
Anchorage. The milk sanitation program at Anchorage resiflted in
the addition of a new Grade A pasteurization plant and 12 additional
Grade A plant-producer dairies in the Matanuska Valley. New Grade
A dairies were built in Kodiak and Juneau; one dairy at Petersburg
was regraded from Grade B to Grade A. Food establishment sanitation
was maintained at a high level in all towns not greatly affected
by defense work; in the boom town, however, difficulty was experienced
and additional personnel has been requested of the Public
Health Service to assist during the emergency.
Public Health Laboratories Division.-—Physicians and other divisions
of the Department are furnished diagnostic laboratory service by this
division, including examinations of body discharges and blood,
bacterial and chemical analyses of milk products and food, and bacteriological
tests of the potability of drinking water. The field
laboratory has been instrumental in the discovery of human carriers
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 1942 - 21
of contagious disease; surveys have been made in areas where sporadic
outbreaks of meningitis, typhoid fever, and diphtheria have been
discovered. Considerable stores of antiserums and vaccines have
been placed at the disposal of the physicians to help prevent the
spread of disease during the present emergency, and a generalized
blood-typing program has been instituted throughout the Territory,
so that physicians may have a known list of blood donors. The
laboratories made 43,275 examinations during the fiscal year, a .95-
percent increase over 1941, when 22,246 examinations were made.
U. S. Public Health Service
The Public Health Service maintains stations at 10 ports in Alaska
to furnish medical relief to sick and disabled seamen, including crew
members of all Government vessels other than the Navy. For the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, the Service reported: 3,608 in-patient
days, 8,422 out-patient treatments, and 851 physical examinations.
The Service cooperates with the Territorial Department of Health in
its program of health activities established under the Social Security
Act.
Territorial Veterinarian
In August 1941, the Territorial veterinarian established headquarters
in Palmer, in order to be more readily available to the farmers
of the Matanuska Valley. He visited eight other towns, made 348
farm calls, tested 958 cattle for tuberculosis and Bangs Disease, and
made many other examinations and inspections. Because the 1941
session of the Territorial Legislature appropriated insufficient funds
for the veterinarian, his activities have been hampered by the lack of
an office, laboratory equipment and means of transportation, but
many animals have been saved that would otherwise have died.
Incorporated Towns
Alaska now has 22 incorporated towns, Unalaska having become
incorporated March 3, 1942. The total assessed valuation was
$45,458,794.30, an increase of $6,134,470.30 over 1941. The rates of
taxation range from 2 to 20 mills.
Office of Indian Affairs
Under direction of a general superintendent, with headquarters at
Juneau, the programs of the various divisions of the Alaska Indian
Service are coordinated and conducted to help the Natives (Indians,
Eskimos and Aleuts) better to adjust themselves to the rapidly
changing conditions of their social and economic order.
22 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 1942
Education
During 1942, 120 day schools and three vocational boarding schools
were operated. Programs of instructions are suited to the needs of
each particular community, some of the primary objectives being to
teach the students to become constructive citizens of their communities,
to aid them in analyzing and utilizing more effectively the
economic resources of their environment, and to give first hand
experience in livestock management, use of native materials in
mechanics and whatever vocational skills are needed to earn a livelihood
in the region. Promising young students who have completed
the necessary training are employed by the Service as apprentice
teachers.
In addition to classroom work, nearly all teachers performed other
duties, including the supervision of native cooperative stores, reindeer
herds, native craft programs, food conservation, social welfare and
first-aid programs. They also operated radio stations from isolated
communities, served as postmasters, game licensing and tagging
officers, and submitted weather reports for the U. S. Weather Bureau.
During 1942, 13 students attended various institutions for higher
training, assisted by educational loans.
Native Arts and Crafts
These activities increased considerably during the year, the total
income to Natives amounting to approximately $216,000, of which
more than half represented skin sewing. Two clearing houses at
Juneau and Nome were maintained to help handle this business.
Many skin and fur products, such as parkas, boots, etc., were sold
to the armed forces in Alaska.
Social Welfare
From an appropriation of $43,000, 1,766 persons, including mothers
with dependent children, physically handicapped Natives, orphans
and neglected children, were assisted during the year.
Reindeer Service
On March 31, just prior to fawning season, approximately 170,253
reindeer grazed tundra ranges between Kodiak Island and the Arctic
rim east of Barrow, an area of 166,000 square miles. Natives owned
130,570 and 39,683 were government-owned. Including families of
the 3,458 reindeer owners, approximately 14,000 Eskimos, Aleuts
and Indians benefit from reindeer as an essential source of meat for
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19^2 • 23
food, and skins for parkas, boots, mittens, sleeping bags and other
cold-weather items. During the year, 25,383 reindeer were harvested,
conservatively valued at $380,745. Cash sales totaled $45,000; fawn
skins, including those sold to the U. S. Army for garments, returned
$13,124.
Construction
War conditi ms prevented the construction of the tuberculosis
sanitarium in southeastern Alaska, for which $250,000 had been
appropriated. Several small projects, including improvements and
additions to the Bethel and Kotzebue Hospitals, were completed.
Organization and Credit
4
The main purpose of organization of the villages is to educate the
people to become self-governing and to follow the procedures practiced
by municipalities elsewhere. Councils of organized villages are
assisted in the operation of loan application and general supervision
is given to all credit activities. Incorporated villages in the far
north have been loaned $80,000 for the establishment of cooperative
stores. Individual loans have been made to 185 members of village
corporations in southeastern Alaska to purchase fishing vessels and
other equipment.
Communication
During the past year, 51 Indian Service radio stations have been in
operation, mostly in isolated regions where radio is the only means of
communication, during most of the year.
Medical
For the 1942 fiscal year, $519,810 was appropriated for medical
relief of Natives of Alaska. This appropriation was administered
by a medical director (detailed by the United States Public Health
Service), assisted by a supervisor of nurses and an associate dental
officer, to provide medical care, hospitalization, public health nursing
and transportation to hospital or physicians for approximately
32,000 beneficiaries of the Office of Indian Affairs in Alaska.
Field personnel consisted of nine full-time and five part-time physicians,
19 contract dentists, 35 hospital nurses, 32 field nurses and
school nurses and 60 other employees, mostly Natives. Seven
hospitals, with a bed capacity of 184, were maintained. Hospitalization
was also provided at 12 private hospitals, and 33 tuberculous
natives were hospitalized at Tacoma and Yakima, Washington. In
addition to carrying on medical and surgical programs in the hospitals
24 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 194%
of which they have charge, physicians made periodic visits into the
field to hold clinics, perform minor operations, etc. Dental services
were given by 19 private dentists on a contract basis, as well as by the
associate dental officer. Approximately 100 communities received
public health nursing services and emergency medical relief, although
11 public health nursing positions were vacant during the year because
no nurses were available. In villages removed from medical
or nursing service, the teachers gave emergency medical care, following
instructions of a physician or field nurse. The efforts of field
nurses have been responsible, in a large measure, for increased demands
for hospitalization and a slight but consistent raising of standards of
living among natives.
A high incidence of crippling conditions exists among native children.
From July 1 to December 31, 1941, the ca^e of crippled children
in hospitals in the States cost the Indian Service $2,345.12.
During the remainder of the fiscal year, the cost of this hospitalization
was borne by the Territorial Department of Health.
Tuberculosis remains the major health problem among Natives.
A survey to determine the incidence of this disease among Natives
was continued during the year in cooperation with the Territorial
Department of Health, and the facilities of the BCG Survey being
carried on by the Indian Service, the Public Health Service and
Phipps Institute. For the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis,
69 beds are available in Indian Service hospitals and also a few patients
are accepted at six contract hospitals. The construction of the sanatorium
at Ketchikan, for which funds are available, was postponed
because of the war.
Labor
Territorial Department of Labor
For the first time in the history of Alaska, the Territory has a
Department of Labor. The Department, created by the 1941 Territorial
Legislature, began functioning July 1, in charge of a Commissioner
of Labor.
The Commissioner’s duties include inspection of sanitary and safety
conditions at all places of employment, regulation of hours and wages
on public works, administration of wage payment laws, enforcement of
the provisions of the women’s minimum wage law, compilation of
labor statistics, recommendation of labor legislation to the Territorial
Legislature, promotion of voluntary mediation, conciliation, and
arbitration, etc.
During the first 10 months of operation, the Department conducted
an employer-employee educational program, through the 127 labor
unions and other organizations, and much good was accomplished.
Report of-the Governor of Alaska, 1942 • 25
Approximately 75 safety anti sanitation inspections were made, but
no legal actions have yet been necessary. At the same time the
inspectors inquired concerning workmen’s compensation insurance
coverage, explaining its needs to employers not covered—usually the
small operators, rather than the large industries. In an effort to
ascertain the number of mining operators who have provided their
workmen with such coverage, questionnaires were sent to 263 operators.
At the end of the fiscal year, 100 operators had replied. Of
these, 48 operators, employing 1,448 men, carried insurance. Twenty
of this number reported id injuries; the other 28 allocated their
injuries as follows: Fatal, 1; major, 12; and minor, 122. Of the 26
employers who classified themselves as “self-insuring,” 19 reported a
full season without injuries. The other seven, including the large
operators of the Alaska-Juneau Gold Mining Co. and the United
States Smelting & Refining Co. at Fairbanks and Nome, reported
injuries as follows: Fatal, 1; major, 109; and minor, 668. These
operators employed 3,101 during the season. Nine small operators
reported under the “no insurance” group.
The Department has enforced the provisions of the women’s
minimum wage law 14 times to date, mostly regarding wages and hours
for adult workers, but no legal action has been necessary. Approximately
$965.48 in wages has been collected for women by the Department.
A series of necessary labor laws for the Territory, as well as a
workmen’s compensation law to be administered by the Department
of Labor, has been compiled by the Department for consideration
by the next session of the Territorial Legislature. Through intercession
the Department has collected $13,857.91 in compensation,
which might never have been received or which might have been
tied up in litigation for many months.
Close cooperation has been maintained with all other Territorial
and Federal agencies in Alaska, as well as with the Federal Department
of Labor. In addition to his other duties, the Commissioner
serves as special agent of the Wage-Hour Division and representative
of the Children’s Bureau, both of the Federal Department of Labor.
In six out of the eight cases for negotiation into which the Department
was called, satisfactory compromises were effected. There have
been only three strikes since the Department was established, none in
1942. A conciliator from the U. S. Conciliation Service came to
Juneau early in 1942 in connection with the cold storage fish industry
disagreement in southeastern Alaska. Inspectors from the Wage
and Hour Division also visited the Territory, and were assisted by
the Territorial Department of Labor.
The law creating the Department of Labor is gravely defective;
these defects were pointed out to the fifteenth Territorial Legislature
26 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19^2
in a special message by the Governor, who stated that he would permit
the bill to become law without his signature with the hope that future
legislatures would amend the act to make it a more satisfactory
instrument.
Mines
United States Geological Survey
The wTork of the United States Geological Survey in Alaska is directed
primarily toward aiding in the development of the mineral
resources of the Territory. This has involved field investigations
in the course of which ah the known productive camps have been
examined, and nearly 300,000 square miles, or about half of Alaska,
has been mapped topographically and geologically. The results of
these investigations are made available to the public in the form of
maps and reports.
During the 1941 field season, the Alaskan branch engaged in 17
projects involving field work and two projects, which though based on
field records, involved only office and laboratory work by members
of its staff. Of the field projects, 12 were primarily for the study of
mineral resources, four were for topographic mapping, and one was
for general administrative purposes and planning future work. Of
the geologic or mineral resources projects, three examinations related
to chrome deposits, two each to nickel and tin, and one each to mercury
and antimony. One project in southeastern Alaska and one
in the Alaska Range, though directed toward general regional examinations,
made incidental preliminary studies of certain other deposits
of antimony, tungsten, nickel, molybdenum, and iron. A general
geological reconnaissance was made of the Porcupine River Valley
in east central Alaska.
The four topographic mapping projects involving field work were
reconnaissance surveys in the Yentna district, aerial photography in
the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, and detailed surveys in the Hot
Springs district and in the vicinity of Tanana.
The principal office activity of the Branch during the 1941 season—•
which is being continued with an increased force—-is the compilation
of aeronautical piloting maps from photographs furnished by the
Army Air Force, largely paid for from, funds transferred by the Army
to the survey. Also, one of the largest office activities of the branch
is the compilation of maps needed by the Army Air Force for its
series of aeronautical charts.
With funds appropriated directly to the Geological Survey, 14 field
projects—42 directly related to mineral resources and two primarily
to topographic mapping—were under way early in the 1942 season.
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19 f 2 • 27
In June the War Production Board provided funds to undertake 15
additional field projects related to the search for deposits of strategic
and critical minerals. Although progress was made in recruiting
personnel, getting equipment and organizing these additional parties,
none were actually in the field during the fiscal year 1942.
Territorial Department of Mines
Territorial laws relating to mining are administered by the Commissioner
of Mines, assisted by three associate mining engineers, two
temporary field assistants, three assayers, and the necessary clerical
staff.
Field examinations were made at many lode and placer properties in
the Territory, preference being given to those containing strategic
and base metals necessary to the manufacture of war equipment.
The Department’s engineers did sampling and large-scale geologic
mapping at prospects that appeared to warrant further development
and assistance given in planning future work. Material was prepared
for a pamphlet on the occurrence of strategic minerals in interior
Alaska that was ready for publication at the end of the fiscal year.
At the four public assay offices in Ketchikan, Anchorage, College,
and Nome, 3,446 mineral determinations were made, of which approximately
30 percent were of strategic and base metals needed for the
war effort. The Anchorage assay office, authorized by the 1941
Legislature, was ready for service in November 1941.
Under cooperative arrangement with the Geological Survey, the
Commissioner of Mines, assisted by an associate mining engineer at
Anchorage, supervised all coal mining operations in Alaska which are
conducted under the provisions of the Federal Coal Leasing Act. The
Commissioner also acted as emergency coordinator of mines for the
War Production Board, regional officer for the United States Bureau
of Mines in administering the Federal Explosives Act, and purchasing
agent for the Metals Reserve Co. for Alaska.
During 1941, 5,988 men were employed in the mining industry, a
decrease of 405 under the number engaged in 1940. Because men
were drafted for military service and because higher wages were
offered by defense industries, a shortage of experienced mine labor
was reported from all sections of the Territory. Due to this shortage,
as well as the difficulty of obtaining equipment and supplies, several
smaller gold properties closed, and operations at larger mines were
curtailed. Few prospectors are active as a result of the demand for
labor at high wages.
28 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 194-2
National Parks and Monuments
Mount McKinley National Park
Mount McKinley National Park, in south-central Alaska, is accessible
the year around via the Alaska Railroad. During the summer
season, the government-owned Alaska Railroad operates McKinley
Park Hotel near the McKinley Park Station, which accommodates
120 to 160 guests. It also operates Camp Eielson, accommodating 50
guests and located 66 miles in the Park on the 90-mile gravel-surfaced
Park Highway, and various facilities including bus service. Landing
fields at the Station and near Savage River serve as bases for airplane
sightseeing trips. Horses are available for hire. During the past
year, 1,700 persons visited the park.
Toward the western end of the park, Mount McKinley rises to an
altitude of 20,300 feet above sea level—the highest mountain on the
North American continent and also one of the loftiest in the world
when measured from base to summit. The park also contains Mount
Foraker, 17,000 feet, Mount Russell, 11,500 feet, many other lofty
peaks and four large glaciers.
Mountain sheep and caribou are abundant in the park, and moose,
grizzly bears, wolves, coyotes and foxes are commonly seen. Rangers
patrol the boundaries by dog team and airplane against hunting and
trapping; 14 patrol cabins are located at intervals of about 15 miles.
Wonder Lake Ranger Station is the base for winter patrols in the
remote western part of the park. Park headquarters and other administration
buildings, including kennels for about 20 sled dogs, are
located about 2 miles from the Station.
National Monuments
The Sitka National Monument, at Sitka, marks the site of historic
battles with the Indians in 1802 and 1804. A replica of the old
Russian blockhouse has been built, and 18 of the finest totem poles
in the world stand in the Monument.
Katmai National Monument, on the shore of Shelikoff Straits,
Alaska Peninsula, is accessible by boat from Bristol Bay and Naknek
River or by trail through Katmai River Valley. It has an area of
2,697,590 acres of beautiful volcanic mountain scenery and steaming
craters. Most famous volcano is Mount Katmai, which erupted
violently in 1912. The “Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes” is a
primary attraction. Wildlife is plentiful, and many Alaska brown
bears range through the area.
Glacier Bay National Monument, consisting of 2,069,760 acres of
tidewater glaciers and imposing mountain, peaks in southeastern
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19 f 2 • 29
Alaska, north of Icy Straits, may be reached only by boat or seaplane,
which are readily procurable at Juneau or other nearby towns. The
locality is valuable from a scientific standpoint to students of natural
history because of excellent opportunities to study glacial phenomena
and vegetation. The region is a reserve for brown bears.
Public Lands
Alaska Fire Control Service
The Alaska Fire Control Service, under the jurisdiction of the
General Land Office, is charged with the prevention and suppression
of fires on the public domain lands of Alaska. During the past year,
the Service worked in close cooperation with the military forces in
the Territory since widespread fires interfere materially with military
operations. Of the approximately 350,000,000 acres of public domain,
an estimated 250,000,000 acres of timber and grazing lands need fire
protection to assure continuance of Alaska’s rich natural resources of
timber, fur, and wildlife. A vigorous educational program in fire
prevention was continued during the year.
Public Survey Office
The Cadastral Engineering Service of the General Land Office is
the congressionally constituted agency having jurisdiction over the
survey and resurvey of the public lands of the United States, mineral
surveys in the same area, and the preparation and perpetuation of the
technical and legal records thereof.
The surveying program which had been prepared for 1942 was
changed to give precedence to requests for surveys deemed essential
in the war program; nevertheless, nearly all surveys involving settlement
claims, homesteads and homesites were completed. Approximately
95 miles of boundaries were surveyed, defining military,
naval and other reservations; 118 homesites in southeastern Alaska
were completed in the field; two townsites including more than 500
lots were surveyed. In the office, 95 plats were completed.
The District Cadastral Engineer represented the Department of
the Interior on a board with representatives of the Departments of
Commerce, Navy, and War for informal consultations on contemplated
withdrawals of public land for war purposes. He was also
appointed officer in charge of investigations to determine the validity
of private claims within military reservations. Many maps, plats,
abstracts and descriptions of lands were prepared in conference with
the military authorities.
30 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19f2
Public Works
Federal Works Agency-
Under the War Public Works program, which aids communities to
provide public works and services made necessary by expansion of war
industries and increased wartime activities of the Army and Navy,
the Federal Works Agency is building schools, hospitals, recreational
centers, water works, sewer systems, powerplants, etc. Twenty-four
of the fifty-three construction project applications submitted have
been approved, and Federal funds allotted, totaling approximately
$1,278,000. Three applications for maintenance and operation
projects were filed, and one, for territorial schools, approved in the
amount of $47,236.
Roads
Alaska Road Commission
The Alaska Road Commission, created by act of Congress in 1905
as a bureau of the War Department, was transferred to the Department
of the Interior in 1932. It is administered by the Governor of
Alaska in his capacity as ex-officio commissioner for Alaska, with a
chief engineer in direct charge of the work.
The Commission constructs and maintains roads, bridges and trails
in Alaska. Construction and maintenance of air fields, telephone
lines and shelter cabins are also undertaken for the Territory. Funds
are made available for the work by annual congressional appropriations,
from the “Alaska Fund,” and from contributions by the Territory
of Alaska and others.
The Richardson Highway was maintained open during the entire
season, and is being improved. The Steese Highway was maintained
in good condition, and the road from Olnes to Livengood is now
surfaced wherever required. The road connecting Anchorage with
the new settlement around Palmer is now in good condition. Grading
and partial surfacing -were completed over 75 miles of the Glenn
Highway, and construction was under way on an additional 30 miles.
It is expected that a passable road will be provided over this route by
November 1942, with some grading and final surfacing to be done
after that date.
The total mileage of roads and trails constructed and maintained by
the Commission since its inception aggregate 10,376% miles, consisting
of 2,267% miles of road, 139% miles of tramway, 1,392% miles of sled
road, 6,353% miles of permanent trail and 224 miles of temporary
flagged trail.
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19^2 • 31
Under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service, the
Alaska Road Commission constructs and maintains roads and trails
in Mount McKinley National Park with funds allotted by the National
Park Service. At the close of the fiscal year the road had been opened
for traffic 88.3 miles, from the entrance on the railroad to the western
boundary. Widening and resurfacing to double-width standard had
been completed over the first 44 miles, and partially completed over an
additional 12 miles. Work on this road during the past season was
limited to maintenance and repair to flood damage. Three miles of
trail were built leading from the park hotel toward Yanert Lakes.
Public Roads Administration
Since 1920, all roads on the Forest Highway System in and adjacent
to national forests have been constructed and maintained by the
Public Roads Administration, formerly the Bureau of Public Roads.
The Public Roads Administration now maintains 249.23 miles of
road in Alaska.
Territorial Board of Road Commissioners
The Territorial Road Board, with the highway engineer as executive
officer, expends the funds appiopriated by the Territorial Legislature
for roads and public works; it is also charged with the administration
of the Alaska Highway Traffic Act, which provides a uniform system
of traffic and highway regulation.
The bulk of the money appropriated goes toward the maintenance
and improvement of existing roads, territorial aviation fields and
telephone lines. Most of the money spent on new work is matched in
part either by other agencies or by interested persons.
Social Welfare
American Red Cross
The personnel of the American Red Cross at military and naval
posts throughout the Territory, supported by adequate staffs, is
engaged in a general program of welfare in behalf of able-bodied
service men, as well as patients of the Army and Navy.
The work of the 10 organized Red Cross chapters in the Territory
has greatly increased during the last year, and training was given the
members in first aid, home nursing, nutrition, home service and disaster
service. All chapters were active in the production of garments
for foreign war relief and for the armed forces of the United States.
32 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 194-2
The nine Junior Red Cross chapters also assisted in the disaster
preparedness and services to the armed forces programs; during the
year 21 territorial and 27 government schools enrolled in Junior Red
Cross.
Department of Public Welfare
Public welfare activities in the Territory, with the exception of the
administration of the Pioneers’ Home and relief expenditures made by
the United States district judges from the Alaska fund, are centered
in the Department of Public Welfare.
Old-age assistance.-—This program is administered on the basis of a
cooperative plan between the Territory and the Social Security Board.
The average grant during the past year has been $29.26. A total
amount of $551,496 was expended for this program during the year,
the number of cases under care on June 30, 1942, being 1,563.
Direct relie-f.—The Territory provides food, shelter, clothing, fuel,
medical and hospital care for the needy, sick and unfortunate who are
not under the jurisdiction of the Office of Indian Affairs, which has its
own welfare department. During the past year, assistance given 923
persons amounted to $54,440.38 for food, shelter, etc., and $84,572.45
for hospitalization and medical care. About $17,000 was spent for
sanatorium care of tubercular persons from the relief of destitution
appropriation in the last year. No other public agency in the Territory
is or has provided such care and the problem is ever becoming
greater by reason of the further discovery of the disease. This
Department pays an average of $115 a month per person over an
average 1%-year period.
While the Department of Public Welfare had no regular medical
aid program available close cooperation with the Department of
Health was maintained in providing both medical care and hospitalization.
Child welfare services.—The Territory has two child welfare programs
: the Boards of Children’s Guardians and Mothers’ Allowances.
In addition, this division in cooperation with the United States
Children’s Bureau of the Department of Labor administers a Child
Welfare Services program, designed to establish, extend and strengthen
services to children throughout Alaska. Federal funds for administration
are available under title V, section 3 of the Social Security
Act, approximating $11,000 annually. During the year 438 children
were assisted, and a total of $51,639.27 was expended.
Defense health and welfare activities.—With the advent of the United
States into the war, the Office of Defense Health and Welfare Service
made three programs available to Alaska: Voluntary Evacuation,
Aid to Dependent Families of Enemy Aliens and Civilian War Aid.
The Department of Public Welfare entered into the first two programs
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19 • 33
in March 1942. Reimbursement is made by the Federal Government
for obligations incurred. The third program, Civilian War Aid, was
awaiting formal Federal legislation with the expectation that this,
too, would be incorporated about July 1, 1942.
Pioneers' Home
The Alaska Pioneers’ Home at Sitka, with its auxiliary unit at
Goddard Hot Springs, had 171 residents at the end of the fiscal year.
Any worthy person incapable of self-support, who has been a resident
of Alaska for 5 years and has no relative legally liable for his support,
may be admitted to the home upon application approved by the board
of trustees, of which the Governor is chairman. This home, wholly
supported by the Territory, has been in continuous operation since
1913 and contains a completely equipped hospital unit.
Social Security Board
The Territorial Director of the Social Security Board, maintaining
a territorial office in Juneau, acts as a liaison between the Social
Security Board and the Department of Public Welfare, and the Alaska
Unemployment Compensation Commission, is responsible for the
operation of the United State Employment Service in Alaska, and
administers the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance feature of the
Social Security Act in the Territory. In addition, the Territorial
Director has been appointed Territorial Director of the Office of
Defense Health and Welfare Services, created by Executive order on
September 3, 1941 to assure adequate health and welfare services
during the national emergency. The functions of this office include
the voluntary evacuation of civilians from Alaska, the removal and
relocation of enemy aliens, acceptance and transfer of community
facilities projects, civilian war relief, etc.
Unemployment Compensation Commission
Employment in Alaska increased steadily during the fiscal year,
both because of the unusual and unexpected run of salmon in the
southern district and because of the defense activities throughout the
Territory. Any substantial increase of employment naturally tends
toward an increase in unemployment compensation contributions
collected, and a decrease in benefits paid. However, a certain period
of adjustment or training and upgrading of workers was experienced
before benefits decreased to an amount comparable to the situation.
It is interesting to note that 69 percent of the benefit payments made
during the 1942 fiscal year were forwarded to workers who earned
34 • Report of the Governor of Alaska, 1942
wages in covered employment in Alaska and now reside in the states.
The amount available for benefit payments on June 30, 1942, was
$2,218,007.82.
United States Employment Service
As the first step in placing the employment services throughout the
country on a wartime basis, an Executive order to nationalize the
various State and Territorial employment services was signed by the
President on December 24, 1941. The Alaska Territorial Employment
Service was nationalized on February 1, 1942, and is now under
direct control of the Social Security Board.
With defense industries increasing and gradually absorbing almost
completely the available supply of labor in Alaska, a change in the
method of recruiting labor was imperative. An Alaskan specialist,
with wide knowledge of the employment labor problems of the Territory,
was installed in the Seattle clearance office to stimulate and
direct the flow of workers from the south to points in the Territory
where they are most needed. The clearance office is notified of the
needs of employers throughout the Territory, and if suitable workers
cannot be obtained in the Seattle area, other areas of Washington and
adjacent States are cleared in attempts to locate the desired number
and types of workers.
A national occupational inventory is under way so that workers
may shift more smoothly from private employment to important war
work. The Alaska Employment Service offices receive from the
Selective Service Board that portion of each registrant’s occupational
questionnaire which describes the registrant’s capabilities; they then
sort and classify the registrants, and interview those who possess
skills critically needed in the war effort. When this occupational
inventory is completed, the Service will have a comprehensive record
of all manpower in the Territory.
The total active file of the Alaskan offices on June 30, 1942, was 486,
compared with 1,149 in 1941, and 1,621 in 1940, indicating the rapidly
declining unemployment. Of the 486 persons on the active file, many
are actually employed but desire a change, and many are physically
handicapped, aged or extremely youthful. During 1942, 8,083 new
applications for work were taken. Placements numbered 10,133,
compared with 8,507 during 1941.
The Service continues to be a claims-taking office for the Unemployment
Compensation Commission of Alaska, and during the year handled
1,646 initial claims and 8,776 continued claims. In connection
with this claims-taking, the local offices keep an active registration on
file of each claimant and endeavor to find him suitable work.
Report of the Governor of Alaska, 19f2 • 35
Transportation
The Alaska Railroad
The Alaska Railroad operated 500.8 miles of line the year around,
furnishing passenger and freight service between Seward and Fairbanks,
and on branch lines serving the Matanuska and Nenana coal
fields.
The passenger train schedule in effect during the summer of 1941
provided for three round trips weekly between Seward and Fairbanks,
one weekly between Fairbanks and McKinley Park and one every two
weeks between Fairbanks and Nenana. No regular schedule was
maintained from September until January, when a weekly trip between
Anchorage and Fairbanks was made. Beginning April 24, three round
trips weekly were made between Seward and Anchorage.
Both passenger traffic and freight tonnage showed substantial increases
over last year. A new freight house was built at Anchorage,
and a new concrete depot and general office building is under construction
there. A dormitory and mess house were completed at Eska
Coal Mine.
River boat service was maintained during the season of river navigation
from Nenana to Tanana, Ruby, Holy Cross, and Marshall.
Steamship Companies
Alaska was served during the year by five steamship companies.
The Alaska Steamship Co. operated ships from Seattle to southeastern
Alaska ports, as well as to Kodiak and Seward. The Northland Transportation
Co. and the Alaska Transportation Co. of Seattle, the
Canadian National Steamships of Vancouver, B. C., and the Canadian
Pacific Railway Co. of Victoria, B. C., operated ships on regular schedules
from Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria to southeastern Alaskan
ports,
War Savings
In October 1941, the Governor was appointed Administrator of War
Savings in Alaska, to have charge of the program of bond purchases for
national defense. From July 1941, when Series E bond was placed on
sale in Alaska, through December 1941, only $436,050 of bonds of this
series had been sold in the entire Territory, an average of $72,673.33
monthly. A territorial committee and volunteer local committees for
the promotion of War Savings bonds in every major community were
organized, and a deputy administrator was appointed to undertake
active conduct of the program. As a result, the sales of Series E bonds
alone during the first 6 months of 1942 totaled $2,510,716.50—a
monthly average of $418,452.75, and nearly six times the amount purchased
during the preceding 6 months.
o

ANNUAL
REPORT
of the
GOVERNOR OF HAWAII
TO THE SECRETARY
O F TH E I NTE RIOR
SCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1942
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR
Haro ld L. Ickes
Secretary
TERRITORY OF
HAWAII
Jose ph B. Poi nd ext er
Governor
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C., Price 10 cents
Contents
Page
Agricultural Adjustment Administration....................... 14
Agricultural Extension Service . ................................... 13
Agriculture and Forestry.............................................. 13
Attorney General’s Department.................................. 7
Civilian Defense, Office of.............................................. 3
Finances............................................................................ 8
/
Harbor Commissioners.................................................. 12
Health, Board of............................................................. 17
Institutions, Department of.......................................... 21
Internal Revenue Service, United States....................... 10
Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of... . 25
Pineapple Industry......................................................... 15
Public Utilities................................................................. 27
Public Welfare................................................................. 19
Public Works................................................................. 11
Selective Service, Territorial.......................................... 8
Social Security, Federal.................................................. 19
in

Note.—Certain detailed information normally contained in this
report has been deleted at the request of the Office of War Information,
the War Department, and the Navy Department
Annual Report of the Governor
of Hawaii
JOSEPH B. POINDEXTER, Governor
Executive Chambers
Hon ol ul u , Hawaii ,
Augu st 18, 1942.
The Secretary of th e Inte rior .
Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith the report for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1942, of the Governor of the Territory of Hawaii,
first American soil to bear the brunt and suffer the scars of the initial
Axis’ aggressor attack upon the United States of America.
At 7:55 a. m. on Sunday, December 7, 1941, the usual Sabbath
peaceful calm of what had been known for years as the vacation
“Paradise of the Pacific” was shattered completely by a wave of
scores of Japanese bombers and fighter planes which struck such
Naval and Military installations as Pearl Harbor, Hickam Field,
Wheeler Field, and Schofield Barracks, the Kaneohe Naval Air
Station, Bellows Field, and, sporadically, the city of Honolulu itself.
At 8:25 a. m. the invaders again swept over Plickam Field, with
renewed attacks at Pearl Harbor at 9:10 a. m. and a further attempt
to bomb the Kaneohe Naval Air Station, which was repelled. A
third attack at 10:50 a. m., aimed particularly at Pearl Harbor, was
repulsed with heavy loss to the invaders.
The toll in death and damage from those attacks has been detailed
in official reports. It need not be repeated here. Suffice it to say
that Hawaii still bears the scars, still mourns its martyred dead.
In anticipation of such a contingency as was presented by these
attacks, the Legislature of Hawaii, in special session in September-
October, had passed Act 24, known as the Hawaii Defense Act, and
entitled “An Act Declaring a Public Emergency; Providing for the
Public Health and Welfare, for the Safety of Persons and Property,
and for Disaster Relief During Such Emergency; Authorizing the
Governor to Exercise Certain Powers over Persons and Property;
Providing for the Emergency Organization of Government and Suspension
of Laws; Providing for Certain Government Transactions;
1
2 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
Authorizing the Governor to Promulgate Rules and Regulations;
Providing Penalties; and Making Appropriations,” which had been
approved October 3, 1941.
Under the authority of this act the Governor, at 10 a. m., December
7, proclaimed by official announcement over a radio broadcast a
“Defense period” throughout Hawaii, and immediate steps were
taken by the civil authorities to carry this proclamation into effect.
At 12:10 p. m. the Governor talked by trans-Pacific radio telephone
with President Roosevelt, apprising him of the existing situation
and, briefly, of the damage that had been wrought, stressing the
need of Hawaii for more bomber planes and an uninterrupted supply
of foodstuffs from the mainland. The President bade the people of
Hawaii to “stand fast” and gave assurances that immediate aid
would be forthcoming.
After a conference with Lt. Gen. Walter C. Short, U. S. A., commanding
the Hawaiian department, the acting attorney general of
the Territory, and other authorities, the Governor issued, shortly
after 2 p. m., a proclamation under the authority of section 67 of
the Organic Act of the Territory, calling upon the commander of the
military forces of the United States in Hawaii to prevent invasion,
the proclamation further suspending “the writ of habeas corpus until
further notice and placing the Territory under martial law,” and
calling upon all citizens of the United States and all other persons
within the Territory “to obey promptly and fully, in letter and in
spirit, such proclamations, rules, regulations, and orders, as the
Commanding General, Hawaiian Department, or his subordinates,
may issue during the present emergency.”
At 3:45 p. m. General Short issued a statement that martial law
had been proclaimed and calling upon the people for complete cooperation
with the armed forces for the defense of the Territory.
Thus, under the broad powers authorized by the Hawaii Defense
Act and under martial law, Hawaii began on December 7, 1941, a
new era, an era which is destined to continue for the duration.
That night, under orders of the military governor, a 100 percent
complete black-out of all lights in the Territory between sundown
and sunrise was made effective, and continues in force. Provost
courts, under martial law, supplanted the district or police courts
throughout the Territory.
Under martial law and under the board provisions of the Hawaii
Defense Act the war and the nation’s effort has affected in some way
the life of every citizen and other person resident in the Territory
of Hawaii; the work of virtually every Territorial department has
been turned in some degree to furthering the war effort of the United
States.
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 3
w Certain elements which have been important portions of previous
reports to the Secretary of the Interior of the Governor of Hawaii
have been eliminated from this in the interest of national security.
Notable among these are the report of the United States Customs
Service on commerce between Hawaii and mainland United States
and with foreign countries, the annual population estimates and racial
origin statistics of the Territorial Board of Health, and certain details
regarding the condition and work on Territorial airports under the
Department of Public Works.
Office of Civilian Defense
At the outbreak of hostilities on December 7th, the Office of Civilian
Defense was sufficiently well organized to swing into immediate
action. Numerous changes and improvements have taken place until
today that office and its various subdivisions are functioning very
cap ably an d efficien tly.
From the funds provided by the Department of the Interior for
civilian defense in Hawaii, financial assistance is rendered to four
additional agencies not directly under the jurisdiction of the OCD—
the office of the military governor, the public health service, public
and private hospitals, and county police and fire departments.
Under the mortuary and burial section training has been provided
in the identification of casualties, and 7 sites have been selected as
identification centers for civilian dead in the event of an attack.
Each center is staffed with volunteer personnel of 31, or a total of 217
for the entire division.
The plans and training division has furnished information regarding
the technique of civilian protection to the air raid wardens’ division,
the communications division, the emergency medical and ambulance
service, the army field medical personnel, Navy and Coast Guard.
It has aided in the production of a training film depicting civilian
defense activities in Hawaii, and participated in the installation of
Honolulu’s first exhibit in incendiary defense techniques at the
Academy of Arts.
The women’s division, created primarily to disseminate information
on home protection to housewives, has trained and qualified a nucleus
of 22 women who are committed to volunteer service as instructors;
31 other women have completed the shorter course and have indicated
their intention of completing the maximum course.
The transportation division has arranged with the director of land
transportation in the office of the military governor to supply the
civilian defense corps with all necessary emergency transportation.
A motor pool under the jurisdiction of the division of protective con4
• Report of the Governor of Hawaii
struction services and maintains all vehicles assigned to the Office of
Civilian Defense.
The air raid wardens’ division is the largest of all. Members must
have a minimum of 40 hours’ training in fire-fighting, first aid, gas
defense, bombs, and police work. The wardens are authorized to
patrol the city, block by block, during lull periods, investigating possible
fire hazards, obtaining information regarding fire-fighting equipment
on the premises of each property owner, investigating black-out
violations, and to pass on to residents any information or instructions
regarding the protection of life and property in the area.
During periods of attack, the warden patrols his block, clearing the
street of all persons unauthorized to be out during a raid. In the
event of evacuation of any part of the city, the warden in the evacuation
area assists persons leaving their homes and the warden in the
safer area gathers information on new families and turns this over to
the evacuation division.
Certain members of the wardens division are receiving special
training as fire wardens from the Honolulu fire department. Hose
trucks and trailer pumps are being located for use of the fire wardens
at each of the 67 precinct headquarters.
Office management and special training is handled by paid staff.
Working with military authorities, the evacuation division has
provided for the removal of women and children from the lower
sections of the city—an area designated as dangerous on account of its
proximity to military installations and the waterfront.
The problem of housing this many people in the upper areas was
simplified following a campaign which induced more than 70 percent of
those involved to make advance arrangements to stay with friends in
the so-called safer areas.
Plans to house the remainder in evacuation camps and centers are
now virtually complete. After completion of certain evacuation
camps, the cost per unit proved too high, and the present emergency
housing program consists of the construction of auditoriums and
class-room units on school grounds in the safer areas. In the event of
an emergency these units are capable of housing a large number of
persons.
Plans for the orderly removal of women and children from one part
of the city to another are based on the use of evacuation centers,
located above the evacuation line. Every person living in the
potential evacuation area is told to “clear” through one of these
centers, so a record can be kept of the whereabouts of all persons
involved in a general order to evacuate any district.
Paid employees handle the staff work of this division and volunteer
workers are enrolled for service at the evacuation centers in time of
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 5
emergency. Among the latter are social service workers and doctors
who have been assigned to duty at specific centers. v
Emergency food supplies and clothing have been stored in adequate
amounts at each of the evacuation centers, and personnel of the
American Red Cross, the emergency medical service, and the emergency
feeding section have been assigned to service at the centers.
Administration of the emergency medical program is centered in a
division which supervises the activities of the blood plasma bank;
the first aid stations and emergency ambulance service; the civilian
emergency hospitals, and nursing activities.
A backlog of 3,387 persons has been trained in first aid since
February 1941, and 63 classes with an enrollment of 966 are now in
session, including a new course for nurses’ aides in the care of casualties.
Special classes in first aid have been made available to air raid
wardens.and messengers. Ten of these classes have been completed
and more than 4,000 persons have received instruction from the nine
doctors who participated in the training.
Existing hospital facilities in Honolulu have been increased by an
additional 1,000 beds under a program of emergency hospital expansion
undertaken by the Office of Civilian Defense.
A building has been converted into a modern, fully equipped and
staffed hospital of 500 beds and a “blitz” surgery containing a triage
room, clean-up room, shock room, and a surgery equipped to handle
4 cases simultaneously .
More than 300,000 dressings are on hand and all available supplies
of gloves, doctor’s gowns, surgical towels and other equipment have
been prepared for emergency use, some being stored in gasproof
containers. A total of 305 beds has been made ready for patients
and all wards are fully equipped and ready to operate instantly.
On April 22, 2 wards capable of accommodating 30 patients, were
made available for civilian use and since that time 88 cases have been
admitted. A clinical laboratory and an X-ray department were set
up in May.
Another emergency hospital has 90 beds and a reserve supply of
88 cots. An additional emergency unit contains 65 saw-horse beds,
50 cots, and a small surgical unit. Both of these units contain facilities
for triage, clean-up, and shock. Kitchen units have also been
provided at these emergency centers.
A fourth emergency hospital accommodates 250 patients, with a
paid staff of 25 employees. A recent survey in this hospital district
revealed that approximately 100 trained or partially trained women
are available for volunteer service in an emergency. Twenty of these
women have been assigned to the hospital for such service. Since
492497------2
6 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
May 15th, 50 patients have been admitted and there have been 4
major operations, 5 minor operations, and 8 deliveries.
The Honolulu blood plasma bank is responsible for the collection
and storage of blood and plasma at the main blood bank at Queen’s
Hospital.
On June 12, 1942, the bank had on hand:
4,698 doses of 250 cc. each of fluid plasma
289 doses of 250 cc. each of frozen plasma
390 doses of 250 cc. each awaiting culture report
5,377 total doses on hand.
Approximately 1,000 doses were dispensed following the attack on
Pearl Harbor. It is estimated that a total of 10,298 donors have
given blood since December 7.
Storage facilities have been made available in 19 different hospitals,
stores, and ice houses in the city, as well as 5 places in the country
districts.
Plasma, both liquid and frozen, is stored in a number of different
places on Oahu. Under present conditions our average cost per unit
of plasma produced is approximately $9.87.
An acute shortage of nurses in the Territory and an increased
demand for nursing service resulted in the creation of a subdivision
of nursing activities under the emergency medical service. Registration
of all nurses, whether active or inactive, was ordered by the
military governor. A recruiting program designed to augment the
supply of nurses available in the Territory was undertaken, and
appeals for more nurses were sent to the mainland.
Support of this office has been given to the Volunteer Nurses’ Aides
course of the American Red Cross to supplement the nursing staffs
of the hospitals. All nurses are being urged to take courses in first
aid, care of chemical casualties, and communicable disease nursing.
Splinter proofing of essential utilities and public services was begun
in May upon the recommendation of the civilian defense adviser to
the Territory, and 92 projects have been considered. Included in
this program is the protection of radio stations and the communications
system of the Territory; electric power plants; sewer and water
pumps; and the Honolulu Rapid Transit power distribution system.
Regular meals are provided wherever needed to employees and
volunteers engaged in civilian defense work on Oahu by the emergency
feeding section. The Hawaii Territorial guard is also fed daily by this
division. Since January 1, 1942, a grand total of 119,143 regular
meals and 60,456 supplementary meals have been provided.
In addition to the actual serving of emergency meals, this division
has stored thousands of full ration meals at medical aid stations and
in school cafeterias.
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 7
Four basic types of canned food have been stored in the relatively
safer areas of Honolulu and rural Oahu. This consists of such items
as luncheon meat, pilchards, peaches, and milk. Use of this food is
restricted to periods of absolute emergency as designated by the military
governor, and periodic inspection and rotation insures the quality
of the foodstuffs stored.
A supply of food sufficient to feed evacuees for a period of 4 days
has been stored at the evacuation centers. Toward the end of the
4-day period it is expected that adequate amounts of food will have
been distributed from the large downtown warehouses.
Attorney General’s Department
Additional work in connection with the special legislature of 1941,
the declaration of a “Defense period”, and the new problems engendered
by the declaration of martial law in Hawaii highlighted the
activities of the Attorney General’s Department in the fiscal year
ended June 30.
The special session convened on September 15 and adjourned on
November 1 and, because of the importance and gravity of the
situation at that time all available resources of the Attorney General’s
office were devoted to expediting and facilitating the work of the
Legislature.
The M-Day bill was again presented to the legislature, with further
amendments and modifications as recommended by military authorities
and this office. It proposed to vest in the Governor broad and
extraordinary powers in the event of the declaration of an emergency.
It was fortunate indeed that such bill became law.
Immediately after the attack on Peal Harbor, the Governor
declared the existence of a defense period, as provided under the
act, and assumed necessary powers thereunder to meet the resulting
emergency.
Another bill of importance prepared by this office was the Hawaii
Territorial guard bill. This provided for the creation by the Governor
of a home guard to defend the Territory in the event the Hawaii
National Guard was called into active Federal service.
Within an hour after the initial attack on December 7, the staff
of the Attorney General was on duty to assist the Governor and
public authorities in the drafting of necessary orders, rules and regulations,
proclamations and other documents to meet the war emergency.
A defense period was declared and the office of a Territorial director
of civilian defense was immediately created and constituted. Members
of the staff were available at all times to render legal advice and
assistance on the many problems arising out of the war emergency.
Thirty rules and regulations, under and pursuant to authority granted
8 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
under the M-Day Act, were drafted, covering transactions in foodstuffs
and feed, black-outs, liquor transactions, closing of certain
businesses, regulation of business by food dealers, transactions in
vegetable seeds, suspension of certain laws as to emergency employees,
prohibiting the use of rice for liquor manufacture, emergency purchases
and projects, registration and identification of the civilian
population, enumeration of essential materials, safekeeping and
custody of certain public securities, suspension of certain Territorial
holidays, etc.
Besides the drafting of such rides and regulations and appropriate
Executive orders, numerous legal problems relating to defense and
emergency matters had the attention of the office.
Immediately after the declaration of martial law on December 7,
headquarters for Col. T. H. Green, executive to the military governor,
were provided by the Attorney General. Three offices, with necessary
furniture and equipment were made available to his executive
staff, together with space and equipment in the outer office of the
department for his stenographic staff. Every assistance and cooperation
were rendered the military governor in establishing his staff.
Territorial Selective Service
Approximately 70 percent of the 138,551 men registered for selective
service in the five registrations thus far in Hawaii were citizens of the
United States and the remaining 30 percent were aliens or nationals.
The current gross quota for Hawaii, as set by National Selective
Service Headquarters, is 11,086 men and to date there have been 7
induction calls.
In addition to these selectees, Hawaii has to its credit under the
Selective Service Act, in the Hawaii National Guard, Reserves, and
men in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, 2,631 men, making
a total of 6,100 men.
The Selective Service Training Act has been in operation in Hawaii
since September 23, 1940, and five registrations have been held.
Finances
Cash on hand and in banks of all funds deemed to be in the Treasury
of Hawaii amounted on June 30th to $24,529,428.50, an increase of
$4,923,150.51 over the $19,606,277.99 on hand and in banks as of
June 30, 1941. Securities in the custody of the Treasury Department,
other than those belonging to residents of the Territory held for safekeeping
for the duration of the present national emergency, amounted
to $35,914,986.17 par value, at the close of the fiscal year, a decrease
of $537,205.66, under the amount of $36,452,191.83, at the close of
the preceding fiscal year.
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 9
The deficit in the sinking fund on June 30, 1942, amounted to
$954,194.94, an increase of $60,711.47 over the deficit of $893,483.47
on June 30, 1941. The law requires the sinking fund to maintain an
earning power of at least 4 percent, which is practically impossible to
obtain under present economic conditions. The deficit might have
been even larger had not the following increments been realized from
(a) the sale of securities, premiums amounting to $49,339.14; (6)
the proceeds of sales of public lands in the amount of $49,524.47;
and (c) contribution from the general fund of $45,209.18 to cover
shrinkage in the sinking fund.
Provision was made by the 1941 legislature for additional payments
to the sinking fund to cover amortization of any existing deficit,
plus any loss of interest earnings on account of withdrawals from the
special reserve to redeem serial refunding bonds issued to refund
term bonds to take effect January 1, 1943. During the fiscal year,
serial refunding bonds totaling $1,530,000 matured, of which $1,528,000
were retired upon being presented for payment.
The gross bonded indebtedness outstanding on June 30 amounted
to $34,426,000, of which $225,000 was due and payable, thus leaving
a gross bonded indebtedness outstanding but not yet due of
$34,201,000, which, when compared to the $36,539,000 outstanding
and unmatured on June 30, 1941, showed a substantial decrease of
$2,338,000. This decrease is accounted for by the maturity of
$808,000 of public improvement serial bonds and $1,530,000 of
refunding serial bonds during the fiscal year.
Sinking fund assets of $10,417,120.31 are deductible from the gross
bonded indebtedness outstanding and unmatured in order to arrive
at the net bonded indebtedness of $23,783,879.69, which, when compared
with the amount of $25,499,447.82, on June 30, 1941, indicates
a decrease in the net bonded indebtedness of $1,715,568.13.
Liquid fuel tax of 4 cents for each gallon of gasoline or diesel oil '
sold or used in the Territory for the calendar year 1941 totaled
$2,687,913.41, an increase of $313,159.63 over the $2,374,753.78 collected
for the calendar year 1940.
The net assessed valuation of real property for tax rate purposes
amounted to $204,251,929, an increase of $16,196,287 over the amount
of $188,055,642 for the previous year 1941. Reassessment of all real
property in the city and county of Honolulu being in 1942,
$15,882,432 of the increase was in this city and county.
The assessed valuation of personal property for taxation purposes
for 1942, totaled $92,148,855, as against $94,910,426, for 1941, a
decrease of $2,761,571.
The advent of war on December 7, 1941, presented this office with
many new problems, especially with reference to securities. The
uncertainty of the mails to the continental United States, the large
10 • Report of the Governor oj Hawaii
increase in insurance premium rates and the cost of maintaining a
depository on the mainland United States, made it inadvisable to send
securities outside of the Territory unless absolutely necessary for
redemption purposes. To protect the interests of the Territory in the
event of seizure by the enemy or destruction of securities on deposit,
quarterly certified statements describing all securities are being
forwarded for registration with the Secretary of the United States
Treasury.
The Territorial treasury was also designated depository for the safekeeping
of securities of residents of the Territory for the duration of
the present national emergency, under a plan prescribed by the
Department of the Interior, with the approval of the President and the
Treasury Department of the United States.
By an Executive order, dated June 30, 1942, the Treasurer was
authorized to make arrangements for insurance on properties belonging
to the Territory, including school buildings, with the War Damage
Corporation. The value of structures and contents insured amounted
to $33,234,966 at a premium cost of $34,430.24.
Revenue receipts of the general fund for the fiscal year of collections
and accruals of $22,065,468.54 against the estimates as prorated for
the fiscal year of $19,707,155.21, or an increase of $2,358,313.33,
indicate that the financial condition of the Territory continues to be
excellent. From a review of a further revision of estimates for the
next fiscal year, it is felt at this date that an unappropriated surplus
of the general fund at the close of the present biennium on June 30,
1943, will approximate $4,000,000 in the light of present emergency
conditions.
Available working cash on June 30, 1942, in the general fund after
the payment of claims for personal services, operating expenses,
capital outlays and fixed charges for the fiscal year amounts to
$4,570,862.35. As compared to the amount at the close of the previous
fiscal year June 30, 1941, of $4,140,361.22, this carry-over
balance shows an increase of $430,501.13.
United States Internal Revenue Service
Federal Internal Revenue collections of $32,067,927 in the fiscal
year ended June 30, established a new all-time high record since the
annexation of Hawaii.
These collections were $11,391,149, or more than 55 percent above
the $20,676,778 collections in the 1920-21 fiscal period, which had
been the previous high figure, and were $18,303,929 higher, or more
than double the $13,763,998 collections in the 1941 fiscal year.
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 11
The principal items which went to establish the new record included:
Corporation income tax_____________________________ $8, 204, 151. 76
Corporation excess profits tax_________________________ 12, 285, 441. 54
Individual income tax_______________________________ 6, 831, 867. 34
Estate tax_________________________________________ 796, 098. 25
Capital stock tax___________________________________ 896, 196. 99
Miscellaneous income taxes_________________ ________ 6, 804, 528. 11
Social Security tax, title VIII____________________ ------- 2, 250, 045. 95
Social Secuiity tax, title IX__________________________ 371, 889. 71
Miscellaneous Social Security tax______________________ 461, 214. 13
Retailers excise taxes________________________________ 426, 079. 01
Admissions and dues taxes_____________________ ______ 532, 750. 95
Total disbursements of the collector’s office during the year,
including salaries, incidental expenses, and other costs, were $112,626.
Public Works Department
Expenditures of $268,787 were made by the Department of Public
Works on a program that was drastically reduced by war operations
during the fiscal year ended June 30th. By funds these expenditures
were segregated as follows: general funds, $201,212; loan funds,
$2,563; trust funds, $2,057; special funds, $15,257 and other funds,
$47,697.
The Territory collected $20,692 in aviation gasoline tax, which
was expended in maintenance and operation of Territorial airports.
Gasoline taxes totaling approximately $70,000 also have been collected
from Pan-American Airways, but this was paid under protest
and is in litigation. A Territorial supreme court decision in favor of
the Territory was handed down on June 27, 1942.
Construction projects completed under the architectural division
for various departments during the year included: Waimano Home
water supply system, $51,659; Waimano Home, boys section assembly
hall, $25,200; Territorial Hospital, additions and alterations to kitchen
$55,500; Judiciary Building, additions and alterations, $112,754.
Numerous other public improvement projects have been abandoned
or suspended for the present due to war conditions.
Territorial Highway Department
Expenditures and obligations on highway projects during the year
totaled $1,962,233, segregated by funds as follows: regular Federal
aid, $345,871.64; secondary Federal aid, $1,279; grade crossing,
$1,462; lapsed Federal aid, $793,920.33; access highway funds,
$819,700.
12 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
Highway projects deemed urgent to the defense of these islands
were started during the early part of 1942 with the Army and Navy
authorities cooperating to some extent in releasing certain equipment,
materials and labor to the contractors. These latter projects are
being constructed on a cost-plus-a-fixed fee basis with the approval
of the Public Roads Administrator.
Board of Harbor Commissioners
Collections of the Territorial Harbor Board in the fiscal year
ended June 30 were $891,336.51, a decrease of $66,591.53 from those
of the previous year, due to the current war conditions since December?.
Operations during the closing 6 months of the fiscal year resulted
in an operating deficit of $118,624.33, and were it not for a substantial
surplus built up over the first 6 months, due to abnormally good
business conditions, the affairs of the Harbor Board would be in a
much worse state at the close of this period.
Since December 1941, all shipping between the Territory and
overseas ports, as well as that between island ports, has been operated
by agencies of the Federal Government, which have been paying no
charges to the Territory.
The Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation has refused to pay
tolls on account of section 89 of the Organic Act, although tolls could
be paid without loss to the United States Government, as same could
be recovered from the consumers. Federal Surplus Commodities
Corporation freight passing over private wharves pays tolls.
Wharfage, the second largest source of revenues, has fallen off
greatly due to most of the ships entering Territorial ports being
either Army, Navy, or War shipping vessels which are exempted
from wharfage under section 89; where these vessels carry a portion of
commercial freight, they should pay wharfage in proportion to tonnage
carried.
Negotiations are under way between the Army, Navy, and Harbor
Board from which it is hoped appropriate payments will be arranged
for the use of Territorial facilities by these services and, in addition,
that satisfactory agreements will be reached for rentals of properties
taken over for their exclusive use.
The members of the board have repeatedly expressed themselves as
not desiring the board to profit by the present war conditions but
feel, nevertheless, that this community should not be called upon to
bear the entire costs of the burden suffered by the Harbor Board as
the result of the present conditions. It is a loss directly attributable
to the war, and since the board operates and maintains such vital
public utilities so essential at this time to the war effort, it is felt
that the burden of the losses sustained should be spread over the
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 13
entire nation. If the Federal Government does not assist in this
situation, funds to meet such deficits as result, will have to be sought
of the Legislature, thus putting the entire burden on the people of
the Territory.
Agriculture and Forestry
A total of 106,727 cubic feet of small timbers and 627,979 board
feet of saw logs, for use in the current war effort and to reduce the
strain on shipping facilities, were cut and scaled from reserves of the
Territorial Board of Agriculture and Forestry up to June 30th. All
of this emergency material came from various areas on Oahu outside
the closed water-shed areas as a result of operations of Army engineers
and contractors.
Another war activity of the board was its designation by the
Governor on August 11, 1941, as the Territorial agency to administer
the War Food Supply Fund of $200,000 to import food products and
for their sale within the Territory as might be necessary to supplement
present or future local supplies. The board spent $27,015.31
for vegetable seeds, agricultural disinfectants, and sprays, of which
$10,600.40 worth were sold to the public at cost, leaving approximately
$16,000 worth on hand for future sale.
The increasing defense work during the last half of 1941 with
reducing enrollment in the CCC camps brought a proportionate
reduction in the amount of field work that could be carried on and
this was largely brought to a standstill on December 7.
Since that date the work of the forestry division has been largely
making available possible local timber supplies for Army use, vegetable
seedlings for school and home gardens, and such fruit and timber
trees as private planters have been able to utilize; and in carrying on
such patrol and maintenance work as gas rations and military operations
permit.
On December 7, 1941, when the Japanese air force attacked Kaneohe
Air Station adjoining the Territorial Game Farm, the severity of the
attack so frightened the birds in the pens that a considerable number
of them broke through the wire and liberated themselves. As this
attack disrupted shipping schedules and feed was very short, the board
directed that the birds on hand be slaughtered and kept in refrigeration
for the use of the public; accordingly, a total of 8,746 birds were
killed and sold to the public. A total of $6,286.05 was realized.
Agricultural Extension Service
Concentrated efforts of the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station
and the Agricultural Extension Service of the University of Hawaii
14 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
to render Hawaii more self-sustaining in the matter of food were continued
during the past year.
The problems of agricultural research in Hawaii are not those of
supplying national war needs, except for sugar and pineapples, but
rather of enabling this important military outpost to become more
independent of outside sources of food.
The national emergency brings into sharp focus the application of
research findings to the problems of supplying essential foods for the
armed forces and civilians of the Territory. The research program
of the Agricultural Experiment Station has been directed, in part, to
this end for many years.
Prior to December 7, 1941, the director, with the assistance of his
staff and of those of the pineapple and sugar experiment stations,
assembled and classified all pertinent information relative to food
and feed production requirements to meet a total emergency. The
plan was adopted by the army and since December 7 has been of
great aid in formulating plans to meet the actual emergency.
A large amount of research has been devoted to experimenting
with substitutes for imported feeds, particularly the production of
protein. Locally produced yeast and urea may be substituted for a
portion of the feeds commonly imported. Various local grasses and
roughage have been tried and found satisfactory. All the efforts of
the station staff are devoted to making the Territory more and more
self-sustaining, using locally grown feeds, vegetables, and fruits so as
to conserve valuable shipping space.
However, despite all the difficulties, the Territory today has onethird
more acreage planted to truck crops than a year ago, and most
of the current production is on small commercial farms.
Since December 7th, the director and three specialists have been
assigned to the office of the military governor. All of the county
agents are equipped with a background of college training in agriculture
or home economics and are in daily contact with the farmers
and their families.
Agricultural Adjustment Administration
Payments totalling $8,594,532 were made by the Agricultural
Adjustment Administration to 1,893 sugar-cane growers in Hawaii for
compliance with the Sugar Act of 1937 during 1941.
It is estimated that additional payments of $100,000 will be made to
1,053 individual farmers, or farmer units, for compliance with the soil
conservation program, but checks for these payments have not yet
been received from Washington.
There was a decrease of nine participants in the agricultural conservation
program in 1941 as compared with 1940. Chief decline was on
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 15
Molokai, with Oahu next. However, education of the farming people
and improvement of the program to better suit the local situations
were reflected in superior results in the Kona section of Hawaii, as
well as ranching and truck farm activities on both Haw’aii and Maui.
Generally speaking, it may be said with confidence that conservation
on the land in Hawaii is on the increase. Coffee lands are being
improved with the addition of more pulp refuse. Range lands are
receiving greater attention as regards new grass and legume plantings,
better water distribution for stock, and more resting against overgrazing;
pineapple lands are rapidly being protected by broad base
terracing and contour arrangement of rows; truck farm lands are being
farmed more on the contour than before.
The 1942 acreage allotment for price production in the Territory
has been set at 900 acres, an increase of 117 acres over that of 1941.
This allowance was made in anticipation of increased rice plantings as
a result of the war. However, all indications point to serious labor
shortages in this industry also, so that acreage can be expected to be
no better than for last year.
Production of raw sugar in the Territory during 1941 totaled
947,190.27 tons, with 36,617.81 tons locally consumed. Although the
market quota for Hawaii in 1942 was originally set at 1,166,544 tons
(39,124 tons for local use), the war so increased demands that on
April 13, 1942, President Roosevelt lifted all restrictions on production.
With little possibility of attaining the original quota for 1942 had
conditions been normal, the efforts of the Hawaiian industry have been
further hampered by serious shortages in labor and equipment for
production.
Pineapple Industry
Production and shipment of canned pineapple and pineapple juice
has continued throughout the year in nearly normal quantities. The
pack for the-preceding 5 years, as released by the industry, is shown in
the following tabulation:
Year ended May 31
Canned pineapple
(standard
cases)
Canned pineapple
juice
(standard cases)
1937____________________________________________________________________
1938____________________________________________________________________
1939____________________________________________________________________
1940____________________________________________________________________
1941____________________________________________________________________
10,922,883
12, 203,012
10, 521,047
10,998,956
11,056,491
6,811,475
7,161,918
8,870,987
8, 551,201
11, 284, 938
The Federal Government purchased a substantial quantity of the
last year’s pack and announced its requirements for the coming year
to be 34 percent of the canned pineapple pack for Army, Navy, and
lease-lend shipments; and 21 percent of the juice pack.
16 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
The problems of production experienced by the pineapple industry
under actual combat conditions existing since the declaration of war
have been all those generally common to the Territory. The industry
was fortunate in having tractors, machine shop equipment, barges, tugs,
and many other facilities which were immediately placed at the disposal
of the armed forces and used extensively by them. Engineers,
technicians, and large numbers of laborers were requisitioned daily
by the military authorities and lent by the industry. At the time of
greatest military need, the industry, responding to the supreme wartime
necessity, gave unstinting and wholehearted cooperation to the
military authorities. Later, as the peak of 1942 production approached,
the military authorities were able to reciprocate that cooperation,
and gave recognition to the importance of harvesting and canning the
crop by returning most of the facilities and labor which had been on
loan, and otherwise extending aid.
That this attitude on the part of the military authorities was justified
and eminently wise is evident when the importance of canned
pineapple production is considered. As a food for our soldiers and
sailors it is one of the prominent items in the Government procurement
program, sharing top place am.ong fruits with canned peaches. As an
integral part of the economic life of the Territory, it is essential to the
welfare of som.e 30,000 peorle who in peacetimes are largely dependent
upon pineapple for a livelihood and draw from the industry annual
wages amounting to approximately 15 million dollars. A large number
of these workers are now in the armed services or defense projects,
and economies in labor have been instituted to sunplant them during
these urgent wartime needs. But long-term welfare demands that
their economic well-being be maintained to the greatest extent possible
consistent with the full prosecution of the war; that homes and families
be kept going; and that the security of permanent employment and a
stable background be preserved, for this large group of our population.
This desirable program can only be achieved by a continuance of
full-scale cooperation between the industry and Army, Navy and civil
authorities working toward the solution of war-time difficulties.
Limited west-bound shinping space has been of course, one of the
pressing problems. While the supply of tin plate available is sufficient
for the current season, it is the subject of grave concern for the future.
Shortage of field and cannery labor is expected to become more a ute.
Sharply increased transportation and insurance costs will be an added
load on the already overburdened economy of the Territory unless
they can be reduced.
But, with the same spirit for the coming year which has prevailed
during the past year, it is confidently believed that these problems
will not prove insurmountable.
Report of the Governor of Hawaii -17
Board of Health
Provisional vital statistics for the fiscal year ended June 30 show
a continued decline in infant mortality with a record low rate of 38.6
percent infant deaths per 1,000 live births, as compared with 43.1
percent for 1941 and an average annual rate of 26.6 percent for the
preceding 5-year period.
Marriages during the year were at a new high level with a total
of 7,449, an increase of 1,633, or 28.1 percent, over those of 1941.
Marriages in the city and county of Honolulu totalled 5,353, an increase
of 1,751, or 48.6 percent, over the previous year.
There were 3,301 deaths in the Territory, exclusive of deaths of
military personnel attributable to operations of war, an increase of
236 deaths from all causes, or 7.7 percent, over those of 1941. In
Honolulu there were 1,662 deaths, an increase of 199, or 13.6 percent
of the total deaths.
The 10 leading causes of death, in order of precedence, were:
diseases of the heart, 603; violent or accidental (excluding homicide
and suicide), 371; cancer and other malignant tumors, 300; tuberculosis,
268; congenital malformations and diseases of early infancy,
250; nephritis, 246; intracranial lesions of vascular origin, 205; pneumonia,
184; diabetes mellitus, 84; suicide, 79.
There were 10,385 births, an increase of 778, or 8.1 percent, over
the previous year. In Honolulu, 5,770 births were recorded, an increase
of 1,012, or 21.3 percent, over 1941.
The major progress in public health nursing was the consolidation
of all public health nursing activities, including nursing services in
venereal disease and tuberculosis clinics of Oahu into a single unit
under the supervision of a chief nurse.
Nursing districts continued to be well covered in spite of the
shortage of public health nurses throughout the nation, which became
more acute after the outbreak of war. The nursing bureau staff on
June 30 consisted of 86 members.
In the preparedness program and as an aftermath of war, there was
an increase in student and staff educational activity throughout the
Territory. Public health nurses participated in programs of training
for professional nursing, American Red Cross nursing aides and a
variety of short courses for nurse maids. Public health nurses responded
to the emergency following December 7. They worked in
first-aid stations, hospitals and evacuation centers as their services
were needed.
In addition to routine supervision of water supplies, sewage disposal
and collection and disposal of rubbish and garbage, the sanitation,
engineering and technical staff furnished considerable field and
laboratory information to the armed forces.
18 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
Professional psychiatric service was provided by the bureau of
mental hygiene to 1,077 patients. Of these, 614 were new cases,
244 were old cases, 58 were pending applications, and 161 were service
cases in which the bureau assumed considerable, but not entire
responsibility.
The records for the fifth consecutive year show more cures than
deaths from tuberculosis. There were 323 cures and 268 deaths,
as compared with 398 recoveries and 238 deaths during the last fiscal
year. There were 1,522 active and clinically significant cases on the
tuberculosis register as of June 30, 1942, in comparison with 1,469
for the previous year. During the year 649 new and 117 reactivated
cases were reported in contrast to 633 and 107 last year.
Fiscal year-end figures are not yet available but as of December 31,
1941, there were 1,415 tuberculous patients under official surveillance.
Of this number, 774 were receiving hospital care at the 4 sanatoria as
follows: Leahi, 375; Kula, 163; Puumaile, 135; Samuel Mahelona, 101.
Forty-nine patients were in other institutions, 73 on home care and
under supervision of private physicians, and 519 registered in the
chest clinic service. At this time some 125 beds in the sanatoria had
been evacuated and held to provide space for a possible major
casualty.
The board has continued to cooperate closely with the military
authorities and private agencies for the mutual protection of the military
and civilian health, and has collaborated with the department
surgeon in the preparation of a number of military orders. Two
such orders are worthy of note, the first requiring the immunization
against typhoid fever and smallpox of the civilian population of the
Territory who had not been vaccinated since January 1, 1941; and
the second making venereal-disease-control measures more stringent.
The immunization program was organized and administered with
the cooperation of the medical department of the Army, the Office
of Civilian Defense, and voluntary organizations. Vaccination against
smallpox was required for all persons over the age of 6 months and
against the typhoid fevers of all beyond 3 years, except for the aged
and infirm. While immunization against diphtheria was not required,
it was urged for all children between the ages of 9 months and 10 years
not previously protected. Diphtheria toxoid was furnished by the
board while typhoid vaccine, smallpox virus, and incidental supplies
were provided by the Army. As of June 30, records list 301,567
persons vaccinated against typhoid fevers, 304,406 against smallpox,
and 11,634 children protected against diphtheria.
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 19
Public Welfare
Relief expenditures for the fiscal year ended June 30, were $63,589
less than those of the previous fiscal period, due to a gradual case-load
decrease and in spite of the fact that the Department of Public Welfare
made a slight increase on November 1, 1941, in the budget for
all clients, to take care of the rising costs of all foodstuffs.
Another increase of approximately 30 percent in the budgets for
all clients of the department was instituted on July 1, 1942, to take
care of additional rising prices of foods.
On July 1, 1941, the department had on hand $173,794, and on
June 30 last it had an unexpended balance of $471,340, or a net unexpended
balance for the fiscal year of $297,546.
In addition to cash grants the department distributed 514,817
pounds of food to 5,077 needy clients during the year. This food,
supplied by the Agricultural Marketing Administration in Washington,
had a total value of $61,443.
The Office of Civilian Defense in its evacuation committee activities
has and continues to use services of some of the social work staff.
The mainland evacuation problem has the assistance of a social service
unit.
Housing continues to be a grave problem in the entire community,
There is overcrowding and many families are living in substandard
conditions.
Social Security
Increased responsibilities were brought to the Social Security Board
in Hawaii in meeting war-created needs during the past year.
The Territorial office of the board was designated on July 24, 1941,
by the administrator of the Federal Security Agency, to serve also as
Hawaiian office of Defense, Health and Welfare Services, to be responsible
for the coordination of health, welfare, and allied activities as
they relate to the national war effort, through the maintenance of
cooperative relationships with Federal, Territorial, and local agencies
of the community in the fields of recreation, family security, nutrition,
health and allied programs.
The old-age and survivors insurance program continued to provide
systematic payments to replace, in part, the income lost by retirement
or death of the family breadwinner who had been employed in commercial
and industrial occupations. As of December 31, 1941, 1,582
individual beneficiaries in the Territory were receiving monthly payments
totalling $24,499 a month. Of these 713, or nearly half, were
retired workers past 65 years of age, drawing a total of $14,135
monthly. The remainder were wives, widows, children under^lS,
20 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
and dependent parents. In addition the sum of $17,620 was paid to
258 individuals as lump-sum death payments, in cases where there
was no one eligible to claim monthly insurance payments.
During the year agreement was reached between the Social Security
Board, the Treasury Department, and sugar and pineapple plantations
regarding the application of the revised definition of agricultural labor
contained in the 1939-amendments to the Social Security Act. In
cooperation with these organizations and their subsidiary water,
terminal, and utility companies, rules were set up for the uniform
evaluation of perquisites, (housing, water, fuel, and medical services)
furnished to the employees. Supplemental tax returns were fded to
report the values of such perquisites and to include both cash and
perquisite wages for many employees previously considered to be
exempt under the amended act as agricultural workers. This increased
the coverage of old-age and survivors insurance in the Territory
and also materially increased the amount of benefit rights earned
by employees who received perquisites as part of their wages.
In March 1941 the Bureau of Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
was given the responsibility of administering a program .of temporary
civilian war relief benefits from an emergency fund allocated by the
President to care for the families of civilian workers who died, were
disabled, disappeared, or were detained by the enemy, as a result of
enemy action. A total of 30 claims have been filed in the Territory.
Many of these claimants were dependents of workers employed on
Wake and Guam at the time of their capture while others suffered
from the December 7th attack on Oahu. Civilian war relief continues
as a resource in the event of needs resulting from recurrent
attacks.
During the year, $405,683.53 in Federal funds was granted to the
Territorial Department of Public Welfare for administration and
assistance under the three programs of Aid to Dependent Children,
Aid to Needy Blind, and Old Age Assistance.
The Territorial Department of Public Welfare also provided assistance
and services to special groups of persons in need because of warcreated
situations and restrictive actions of the Federal Government.
In such cases, the Federal Government provided reimbursement
through the Social Security Board of the entire cost of assistance.
During the year, the Employment Service, which absorbed the
Territorial Employment Service on February 1, 1942, functioned
principally as a recruitment agency for employers engaged in the
defense and war programs.
At the close of the year the conversion from normal operations to
a wartime basis was completed. For the duration, resources of the
United States Employment Service will be directed toward supplying
labor to essential employers engaged in the war effort.
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 21
Large numbers of skilled and semiskilled workers were recruited
from the mainland United States. The extreme manpower shortages
prevailing since December 1941, led to the recruitment of thousands
of local residents not normally part of the working force. School
youth of 14 years and above were employed in large numbers, both
in construction, governmental, and other industries. Large numbers
of women were employed in occupations normally reserved for men,
including those involving manual labor and semiskilled mechanical
operations.
The labor market was particularly affected by the necessities of
martial law, including restrictions placed upon the migration of
workers between islands and between essential employers. Such
action by military authorities was designed to stabilize the labor
supply on the outside islands by stopping the flow of workers to
Honolulu and to eliminate labor pirating by employers operating in a
highly competitive labor market.
A significant step was taken in the issuance by the Military Governor
of General Order No. 56, effective February 1, requiring that all unemployed
males register with the Employment Service and providing
for the referral of workers to employers in accordance with their
importance in the war program.
The United States Employment Service continued to provide
claims-taking service for the Hawaii Bureau of Unemployment
Compensation. During the year 4,738 new claims for unemployment
compensation were taken and 23,633 continued claims were
filed. -
Department of Institutions
The creation of the Territorial Department of Institutions, just
completing its third year, has been justified by the development of
clearly defined objectives, policies and programs and by increased
efficiency in operation.
Territorial Hospital for the Insane
The Territorial Hospital for the mentally ill had a patient-population
numbering 1,005 as of June 30. Clinical activities have
necessarily been somewhat curtailed and treatment will necessarily
lag somewhat for the duration. Brain surgery has, however, advanced
with some remarkable results. In none of its highly individualized
departments has it failed to render well-ordered service.
Problems due to the unexpected influx of a hospitalization branch
of the armed forces have been capably met. On December 7, 1941,
the institution placed all its facilities at the disposal of the military
forces in its particular area. Casualties among the Navy personnel
22 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
in this area were received and treated, these cases being mostly of an
operative nature. Almost all these patients suffered serious injuries
varying in nature. This emergency found the hospital well prepared
with blood plasma, blood donors, opiates and other medical and
surgical supplies.
In this connection, the following letter was received from Commander
W. M. Martin, Commanding Officer of the United States
Naval Air Station at Kaneohe, by the Governor, regarding the
activities of the Territorial Hospital:
The splendid work thus performed has saved lives, and I am informed that as a
result of it many of the men will subsequently face life with disabilities of much
less degree than might otherwise have been their burden. On behalf of these
men I would express profound appreciation of the splendid service rendered.
As commanding officer of this station I would commend most fully the ready cooperation
and the high order of services rendered in our great need by Dr. Stephens
and all his staff.
In compliance with wartime demands, where it could be accomplished
without detriment to individual or institutions, expenses
have been kept at a minimum. The cost of operating during the year
amounted to $478,255. Receipts from all sources amounted to
approximately $60,342. The daily average patient-population was
971. The gross maintenance per capita cost per day was $1.35; the
net maintenance per capita cost per day was $1.17.
Waimano Home for Feeble-minded
Since the establishment of Waimano Home for feeble-minded
persons some 20 years ago the law has provided that the institution be
operated on a farm colony basis. Animal husbandry and some horticultural
activities have been carried on, but agricultural activities
have been neglected to the point of being negligible.
A university graduate in agriculture was appointed superintendent,
and a full-time medical director was placed in charge of medical care
and welfare work. The functioning of all activities has been improved
and agricultural programs inaugurated with plans for substantial
extension going forward. The maximum amount of agricultural
production reached more than 3,000 pounds of nourishing vegetables
per week.
A large number of refugees from the Pearl Harbor area evacuated
to the institution. These included Army and Navy families and were
provided care during the month of December, affording them the best
facilities possible under such emergency. In cooperation with the
Office of Civilian Defense, a program for emergency housing facilities
will soon be completed.
Report of the Governor of Hawaii • 23
The Occupational Therapy Department and school activities have
been reorganized and their functioning extended, showing an increase
in activities of over 20 percent.
Development in the Social Service Division is commendable. Its
objective is to secure the child’s happiness and social usefulness
insofar as possible.
Oahu Prison
Inmates of Oahu Prison on June 30 numbered 631, an increase of 29
over the 602 of the previous year. Admitted to the prison and the
Waiakea and Olinda Prison Camps were 355, of whom 116 were
Territorial prisoners, 12 Federal prisoners, sentenced by the Civil
Courts of the Territory, and 227 Provost Court cases sentenced since
the declaration of martial law.
Since December prisoners have been assigned to work on various
projects essential to national defense. Included among these activities
are: cutting firewood, of which several hundred cords have been
donated to various units of the Army and Marine Corps for use in field
kitchens; unloading freight from various vessels carrying cargo vital
to national defense, as well as working in warehouses and storage
dumps; cultivation and preparation of various plots of land for
“victory gardens,” in addition to cultivating and maintaining vegetable
gardens at Territorial institutions. They have also donated to
the blood bank; and a large percentage of the prisoners have purchased
War Bonds, to the amount of $10,400. Women prisoners, since
December 7, 1941, have made more than 50,000 surgical dressings for
the Red Cross, in addition to making a large number of hospital gowns,
children’s pajamas, etc.
In the majority of cases the morale of prisoners has been exceptionally
high since the declaration of war, many having signed petitions
volunteering their services where they could be used to the best
advantage.
Kawailoa Training School for Girls
Efficient management and strict discipline tempered with sympathetic
understanding of the girl wards of the Kawailoa Training
School featured this year’s activities at that institution.
The number of girl wards on parole or, in other words, trained
sufficiently and well enough “adjusted” to meet the demands of the
general public and society is an indication of the success of management
of the institution. At the close of the year, the ward population
numbered 141 in school, with a total of 177 on parole. New commitments
during the year totaled 67.
24 » Report of the Governor of Hawaii
Lands of the institution comprise 363 acres, of which the building
area occupies 50. Sixty acres are utilized for fruit and vegetable
production; 100 acres are cleared and are recommended grass pastures
for beef and dairy cattle, and the balance consists of rough uncleared
pasture land. During the year agricultural and animal husbandry
activities have received added attention in strict accordance with the
military policy to make Hawaii as near self-supporting as possible.
Waialee Training School for Boys
The restraining and eradicating of abnormal tendencies in boys,
and their return to the community as useful citizens, are the objectives
of the Waialee Training School for Boys.
As of June 30, 1942, there were 138 wards in the school, and 174
on parole.
Strong emphasis has been placed on the recreational activities;
regular games have been scheduled in organized leagues for both
soft ball and basketball, and there has been much intramural activity
in these same sports. Regular classes in band instruction have been
continued. A very fine orchestra has been developed which is in
constant demand at dances and other entertainment features being
given for the benefit of the armed forces. Owing to the national
emergency, many school projects were deferred in favor of other
programs deemed more vital to the democratic cause; the production
of vegetables, for instance, has been doubled. Taro and banana
patches have been substantially increased.
During the coming year beef produced at the school will be available
to meet one-half of the school requirements, resulting in a substantial
saving of food purchases and the use of less imported meat. The
successful maintenance of the dairy and swine herd continues and is
expanding. Vocational work is continuing satisfactorily.
Owing to the prevailing labor shortage, older wards have been
permitted to work on army defense projects in the vicinity of the
school, returning to the school each night. These wards have discharged
their duties creditably and have several hundred dollars on
deposit in the trust fund. At present 30 wards are working daily
in the pineapple fields, and the number will be materially increased
during the peak of the harvest season.
Much repair work and remodeling of buildings was accomplished
during the year and, should occasion arise, emergency hospitalization
for civilian casualties can be furnished without disrupting prescribed
routine.
Fifty-eight boys and 56 girls attained their majority and were
discharged from further supervision. One boy and 2 girls were reReport
of the Governor of Hawaii • 25
leased from supervision before attaining majority. Three patients
from Waimano Home were discharged from further supervision.
To some extent, the success of the patients and wards coming
under the supervision of this division may be measured by the savings
of those on work parole. Of the 56 patients on parole from Waimano
Home, about two-thirds were on work parole. These had aggregate
net savings as of June 30, 1942, amounting to $2,286.81, of which
$1,181.25 was invested in United States War Bonds. In addition to
the remaining savings, the division paid out during the year to wards
who had reached their majority $9,521.23. We know of no such
record being established in any other jurisdiction. However, it
should be understood that this is in no way a peonage system. Boys
and girls have generally collected their own wages, paid their own
bills, and brought their own savings in for deposit, and all investments
in war bonds, have been made on a strictly voluntary basis.
Twenty-eight boys paroled from Waialee Training School for Boys
and one patient paroled from Waimano Home are serving in the armed
forces.
Ninety-seven boys paroled from Waialee Training School for Boys,
11 girls paroled from Kawailoa Training School for Girls and 7 patients
paroled from Waimano Home for the Feeble-minded were employed
on defense projects. Much effort was directed toward interesting all
parolees in contributing a part of their leisure time to gardening, Red
Cross work, and other volunteer projects in connection with the war
effort.
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Industrial relations throughout the Territory have been relatively
good in the fiscal year ended June 30 and in comparison with other
sections of the Nation, Hawaii has an enviable record of harmonious
relationships between employers and employees.
Acting in a conciliatory capacity, the Department of Labor and
Industrial Relations has assisted in five labor controversies between
employers and employee groups, all of which were settled to the mutual
satisfaction of both parties.
An enormous increase in the activities of the Child Labor Division
was evidenced by the number of minors’ employment certificates
issued during the year. The following are considered the fundamental
reasons for this increase:
The extreme shortage of adult workers in some occupations and
industries. This condition has made opportunities for the younger
worker to enter industry at a much earlier age, and in far greater
numbers than was heretofore possible.
26 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
The amendment to the Hawaii Child Labor Law, effective July 1,
1941, making mandatory the certification of minors up to 18 years of
age has greatly increased the scope of the law and has brought many
thousands of heretofore exempt minors under the jurisdiction of the
law.
The increasing familiarity of employers with the law. This was
brought about by inspections and publicity. Each new employer
coming into and remaining in compliance adds to the number of
minors certified by the division.
During the year a total of 12,751 child labor certificates were issued
throughout the Territory, an increase of 10,229 over the total issuance
of the preceding year.
The Wage and Hour Division is charged with the enforcement of
the Hawaii Wage and Hour Law, requiring a minimum wage and
overtime for work performed in excess of 48 hours in the work week.
One point worthy of comment is the number of firms who failed to
pay the minimum hourly rate of 25 cents on Oahu and 20 cents on the
outer islands. Sixty-two of 80 firms so far found to be in violation
of either the minimum wage or maximum hour provisions of the act,
have been found to be of this type.
Hawaii Unemployment Compensation
The Hawaii Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund on June 30,
showed a balance of $9,805,468, an increase of $2,121,547, or 27
percent over the balance at the end of the previous fiscal year.
Additions to the fund during the year totaled $2,361,580, consisting
of $2,204,434 in contributions and $157,146 interest on balances
on hand at the end of each calendar quarter, not including interest
for the quarter ended June 30. Net deductions for the payment of
benefits during the year were $181,654, plus refunds of $58,379 in
over-payments by employers, or an aggregate of $240,033.
Experience rating amendments to the Hawaii Unemployment Compensation
Law by the 1941 legislature made contribution reductions
allowable under the experience rating provisions of the act, which
specifies certain reserves employers must maintain in their accounts
to secure a rate lower than the general rate of 2.7 percent of their pay
rolls. These rates range from zero to 2.25 percent.
From April 1, 1941, through December 31, 1941, approximately
$1,000,000 was saved by employers throughout Hawaii as a result of
this reduction allowed on their unemployment compensation contributions
for that period. The number of firms affected totaled 2,284.
The volume of initial claims received by the Hawaii agency during
the past fiscal year declined 17 percent below the volume for the
prior year, or 4,775 as compared with 5,739. Claims for unemployReport
of the Governor of Hawaii • 27
ment accepted consist of two types, those from local workers residing
in the Territory who are unemployed, yet available for work, and
claims from former Territorial workers now residing on the mainland.
Because these latter individuals previously were engaged in covered
employment within the Territory and established wage credits here,
their claim for benefits resulting from unemployment in various sections
of the mainland United States, where they are currently located,
is accepted and processed by the Hawaii agency. These claims by
former islanders now residing on the mainland jumped from annual
totals of 351 to 575 in the past 2 fiscal years, an increase of 63 percent.
Local unemployed workers filed 4,200 claims last year, a drop of
22 percent below the 5,388 local claims of the 1940-41 year.
In other words, while multistate claims filed against Hawaii by
former Territorial workers now residing and unemployed on the mainland
increased 63 percent, claims filed by local unemployed persons
still residing in the Territory dropped 22 percent.
Until December 7, 1941, the trend was definitely downward, with
all indications and every reason for a continued decline in the monthly
intake of initial claim filing by covered workers in Hawaii. Immediately
following early December, however, the picture changed.
Wartime measures necessary to cope with the emergency conditions^
the establishment of martial law throughout the Territory, enforcement
of rigid black- out regulations and the realignment of local industry
to meet these emergency conditions and requirements was directly
responsible for this situation.
The Hawaii Employment Service terminated its operations as a
Territorial entity on January 31, 1942, rounding out exactly 4 years
as a division of the Territory. During the 7 months of the fiscal
year that this division functioned as a unit of the Bureau of Unemployment
Compensation, it took 15,120 applications for work, consisting
of 9,405 new applications and 5,715 renewals of previous
registrations for work.
Public Utilities
Considerable increases in wages and other expenses, including
taxes, together with the uncertainties prevailing because of Hawaii’s
position in the current war, made consumers’ rate reductions impossible
or inadvisable during 1941, and no reductions of importance
by any of the 24 major enterprises under the jurisdiction of the
Territorial Public Utilities Commission were made.
Gross revenues of the electric, gas, and telephone utilities showed a
substantial increase in 1941 over the prior year, however.
Average annual domestic consumption of electricity on Oahu
increased to 1,411 kilowatt hours in 1941 and 1,244 in 1940. Electric
28 • Report of the Governor of Hawaii
consumers for the Territory totaled 80,080 on December 31, 1941,
compared with 74,248 on the same date in 1940. After December 7,
1941, electric consumption for domestic purposes was retarded due to
“blackout” conditions, and this had an adverse effect on revenues.
The expansion programs planned in former years are being carried
through to completion although considerable difficulty is being experienced
in obtaining materials and equipment. The utilities have
worked in close cooperation with those entrusted with the defense of
the Territory. All services continued to function without interruption
throughout the December 7th attack.
The Mutual Telephone Co. has been unable to obtain delivery of
considerable new equipment, and a system of priorities, which is
administered by the office of the military governor, prevails for new
services.
The facilities of the Honolulu Rapid Transit Co., Ltd., have, on
many occasions, been taxed to capacity. Twenty-five additional
40-passenger gasoline busses have been placed in service this year,
increasing the seating capacity by 1,000. A further 25 vehicles of the
same type and capacity are due to arrive in the near future, and
company officials foresee the necessity for further expansion as the
tire shortage for privately-owned vehicles becomes more acute.
Electric utilities on the outside islands, without the opportunity
of a recovery through increased sales of power, have felt the effects
of the “blackout” order. Residential consumption has decreased
considerably, and with all sales of energy for street lighting purposes
canceled, this situation will undoubtedly continue until the order is
rescinded.
Additional capital to finance additions and improvements by the
major public utilities during the year totaled $7,322,000.
Further financing is foreseen during 1942 to carry on the expansion
programs planned by the public utilities.
Respectfully submitted,
Jose ph B. Poi nd ex te r ,
Governor of Hawaii.
o
ANNUAL
REPORT
OF THE GOVERNOR OF
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
TO THE SECRETARY
of The inte rio r
HS CAL YEA R E N DED JUNE 3 0, 1 9 4 2
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR
Haro ld L. Ickes
Secretary
TERRITORY OF THE
VIRGIN ISLANDS
Cha rle s Harwood
Governor
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D C.
For sale by the Superintendent of Locuments, Washington, D. C., Price 10 cents
Contents
Page
- Defense of the islands................................................. 1
Economic situation..................................................... 2
Fiscal................................................................. ; . . 4
Municipality of St. Thomas and St. John ... 4
Municipality of St. Croix.......................; .. 4
Municipal insurance fund, St. Thomas .... 5
The Federal appropriation.................................. 5
PWA projects..................................................... 6
Defense public works appropriation................... 6
Survey of public works needs........................... 6
Public Works Department.......................................... 7
Health and sanitation................................................. 8
Virgin Islands Cooperative...................................... 9
Agricultural Experiment Station and Vocational
School................................................................. 10
Public welfare............................................................ 11
Education.................................................................... 12
Police and prison department...................................... 13
Public libraries............................................................. 13
Public Utilities Commission...................................... 13
Legislative authorities................................................. 14
Home guards............................................................. 15
Conclusion................................................................. 15

Annual Report o£
The Governor of the Virgin Islands
CHARLES HARWOOD, Governor
Cha rlo tt e Amalie , St . Tho mas ,
September 1, 191$.
The Hon ora ble The Secre tary of th e Int eri or ,
Washington, D. C.
Sir : Pursuant to Section 20 of the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands
of the United States, approved June 22, 1936, I have the honor to
submit the following annual report of the transactions of the Government
of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1942.
Defense of the Islands R REASON of their strategic location not only as the most
eastern outpost of the United States but also as the keystone of the
arch protecting the Caribbean Sea approaches to the vital Panama
Canal, it is most natural that the major concern of the Virgin Islands
during the past year has been that of defense, both military and
civilian.
Such has been the scope of the defense plans and their fulfillment
that perhaps in no other place under the American flag has the normal
economic and social structure of community life been so radically
affected. Months before our entry into the war, the administration
recognized the gravity of the geographical position of the Virgin
Islands. Steps were initiated immediately toward a concentrated
program of civilian defense. There was a prompt organizing of Councils
of Defense by both island municipalities which were quick to move
into active intensive programs. When war did come, the Virgin
Islands defense program was well underway.
In this connection it is gratifying to note the comments of James
M. Landis, Director of the United States Office of Civilian Defense, on
examination of a report of civilian defense activities in the islands:
2 • Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942
From these small dots of American soil in one of the world’s most critical defense
zones, we get a splendid example of civilian alertness to common danger and timely
cooperation to meet it with adequate measures. We must put into practice in the
nation much of what these islands, which have an area of only 133 square miles,
have already done.
On the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix there have been extensive
military preparations. What has been done in this connection and
what the effects have been may not properly be recorded at this
time. It can be said, however, that the entire population of the
islands has responded in an excellent manner and that the islanders
have demonstrated their patriotism and loyalty to the United States.
At the direction of the administration, councils for defense were
organized in both municipalities under the standard regulations of the
United States Office of Civilian Defense. The executive direction of
civilian defense efforts was vested in civilian defense coordinators who
were charged with the duty and responsibility of instituting and executing
civilian defense measures on their own initiative or upon the recommendation
of the councils for defense, and to establish a proper degree
of collaboration with military authorities so as to insure complete
coordination of all activities.
In both islands air raid precautions were instituted with volunteer
organizations of air raid wardens, fire watchers, fire fighters, demolition,
rescue and repair squads, emergency food and shelter corps, ambulance
and canteen corps and first aid. Under the supervision of the American
Red Cross, the standard first aid course was given to hundreds of
eligible volunteers. First aid centers, equipped by the American Red
Cross in cooperation with local defense authorities, were organized and
manned.
Considerable funds were appropriated for civilian defense needs,
medical and surgical equipment, ambulances, powerful warning sirens,
fire fighting equipment, first aid supplies and equipment.
Frequent practices were held during which all regular and volunteer
units were called into active service. Fires were simulated, traffic
arteries disrupted and simulated casualties treated systematically.
The result has been most encouraging. All observers agree that the
civilian population of the Virgin Islands is defense conscious to a remarkable
degree. They are alert, cooperative and obedient.
Economic Situation
The war has emphasized the difference in economy between the
islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix. The resources of St. Thomas are
commercial and the increases in trade stimulated by defense activities
raised the estimated municipal revenues of $249,000 to nearly $600,000,
thus making it possible for the municipality of St. Thomas and St.
John, for the first time since the purchase of the islands.by the United
Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942 • 3
States in 1917, to be financed without Federal deficit appropriation.
The economy of the municipality of St. Croix is agricultural and it
has been adversely affected during the last 5 years by repeated
droughts. During the year, the Municipal Council of St. Croix with
the approval of the present administration repealed the export tax of
$6 a ton on sugar, which tax was among the burdens that destroyed
the private sugar industries of St. Croix and added to the losses of the
Virgin Islands Co. which was established by the government solely to
provide employment and a market for small farmers. Existing,
nowhere else under the United States flag, the repeal of this tax had
been urged for many years. About the time of the tax repeal, the
present administration succeeded in having Congress apply to the
Virgin Islands the Sugar Act of 1937. Heretofore St. Croix had been
the only sugar producing area of the United States that did not share
in the benefit payments provided by that act, in spite of the fact that
St. Croix’s sugar was required to pay the processing tax from which
such benefit payments were made to all other aieas.
Employment, which is the first known measure of economic health,
was at its peak on the island of St. Thomas where extensive military
preparations gave remunerative employment to every employable
male. In St. Croix, after months of much unemployment, the Work
Projects Administration and the National Youth Administration
gave employment to nearly every eligible male. By the end of June,
however, the WPA employment quota was severely reduced and the
National Youth Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps
were abandoned. The serious effects of this, as well as the gradual
reduction of employment in the municipality of St. Thomas by reason
of the tapering off of military construction, will be increasingly felt in
the new fiscal year. Although the employment situation was most
satisfactory, it cannot be said that the economic health of the Virgin
Islands is sound, despite its fair superficial appearance, because real
economic health depends upon real wage and stability of employment.
In the municipality of St. Croix the new abattoir built by the
Federal Government was operated as a WPA demonstration and
training project. Many cattle, sheep and hogs were slaughtered for
export to St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. In St. Thomas the modern
cold storage market built by the Federal Government was substantially
completed. Facilities have been provided for the marketing
and cold storage of all locally produced foodstuffs, fish, poultry, meats,
vegetables, eggs and dairy products. The processing, selling and
cold-storaging of meats have been given particular consideration in
order to serve as a companion project to the abattoir in St. Croix. It
is expected that the operation of this market together with the operation
of the abattoir in St. Croix will be within the framework of the
Virgin Islands Co. These two units when organized for operation
4 • Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942
will be an important factor in meeting the demand for foodstuffs
created by defense activities and the serious shipping situation.
Fiscal
The finances of the municipal government in St. Thomas were in
excellent condition. For the first time since 1917, the municipality
of St. Thomas and St. John was financed without a Federal deficit
appropriation. The Federal deficit appropriation of $15,000, which
was made by Congress, was not used. In St. Croix the fiscal affairs
of the municipality, after being at a very low ebb for many years,
took a slightly more favorable turn. For the first time in 4 years it
was not necessary to borrow money to meet an operating deficit over
and above the Federal deficit appropriation. However, an enthusiastic
reception of this golden era must be tempered by the poor
potentialities of the forthcoming fiscal year.
Municipality of St. Thomas and St. John
The actual revenues of the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John
were $599,116.94 as compared with $359,157.40 in the preceding year,
which is an increase of 66.8 percent. Income tax collections were
$316,067.67 as compared with $138,552.45, an increase of 128.1 percent.
It is interesting to note that income tax collections in 1940 were
$99,236.21 while in 1936 the revenue from this source was $18,237.08.
Trade taxes yielded $46,938.18 as compared with $27,061.37 in 1941,
an advance of 73.4 percent. Customs receipts were $59,200 as compared
with $42,464.89 in 1941, an increase of 39.4 percent. Pilotage
fees were $42,047.39 as compared with $27,441.96 in 1941, an increase
of 53.2 percent.
The budget for the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John carried
total appropriations of $588,000 of which $573,000 was estimated to
be derived from local revenues and $15,000 from the Federal deficit
appropriation. Because actual local revenues amounted to $599,000,
there was no deficit and the Federal deficit appropriation was not
used.
Municipality of St. Croix
The revenues of the muncipality of St. Croix amounted to
$196,485.72 compared with $139,111.07 in the preceding year, an
increase of 41.2 percent. Income tax collections were $30,394.50 as
compared with $11,149.39 in 1941, an advance of 172.6 percent. The
striking contrast between the economy of the island of St. Thomas
and the economy of the island of St. Croix is demonstrated by the
great difference in income tax collections. Total income tax collections
in St. Thomas in 1942 were $316,067.67 as compared with
$30,394.50 in St. Croix.
Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942 • 5
The budget for the municipality of St. Croix carried total appropriations
of $301,845, of which local revenues were estimated to supply
$196,845 and the Federal deficit appropriation $105,000. An additional
Federal deficit appropriation of $10,000 made late in the fiscal
year was not used because of an unusual increase in income tax collections.
Because of this slight improvement in the fiscal situation of
St. Croix, some small reduction is expected to be made in the municipality’s
indebtedness of $90,000. It was possible to restore half of
the drastic salary cuts made the previous year and next year’s budget
makes full restoration.
Municipal Insurance Fund, St. Thomas
Because commercial insurance companies failed or refused to insure
local employers, under a most reasonable law enacted by the Municipal
Council of St. Thomas and St. John, a municipal insurance fund for
workmen’s compensation was established as of July 1, 1941. After
careful study of premium rates in effect in Puerto Rico and in several
States, premium schedules were promulgated. Gross premiums of
$24,544.36 were collected. A loan of $10,000 was made for working
capital. • By June 30, 1942, $4,000 had been repaid, leaving the remainder
as a cash working balance.
The Federal Appropriation
The Federal appropriations for the Government of the Virgin
Islands, fiscal year 1942, were:
Central administration_______________________________________ $151, 075
Agricultural experiment station and vocational school_____________ 45, 650
Deficit, St. Thomas__ ___________________ ___________________ 15, 000
Deficit, St. Croix____________________________________________ 115,000
Total------------------------------------------------------------------------ 326, 725
Comparable 1941 appropriations were:
Central administration____________________________________ $142, 255. 00
Agricultural experiment station and vocational schooll__________ 41, 150. 00
Deficit, St. Thomas_______________ _______________________ 44, 933. 78
Deficit, St. Croix------------------- --------------------- - -------------------- 103, 500. 00
Total-------------------------------------------------------------------- 331, 838. 78
On July 1, 1941, WPA projects were transfened from a Federal
agency basis formerly operated under the Government of the Virgin
Islands, to a state basis operated under tlie direct supervision of the
Work Projects Administration.
Likewise, the United States Housing projects were transferred to
the management of the Virgin Islands Co.
Working funds totalling $12,500 were established by the Army
491980—42-2
6 • Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942
for construction by the Virgin Islands Government of certain military
facilities.
A Federal Fish and Wildlife Service project for deer restoration
in St. Croix was set up in amount of $10,000.
PWA Projects
During the year, Federal Project 18, construction of an abattoir at
St. Croix, was completed at a cost of $110,000. Federal Project 17,
construction of a cold storage market and an additional building for
the cooperatives in St. Thomas, was substantially completed at a cost
of $205,000.
Defense Public Works Appropriation
The efforts of the administration were successful in obtaining a
special appropriation of $125,000 from the Federal Works Agency,
Defense Public Wrorks Administration, for purchase of fire-protection
equipment, street cleaning and garbage disposal equipment, and night
soil removal service equipment, for the islands of St. Thomas and St.
Croix. Of this appropriation $64,000 is obligated for the purchase of
essential equipment for the municipality of St. Croix, while $61,000
will be expended in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John.
Equipment sought to be purchased under this appropriation includes
fire-fighting units, heavy duty water tank trucks, foam generators,
portable pumping units, garbage collection and disposal units, mechanical
street sweepers, combination loader, excavator, and grader, pickup
trucks, heavy duty stainless steel-bodied trucks, and sewage pumps.
Priority and transportation difficulties have delayed the purchase and
delivery of this equipment but, by the end of the fiscal year, contracts
had been awarded or were in process of being awarded for the major
portion.
Collections for Deposit in the United States Treasury
A total of $7,565.15 was collected from homesteaders under land
and house purchase contracts, interest and principal on loans and
miscellaneous collections. Toward the end of the fiscal year deposits
totalling $6,898.55 were made on account of sales of civilian reserve
foodstuffs made available through the Department of Interior.
Survey of Public Works Needs
Under the authority of an appropriation contained in the second
deficiency appropriation act of 1941, approved July 3, 1941, a comprehensive
survey of the public works needs of the Virgin Islands was
made by the Federal Works Agency at the request of the Secretary
Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942 • 7
of the Interior. The appropriation of $5,000 macle available by
Congress, being insufficient to complete the survey, the facilities and
professional personnel of the Federal Works Agency were utilized.
The Honorable John M. Carmody, then Administrator, Federal
Works Agency, and several members of his staff made a preliminary
investigation of conditions prevailing in the Virgin Islands. Subsequently,
additional engineers of the Federal Works Agency spent considerable
time in the Virgin Islands rounding out the various phases
involved in a comprehensive program.
Their report on the public works needs of the Virgin Islands, which
was transmitted to the Congress late in the fiscal year by the Secretary
of the Interior, states that the most outstanding need of the islands
is for hospitals and, in no uncertain terms, condemns the present
facilities as dilapidated and inadequate. Next in the order of priority
the report includes recommendations for additions and replacements
to the present salt water fire protection system in St. Thomas and St.
Croix and the enlargement of facilities for potable water supplies.
Sanitary conditions in the Virgin Islands, despite improvements
made during the American administration of the islands, are still
extremely unsatisfactory due to such primitive conditions as night
soil removal services, open gutters, garbage disposal into the bay immediately
offshore with resultant pollution, lack of sufficient water
for drinking purposes and lack of adequate housing.
Projects totaling $5,759,520 for the municipality of St. Thomas and
St. John and $3,616,900 for the municipality of St. Croix were recommended
for eventual consideration but priority consideration is being
requested for the following:
(a) Construction of modern hospital at St. Thomas, $495,000;
(b) Construction of modern hospital at St. Croix, $468,000;
(c) Construction of hospital and other emergency facilities for St.
John, $40,000;
(d) Additions and alterations to salt water fire protection system
in St. Thomas, $214,000;
(e) Additions and alterations to the salt water fire protection system
in St. Croix, $92,300;
(f) Construction of water catchment areas and storage reservoirs
in St. Thomas, $447,400;]
(g) Construction of water catchment areas and storage reservoirs
in St. Croix, $467,400;
(h) Fire protection equipment, St. Thomas, $34,900; and
(i) Fire protection equipment, St. Croix, $31,500.
Public Works Department
. Additional duties and acute responsibilities vital to civilian defense
operations considerably increased the regular work of the Public
8 • Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 19f 2
Works Departments, including maintenance of public water supplies,
sewerage systems, public buildings and grounds, municipal highway
improvements, building inspection, the municipal telephone systems,
and the fire departments. Expanded phases of public works such as
emergency communication, fire fighting, sanitation, and emergency
construction and repair were initiated at an unusual rate to take care
of the increased demands.
During the year jurisdiction of the WPA works program was transferred
from the supervision of the Public Works Department in both
municipalities to the jurisdiction of a new WPA District Office.
Construction of National defense highways has been carried on by the
WPA District Office under the WPA Administrator for Puerto Rico
and the Virgin Islands.
In the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John plans and specifications
were prepared and a contract was awarded for the construction
of a juvenile school in St. John. The completion of this unit will fill
a long-felt need. Unfortunately, due to delay in obtaining materials,
the structure, expected to be completed by September 1942, was only
about 25 percent completed on June 30. Funds have been appropriated
by the municipal council for cisterns and wells at public schools
and other areas in the country districts of St. Thomas. Some of these
have been completed and others are in process of construction. All
of them are useful projects designed to fill a long-felt need for additional
water supplies in these districts.
The main open gutters in Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted and
Frederiksted were flushed daily with salt water upon direct orders
of the Governor in order to improve sanitary conditions. Previously
these open sewers had been flushed only once or twice a week. They
constitute an acutely imminent epidemic source. This necessary
additional flushing has resulted in considerably increased cost to the
municipalities.
In St. Croix, reconstruction of the Kings Hill Home was completed
under the asupices of the Public Buildings Administration.
Health and Sanitation
The Commissioner of Health reports that the outstanding feature of
the year in St. Thomas has been the outbreak of a vast epidemic of
acute infectious jaundice and its evident connection with the mass
yellow fever vaccination of the population of St. Thomas. Under the
auspices of the Council for Defense, yellow fever vaccine was obtained
without charge from the Rockefeller Foundation and administered
voluntarily to over 10,000 persons. The epidemic of jaundice
which followed this mass vaccination was extensive and severe.
Careful and exhaustive studies and investigations are being made by.
United States Public Health Service officers.
Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 194® • 9
In the municipality of St. Croix, while the general health of the
population has been good, there was an epidemic of dengue fever which
was also prevalent in St. Thomas to a degree.
Medical officers in the Virgin Islands have done a great amount of
useful work with a small staff under extremely difficult conditions.
Hospital wards are shabby, hot, and gloomy. There are no separate
wards for tubercular persons nor for venereal or other infectious cases.
The toilets and bathrooms are miserable. There is lack of running
water in the wards and the children’s and obstetrical wards are housed
in termite eaten and rotten wooden buildings. In St. Croix a children’s
ward was completed and occupied at each hospital, but the main
hospital buildings are in poor condition. All medical institutions are
in dire need of rehabilitation. The Kings Hill Home was rehabilitated
and completed by the Public -Buildings Administration and was a
welcome addition to the medical institutions. Unfortunately, an
adequate water supply was not provided and the institution is in need
of beds, mattresses, bedding, and other equipment, relatively few of
which have arrived.
The prospect of new modern hospital buildings and equipment as a
result of the public works survey of the islands gives hope of relief to a
serious situation which has long been a concern in the administration of
the Virgin Islands.
The sanitary sewer system in both islands is greatly in need of improvement
and expansion. There are only 131 sewer connections in
St. Thomas to the existing salt water system, which is about 6 percent
of the occupied dwellings.
In Christiansted, only 50 out of 1,020 and in Frederiksted only 14
of 605 houses are connected to the sanitary system. The majority of
the homes in all towns have pit or surface privies. These primitive
facilities are a constant menace to the health of the people of the
Virgin Islands.
Virgin Islands Cooperative
The full impact of the war was felt by the Virgin Islands Cooperative.
Complete loss of tourist trade, shipping difficulties affecting
export trade, difficulties of obtaining raw materials and its greatly
increased cost have combined to disturb and hamper the operations of
the cooperative to such an extent as to cause serious financial loss.
For the second time in 9 years, volume of sales has receded but, unfortunately,
the reduction at this time has been considerable. Total
sales dropped from $55,357.77 in 1941 to $32,798.66 in 1942, representing
a reduction of more than 40 percent. However, the sound
potentialities of the cooperative were indicated in the increase of the
mail-order sales and local sales which increased from $9,918.58 in
10 • Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 19f2
1941 to $13,167.41 in 1942 despite difficulties of parcel-post service.
The export of silk palm braid has continued but the trade in this
product has fallen off considerably because of competition in the
United States by braids manufactured in Haiti, Mexico, and Central
America. The cooperative received no financial assistance whatever
during the year. It has had to carry its own burden during the worst
year with the inevitable result of serious depletion of funds. Because
of these unfortunate conditions, it was not possible to pay any bonuses
to the members.
Agricultural Experiment Station and
Vocational School
F The Agricultural Experiment Station and Vocational School, located
on St. Croix with a substation at St. Thomas, underwent an almost
complete reorganization in personnel and objectives during the year.
Sugarcane continues to be the main cash crop in St. Croix. The cane
for the 1942 harvest was poor. Labor troubles at the beginning of the
crop season caused a delay of over 1 month before the crop was
actually started. The livestock industry of St. Croix has been very
hard hit because of the difficulties involved in making shipments of
livestock to Puerto Rico. This has been partly alleviated by the
construction of a modern abattoir by the Federal Government.
Efforts were made to obtain purebred beef type bulls from continental
United States to improve the local breeds, but difficulties involved in
purchase and transportation have made it almost impossible to
obtain them.
Greater efforts were made to encourage the planting of more locally
grown staple foods but due to the prolonged drought much success
has not been manifested. The past year has been one of subnormal
rainfall resulting in smaller yields, while market conditions have been
unsettled and prices irregular. A considerable number of homesteaders,
land renters and farm laborers were able to take advantage of
employment on Government emergency projects which benefited
them but which affected adversely the agricultural situation. Extension
activities covered help to farmers, advice in crop production,
animal husbandry, home beautifying, and simple farm construction.
In March 1942 there was inaugurated in connection with the
National Defense movement a WPA project known as the “food
production program.” In cooperation with the Farm Security Administration,
island-wide work is under way in pasture improvement,
preparation of acreage for subsistence crops and maintenance of seedbeds.
About 250 acres are to be planted in vegetables with an increase
to 650 acres for fall planting. The funds for the project arise through
a special WPA allotment of $275,000.
Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942 • 11
In St. Thomas the agricultural substation has likewise undergone a
change in policy. Efforts have been concentrated on the encouragement
of food production. A new service of seed and plant-slip distribution
was instituted. Seeds ordered from civilian defense appropriations
were distributed to all interested farmers. Construction of
bench terraces for soil conservation was carried out. An educational
project was set up to encourage the cultivation of these terraces for
soil conservation and the retention of moisture.
The National Youth Administration, whose boys’ resident project
at the station in St. Croix proved unsatisfactory in the previous year,
reorganized that project and with the close cooperation of the station
staff conducted a satisfactory and promising vocational school. It is
a matter of deep regret that this project had to be closed on June 30,
1942. The 40 boys who were in residence, under strict and efficient
supervision, had applied themselves wholeheartedly to the work and
had made encouraging progress.
Public Welfare
Outstanding changes and expansion in the activities of the Department
of Public Welfare in the municipality of St. Thomas and St.
John marked the year as the most important in the history of welfare
and social improvements. The municipal council implemented important
legislation to provide workmen’s compensation, adopted a
wages and hours act, prescribing minimum wages and maximum
hours, patterned closely after the United States Fair Standards Labor
Act; and-created a division of public playgrounds to provide supervised
and organized recreational activities.
During the year the work formerly performed by the Department
of Public Welfare in directing WPA employment and women’s projects
was transferred to the newly established WPA District Office but its
place was more than filled by new municipal undertakings. The
previous picture of a department, largely supported through Federal
emergency undertakings, was changed to that of an active department
assuming the direction of a municipal program of permanent
character and of expanding importance in island affairs.
In St. Croix, the Department of Public Welfare extended its social
service work. Unfortunately, the municipal government of St. Croix
has not yet recognized the need for a fully staffed and active welfare
department, and appropriations for its support have been negligible.
The food stamp plan of the Agricultural Marketing Administration
continued to be highly successful in St. Croix. During the year,
$51,225 was expended by the United States Government by the
issuance of free blue stamps to unemployables and orange stamps to
the value of $52,583 were purchased by low-income workers. In St.
Thomas the food stamp plan has not been as successful as in St.
12 • Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942
Croix. In this island, free blue stamps to the value of $18,988 were
distributed to unemployables and $8,627 in orange stamps were purchased
by low-income workers.
The housing shortage in St. Thomas accentuated by the increased
population due to defense activities continued to be acute. Efforts to
obtain Federal funds for the construction of additional low-cost housing
units have failed. The housing shortage has added to the deplorable
housing conditions already existing among low-income groups.
This is a problem requiring urgent attention.
Education
The Department of Education has made marked progress during
the year. Under a new school law the public now has greater control
in formulating policies and in the conduct of the public schools
through active boards of education with extensive powers. In the
municipality of St. Thomas and St. John, the council has made
commendable strides in the enactment of measures for extension and
improvement of educational institutions and services. The adoption
of a standard to govern teachers’ salaries and to provide for promotions
on the basis of training and continued service, made effective
with the beginning of the fiscal year 1942, is one of the most constructive
measures undertaken since the establishment of compulsory
education in the Virgin Islands. Another outstanding event was the
establishment of an adult educational program wholly supported by
the municipality.
Of special significance because of its potential benefits to the community
is the persistent and determined efforts toward obtaining
more suitable facilities for a high school and to include and improve a
strong program of vocational education. By the end of the fiscal
year, funds had been appropriated and negotiations concluded for the
purchase of a suitable site for a new high school in St. Thomas. This
was financed entirely by municipal funds. Reconstruction of buildings
on this site will be effected during the new fiscal year provided
building materials can be secured.
The school lunch program was maintained throughout the year
financed in part by grants of municipal funds and largely by the
WPA. Commodities received from the Agricultural Marketing
Administration proved to be immensely beneficial. A nursery school
program was continued by the WPA with sponsorship funds furnished
by the municipalities.
In the municipality of St. Croix there is need for an eight-grade
high school in the center of the island and a new building for the
Christiansted High School. Nevertheless, an improvement in instruction
is evidenced by better passing grades particularly in the elementary
grades.
Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942 • 13
Under Public Laws 812 and 146 of the United States, funds were
allotted to the Virgin Islands for education and training of NYA
project workers. Courses were given in home economics including
the selection, care and construction of clothing, home furnishing,
home management, planning, preparation and serving of foods, home
nursing, first aid, and health and personal grooming. This program
unfortunately was closed on June 30, 1942, by reason of withdrawal
of Federal contributions.
Police and Prison Department
The police force of St. Thomas was considerably strengthened
during the year by increased personnel and additional equipment provided
from generous municipal appropriations. There were 1,079
arrests in St. Thomas as compared with 1,042 during the last fiscal
year.
Intensive civilian defense measures in both islands including
frequent black-outs have greatly increased the work and responsibilities
of the police officers. Automobile and traffic difficulties have
increased as a result of a large increase in vehicles. A total of 715
automotive vehicles were registered in St. Thomas during the year as
compared with 654 in the preceding year and 386 four years ago.
In the maintaining of order during the war emergency period there
has been close cooperation between the military and civil authorities.
The police force in the municipality of St. Croix is badly in need of
new equipment. For several successive years funds have not been
adequate'to maintain respectability in uniforms and adequate arms
and equipment. By the end of the fiscal year appropriations had
been made for partial alleviation of this situation, but the receipt of
necessary equipment has been delayed due to priorities and shipping.
Public Libraries
The supervising librarian reports that the year has been subnormal
as far as circulation and projects are concerned. Transportation and
mail difficulties due to the war have delayed book and magazine
deliveries and orders. Recataloging of the adult department in St.
Thomas was started. Work with children has progressed, with storyhour
programs being conducted for pre-school and in-school groups.
Public Utilities Commission
In February 1942, after exhaustive studies and hearings the Public
Utilities Commission of St. Thomas and St. John entered an order
to be effective from April 15, 1942, promulgating reduced landing and
loading charges at Charlotte Amalie. Prior to the effective date of
14 • Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 1942
the new tariff, the United States condemned a one-year leasehold on
the docks of the West Indian Co., Ltd. at St. Thomas and entrusted
their operation and management to the Virgin Islands Co. This
company, acting as agent for the United States Government, did not
adhere to the rates which had been fixed by the Commission. Proper
administrative steps have been instituted to determine the responsibility
for adherence by the Virgin Islands Co. to the rates as determined
by the Commission.
In March 1942, the Commission also moved to reduce electric light
and power rates. Before the date of the proposed hearing on these
rates, the United States acquired title by condemnation to the electric
light and power station. The hearing was not held. Electric light
and power rates have not yet been reduced.
Federal Ownership of Public Utilities
During the year the United States Government acquired a oneyear
leasehold on the docks of The West Indian Co., Ltd. at St.
Thomas and acquired title in fee simple to its electric light and power
station. These utilities, constituting the principal commercial activities
of the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, are now being operated
under United States Government ownership, in lieu of former private
ownership and managament.
Because the activities of The West Indian Co., Ltd. furnished a
major source of revenue in income and other taxes to the municipality
of St. Thomas and St. John, efforts have been made by the administration
to obtain the authority of the Federal Works Agency for the
payment of these taxes to the municipality by the United States
Government.
Government ownership of the electric light and power station had
long been sought. With proper and sound management the result
should be beneficial to the people of the islands. However, unless
satisfactory arrangements can be made for payment of taxes to the
municipality of St. Thomas and St. John, the economic structure of
this municipality will be seriously affected.
Legislative Authorities
The Municipal Council of St. Thomas and St. John continued
actively to sponsor social legislation of a most important character.
Following up its earlier record in the enactment of a workmen’s
compensation act, the Municipal Council this year enacted and made
provision for the vigorous enforcement of a minimum wage and maximum
hour law. This Municipal Council also established a municipal
insurance fund for workmen’s compensation, a law to control prices
of foodstuffs, a law establishing a homestead commission and created
Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands, 191$ • 15
a new bureau of agriculture. From greatly increased revenues incident
to income tax collections, generous appropriations were made
for maintenance and operation of all departments of the municipal
governments of St. Thomas and St. John, for civilian defense purposes
and for many important municipal projects. The St. Thomas home
guard was created by legislation and funds provided for its equipment
and maintenance. The Municipal Council of St. Croix took an important
forward step by repealing the export tax of $6 per ton on
sugar produced in St. Croix. Both councils cooperated in the enactment
of legislation for civilian defense and protective emergency
measures.
The legislative assembly of the Virgin Islands, consisting of the two
municipal councils in joint session, held one session. The subjects
which may properly be dealt with by this assembly are those on
which legislation will apply with equal force to both municipalities.
The growing divergency in economy between the islands has reduced
the number and importance of such matters.
Home Guards
In both municipalities, home guards with voluntary membership
were authorized and created by local legislation. In St. Thomas
excellent training was given by officers and noncommissioned officers
assigned by the United States Marine Corps. Efforts have been and
are being made by the administration to secure a proper status for
the Home Guards so that they may be eligible for the issuance of arms
and equipment by the War Department.
Conclusion
There continues to be immediate and imperative need for largescale
appropriations of Federal funds for reconstruction and equipment
of hospitals, medical institutions, water supply facilities, fire
protection services and equipment, and modern sewage and garbage
disposal systems. These needs have been presented to Congress in
the report of the Public Works Survey heretofore referred to. Because
of the existing emergency, determined and persistent efforts
must be made to provide more and better small farmers and better
and greater use of land.
It is recommended that efforts continue to be made to obtain the
extension of Federal aid for vocational education under the George-
Dean and the Smith-Hughes Acts to permit the establishment of a
sound and practical program of vocational education.
It is too early to state whether the financial affairs of the municipality
of St. Thomas and St. John will be adversely affected by the
change of ownership of the docks in St. Thomas. It is hoped that
16 • Report of the Governor of the Virgin Istands, 19^2
negotiations for payment of all taxes to the municipal government will
be successful. In St. Croix, the island’s dependence on Federal aid
continues and there is no hope of any material improvement.
In all islands, efforts and appropriations should be concentrated
upon, but not restricted to, the distribution of land, and upon its
development for the subsistence and security of those who can be
properly settled upon it.
Internal revenue taxes collected in the United States on products
of the Virgin Islands shipped to the United States should be returned
to the Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States. There
is the very strong possibility that the return of these taxes would eliminate
the need for further annual deficit contributions by the Federal
Government. Congressional action in the matter of the return of
these taxes has been sought for many years. The enactment of this
legislation, which is strongly recommended, would be a major contribution
to a sound economic future for the islands.
The Selective Service Act of the United States has not been applied
to the Virgin Islands. Late in the fiscal year information was obtained
that the law is applicable to the Virgin Islands but that machinery
has not been provided for its enforcement. This act should be
put into effect immediately and the people of the Virgin Islands given
the opportunity and privilege to serve in the Nation’s armed forces
as all other American citizens.
Respectfully submitted.
Charl es Harwo od ,
Governor of the Virgin Islands of the United States.
o
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO
HONORABLE
REXFORD G. TUGWELL
1942
SAN JUAN, P. R.
Burkau ok Suppli es , Pri nt in g , and Tran spo rt ati on
1943
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. TEXT OF EEPORT.
Ins ular Agen ci es . page
Administration of Justice-------------------------------- 16-19
Agricultural Experiment Station---------------- 11-15
Agriculture____________________________________________ 9-11
Civil Service Commission-------------------------------------------------- 34-36
Civilian Defense________________________________________ 32-34
Corporations and Cooperative Associations--------------------------- 37
Court of Tax Appeals------------------------------------------ ----------- 19-20
Education______________________________________________22-23
Elections-----------------------------------------------------------------------36-37
Finances-------------------------- 1-4
Food and General Supplies Commission------------------------------- 36
Health________________________________________________ 29-32
Insular Police__________________________________________ 20-21
Insurance--------------------------------------------------------------------- 37-40
Isabela Irrigation Service------- '--------------------------------------- 44-45
Justice------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15-16
Labor____________________________________ 21-22
Legislation------------------------------------------------------------------ 4-9
Public Service Commission-------------------------------------------------49-51
Public Works----------------------------------------------------------------43-44
School of Tropical Medicine---------------------------------------------- 25-29
State Insurance Fund------------------------------------------------------ 40-43
University of Puerto Rico------------------------------------------------- 24—2'5
Water Resources Authority------------------------------------------------45-49
Feder al Agen ci es __________________________________________ 51-66
Agricultural Adjustment Agency----------------------------------------- 58-59
Civilian Conservation Corps------------------------------------------------65-66
Emergency Crop Loan Office------------------------------------------- 2'1) J-^54
Farm Security Administration--------------- a ------------------------- 56-58
Federal Housing Administration---------------- 59-60
Federal Intermediate Credit Bank of Baltimore_______________52—53
Federal Land Bank of Baltimore----------------------------------------51-52
National Youth Administration------------------------------------------ 60-61
Public Works Administration-------------------------------------------- 58
Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Loan Section----------------------------54-55
Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration--------------------------- 63-65
United States Department of Commerce--------------------------------55-56
Work Projects Administration--------------------------------------------61-63
in
rv TABLE OF CONTENTS
II. EXHIBITS.
Agr ic ultu r e . Exhibit Page
Coffee production------------------------------------------------- 36 114
Distribution of cultivated area---------------------------- ■— 37 115
Sugar manufactures______________________________ 23 97
Tobacco production, acreage and prices----------------------- 35 113
Educ ati on .
Classification of schools by enrollment------------------------- 45 135
Distribution of high school enrollment---------------------- 46 136
Enrollment by grades------------------------------------------ 48 138
Enrollment by grades, comparative-------------------------- 47 137
Field and teaching personnel---------------------------------- 49 139
Per-capita expenditures----------------------------------------- 50 140
Value of school property-------------------------------------- 51 140
Gov ern men t Fin an ces .
Assessed value of personal property------------------------- 16 90
Balance street----------------------------------------------------- 5 74
Cash receipts, detail--------------------------------------------- 10 79
Consolidated cash statement---------------------------------- 8 77
Debt-incurring capacity —------------------------------------- 13 87
Debt-incurring power of municipalities--------------------- 12 85-86
Disbursements, detail------------------------------------------- 11 80-84
Financial condition---------------------------------------------- 4 73
General Fund operations -------------------------------------- 6 75
Income tax assessments------------ 19 94
Indebtedness of municipalities------------------------------- 22 95-96
Insular Emergency Fund, status---------a -------------------- 7 76
Liquidation of financial program----------------------------- 15 89
Loans to municipalities------------------- .------------------- 17 91
Property valuation and taxes--------------------------------- 18 92-93
Receipts and net disbursements------------------------------ 9 78
Sales of internal revenue stamps----------------------------- 20 94
Sources of income---------------------------------------------- 14 88
Tax collections, detail------------ 21 94
Healt h and Vit al Stati sti cs .
Accomplishments of Public Health Units------------------ 39 118
Births and birth rates----------------------------------------- 41 120-121
Deaths and death rates----------------------------------------- 42 122-123
Incidence of reportable diseases------------------------------ 40 119
Population distribution by age, color and sex________ 43 123
Population map_________________________________ 2 70
Public Health Units in operation__________________ 38 116-117
TABLE OF CONTENTS V
f
II. EXHIBITS—Continued.
Pub li c Uti li ti es . Exhibit Page
Combined production of major systems--------------------- 33 108
Isabela Irrigation Service—
Balance sheet----------------------------------------------- 28 103-104
Hydroelectric system operations------------------------- 27 102
Puerto Rico Irrigation Service, Guayama—
Balance sheet------------------------------------------------- 29- 105
Water Resources Authority—
Comparative balance sheet------------------------------- 30 106
Consolidated balance sheet------------------------------- 31
Yearly production------------------------------------------ 32 108
Pub lic Wor ks .
Cost of road maintenance------------------------------------- 24
Highway and bridge construction--------------------------- 26 101
Highway and railroad map----------------------------------- 25 100
Mis c ell ane ous .
Boards and commissions--------------------------------------- o 71—72
Growth of Civil Service--------------------------------------- °2 140
Personnel of Insular Government----------------------------- 1
Real property transactions, detail--------------------------- 34 109-112
Wage, hour and employment statistics---------------------- 44 124-134

FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR
OF PUERTO RICO
The Hon or ab le
The Secr et ary of the Inte rio r ,
Washington, D. 0.
Sir :
Pursuant to law, I have the honor to submit the following report
as Governor of Puerto Rico for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1942.
Fin an ces
General.—The financial progress achieved during the fiscal year
amounted to $10,650,411.82, as against $2,960,415.82 for 1940-41.
The General Fund showed a balance of $20,526,788.18, compared to
$6,447,843.39 for the previous year.
At the end of the fiscal year there were twelve banks with twentyone
branches doing business in Puerto Rico. Aggregate deposits on
June 30, 1942 amounted to $119,361,174.14, as against $86,654,834.21
on June 30, 1941. Bank loans and investments totalled $54,799,349.52
on June 30, 1942, as against $46,594,667 on June 30, 1941. Cash
on hand on June 30, 1942 amounted to $13,020,090.71, as against
$8,557,608.81 on June 30, 1941.
Total tax collections from the alcoholic beverage industry and from
narcotics reached a new high at the close of the fiscal year under
report. Total collections reverting to the General Fund amounted to
$18,044,306.23, an increase of $10,639,184.10, or 143.67 per cent above
the previous year’s collections, which amounted to $7,405,122.13.
The tax collections on Puerto Rican rum shipped to the United
States constitute the largest amount ever collected on the Island
from a single source of government income. The unprecedented increase
for the present year is accounted for by the rapid growth of
the local rum industry, and the favorable market conditions prevailing
in the United States.
Income tax collections also reached a new high during the period
under review. Total collections amounted to $7,635,382.93 as compared
to $2,843,433.42 for the previous year, the increase amounting
to $4,791,949.51.
i
2 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
This increase is to be attributed to the amendments made to the
Income Tax Law passed by the Insular Legislature, with retroactive
effect to January 1, 1940. The principal changes introduced were:
(1) increase of tax rates; (2) subjection of partnership profits and
dividend receipts in returns of individuals to payment of normal income
tax; (3) elimination of credit on'earned net income; (4) inclusion
of incomes of husband and wife in a single joint return;
(5) elimination of the three thousand dollar credit to domestic corporations
and partnerships; (6) reduction of personal exemption;
and (7) subjection of taxpayers to the same penalties as those imposed
by the Federal Act.
General Fund.—The General Fund, commonly termed Insular
Revenues, represents the collection of taxes and other receivables
which according to law are available for the current operations of the
Government. The General Fund showed a balance of $20,526,788.18
at the close of business on June 30, 1942, viz:
Rec ei pt s :
, Cash balance—July 1, 1941............................................................................................................
Add: Collections during the year—Insular revenue receipts....... $37,578,862. 49
Non-revenue receipts............................................................................ 79,998.40
Total receipts
Disb ur seme nt s :
Total disbursements during the year (net)
Cash balance—June 30, 1942
$6,447, 843. 39
37, 658, 860. 89
$44,106, 704. 28
23, 579, 916.10
$20, 526, 788. 18
During the year the Treasurer of Puerto Rico revised the revenue
estimates increasing them from $20,450,000 to $35,200,000. The
revenue collections aggregating $37,578,862.49 exceeded the Treasurer’s
original estimate in the amount of $17,128,862.49 or an increase
of $2,378,862.49, as compared with the Treasurer’s revised
estimate for fiscal year 1941-42.
The liquidation of the general fund operations for the year resulted
in a surplus of cash resources over liabilities in the amount
of $14,554,968.91. Adding other resources ($500,000) reimbursable
to the General Fund, we have an excess of resources over appropriation
liabilities in the amount of $15,054,968.91.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 3
A condensed statement of the operations of the General Fund for
fiscal year 1941-42 follows:
Cash balance—June 30, 1942............................................................................
Appropriation liabilities, F. Y. 1941-42.....................................................
Less surplus fund warrants:
To cancel appropriation balances..............................................................
Net disbursements, Cash payments............................ $19,060,309. 00
Net transfer to Trust Funds............................................ 4, 519, 607.10
Appropriation liabilities carried over to fiscal year 1942-43...........
Excess of cash resources over appropriation liabilities, exclusive
of other resources reimbursable to the General Fund..............
Other resources reimbursable to the General Fund (*)
Excess of resources over appropriation liabilities, including other
resources reimbursable to the General Fund...................................
$20, 526, 788.18
$29, 558,929. 70
7, 194. 33
$29, 551, 735. 37
23, 579,916.10
5,971,819. 27
$14, 554, 968. 91
500, 000. 00
$15, 054,968. 91
(♦) Not e : This item represents a temporary loan made to the Utilization of the Water Resources,
authorized under provisions of Act No. 78, approval May 1, 1941, reimbursable to the
General Fund.
The following is a condensed comparative statement of the financial
conditions existing at the beginning and at the end of the fiscal
year 1941-42.
Con di ti on as of ju ly 1, 1941
Cash balance July 1, 1941................................................................................. $6,447,843.39
Add: Accrued resources refundable to the General Fund,
treated as cash................................................................................................ 515,000.00
Total cash including accrued resources................................ $6,962,843.39
Less: Appropriation liabilities carried over from previous year. .. 2,558,286.30
Condition at July 1, 1941, an excess of resources over appropriation
liabilities..........................................................................................................................
Condi ti on as of june 30, 1942
Cash balance June 30, 1942...............................................................................
Accrued resources refundable to the General Fund, treated as cash
$20, 526, 788.18
(*) 500,000.00
Total cash including accrued resources.................................. $21,026,788.18
Less: Appropriation liabilities carried forward to fiscal year
1942-43................................................................................................................. 5,971,819.27
Condition at June 30, 1942, an excess of resources over appropriation
liabilities....................................................................................
Progress during the year.
$4, 404, 557. 09
15,054,968.91
$10, 650, 411.82
(*) Not e : This item represents a temporary loan made to the Utilization of the Water Resources,
authorized under provisions of Act No. 78, approved May 1, 1941, reimbursable to the
General Fund.
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Trust Funds.—The cash balance available in trust fund accounts
on June 30, 1942, amounted to $19,303,964.91 as compared with a
cash balance of $16,030,382.67 on June 30, 1941. The transfers from
the General Fund to Trust Fund accounts aggregated $4,619,883.23,
and the transfers from Trust Funds to • the General Fund totalled
$100,276.13.
Notes Payable.—Balance as of June 30, 1942, amounts to $635,000
and on June 30, 1941, to $190,000. New loans contracted during the
year amounted $1,000,000 and the total notes paid amount to $555,000.
The net change accordingly represents an increase of $445,000.
Total interest payments on notes payable during fiscal year
1941-42 amounted to $7,836.48 as compared with $8,359.51 for the
preceding year.
Bonded Indebtedness.—Outstanding bond obligations of The People
of Puerto Rico on July 1, 1942, amounted to $23,700,000, as
against $26,975,000 on July 1, 1941. During the year bonds were
redeemed in the sum of $3,275,000.
The interest charges on bonded indebtedness during fiscal year
1941-42 amounted to $1,086,585, as compared with net interest
charges of $1,141,492.34 for the preceding year.
Legis lat ion
The First Special Session of the Fifteenth Legislature convened
on October 28, 1941. Of the total of forty-five bills which were
enacted during this session, and became law, the following are of outstanding
importance:
To provide for the stabilization of prices of commodities in the
local market by the establishment of a Food and General
Supplies Commission.
To prevent the establishment of slums on public lands adjacent
to urban zones of principal cities.
To create the Insular Sewerage Service.
■ To create, the College of Public Administration in the University
of Puerto Rico.
To create the Institute of Tropical Agriculture.
To coordinate the operation of the several water systems under
the jurisdiction of the Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority,
and to transfer to this Authority such properties as
are connected with the furnishing of water, and which belong
to the municipalities of Puerto Rico, including San
Juan.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 5
Most of the foregoing measures were enacted in accordance with
suggestions contained in my message to the Legislature.
The Second Regular Session of the Legislature convened on February
9, 1942, and adjourned on April 15. The recommendations contained
in my message to this Session called for:
Appropriation of funds for strengthening the organization of the
State Guard; protection and increase of the Emergency Fund; creation
of a Planning Board ■ substitution of the present Anti-Nepotism
Law by a reform of the Civil Service; passage of amendments to the
present housing laws for increased effectiveness of the regulations
against establishment of slum areas; abolition of the Mediation and
Conciliation Service of the Department of Labor, and its replacement
by a Mediation Service in that Department; reorganization of the
Municipal Courts; passage of amendments to the Juvenile Court
Law in order to establish special agencies to give more attention to
juvenile delinquents; reformation of the Jury Law to the end that
women may be eligible for jury service; improvements to the penal
and correctional system; establishment of traffic courts; reorganization
of the University of Puerto Rico; preservation and expansion
of the existing public school plant; changes affecting selection, status
and discipline of the police force, and adoption of a short wave police
radio system, all for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of that
body; creation of a transportation authority and a communications
authority to serve as agencies for the acquisition and operation of
the existing systems by the Insular Government; adoption of amendments
to existing legislation with a view to granting separate corporate
status to the Water Resources Authority, thereby enabling it
to manage its own finances without government intervention in matters
pertaining to the Authority’s revenues and expenditures, and to
provide for the acquisition by the Authority of the properties of the
System of Utilization of the Water Resources; passage of amendments
to the Housing Authority Law to provide for the merging of
the various local housing authorities into a central organization which
shall be responsible for planning and managing all Insular housing
projects; adoption of amendments to the Land Authority Act, chiefly
for the purpose of clarifying its meaning, and for improving conditions
of farm workers; determination of new uses for such lands
as are at present planted to crops whose cultivation is no longer
profitable; appropriations for continuing and completing the program
of elimination of cattle fever tick and contagious abortion in the
Island’s cattle; adoption of measures to supplement the work of the
Federal Soil Conservation Service.
6 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
The Legislature passed a total of 423 bills during this Session;
254 of them were approved. The most important of the approved
measures are the following:
To amend the Law fixing a twelve month school year for teachers.
This measure provides for the granting of vacations
to teachers for one school month with pay in advance, as
well as for the preparation of a program of educational
activities additional to those of the regular school course,
in order to give employment to public school teachers during
the summer months.
To create a Central Civilian Defense Committee, and to authorize
the transfer to this organization of funds from the
Insular Emergency Fund in addition to an appropriation
of $600,000 for its operation.
To prohibit business or agricultural enterprises of any kind
employing more than ten persons from engaging in the sale
of merchandise, and from making cash advances to their
employees or workmen.
To authorize blackouts and alerts, and to punish violations of
orders in this connection.
To amend the Water Resources Authority Act in order to eliminate
intervention of the Insular Government in matters
pertaining to the Authority’s revenues and expenditures,
and to provide for the acquisition by the Authority of the
waterworks system of any municipality, including that of
the Government of the Capital, which fails to provide to
the inhabitants of the municipality a supply of water of a
quality, amount, and regularity sufficient for ordinary requirements
under standards fixed by the Treasury of the
United States for potable water and water for culinary
uses furnished to public carriers in interstate commerce.
To amend existing legislation so as to facilitate the execution
of contracts by small farmers for obtaining loans up to
$2,500 with Federal agencies established in Puerto Rico.
This measure was passed in order to take advantage of a
presidential order designating Puerto Rico as a Distressed
Emergency Area and thereby authorizing the granting by
the Farm Credit Administration of loans to farmers up to
$2,500.
To create the Social Industrial Educational School for Women
under the direction of the Insular Department of Justice
and to appropriate the sum of $127,000 to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
To eliminate the Section for Minors in the District Jails of
Ponce and San Juan, and to establish Juvenile Homes in
their places.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 7
To create the Puerto Rico Transportation Authority and to
authorize the acquisition and operation by the Authority of
all types of transportation facilities in Puerto Rico, as well
as the issuance by the Authority of bonds not in excess of
five millions dollars. This measure further provides that
the Transportation Authority, although a government instrumentality,
shall be a corporation having legal existence
and personality separate and apart from that of the government.
To create the Puerto Rico Communications Authority. This
measure is identical to the foregoing, except that it deals
with communication facilities.
To reorganize the University of Puerto Rico.
To authorize the organization of non-profit associations for the
rendering of hospital services under the supervision of the
Superintendent of Insurance of Puerto Rico.
To establish and organize the Insular Fire Service of Puerto
Rico.
To amend the Workmen’s Accident Compensation Act. The
principal changes consist in: (1) making a clear distinction
between regular or permanent, and eventual or temporary
employees in the issuance of policies; (2) providing
that, if any employer fails to insure, the Manager of
the State Insurance Fund may assess and collect from him
premiums for all such time as he may have remained uninsured
in violation of the law; (3) providing that no
policy shall become effective unless the policy holder pays
the preliminary and additional premiums affixed and levied
on him, and (4) providing that reductions ordered by the
Industrial Commission on the rates or premiums fixed by
the manager shall be effective from the date on which such
rates or premiums were promulgated, instead of from the
date of the filing of the petition.
To create the Puerto Rico Development Company. The purpose
of this Company is to develop the resources of Puerto
Rico and to investigate the possibilities and effective methods
of promoting their proper utilization through the establishment
of industrial, mining, commercial and cooperative
enterprises, and educational training programs, as well
as to conduct research and experimentation in the marketing,
distributing, advertising and exporting of all products
of Puerto Rico, and the needs and desires of consumers for
such products. In addition, the Company may on its own
account establish and operate new enterprises for the purpose
of exploiting and distributing products manufactured
from certain raw materials available on the Island.
To amend the Land Law of Puerto Rico and to add two new
sections thereto. The purpose of these changes is to remedy
8 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
certain defects in the Land Law which were hindering its
effective operation.
To appropriate the sum of $175,000 as a contribution of the
People of Puerto Rico for the construction by the Isabela
Irrigation Service of Hydroelectric Plant No. 3 of this
Service.
To construct three district hospitals in the Districts of Ponce,
Guayama and Mayaguez, and to appropriate $700,000 for
this purpose.
To appropriate the sum of $390,000 for continued cooperation
with the Federal Government in the widening of curves
and the improvement of insular roads for National Defense.
To provide for the establishment and procedure of the Puerto
Rico Planning, Urbanizing and Zoning Board.
To levy an internal revenue tax of seven cents on each gallon
of gasoline imported into, or manufactured, sold, transferred,
used, consumed or produced in Puerto Rico, and to
make all except the penal provisions of this Act retroactive
to July 1, 1931.
To authorize the establishment of bonded warehouses for
gasoline and other petroleum products brought into Puerto
Rico for redistribution outside of the Island for purposes
related to the defense of the United States of America
during the present state of war, and to exempt from payment
of local excise taxes for the duration of the war such
products stored therein and subsequently withdrawn for
the above mentioned purposes.
To declare public service enterprises all entities engaged in the
manufacture, production, processing or refining of sugar,
and to place them under the jurisdiction and authority of
the Public Service Commission.
To repeal Act No. 6 passed at the previous special session
creating the Food and General Supplies Commission, and
to establish instead a General Supplies Administration to
check the increase in prices brought about by the national
emergency, and to put into effect an equitable distribution
of staple commodities.
To amend the Puerto Rico Housing Authority Law. This
measure makes numerous changes and additions to the law
in order to insure sufficient revenues to cover the annual
subsidy pledge to the various housing authorities and to
facilitate a long range program.
To appropriate the sum of $75,000 to continue, in cooperation
with the Federal Government, the dredging work being
done at the municipal pier' of Ponce.
To declare a state of war emergency for the purpose of authorizing
the Puerto Rico Development Company to take over,
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 9
with, the Governor’s approval, the operation of certain
enterprises, including sugar concerns, whenever such enterprises
may suspend their activities.
To suspend for the duration of the emergency the procedure
provided by law for repossession of conditionally sold motor
vehicles, when these are devoted to the transportation of
passengers or merchandise.
To create the Development Bank of Puerto Rico as a nonprofit
instrumentality of the Insular Government for the
purpose of developing the economic resources of the Island
in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Development Company.
The Second Special Session of the Fifteenth Legislature convened
on June 15, 1942, primarily for the purpose of clarifying ambiguities
in the law passed at the regular session relative to the re-export of
fuel oil and gasoline.
To this end the Legislature passed a bill, which was subsequently
approved, to exempt, during the present state of war and until ninety
days after cessation of hostilities, from payment of excise taxes, the
petroleum products distributed from Puerto Rico for use outside of
the Island from and after June 15, 1942. This law also provides
for the establishment of bonded tanks and warehouses for the storing
of such products, and for the reimbursement of such taxes as may
have been-paid on these products subsequent to the aforementioned
date.
There was also enacted during this session, and subsequently
signed, an important bill providing for the acquisition by the People
of Puerto Rico of the property of the Porto Rico Telephone Company,
in accordance with the terms of a franchise originally granted
in 1914 to Hernand Behn, founder of the company.
Only three other bills, all of a routine nature, were passed during
this session.
Agri cul tu re
Sugar Cane: No basic sugar cane quota was assigned to Puerto
Rico for the year 1941-42. During this fiscal period a total of
10,010,129 tons of cane were ground, as against 7,745,419 tons during
the year 1940-41. A total of 1,147,590 tons of sugar were produced
in 1941-42, compared to 932,000 tons of sugar of 96° produced in
1940-41. The average factory yield for this year was 11.464 per
cent, which is 0.569 per cent lower than that for last year. A
total of 137,548 tons of refined sugar were produced by refineries in
Puerto Rico, while in 1940-41 the output was 141,392 tons.
10 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Rum: The production of this by-product has been mounting
steadily. During the year 1934-35 it totalled 93,739 gallons; by
the year 1940-41 it had risen to 4,687,294 gallons, while in 1941-42
it soared to 6,914,461 gallons.
Coffee: The coffee crop for the year 1941-42 was estimated at
295,930 quintals, with local consumption calculated at 150,000 quintals.
A large part of the resulting surplus was removed from the
market through the efforts of the Coffee Price Stabilizing Corporation
for Puerto Rico. This organization carried out a program of
purchasing the coffee harvests of small farmers for shipment to the
United States. Financed by Federal and Insular subsidies of $2.00
each per quintal, the Corporation made purchases from 2,660 small
farmers, thus providing them with an outlet for their crops at
a reasonable price level.
Tobacco: It is estimated that between 43,000 and 45,000 acres
were planted to tobacco, yielding approximately 325,000 quintals.
An excess of rainfall made the growing season a distinctly unfavorable
one.
Fruits: Competition from Cuba and continental fruit-producing
areas has had the effect of limiting Puerto Rican fruit exports principally
to pineapples. Normally the Island ships up to 650,000 cases'
to the New York market, but special circumstances stemming from
the war situation have made it necessary to have this year’s crop
consumed locally. Promotional work directed to this end, along with
the canning of a portion of the crop, brought about the desired result.
Vanilla is slowly winning attention among the farmers of Puerto
Rico. Some 500 acres are now planted to this vine, and a producers’
cooperative has come into existence to foster its cultivation. Production
of cured vanilla rose from 140 pounds in 1938-39 to 1,148 in
1940-41. During the fiscal year under consideration production of
green pods amounted to 9,672 pounds.
Cotton: The year’s production of cotton is expected to reach a
total of 47,000 quintals, which is 8,363 quintals above last year’s
figure. Unfavorable weather had an adverse effect on the crop particularly
in the districts of Cabo Rojo and Lajas. The campaign
against the pink boll worm was continued during the year.
Cattle: Special attention was given to bovine tuberculosis, mastitis,
contagious abortion and similar epizootic diseases. The usual
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 11
help was furnished in the treatment of anthrax, hog cholera, equine
influenza, and verminous bronchitis. With the cooperation of the
United States Department of Agriculture a tuberculosis, and a fever
tick eradication campaign were conducted during the year.
Agricu lt ural Expe rimen t Stati on
In adapting its work to the emergency situation prevailing on
the Island the Agricultural Experiment Station made a clear-cut
and thoroughgoing departure from its conventional peace time piograms.
For the most part its efforts were pointed toward solving
the problem of food supply brought on by the war. In this task
it joined forces with other government agencies occupied with a similar
purpose.
A.nimal Industry.—In the second year of work on developing a
breed of swine for Puerto Rico, litters from “Native” x Hampshire
crosses or pure native animals made as efficient gains as the purebred
Hampshires and compared well with the results of feeding trials
with purebred animals in the United States.
A survey is being made of possibilities of the “native” poultry
as a basis for the development of a type of laying or dual-purpose
bird for the Island, the presumption being that some native fowls
may have inherent characteristics worth while preserving.
Preliminary trials toward determining the effect of climate on
animal production showed the hemoglobin values of 53 dairy cows
in two herds were 8.0 grams per 100 cc as compared with 10.9 grams
per 100 cc observed by investigators working with normal cows in
the United States.
Diarrhea of new born calves, undoubtedly a serious hindrance to
successful dairying in Puerto Rico, was under study. Most commercial
herds are of imported cows, for which high prices are paid, and
because, of the high mortality of calves, replacement in the herds is
costly. In the study now under way, sulfaguanadine was administered
to diseased calves. Results warrant the conclusions that the
drug holds promise as a curative agent, and that large doses are required.
The La Plata substation sold for breeding purposes 236 hens,
630 baby chicks, 4,488 hatching eggs and one Duroc Jersey boar.
The substation also provided free boar service.
Work continued on studies of alfalfa, which past experiments of
the Station showed can be grown successfully in Puerto Rico. Of
12 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL -REPORT
the 54 varieties planted, eight were selected as high yielding and of
possible adaptation. A serious disease was reported from a commercial
planting on the South Coast, suggesting that southern planters
should be cautious in establishing large alfalfa plantings.
In an effort to increase the value of grasses for feeding livestock
by determining the time when the nitrogen content is high and
growth sufficient to permit satisfactory harvests, six varieties and
species were planted, and cut out at intervals of 15, 30, 60, 90, and
120 days. A series of important findings are reported. Six pasture
grasses were planted in another experiment to study yields.
Fruits.—The work with avocados and mangoes has consisted
mainly of the distribution of budded trees for which there has been
an increasing demand. Forty-eight hundred trees of 19 varieties and
species of fruits were produced during the year. In addition 27,000
seedlings were started. Research work with avocados has been limited
to propagation and the study of methods of grafting and budding.
The papaya was becoming an important crop at the time of the
appearance in epidemic form of the bunchy top disease, produced
apparently by a virus. Attempts to secure artificial transmission of
the disease have met with failure. There seems to be no immediate
possibility of breeding for disease resistance.
In the third year of study it was established that the absence of
iron causes chlorosis of pineapples.
Coffee.—All investigations, except those in economics, pathology
and entomology, were conducted in cooperation with the United
States Department of Agriculture Experiment Station at Mayaguez.
Studies were under way to determine the effect of lack of various
nutrient elements on the growth of coffee seedlings, thus to establish
desirable fertilizing practices for large trees. Other experiments
were carried out to determine the effect of light on utilization of
nitrogen by coffee trees. Measurements seem to indicate a tendency
for greater growth under less shade along with higher applications
of nitrogen. A four year study has revealed that lime is evidently
required in coffee soils. Most coffee soils in Puerto Rico are very
acid.
An eight year variety test shows the Columnaris to be superior
to the common Puerto Rico in yield; there is no evidence to show
that it is inferior in quality. The average yields for the eight year
period were 1249 pounds for the Columnaris and 642 for the Puerto
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 13
Rican variety. If the yields obtained in the Catalina Clay soil at
Mayaguez are duplicated in other parts of the Island, coffee might
well become a profitable enterprise on many farms.
Collections of materials in the areas of original release of a leafminer
parasite indicate that it has become permanently established
in Puerto Rico. In Guadaloupe this parasite destroys from 65 to 85
per cent of the leaf-miner caterpillars.
Cotton.—The yield of unginned cotton for the 1940 crop was 674
pounds per acre, as against the 1939 average of 498 pounds. The
higher yields are due in part to the distribution of selected seed by
this Station.
The pink boll worm has become a serious pest on the South Coast
where approximately 35 per cent of the plantings studied were infested.
The yield of infested fields was 350 pounds of unginned cotton
per cuerda as against 568 pounds per cuerda for the insect-free
fields. The production by the Station of a strain of extra long fiber
Sea Island cotton is an important contribution to the war effort.
Puerto Rico has been called upon to produce large quantities of this
cotton.
Sugar cane.—Breeding and variety tests were the most important
activities of the year with relation to sugar cane. Tests are made
to find varieties superior in sugar yield for the regions where the
experiments are conducted. Additional variety experiments were
begun in six localities. The program of breeding sugar cane was continued
with transplanting of seedlings that are crosses between mosaic-
resistant varieties and susceptible varieties of high sugar content.
A long-term experiment, established in 1930, was continued to
determine the optima in amount and frequency of application of
irrigation water.
In an experiment conducted to discover possible means of controlling
chlorosis produced in a calcareous clay soil, the results of
the first year indicated the possibility of beneficial action of sulphur
and molasses.
Other experiments were carried on to determine the nutrient requirements
of sugar cane, and the differences of cane yield under
four distinct methods of application of fertilizer.
Important work has been done to determine the possibilities of
sugar cane as a basic material in the production of animal feeds, the
supply of which is now a major problem because of curtailed imports.
14 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Vegetable Crops.—Much activity has centered around the development
of higher yielding strains of the less profitable vegetable crops,
such as field varieties of corn and beans, in order to make their cultivation
more attractive to the farmer, and thus encourage expanded
production.
Significant progress was made in the improvement of native field
corn by selection and crossing. It was also indicated by preliminary
tests that time of planting exerts a decided influence on yield of
corn.
Superior, high yielding strains of native field beans have been
selected; four of them have already been released. Their yield average
twice that of the check seed purchased in a local store. Over
800 pounds of these strains have been distributed.
Of the 85 varieties of garden beans tested, five were selected as
promising varieties for local cultivation.
The Station has developed a cucumber resistant to the downy
mildew. Present efforts are directed to the development of forms
resistant to both downy mildew and mosaic through the crossing of
strains possessing resistance to one or the other of these diseases.
Variety tests of onions were conducted, it being concluded that
the Louisiana Red Creole should be more extensively planted in
Puerto Rico.
Preliminary trials were made with pigeon peas, cowpeas, castor
oil plants, Jamaica ginger, native pumpkins and sesame to select
promising lines for distribution among farmers.
As a result of numerous plantings of soybeans the Station is now
prepared to make recommendations with respect to the time of planting
and varieties to plant. Large plantings were made during the
year in order to supply seed to other agencies and to farmers.
With the object of encouraging the planting of home gardens,
the Station started large seedbeds of a number of vegetables for free
distribution of plants to suburban dwellers.
Progress has been reported in the studies of seed storage problems,
the production of wine and brandy from tropical fruits, manganese
toxicity in beans and tomatoes, erosiveness of soils in Puerto
Rico, and the control of lace-wing bugs and the Puerto Rican molecricket,
or “changa.”
The following plant materials were distributed to farmers and
institutions:
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 15
Mayorbela corn____________________96.22 hundred weights
Sweet potato vine cuttings--------------- Several carloads (Isabela Substation);
45,739 (Rio Piedras Station)
Mildew-resistant cucumber----------------- 112 pounds
Selected field beans------------------------- 969 pounds
Merker grass cuttings---------------------- 955 bags
Cassava cuttings-------------------- -—17,444
Dasheen (yautta') rhizomes--------------- 21,210
Avocado trees------------------------------- 99
Citrus fruit trees---------------------------- 307
Mango trees--------------------------------- 312
Miscellaneous fruit trees-------------------735
Vegetable Oils.—Much attention was devoted to the extraction of
oils from vegetable crops and to the preparation of shortening from
them. Valuable information accumulated over a period of years is
now available to interested government agencies and private concerns.
The publications of the Station numbered twenty-five during the
year.
Jus tice
The most significant development in the affairs of the Department
of Justice was the creation of two new sections, the Bureau
of Civil Liberties and the Division of Tax Matters, both of which
were brought into being by legislative enactment.
The Bureau of Civil Liberties is entrusted with ‘'the study, interpretation
and administration of all laws in force in Puerto Rico,
which regulate civil rights and liberties.” It also devolves upon
this Bureau to "handle in the courts the defense of such cases as
involve violations, omission or refusals to recognize and maintain
civil rights and liberties of citizens, as they are guaranteed in our
laws”, thus to insure "equal enjoyment thereof by everyone without
discrimination on account of political or religious creeds, race, color
or social rank.”
Most of the cases handled thus far by the Bureau have been decided
administratively; they arose from allegedly illegal arrests and
abuses by members of the Insular Police.
The greater part of the Bureau’s work came in fulfillment of
others of its prescribed duties: cooperation with the Legislature in
drafting bills and in studying the constitutionality of proposed legislation.
The Division of Tax Matters handled more than 600 cases. The
majority of these controversies centered around the issues of con16
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
stitutionality of the retroactive effect to January 1, 1940 of the
amendments to the Income Tax Act made by the Legislature during
its regular and special session of 1941.
The Department of Justice rendered 185 formal opinions during
the year. In addition 714 bonds were examined, 153 municipal ordinances
were examined and reviewed, and 1,030 appointments of prosecutors
were made in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 51,
approved April 28, 1930.
Admi nis tra ti on of Just ice
Supreme Court.—Despite the burden of a swollen docket and the
handicap of a shrunken panel of justices, the Supreme Court was
able to sustain the accelerated administration of justice achieved
during the previous year. The number of cases pending and docketed
during the year was 1,288, or 104 more than during the previous
fiscal year; 1,091 of these cases were decided, an increase of 100.
The 197 cases left pending on June 30, 1942 represent an increase
of only 4 over the number left pending a year previously. The record
is particularly commendable in view of the fact that up until
January 16 the work of the Court was handled by only four judges:
District Courts.—During the year under report, the district courts
handled a total of 18,631 civil cases, and disposed of 7,450 cases,
leaving 11,181 cases pending on June 30, 1942. Appeals from the
decisions of these courts were taken in 181 cases.
On June 30, 1941, there were left pending 2,086 felony cases.
During the fiscal year, 2,057 new felony cases were presented, making
a total of 4,143 cases handled during the year. A total of 1,704
cases had been disposed of by June 30, 1942, leaving 2,425 felony
cases pending on that date. There were double sentences in several
cases.
On June 30, 1941 there were 1,032 misdemeanor cases pending
in the district courts. During this fiscal year 1,389 new cases were
presented, making a total of 2,421 cases handled, of which 1,149
were disposed of, leaving pending on June 30, 1942 a total of 1,304
cases. There were double sentences in several cases.
Although the various district courts are believed to be efficiently
organized, it appears desirable that they reexamine the methods in
use in their various branches. One district court discovered indefensible
delays in the process of elevating appeals in criminal cases to
the Supreme Court.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 17
Municipal Courts. —A total of 15,327 civil cases and 216,667
criminal cases were handled by the municipal courts. At the end
of the year there were left pending 9,523 civil cases and 31,173 criminal
cases. Appeals taken in civil cases numbered 175, and in criminal
cases, 2,452.
Justice of the Peace Courts.—On June 30, 1941 there were pending
a total of 4,755 cases before the 57 justice of the peace courts
on the Island. During the following twelve months 21,897 new cases
were filed, making a total of 26,652 cases handled during the period
under review. With 20,730 of them disposed of, 5,922 cases were
left pending on June 30, 1942.
Penal Institutions.—1The daily average of prisoners at the Penitentiary
and the seven Insular district jails was 2,696. The penal
population on June 30, 1942 was 2,667, including those who were
serving judgment for felony or misdemeanor, and others who were
awaiting trial, but excluding 96 minors who were awaiting transfer
to the Insular Industrial School, as also the inmates of municipal
jails, of which there is one in each of the 77 towns of the Island.
The women included in that population numbered 62. Twenty-four
prisoners were serving sentences received in the District Court of
the United States for the commission of felony.
The three most common causes of confinement of the penal population
of June 30, 1942 were: assault and battery, 483 cases; larceny
379 cases; murder 336 cases.
Twenty-seven per cent of the penal population of June 30 were
illiterate.
Syphilis, uncinariasis and tuberculosis are the diseases of the
highest incidence among prisoners. Psychiatric treatment, a service
introduced during the year, was given to 113 individuals, four of
whom were transferred to the Insane Asylum.
Thirty three prisoners escaped during the year; twenty nine of
them were captured.
The maintenance expenses of the Insular penal system increased
substantially during the year, reaching a total of $368,382.89, as
compared with $341,667.10 for the previous year. A corresponding
increase occurred in the daily maintenance cost per prisoner, where
the figure rose from 19 to 25 cents. This figure involves substraction
of the value of prison labor performed outside the penal institutions,
$124,926.75, from the total maintenance expenses, $368,382.89.
18 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Compensation is granted to prisoners for their labor. Part of it
is distributed among their needy families; another portion is given
to the prisoners for petty expenses during their incarceration; and
the remainder is deposited in a savings account for withdrawal by
the prisoner upon release from the institution.
Literacy classes are conducted in all Insular penal institutions.
The Penitentiary also maintains a trade school and an academy of
music.
Insular Industrial Scho\ol for Boys, at Mayaguez.—The inmates
of this institution are provided with academic and vocational education
designed to enable them to participate in socially acceptable
fashion in the community life of the Island. Academic instruction
is the same as that provided by the public elementary school system.
Training is also available in a variety of trades.
The 212 minors confined in the School on June 30, 1942 were
enrolled as follows: 204 in the academic school, 49 in manual training,
61 in tailoring, 89 in shoemaking, 44 in music, 43 in barbering,
6 in plumbing, 37 in agriculture and 4 in laundering.
Pardons.—During the second year of its existence the Advisory
Parole and Pardon Board handled 632 petitions for executive clemency,
200 of which were left pending from the previous fiscal year.
Eight per cent of them were petitions for commutation of sentence;
42.9 per cent were for pardon; 43.6 per cent for parole, and 5.5
per cent for restoration of civil and political rights. Of the 181
petitions recommended favorably 173 received gubernatorial approval.
At the end of the fiscal year there were 194 parolees under the supervision
of the Board.
Reform School for Girls.—This school was renamed by legislative
action during the year under review. Henceforth it will be known
as the Ana Roque Duprey Industrial School. The change is a significant
one, for it alters the nature of the School. As an industrial
school it will now be possible to instal the shops that are so badly
needed for achieving the objectives for which the school was established.
The Legislature also created the positions of Social Worker and
Director of Activities for this School. It is felt that such officials
can make positive contributions to the better functioning of the
School.
On June 30, 1942 there were 39 girls confined at this institution.
They received academic and industrial training, as well as instruction
in domestic science and sewing.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 19
Court of Tax Appea ls
The Court of Tax Appeals, an executive tribunal of a technical
nature patterned after the United States Board of Tax Appeals and
similar bodies in various States of the Union, was created under
Legislative Act No. 172 which was approved on May 13, 1941 and
became effective August 13, 1941. It was created in order that disagreements
between taxpayers and Treasury officials in the determinations
of taxes be finally decided within the executive department of
the government by a simple, specialized procedure adapted to the
field of taxation, and the application of the Rules of Evidence as applied
by courts of justice. In this manner the executive function
of assessing taxes can be efficiently discharged before contested cases
are reviewed by the judiciary.
This executive tribunal supersedes the old Board of Review and
Equalization which followed the policy of arriving at agreements with
those taxpayers who disputed the original assessment of a tax. That
policy tended to develop inequality and injustice in the application
of the tax laws.
The members of the Court, as provided by law, are: the President,
a lawyer and four associate members, consisting of a certified public
accountant, a civil engineer, an agronomist, and a business man or
economist.
The Court was not inaugurated until December 20, 1941, so that
it did not begin to function until the approach of the second semester,
during the greater part of which it had but three members.
The total number of cases received in Court up to June 30, 1942
was 1,874, classified as follows:
From December 20, 1941 to June 30, 1942 the Court held 98
business sessions as a result of which it issued 553 decisions or resolutions,
542 of which referred to 730 tax cases.
The law creating the Court of Tax Appeals provided that the
Rules of Practice and Procedure and internal regulations of the institution
be approved within the first sixty days following assumption
20 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
of office by its members. The principles adopted are believed to be
practically identical to those of the United States Board of Tax
Appeals, with modifications to adapt those rules to the local situation.
Rules 2 and 3, governing the admission of attorneys-at-law and certified
public accountants to practice before this Court, have been
subject to judicial attack. The case has been appealed by this Court
before the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the First Circuit,
and is now pending in Boston.
Insu la r Poli ce
The Insular Police had an authorized personnel of 1555 members,
ten of whom were civilian employees. On June 30, 1942 there were
ten vacancies.
The budget of the Insular Police for the fiscal year 1941-42,
amounted to $1,679,534.72.
Criminal activity increased sharply during the year under review,
as is evidenced by the figures of the following tables.
1940-41 1941-42
Complaints filed in court by police..................................................................
Arrests made by police............................................................................................
Prohibited weapons seized.....................................................................................
Illicit stills seized........................................................................................................
Quarts of intoxicating liquor seized...................................................................
Missing and stolen property reported..............................................................
Missing and stolen property recovered............................................................
146, 756
196,932
3, 271
1,327
20, 872. 5
' $147,861.82
$64, 857. 66
179, 521
231, 016
3,369
1, 525
14,293
$344, 428.00'
$186, 408.00
Juvenile delinquency accounted for 437 arrests, an increase of
approximately 20 per cent over the total for the previous fiscal year.
The felonies recorded during the year numbered 2,498; arrests for
felony totalled 2,593. A comparative table covering the more common
forms of felony committed during the past two years is given below:
Crime
Arson....................................................................................
Attempt to commit Felony except murder...............
Attempt to Kill......................................................................
Burglary......................................................................................
Homicide, Voluntary............................................................
Homicide, Attempt to commit.......................................
Incest............................................................................................
Larceny, Grand.......................................................................
Mayhem.....................................................................................
Murder........................................................................................
Murder, Attempt to commit............................................
Nature, Crime against.........................................................
Rape.............................................................................................
Rape, Attempt to commit................................................
Robbery....................... ....... ......................................................
Number of Arrests
made per fiscal
year
Number of Felonies
recorded per fiscal
year
1940-41 1941-42 1940-41 1941-42
30 35 30 38
17 36 20 38
252 471 257 465
617 589 720 615
82 164 88 170
20 19 29 20
5 7 5 7
85 201 107 239
169 234 171 231
185 361 200 375
63 97 71 90
28 64 33 68
55 84 68 87
21 32 23 32
45 72 64 86
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 21
Fines imposed during the year amounted to $230,919. Sentences
of imprisonment were for a total of 2,423 years, 7 months and 3 days.
The suicides committed during the year reached a total of 438;
in addition there were 491 unsuccessful attempts. Hanging and
poisoning were the means resorted to in over 70 per cent of the suicides
; poisoning was involved in 80 per cent of the unsuccessful
attempts.
Labor
Employment rose during the year to levels hitherto unknown in
the labor history of Puerto Rico. Work on the various military
establishments now under construction on the Island thinned out
appreciably the ranks of the unemployed, ever a salient feature of
the local economic scene.
Wages likewise rose. Increased employment, the operation of the
Fair Labor Standards Act, and heightened union activity, all combined
to ordain sorely needed adjustments. An additional factor,
the Insular Minimum Wage Law, is expected to make a similar and
important contribution during the coming year; it became operative
at too recent a date to make itself felt at this writing.
Prospects for the immediate future, however, are distinctly less
promising, for as the year drew to a close the employment situation
took a sudden turn for the worse. The cumulative effects of the
shipping problem became increasingly evident as shortages of raw
materials, consumption commodities and gasoline dictated curtailed
operations in private business. Widespread dismissals of employees
ensued, and to aggravate matters, they came at a time when defense
projects were nearing completion.
Organized labor registered a general advance during the year.
New unions sprang up and became affiliated with existing organizations
as ’ discrimination against unionized employees tailed off under
the National Labor Relations Act. A companion measure “To Protect
Workmen and Employees against Prejudicial Discrimination of
Their Employers, etc.”, was passed by the Insular Legislature and
approved toward the close of the fiscal year.
The two principal labor organizations, the Federacion Libre and
the Confederacion General de Trabaj adores, reported the signing of
an unprecedented number (41) of collective bargaining agreements
with employers. In general these entities secured favorable terms
in behalf of their affiliates. Both in number and nature, the benefits
22 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
won by organized labor provide ample warrant for the conclusion
that a new mark has been set this year in the history of achievement
of the Puerto Rican labor movement.
However, the upward trend of wages can hardly be considered
to have been adequate in the face of the proportionally greater increase
in the cost of living that occurred during the year. Taking
the year 1938-39 as a basis, it appears that indexes of wage rates
were 130 for industrial workers, 136 for commercial employees, and
128 for office workers, whereas price indexes of the main constituents
of the Puerto Rican labor diet were: 191 for rice, 310 for codfish,
181 for beans and 157 for fats; the index for all foods was 172.
As is to be expected in a period characterized by rapidly expanding
commercial activity, increasing employment and a rising cost of
living, there were frequent industrial disputes during the year. The
Department of Labor aided in the conciliation of 71 strikes and controversies
involving 26,740 workers. In this task the Department
enjoyed the cooperation of the United States Conciliation Service in
the person of Commissioner Charles Goldsmith, whose extremely
valuable assistance in preventing and adjusting strikes served to promote
industrial peace, especially in those operations affecting the program
of National Defense.
A wealth of social and labor legislation was passed and approved
during the year with a view to promoting the welfare of Insular
society in general and of labor in particular. Specific reference to
some of the labor legislation is found elsewhere in this report.
Educa ti on
Conspicuous among the anxieties of the Insular society is the
chronic inadequacy of its public educational plant. It is not to be
gainsaid that impressive progress has been made toward the goal of
universal accessibility of educational opportunity. But the magnitude
of the task that remains undone leaves scant room for satisfaction
derived from past achievement. The crying need for expansion
of the Island’s educational facilities is clearly apparent from a glance
at enrollment figures.
Of an estimated population of over 700,000 children of school
age on the Island, only 293,263 were enrolled in public day schools
during the year. Of this number there were 135,621 in elementary
rural schools, 124,962 in elementary urban schools, 15,757 in rural
second units schools, and 16,418 in high schools.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 23
The rural schools were housed in 1,864 buildings of which 841
were privately owned'; the urban schools occupied 531 buildings, of
which 154 were private property. The privately-owned buildings
were rented or furnished rent-free by their owners.
In matters of educational set-up and objectives fundamental
changes are in the offing. Plans have been made and prepaiations
begun for a complete reorganization of the school system to become
effective August 3, 1942. This reorganization consists of a shift from
the 8-4 to the 6-3-3 plan, with the elementary course comprising
six grades, and the secondary system divided into a three-year junior
and a three-year senior high school.
In addition to this structural modification certain changes of curriculum
are also being introduced in order to square content with
altered objectives. New subjects are to be established and change of
emphasis will be effected among those being retained.
A pervading aim shall be that of fostering the development of
an understanding and appreciation of both North and Latin-American
culture through a process of analysis, selection and assimilation of the
useful and constructive elements of both bodies of culture. The overall
objective, however, shall be that of adapting subject matter to
the felt needs of the child, to provide him with a workshop, the better
to enable him to cope with his daily life problems.
In response to the requirements of National Defense the program
of Vocational Education has been greatly enlarged. In agriculture,
emphasis was laid on home projects. In Vocational Rehabilitation,
plans were made to rehabilitate persons receiving injuries in industry
or in military service, as well as those deferred because of physical
disabilities. Classes organized under the program of Trade and Industrial
Education were expanded considerably, with training given
in 38 different occupations. The Vocational Training Program was
reorganized and was bolstered with Federal appropriations totalling
$844,409.40, distributed as follows: $447,901.76 for courses essential
to National Defense; $276,246 to set up courses for special defense
service; and $120,261.64 for the National Youth Administration
program.
The Legislature was most generous in providing additional funds:
$100,000 for school lunchrooms; $350,000 to cooperate with the Work
Projects Administration in the employment of 1,000 teachers; $25,000
for industrial arts equipment; $40,000 for scholarships to enable
deserving students to study medicine in universities on the mainland.
Additional funds were earmarked for a variety of other purposes.
24 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Univ ers ity of Puert o Rico
Approval of the "Act of the University of Puerto Rico” was unquestionably
the outstanding development of the year in the affairs
of the institution. The Act is an outgrowth of a fairly universal
recognition of the need for reform designed to endow the University
with an increased measure of autonomy. To achieve that end, the
Act introduces a series of thoroughgoing modifications to the academic
philosophy and administrative structure of the University.
Paramount interest is centered on the creation of the Superior
Educational Council which will differ from its predecessor body, the
Board of Trustees, both in composition and powers. It will have but
one ex-officio member instead of four, and in addition to discharging
the general supervisory and higher administrative functions of the
superseded Board, it is also invested with authority to prescribe the
orientation of the public education system in general, and to coordinate
its endeavors with the functions of the University.
Two University Boards, one for Rio Piedras and another for Mayagiiez,
are created to act as advisory bodies to the Chancellor and
to collaborate with him in the preparation and execution of the University
program, as well as in the internal government of the University
in general. The creation of these Boards insures more self
government to the University.
The Act also provides additional income for the University.
Other legislation was approved during the year to relieve the financial
distress of the University.
Most noteworthy among the year’s curriculum developments at
Rio Piedras are the creation "de jure” of a College of Public Administration,
the completion of plans for a Nursery School, scheduled to
function during the coming academic year, and the reestablishment
of the Department of Social Work after temporary discontinuance.
New courses in Brewing and Distillation have been added to the offerings
of the College at Mayaguez.
Enrollment figures for the year show a slight drop from those
of the previous year. The grand total of registration was 5,441, including
3,016 at the Rio Piedras group of colleges, 648 at Mayaguez,
1,454 in the Extension courses and 323 in the evening schools.
At the yearly commencement exercises a total of 573 degrees and
164 diplomas were awarded. Commissions as Second Lieutenant of
the United States Army were received by 32 students.
The year’s accessions brought the total number of bound volumes
in the University library at Rio Piedras up to 70,420 from the previous
figure of 66,995.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 25
The University has cooperated with the community in granting an
unusually large number of leaves of absence to members of the University
staff in response to the many urgent requests for their services
emanating from Insular and Federal agencies. The institution’s
personnel was further drained by the induction of many male employees
into military service. Other faculty members have been rendering
part-time services to important government entities such as the
Land Authority of Puerto Rico, the Price Control Commission, the
Civilian Defense, and other similar agencies.
For the greater part of the year the University was under the direction
of an acting chancellor.
The Schoo l of Trop ica l Medi cine
With the outbreak of hostilities a new series of activities were
added to the already diversified program of research, teaching, and
hospital services of the School of Tropical Medicine. The School became
the direction center of educational activities related to the instruction
of civilians as part of the program of the Committee for
Civilian Defense. Classes were given to professional nurses to prepare
them for Civilian Defense work. Arrangements were made to
train instructors in First Aid. Fifty technicians were trained in the
technique of blood typing. Courses were also offered for the preparation
of public health workers in civilian disaster relief. A Blood
Bank, the first to be established in a tropical area, was organized and
installed in the School. Finally, arrangements were made to use the
University Hospital of the School as an emergency unit in case of
disaster, in which contingency its bed capacity can be doubled.
The first commencement exercises for students completing the
•courses in Public Health were held in January, 1942. A total of
thirty certificates were issued to the graduating public health nurses,
sanitarians and medical technicians.
University Hospital.—A total of 885 patients were admitted to
the University Hospital. Of this number 454 were ward patients and
431 were patients admitted to private and semi-private rooms.
The Out-Patient Clinics attended a total of 9,804 patients during
the year.
The operations performed numbered 389, of which 229 were major
surgeries.
26 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Bacteriology.—A total of 4,330 bacteriological and serological examinations
were made including 3,000 made as part of the work being
done in connection with Brucella abortus infection in cattle. Also
continued were the studies on the transmission and chemotherapeutic
treatment of Shigella infection, and of experimental leprosy in rats.
It was demonstrated that the feeding of sulfanilamide and sulfathiazole
to rats in their diet prevented leprous lesions from developing.
Chemistry.—Nutritional work was a prominent feature of the
program of the Department of Chemistry. Investigations were under
way to determine the vitamin E content of various materials, as well
as to observe the physiological effect on rats and monkeys of a diet
low in vitamin E. Rice and the red kidney bean, the ingredients of
a mainstay of the Puerto Rican diet, were found to be low in vitamin
E.
The composition and general characteristics of the oils of avocado,
soursop, papaya and grapefruit seeds, were being studied in cooperation
with the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The work
on avocado oil has been completed.
In collaboration with the Agricultural Experiment Station of the
University of Puerto Rico, studies were being made of the distribution
of the enzyme, papain, during the development and growth of
the papaya plant. Among other things it was found that the juice
of the fruit pulp contained only about 5 per cent of the enzymatic
activity of that present in the rind.
An unreported protease, which is a typical papain, was isolated
from the juice of Bromelia pinguin L, the wild pineapple-like fruit
known on the Island as “maya”, and which is used by rural inhabitants
to form natural fences around their properties. This
enzyme was found to digest live intestinal parasites in vitro. A preliminary
note, describing the methods used in isolating the crude
enzyme aroused considerable interest among several commercial firms
that handle enzymes.
The four year study of the nutritive value of Puerto Rican forage
crops, financed partly by the Agricultural Experiment Station with
Bankhead-Jones funds, was completed with the analysis of various
grasses grown under various conditions of fertility.
Department of Clinical Medicine.—-Sprue in its various aspects
received special emphasis in the research activities of this department.
A variety of projects on this disease were under way. In addition,
studies were made of the incidence of rheumatic fever in Puerto Rico;
coronary artery disease and other senile degenerative changes of the
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 27
cardiovascular system, as observed in Puerto Rico; Weil’s disease;
enzymatic anthelmintics; biochemical aspects of tropical lymphangitis
and lymphogranuloma venereum; the therapeutic value of intraspinal
injections with members of the vitamin B complex; clinical and experimental
Moniliasis, and one on bone marrow in tropical lymphangitis.
The Division of Pediatries cooperated in a joint project probing
into the causes of diarrhea in infants with relation to their nutritional
status, and in another on the treatment of bacillary dysentery with
sulphaguanadine.
The Division of Surgery conducted investigations related to the
surgical treatment of elephantiasis; to the incidence of thyroid disease
in Puerto Rico, and to the occurrence of peripheral vascular
diseases on the Island.
Dermatology.—The study of the dermatomycoses in Puerto Rico
continued during the year, as were also the immunological studies on
mycotic infections initiated last year. Ten antigens from as many
fungus species were prepared and preserved. A considerable amount
of work was done to perfect the technique for complement fixation
tests and its application to fungus infections.
The general survey of fungus diseases in Puerto Rico was continued
with the study of the fungi isolated from the sputum of 20
patients suffering from obscure pulmonary infections.
Medical Zoology.—The work of this department included a survey
conducted for the U. S. Navy at St. Lucia, British West Indies; laboratory
instruction to a group of members of the armed forces of the
United States stationed in Puerto Rico; studies on the effect of vitamin
C deficiency on schistosomiasis infestation in the intestines of
guinea pigs; preliminary steps toward the investigation of trichinosis
in rats deficient in vitamin E, and the routine laboratory examination
of 3,424 specimens.
Pathology.—Research was continued on Weil’s disease in Puerto
Rico, synthetic estrogens, viruses, and on toxoplasma in mice and
guinea pigs. Routine work included 70 autopsies and miscellaneous
pathology comprising the examination of the 2,907 specimens.
Public Health.—While teaching constituted the main activity of
this department, various projects of research interest were also undertaken.
Prominent among them were: the study of special problems
concerning urban malaria with particular reference to the irrigated
south shore of Puerto Rico; a sanitary survey of the township of
Trujillo Alto; a similar survey of Rio Piedras, and an extensive
tuberculosis survey in the St. Just Rural Housing Project.
28 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Members of the department also participated in joint projects
on bacillary dysentery, infant diarrhea, and infant feeding in relation
to infant mortality.
Observations on ultraviolet solar radiation and total solar radiation
were continued.
Work was progressing on the preparation of the Fassig-Stone
manuscript of “The Climate of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands”,
which is to be published under the auspices of the New York Academy
of Sciences.
Santiago Primate Colony.—War-time transportation difficulties
prevented the coming of visiting scientists for research purposes, but
local scientists carried on a number of projects including work on
streptococci infection, a survey of dysentery carriers, a study of the
blood picture of normal monkeys, anthropological measurements and
dental examinations of the animals and the testing of 451 Rhesus for
tuberculosis, with no positive reactors being found.
Shipment of 137 monkeys of various ages was made to research
laboratories in the United States. At present there are slightly over
400 animals in the Colony.
The two primary purposes of the project—a colony free from
disease, especially tuberculosis, and one that would be fecund through
an appropriate diet—have been achieved. With India cut off the
Colony is now the only source of supply for Rhesus monkeys. Despite
this important fact, the fear is expressed that unless further financial
support is forthcoming rising costs of maintenance may force liquidation
of the project.
Publications.—The publications of the School reached a total of
65 during the year under review. They appeared in a number of
scientific journals including the Puerto Rico Journal of Public Health
and Tropical Medicine, the School’s own organ.
Members of the faculty were the recipients of honors from various
sources.
Hea lth
The presence of large numbers of troops on the Island has affected
considerably the activities of the Department of Health. The
programs previously in force were adapted to the changed situation
in order that the health of the armed forces might be more effectively
safeguarded. Particular emphasis was given to such public health
services as environmental sanitation; control of communicable diseases,
such as malaria and veneral diseases; food inspection; restaurant
sanitation; public health nursing; supervision of supplies
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 29
of milk and water, and the construction of latrines for the indigent
civilian population living in the vicinity of camps for more effective
control of hookworm. In addition there were enormous increases in
vaccinations and immunizations against such epidemic diseases as
smallpox, typhoid fever and diphtheria.
Malaria control activities comprised blood parasite control through
the treatment of infected individuals, and mosquito control through
drainage and the use of larvicides. A total of 14,229 blood examinations
were made showing the presence of malaria parasites in
22.68 per cent of the samples. Large quantities of curative materials
were prepared and distributed among those infected. In addition
to the temporary mosquito control measures undertaken in endemic
areas and in the environs of military camps, work continued on the
permanent control of the disease through the construction of subsoil
drainage and earth ditches, and the filling-in of breeding sites.
The allocation of Federal funds to supplement the contributions
of the Insular Government made it possible to open twelve new
venereal disease clinics during the year, bringing the total of such
clinics up to forty seven. The number of blood specimens examined
totalled 264,962, on which 513,910 serologic tests were made. Related
work included 1,719 dark field examinations, and the examination of
32,128 smears and 1,569 cultures from suspected cases of gonorrhea.
Of a total of 46,682 syphilitic patients receiving treatment in these
clinics, 17,218 were newly registered during the year. Of the 15,425
who dropped treatment, 9,325 were returned to the clinics during the
year as a result of the 22,396 visits made by field agents. In order to
minimize the foci of venereal disease 3,334 prostitutes were identified
and registered at the clinics. Of this number 126 were delinquent
patients who could not be brought under effective control for treatment
; they were isolated at the two detention hospitals now in operation.
Diarrhea and enteritis continues to be the primary cause of death
on the Island. The high infant mortality, in which this cause plays
the most important part, is due to a great extent to a condition of
malnutrition among many infants under two years of age. Under
the circumstances it would seem a public duty to provide the infants
of indigent parents with a proper and adequate supply of food. To
this end 84 milk stations distributed 523,766 quarts of milk formulas
to 3,371 children, 573 lactating mothers, and 112 expectant mothers.
Limited funds made it possible to extend this service only to the more
needy cases.
30 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
A Section on Nutrition was organized in January 1941 for the
purpose of giving instructions to the people in the elementary principles
of nutrition. The staff held a considerable number of lectures for
midwife-attendants, mothers visiting the milk stations, mothers attending
the pre-natal clinics, and school children. In addition a total
of 10,485 interviews were held with patients at the various public
health clinics, fifteen motion-picture exhibits were given, and 149
home visits were made.
Tuberculosis still ranks second among the causes of death in Puerto
Rico, accounting for 13.1 per cent of the deaths that occurred during
the year. The tuberculosis mortality rate was 6.9 per cent lower than
in calendar year 1940, with 242.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants as
against 260.9 in 1940. In 1941 a total of 8,568 cases were reported
to the Department of Health, giving a case-death rate of 1.8.
At the eleven anti-tuberculosis centers and nine sub-centers in
operation, a total of 151,723 persons were fluoroscoped; 30,275 X-ray
plates of the chest were taken; 5,274 new cases of tuberculosis were
discovered, and 78 pneumothorax insufflations were applied to 3,799
patients.
The number of persons examined increased by 19,683 over the
previous year, and fluoroscopies, by 34,103. X-ray plates, on the
other hand, dropped by 17,527 because of the more extensive use of
fluoroscopy. The increasing use of fluoroscopy, which brings considerable
savings, is made possible by the growing proficiency of physicians
as their experience accumulates. Further economy and a resultant
expansion of work on tuberculosis is promised by the use of
fluorographies, or fluoroscopic photographs on miniature films.
Examinations made of 23,448 contacts of known tuberculosis cases
revealed that 491, or two per cent of such contacts, had the disease.
Social work aides made 6,384 home visits to patients and secured
transportation expenses for 2,853 indigent patients.
The four tuberculosis hospitals cared for 3,720 patients during the
year, admitting 2,294 and discharging 2,302. Pneumothorax treatment
was given to 876 cases, and 262 surgical operations were performed.
The School Preventorium at Aibonito was converted into a sanatorium
for tuberculous children with a capacity of 100 beds. It cared
for 194 children during the year. In addition 67 cases of bone tuberculosis
were treated at the Convalescent Home for Crippled Children
at Guaynabo.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 31
A tuberculosis survey embracing the student body, faculty and
other employees was conducted at the University of Puerto Rico.
X—ray pictures of 2,710 chests revealed the existence of 51 cases, 40
of which were of latent or healed tuberculosis.
In the school surveys carried out in various parts of the Island,
X-ray examinations of the chest were given to 15,206 pupils over
13 years of age, and to 4,044 teachers.
The protection of maternal and child health has been intensified,
and Federal aid has made it possible to give closer attention to specialized
fields. At the pre-natal clinics, held in the Public Health Units,
medical supervision was given to 20,739 cases, while 33,081 mothers
attended the maternal health clinics. At the infant hygiene and
pre-school child clinics 28,828 children received medical attention.
At the dental clinics 21,708 children and 5,828 mothers were given
dental service. An additional 9,980 children were examined and
treated by the travelling dental units.
The service for crippled children included examination of 2,334
children at the regular clinics held in the Public Health Units; 516
cases were hospitalized, 505 cases were operated, and 145 received
convalescent home care.
Maternal mortality has been considerably reduced through effective
control and continuous training of midwife attendants, who
handle a large proportion of labor cases on the Island. At the close
of the year there were 2,376 midwife attendants under Department
control. They attended 61,272 labor cases during the year. Nursemidwives
supervised 142 cases and personally attended 147.
The number of live births for calendar year 1941 was 76,130,
which gives the Island a birth rate of 39.8 per 1,000 inhabitants.
The general death rate for the same period was 18.6. No major
epidemic occurred during that time.
Major events in the medical field include the opening of the
General District Hospital at Arecibo and of additional rural medical
dispensaries, now 54 in number. The Aguadilla Hospital Unit and
the Contagious Disease Hospital at Bayamon are expected to open
during the coming year.
The Child Welfare Service Section handled 2,744 cases representing
4,374 children. Case work services were given to 1,857 cases
representing 2,787 children. This work included housekeeper’s service,
foster-home care, psychiatric treatment, medical attention, employment
placement and other less tangible services. Eighty-five boys
and thirty girls were admitted to the Insular Homes for Children.
32 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
The Medico-Social Work Service handled 17,102 cases during the
year, including the work of investigation for old-age assistance cases.
The Commission for Old Age Assistance authorized pensions for 2,387
persons. On June 30, 1942 there were 2,126 persons receiving assistance
at an average of $7.53 for the month.
The various Public Health Laboratories and the twenty microscopists
in the Public Health Units made 1,159,048 examinations, an
increase of 3.4 per cent over the previous fiscal year. The laboratories
also prepared large amounts of biological products such as liver
extract, anti-typhoid vaccine, Kahn antigen, various bacteriological
antigens, and 29,423 wax ampoules containing silver nitrate to be
distributed for the prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum. The
Chemical Laboratory examined 13,766 samples of water, food and
drugs.
Civi li an Defe nse
Civilian Defense had its beginning in Puerto Rico in October 27,
1941, with the creation of a Committee of Civilian Defense and the
appointment of its Chairman. On December 12, 1941 an Executive
Director was appointed to execute all orders and enforce the rules
and regulations as promulgated by the Central Committee. The
Committee of National Defense organized under the auspices of the
American Legion in various cities and towns were passed over to this
newly-created Civilian Defense organization to become a part of the
local Civilian Defense committees. These committees were soon established
in all towns of the Island.
On January 16. 1942 a Metropolitan Area of Defense was created
comprising the municipalities of San Juan, Rio Piedras, Bayamon,
Guaynabo and Catano. Thus the Island was divided into the Insular
Area and the Metropolitan Area, each with an Executive Director.
Under Act No. 33, approved April 16, 1942, the Civilian Defense was
reorganized. A Central Committee of Civilian Defense was created,
composed of seven members, one of whom was designated chairman.
This Committee was called upon to provide all safety or protective
measures for the civilian population during the present state of
emergency, and to organize and regulate all services necessary for
the protection of the civilian population throughout the Island for
the duration of the emergency. It is empowered to promulgate all
regulations and to issue general and specific instructions to be followed
in connection with the defense and protection of the civilian
population. It has been provided that any rules and regulations
promulgated by the Central Committee of Civilian Defense in acOF
THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 33
cordance with the provisions of this Act shall be subject to the
gubernatorial approval, and that when so approved they shall have
the force of law. Under this reorganization the Island was divided
for defense purposes into five areas:
Metropolitan Area
Northern Area
Western Area
Southern Area
Eastern Area.
An Executive Director was appointed for each of these areas, and
Local Executive Directors were appointed for each town in the Island.
With this new organization the following services have been established
throughout the Island:
1. Emergency Medical Services.
2. The training and organization of the Wardens’ Division, including
emergency feeding and housing.
3. Auxiliary Police, including bomb squads.
4. Auxiliary Firemen and rescue squads.
5. Emergency public works, including demolition and clearance,
road repair and decontamination crews.
6. Emergency utilities, repair crews, and blackout and warning
officers.
7. Registry of volunteers, including motor crews and messengers.
8. War Social Services.
9. Protection of industrial plants and public buildings.
10. Transportation.
11. Evacuation.
12. Billeting.
There are nine Medical Zone Supervisors on the Island, and each
zone has its Local Emergency Directors whose number varies according
to the size of the zone. Each Supervisor and Local Director appointed
is an outstanding physician.
A prominent activity of the Emergency Medical Services is the
Blood Bank of the Civilian Defense of Puerto Rico which is administered
and run by the School of Tropical Medicine.
The Technical Committee of Civilian Defense is in charge of
construction of air raid shelters. Working under the auspices of
the Department of the Interior of Puerto Rico, and in cooperation
with the Federal Work Projects Administration and the Central
Committee of Civilian Defense, it prepared detailed plans and estimates
for the construction of several different types of air raid
shelters.
34 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Air raid practices and blackout drills were conducted at frequent
intervals and a high degree of efficiency was attained at an early
date. '
The Committee distributed 102 copies of circulars, 28,200 copies
of three pamphlets in Spanish and 1,575 copies of 11 pamphlets in
English.
The Legislature of Puerto Rico appropriated $9,000 for initial
expenses of the Committee of Civilian Defense during the fiscal year
1941-42. Subsequently the Emergency Fund Committee appropriated
a total of $400,000 to enable the Civilian Defense Committee to
continue the defense measures which had already been undertaken
in December 1941.
Civi l Serv ice Commis sio n
During the course of the past fiscal year a total of 86 open competitive
examinations were announced for basic positions, i. e., those
falling in the various categories of the Classified Civil Service, and
for grades and optionals. These examinations were of the types
known as assembled and unassembled, the former requiring the presence
of examinees at a fixed time and a given place. Sixty of these
announced examinations were held, the papers graded and rated, and
the ratings reviewed. Of the 2,198 applicants involved, 2,164 were
tested, the remainder being rejected either for failure to meet admission
requirements or for absence from the examinations. Only
eleven of the participants failed to pass their examinations.
Twenty eight examinations for which 540 applications were filed
are pending establishment of ratings and subsequent review. A total
of 55 testees took non-competitive examinations for promotion; all
were successful.
Probational appointments numbered 853; temporary appointments
1,401. These figures include both carry-overs from last year,
and appointments authorized during the fiscal year 1941-42. An
appreciable number of these temporary appointments have terminated,
and been converted into probational appointments. Promotions
and salary increases reached a total of 743.
The approximate number of Civil Service Employees, both classified
and unclassified was 18,894; all but 396 are natives of Puerto
Rico; 6,144 are employed in the Classified Civil Service.
Twenty open competitive examinations were conducted to fill appointments
to positions apportioned to Puerto Rico for service in
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 35
Washington under the Federal Civil Service. These examinations
were conducted by the local Special Representative of the United
States Civil Service.
Several decisions were adopted concerning questions of status of
civil service employees, special interest being attached to the one
whereby husband and wife alike are ,held subject to the piovisions
of Act No. 32 of 1941, the Nepotism Act. Also noteworthy was the
related decision that employees of the Pension Board of Officers and
Employees of the Insular Government and those of the Teachers
Pension Board are likewise unexempt from the application of that
Act. x
Two significant changes in civil service rules were approved during
the year to secure conformity with recent legislation. The one
provides for removal of employees suffering physical disability or
contagious disease. Provision is made for the determination of pertinent
facts by the establishment of a board composed of representatives
of the Civil Service Commission and three doctors from the
Department of Health.
For purposes of local guidance a study was made of Act of Congress
No. 202 providing for the granting of leave with pay to Federal
employees who vacate their posts to enter the armed forces of
the Nation. It was decided that the Act should be construed as limiting
vacation to 60 days accumulated leave, plus current accrued
leave earned from the first day of the year of cessation of employment
to the clay on which the employee’s name is deleted from Insular
payrolls.
Food and Gen era l Sup plie s Commi ssi on
The Food and General Supplies Commission, created by Act No.
6 of November 17, 1941, was established primarily to control commodity
prices on the Island as a means of protection against economic
distress. It was vested with authority to purchase and sell
articles of necessity, investigate and fix prices of such articles, and
perform sundry related functions.
Legal difficulties arising out of deficiencies of the creating act
hampered efficient price control, but the situation was subsequently
corrected by the passage of Act No. 228, approved on May 12, 1942,
creating the General Supplies Administration. This law was scheduled
to go into effect after the close of the fiscal year.
Among the first acts of the Commission was that of fixing prices
for rice and meat.
36 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Purchases made by the Commission included $10,000 worth of
seed of subsistence crops, 10,000 bags of rice, 500 tons of fertilizer,
and $75,000 worth of pineapples which were grown for shipment to
the United States, but had to be consumed locally because of curtailed
shipping facilities. When supplies of chlorine for water purification
purposes were discovered by the Commission to be approaching
exhaustion, 8,400 pounds were purchased and distributed
among the municipalities of the Island on the basis of their needs.
Stocks of fuel oil, gasoline and kerosene were frozen and rationed
by the Commission at one time or another as supplies ran low.
The Commission also collaborated in the rationing of tires and
tubes by providing the greater part of the personnel that handled
this task.
Ele cti on s
It is not customary in Puerto Rico to conduct a general registration
of voters prior to each election. All individuals who voted in
the last election held are qualified to vote in the succeeding one;
only new voters and those seeking reinstatement are required to register.
It is provided by law that after a given election the registrations
of all persons who failed to vote in that election shall be excluded
from the rolls, and that lists of such exclusions shall be prepared..
It is further required that registers be kept and that all exclusions
and reinstatements be posted therein.
When more than 140,000 registrants failed to vote in the election
of 1940, a considerable amount of clerical work, including the scrutiny
of nearly 5,000 polls, was entailed in the fulfillment of the pertinent
statutory provisions. It is this task that the skeleton staff of
the Insular Board of Elections has been performing during the period'
under review.
Corp ora ti ons and Coope rati ve Associa tio ns
. A considerable decline in investment activities is reflected in the
year’s statistics of corporation registrations. The number of domestic
corporations registered dropped precipitately to forty-seven from the
previous yearly total of eighty-five. In the case of foreign entities
the decrease was proportionally greater still, the decline being from
fourteen to five. Finally, the domestic corporations newly registered
were fewer than those dissolved, and new registrations of foreign
corporations were surpassed by the number of such entities that
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 37
withdrew from the Island; for while forty-seven domestic corporations
were registered, sixty seven were dissolved, and as five foreign
concerns entered the field, eight withdrew.
Although the newly registered corporations, both foreign and
domestic, were few in number, their aggregates of authorized capitalization
eclipsed the corresponding totals of the previous fiscal year.
The explanation has been hazarded that the foregoing facts are ascribable
in part to revisions made in tax schedules affecting the distribution
of corporation dividends.
Three cooperative associations of production and consumption
were organized during this period; two are mercantile, the other
was organized to deal in agriculture, fishing and handcrafts. One
association of this type was dissolved through legislative action.
Two cooperative marketing associations were formed during the
year, one to engage in the cultivation of vegetables, the other in the
sugar cane industry. One such association was dissolved.
Ins uran ce
Sixty-two companies were registered and authorized to transact
insurance business in the Island during the fiscal year, three more
than during the previous year. They are organized in accordance
with the laws of the following nations* in the numbers indicated:
United States------------------------------------------------------- 39
Great Britain--------------------------------------- ---------------- 14
C,, ana,d a------------------------------------------------------------- _ 7
France----------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico------------------- ---------------------------------------
Total___________________________________ ___ 62
A second tabulation shows these companies classified according to
the types of risks they cover:
Fire_____________________________________________
Fire and Marine----------------------------------------------------- 3t
Miscellaneous-------------------------------------------------------- 2
Casualty and Miscellaneous----------------------------------------- 11
Fire and Marine and Casualty and Miscellaneous------------ 1
Life and Health----------------------------------------------------- 10
Total. 62
38 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Their policyholders in Puerto Rico were protected by deposits in
trust totalling $1,785,060 as of June 30, 1942. Of this amount
$1,655,060 were deposited with the Superintendent of Insurance of
Puerto Rico, and $130,000 in various Departments of Insurance in
the United States and in Washington, D. C.
Of the securities deposited, $970,000 were Puerto Rico bonds,
$718,000 United States Treasury bonds, $128,060 in miscellaneous
securities and $2,000 in cash.
The amount of insurance written and premiums collected during
the calendar year 1941 were considerably above the totals of the
preceding period, attributable, it is felt, to the abnormal conditions
prevailing in the sphere of international affairs. Comparisons follow
:
PREMIUMS RECEIVED
(Calendar Years)
Coverage 1940 1941 Per Cent
Fire and Fire & Marine......................................................
Casualty and Miscellaneous...............................................
Life and Health.................................................................
$1,393, 450. 63
788, 684.12
1, 823, 777. 72
$1, 912,134. 07
1, 065, 333. 02
1,917,940. 77
137. 22
135.08
105.16
Totals.................................................................... $4,005,912. 47 $4,895, 407. 86 122. 20
LOSSES PAID
(Calendar Years)
Coverage 1940 1941 Per Cent
Fire and Fire & Marine......................................................
Casualty and Miscellaneous...............................................
Life and Health.......................................................................
$210,186. 53
196,806. 90
875, 808. 30
$389,872. 02
246, 905.18
721, 783. 65
185. 49
125. 46
82. 41
Totals........................................... ........................
Per Cent of Losses Paid to Premiums Received...
$1, 282, 801. 73 $1, 358, 560. 85 105.91
32.02 27. 75 86. 66
Statistics compiled for fiscal years reveal that an increase of 37.22
per cent was recorded in insurance transactions during the fiscal year
1941-42 as over against those of 1940-41. Premium collections exceeded
the previous figure by $899,495.39.
Fire insurance coverage and premiums received for the calendar
year 1941 show increases of 15.65 and 25.43 per cent, respectively,
as compared with last year’s figures. The percentage of fire losses
incurred to premiums received rose from 23.57 for the year 1940 to
34.04 in 1941. The percentage of losses paid to premiums received
swelled from 20.79 in 1940 to 29.14 during 1942.
Hurricane coverage for 1941 shows an increase of 41.41 per cent
as compared with that of 1940, while premiums were 170.82 per cent
above of the total received for the earlier year.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 39
Earthquake coverage increased by 2.55 per cent, while premiums
received were 35.87 per cent higher for the calendar year 1941 as
compared with the year 1940. No losses were incurred or paid during
the year under study.
Auto fire, and property damage and collision coverage for 1941
show increases of 92.99 and 38.81 per cent, respectively, over 1940
in insurance written and premiums received. Losses paid and losses
incurred show increases of 90.28 and 97.73 per cent, respectively.
Marine premiums received for 1941 exceeded those of the preceding
calendar year by 40.38 per cent. A comparison of losses paid
shows those of 1941, which amounted to $70,169.84, to be 235.39 per
cent greater than the 1940 figure.
Comparative statistics on casualty and miscellaneous risks reveal
an increase of 35.08 per cent in premiums received and of 25.46 in
losses paid for 1941 as compared with 1940. Meanwhile the percentage
of losses paid to premiums received decreased from 24.95 in
1940 to 23.18 in 1941.
Life and Health Insurance in force in the calendar year 1941
amounted to $46,506,139, an increase of $4,199,815 or 9.93 per cent
over the total for 1940. Premiums received for 1941 were 5.16 per
cent above those of the earlier year, while losses paid and losses incurred
dropped 17.59 and 30.57 per cent respectively. On' the other
hand, the percentage of losses paid to premiums received fell from
48.02 in 1940 to 37.63 per cent in 1941, while that of losses incurred
to premiums paid likewise dropped from 50.30 to 33.21 per cent during
the same periods of comparison.
Comparative statistics of automobile accidents and casualties for
the past two fiscal years show a 15 per cent increase in the number
of accidents for 1941-42, but a drop of 21 per cent in the number
of instantaneous deaths resulting therefrom. Injuries rose, but not
significantly.
The accident rate per 1000 population was 3.34 per cent for the
fiscal year under review; the injury rate, 2.08 per cent; and the
death rate, 6 per cent. The table for the two fiscal years follows:
Accidents Injuries Instantaneous Deaths
1940-41 1941-42 1940-41 1941-42 1940-41 1941-42
5, 657 6, 494 3,932 4,036 169 134
40 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
In addition to discharging its customary functions related to enforcement
of the Insurance Law, the Office of the Superintendent of
Insurance also participated in Civilian Defense activities through the
preparation and free distribution of pamphlets on methods of combatting
incendiary sabotage, the handling of explosive and incendiary
bombs, and the organization of municipal fire brigades and auxiliary
firemen. Cooperation was also extended to Navy officials in
the effort to make the waterfront areas of the Island's ports secure
against fire risks and sabotage.
Stat e Insura nce Fund
The State Insurance Fund, organized in 1935, completed its
seventh year of operation on June 30, 1942. With the exception of
its first year, it has closed every policy year with a surplus.
The Statutory Reserve Fund and Free Surplus for the period
1935-1941, as of June 30, 1942, was $1,400,169.60, distributed as follows
:
Statutory Reserve Fund------------------------------- $410, 031.16
Free Surplus--------------------------------------------- $990, 138. 44
Policy year 1941-42 was in process of liquidation during the
preparation of this report so that the results of operations of that
period were unavailable for inclusion herein. However, estimates
and comparisons indicate that those operations will show a satisfactory
surplus.
But the favorable character of this general performance is not
without its less commendable aspects; it might have been much better.
For behind that apparently satisfactory exterior there lay an
unsavory state of affairs that eventuated in an investigation by the
Office of the Auditor of Puerto Rico and of the District Court of
San Juan. Evidence of alleged misappropriation of funds and other
forms of malfeasance has resulted in one prosecution; others may
follow.
At this juncture, in October, 1941, a new administration took
over. Prompt to follow were various reforms of administrative
procedure suggested by the investigating auditors as means of forestalling
a reappearance of the shady practices under investigation.
In addition there were numerous resignations and dismissals. Increased
income is expected to result from these reforms.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 41
Costs are being more rigidly controlled through intensified inspection
of clinics and dispensaries. Also the rate of compensation
for X-ray service was reduced significantly, and monthly salaries to
clinics in the amount of $1,950 were eliminated.
The growing prevention of fraudulent accident cases, malingering,
and protracted hospitalization, through an increased number of
investigations of accident cases, is also keeping down costs. An interesting
case in point is that of one of the Island’s largest towns,
where the monthly average of injured workers receiving treatment
in dispensaries during the cane-grinding season was less than half
that of October, 1941, which fell in the industry’s inactive season.
Normally the proportions would have been reversed.
Among the most important technical functions of the State Fund
is the classification of insured employers into industrial and occupational
groups, and the application of premium rates to each class of
occupation or industry in accordance with the accumulated underwriting
experience and the hazards and risks to which each classification
is exposed. The 273 classifications in effect during 1941-42 were
revised and their number was reduced to 196 for the year 1942-43.
Premium rates of 85 of these classifications will be lower in 1942-43
as compared with 1941-42; 57 will have an unchanged rate, and
fifty-four will bear higher rates. The number of classifications should
be further reduced by consolidating similar occupational activities
and risks into larger groups. Each classification may then be broad
enough to permit the accumulation of adequate statistical experience
to serve as a basis for actuarial analysis and prediction. At present
there is probably too much subdivision for a small industrial area
like Puerto Rico.
Although the State Fund had accumulated a free surplus of
$990,138.44 up to June 30, 1941, individual classifications may have
.accumulated either a deficit or a surplus. Agricultural classifications
as a rule appear with a deficit.
Individual accounts for each insured employer were brought up
to date during the year, making possible the application of both credits
and surcharges in accordance with the Merit Rating System.
The imposition of surcharges is an innovation; they are being entered
against insured employers who have paid at least $200 in premiums
to the State Fund and whose accounts show a deficit. In the
past, credits were granted to those accounts that showed a surplus,
but no provisions were made for the application of surcharges when
deficits occurred. It is confidently expected that, through penalizing
42 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
indifference toward the prevention of accidents, the application of
surcharges will prod certain employers to adopt accident prevention
measures.
The number of claims registered to June 30, 1942, for policy
year 1941-42 was 65,604. Of this total, 64,201 claims originated with
workers of insured employers.
They were classified as follows:
Death claims--------------------------------------------------- 61
Temporary disability------------------------------------------ 56, 632
Permanent partial disability--- j ----------------- ---------- 2, 226
Permanent total disability----------------------------------- 2
Unclassified open claims--------------- --------------------- 5p280
Total___________________________________ 64,201
The number of active insured employers during 1941-42 was 8,321.
Payroll examiners audited the payrolls of 957 insured employers and
as a result obtained $198,059.25 in additional premium. The payroll
of insured employers for 1941-42 has been estimated at $73,500,000.
On the basis of this estimate, the number of registered claims per
million dollars of payroll was 873. The cost of compensation per
$100 of payroll was $1.34; and per compensated case, $15.63.
Financial data on policy year 1941-42 are unavoidably incomplete
at this time of the year. The figures in the following table
are those of the Financial Statement of Income and Expense as of
June 30, 1942, with comparative figures for the year 1940-41.
June 30, 1941 June 30, 1942
Premium Revenue....................................................................................................
Compensation Expense............................................ ..............................................
Medical, hospital and travelling expenses....................................................
Administrative Expenses.................... ...................................................................
$1, 991, 213.13
527, 265. 30
609, 303. 20
290,073. 25
$2,051,172. 82
573,016.17
639, 320. 30
286, 510.21
As indicated above, the State Fund had accumulated up to June
30, 1941 a reserve fund and free surplus amounting to $1,400,169.60.
The law authorizes the Manager to invest this fund with the approval
of the Governor in bonds of the United States or of Puerto
Rico, or bonds for the payment of which the good faith of The People
of Puerto Rico has been pledged. It is hoped that there will be opportunities
to invest most of this fund, which at present rates of
interest should earn between thirty and forty thousand dollars a
year.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 43
Publ ic Works
The program of construction of public works was hampered by
the difficulties experienced in obtaining materials and equipment
inherent in the war situation. Further hardship stemmed from the
shortage of technical personnel which was drastically reduced by
Army requirements. Nevertheless, the achievements compare favorably
with those of a year ago, particularly in matters related to National
Defense to which a preponderance of time and effort was
devoted.
Road Construction and Maintenance.—The construction of municipal
and Insular roads, and the elimination of grade crossings
was continued during the year with Federal cooperation. Road
widening and curve elimination projects were carried out with the
continued participation of the Work Projects Administration. Road
construction under contract totalled $2,738,075 of which amount
$2,521,077 covered projects that were completed or paid for.
Public Buildings.—The maintenance and repair of public buildings
required the expenditure of $102,732.89, while construction in
progress during the year was valued at $229,389.19. Other projects,
estimated to cost $1,489,217, were prepared for future construction.
Public Lands and Archives.—A new task, that of policing public
lands adjacent to the large urban zones to prevent the construction
thereon of squatters’ homes, was assigned to this division. The new
assignment was undertaken with an organization of 42 watchmen who
reported 908 infractions of the law.
Insular Telegraph.—The operations of the Insular Telegraph and
Telephone Service showed encouraging improvement during the year.
Revenues jumped to $212,805.58, causing a-drop in the year’s operating
deficit to $72,369.06 from the previous year’s figure of $86,100.02.
The previous year’s total of 106,565 free messages was cut to 46,198,
valued at $151,779 and $86,196 respectively. Physical equipment
underwent considerable repair.
Division 'of Automobiles.—Collections for the year amounted to
$906,265.81 as against $929,421.59 for the previous fiscal year. A
total of 32,195 motor vehicles were registered.
Bureau of Mines.—Investigations and experiments were continued
in connection with metallic and non-metallic minerals.
Harbors and Docks.—Vessels entering the various ports of the
Island during the year yielded fees for a total of $108,730.15. The
San Juan Harbor Board acquired a garbage truck, fire-fighting equip44
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
ment, and a full-revolving, crawler-mounted shovel for a total cost
of $27,748.69.
Eight projects for improvements to various ports of the Island
were prepared by the newly-created Engineering Division for Piers
and Harbors.
Aerial Topographic Map of Puerto Rico.—Most of the year’s effort
was devoted to the field and office work required for the National
Defense Program established during the past year. Three
parties completed the control on all the areas selected by authorities
of the United States Army and the Navy. Aerial pictures, photographic
mosaics, topographic maps and a variety of data were supplied
to the Federal and Insular Government agencies under strict
control of the Commissioner of the Interior.
Parks.—With the exception of its lighting system, Barcelo Park
in Barrio Obrero, Santurce, was completely reconstructed. An unusually
interesting Ornamental Plant Production Center, four cuerdas
in size, was acquired in Rio Piedras. Total receipts and disbursements
at the end of the fiscal year were $96,807.46 and $80,000
respectively.
Isabel a Irrig atio n Ser vic e
A very promising future is indicated for the Isabela Irrigation
Service by the course of the year’s developments. An estimated addition
of $75,000 to the annual gross income is expected to result
from the operation of Power Plant No. 3 whose construction has
■been provided for by an appropriation of $175,000 authorized by
the Legislature. Furthermore, the utilization of the excess of irrigation
water is now assured by Act No. 201, which, in modifying the
boundaries of the Permanent Irrigation District, provides for the
inclusion of lands outside the limits of the Irrigation District. The
act serves to counteract the effect of transfer of land for military
use at Punta Borinquen, and of a 92,000 acre tract to the Puerto
Rican Housing Authority.
Although the year’s production of electric energy (7,750,000 kilowatt
hours) exceeded last year’s output by 2,444,000 kilowatt hours,
it was still necessary to make purchases from outside sources amounting
to 1,828,000 kilowatt hours. Sales of electric current delivered
to consumers totalled $255,110.05, approximately a third higher than
last year’s figure.
The Crop Census for the fiscal year reveals that the acreage
under sugar cane cultivation within the Irrigation District was expanded
by 237 acres for a total of 5,879 acres.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 45
Wate r Reso urces Auth orit y
Power history was made and a collective hope became a reality
when toward the end of the fiscal year the Government of the United
States secured title to, and turned over to the Water Resources Authority
for operation, the two remaining privately owned utility systems.
Thus the exigencies of war ordained the final consummation
of a long cherished desire for a publicly-owned, integrated power
system utilizing the force of the waters coursing down the Island’s
hills.
Conceived back in the early twenties, the program evolved slowly
but inexorably. For it was the logic of events that impelled its progressive
expansion to make Puerto Rico the scene of an epochal advance
toward industrial democracy; the Island is the first self-contained
area of the United States to be served entirely by a publiclyowned
electric power system.
It all started when the Government of Puerto Rico developed the
Public Irrigation System to aid the cultivation of sugar cane in the
dry areas of the South Coast. Incidental to that development, falling
water became available and was used to generate electricity for
supplementary irrigation with pumps. But when the energy ■ produced
exceeded the requirements of those pumps, all parties agreed
that, rather than permit its waste, the surplus power should be made
available to the public. Thus the coercive power of circumstances
prevailed over ideological differences, and the People of Puerto Rico
were in the power business.
Meanwhile in the larger urban centers private companies did a
thriving business. Where people lived close together profits were
to be had, and private initiative, alert to its opportunities, responded
to the demand for electricity.
In the rural areas the demand was only slightly less insistent,
but since the dispersed population held forth no prospects of returns
on investment it could hardly press for satisfaction of its demands
by private enterprise. But profit considerations could not
shield the public system from that demand so that, in yielding to
that pressure, to the extent that economy of operations permitted,
the Government facilities extended their service to one area after
another until they reached all the areas not served by private enterprise.
48 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Finances.—Plans for improved financing were delayed somewhat
by the dispute over the Authority’s status. Nevertheless advantageous
arrangements for short-term credits were made with local banks.
In the meantime negotiations were begun with private financiers in
New York and with the Reconstruction Finance Corporation for a
general refunding of all the obligations assumed by the Authority
at a substantial saving in interest.
Aqueduct Law.—This Act, passed by the Legislature in its special
session of 1941 provides for the transfer to the Authority of all
municipally operated waterworks that failed to meet prescribed
standards. No action has as yet been taken under this law because
important amendments concerning procedure of transfer were not to
become effective until after the close of the fiscal year.
Irrigation System, South Coast.—General weather conditions on
the South Coast were favorable for the operation of the Irrigation
District. Temperature and atmospheric pressure were close to normal,
and’ the catchment areas above the storage reservoirs south of
the Island’s main divide received a well distributed rainfall which
was sufficient for the requirements of the irrigated lands below.
The watersheds above the reservoirs, located north of the divide, had
scanty rainfall during the first nine months of the year, but abundant
rains occurred during the last quarter, April, May and June, 1942,
improving substantially the storage in those reservoirs. The earlier
deficiency caused a shortage in deliveries of water to the lands irrigated
from the Guamani Canal, which received only 73 per cent of
their quota, but all other lands in the Irrigation District had their
full appurtenant supply.
Electric System.—By restricting service expansion, war needs
had a moderating effect on the peak demand served by the electric
system of the Authority. The peak load for the year rose from the
previous 17,860 K. W. to 18,350 K. W., an increase of only 2.2 per
cent, as compared with an increase of 29.4 per cent registered a year
ago.
However, the higher levels of demand were sustained over longer
periods, meaning that a fuller use was made by the various installations
connected to the system. This fact explains the increase of
15,438,341 kilowatt-hours in the required production, which was 19.1
per cent greater than the preceding year’s requirement. Comparative
figures for the preceding year amountd to 16.1 per cent.
The number of consumers connected to the system rose from
27,500 to 29,694 during the year, an increase of 7.7 per cent as comOF
THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 49
pared to 10.6 per cent for the previous year. Net billings for electricity
used by all consumers connected to the system amounted to
$1,562,777.07 surpassing the previous year’s sales by $304,316.25,
which is approximately two and one fourth times as much as the
increase recorded for the previous year.
Of its total requirements of 96,175,235 kilowatt-hours, the Authority’s
system received slightly less than ten per cent from outside
sources.
The production of all public utilities systems operating on the
Island totalled 231,016,320 kilowatt-hours, which is 16.8 per cent
greater than the previous year’s output and 48 per cent greater than
the increase recorded for the previous year. Slightly over 46 per
cent of this total output was produced by fuel oil.
Estimates place next year’s power requirements at 260,000,000 of
which some 200,000,000 kilowatt-hours are expected to be supplied
by the augmented hydroelectric facilities. The remainder, or about
23 per cent, will be produced by oil-consuming plants. Fuel oil requirements
are thus reduced to only 55 per cent of the amount consumed
during the past year, and to 37 per cent of what they would
be if the new hydro plants had not been added to the system. A
testimony of service to the Nation’s war effort, these figures show
recent hydroelectric developments to have been timely indeed.
Publ ic Ser vic e Commi ssio n
Electric Service.—Reductions amounting to $200,000 annually
were authorized in the rates for electric service of the Porto Rico
Railway, Light and Power Co.
Water Service.—Construction was completed on the waterworks
systems of Hormigueros and Orocovis, the last of the municipalities
on the Island proper that were without such facilities. The municipality
of Culebra on the small outlying island of that name still
lacks a waterworks system.
The Commission has cooperated with municipal governments in
the preparation of ordinances making for improved management of
their waterworks systems. Assistance was also given in the fixing
of rates to assure the municipalities an adequate income from this
service.
Sewerage Systems.—With the completion of the system in Orocovis
45 of the Island’s 77 municipalities now have sewerage systems
in operation.
50 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Telephone Service.—Increasing demands for telephone service required
the employment and training of additional personnel by the
Porto Rico Telephone Company. The Traffic Department increased
its staff from 316 to 357 members, and the Plant Department personnel
grew from 174 to 240.
The expansion of telephone service during the year is indicated in
the following table.
June 30, 1941 June 30, 1942
8,302 9,216
8, 473 9,074
687 668
32 32
121 131
123 158
17, 738 19, 279
Business.........................................................................................................................
Residence.................................................................................. *.................................
Semi-Public..................................................................................................................
Toll Service..................................................................................................................
Public Pay Stations.................................................................................................
Company Official......................................................................................................
Total Company Stations..............................................................
The Company reports that during the fiscal year under report it
spent a total of $1,324,382 in improvements on the telephone plant.
White Star Bus Line.—This Company has an exclusive franchise
for carrying passengers between San Juan and its outlying suburbs
as far as the town of Rio Piedras. Through inefficient management
the equipment of the firm was allowed to deteriorate to the point where
the service rendered was distinctly unsatisfactory. The Commission
thereupon authorized 250 public cars to operate over the Company’s
routes in order to help overcome the deficiencies of transportation
service thereon.
Trolley Service.—The Island’s sole trolley service, operated by the
Porto Rico Railway Light and Power Co., transported 2,255,114 passengers
during the year, for a gross revenue of $108,082.06, as compared
to 1,570,970 passengers paying a total of $71,842.01 in fares
during the previous year.
Railroads.—The public service railroads operating on the Island
report the following figures on passengers and freight transported
during the year:
Pas sen ger s : 1941-42
C) American Railroad Co. of P. R____________ 689, 102
Fre igh t :
Sugar:
American Railroad Co. of P. R__________ 82, 977 tons
(2)Ponce & Guayama Railroad Co__________ 1, 446 tons
Fajardo Development Co________________ 82, 321 tons
Ferrocarriles del Este__________________ 12, 739 tons
179, 483 tons
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 51
Fre ig ht :—Continued.
Sugar Cane:
(*) American Railroad Co. of P. R----------- 980, 397 tons
(2)Ponce & Guayama Railroad Co------------- 677, 093 tons
Fajardo Development Co--------------------- 647, 497 tons
Ferrocarriles del Este------------------------- H5, 736 tons
2, 420, 723 tons
Merchandise:
F) American Railroad Co. of P. R--------------- 313,288 tons
(2)Ponce & Guayama Railroad Co---------------- 1, 715 tons
Fajardo Development Co------------------------ 17,036 tons
Ferrocarriles del Este--------------------------- 697 tons
332, 736 tons
Tax Exemptions.—No new industries were exempted from payment
of taxes during the year.
FEDERAL AGENCIES
Fed era l Lan d Bank of Balt imore
The improvement of conditions among farmers is clearly reflected
in the account of the year’s operations of the Federal Land Bank
of Baltimore. Only 16 of the Bank’s borrowers filed bankruptcy pleas
during the year, as compared with 35 for the previous fiscal year
and 67 such applications during the fiscal year 1939-40. Further
evidence of an upward trend in the affairs of the borrowers is noted
in the reduction by 8 per cent of debt delinquencies from the previous
year’s figure, indicating that on the whole, collection results during
the year were highly satisfactory. Finally it is recorded that at the
close of the fiscal year, the Federal Land Bank’s inventory of farms
for sale numbered only 17 the lowest figure in many years.
Farms acquired by the Bank through foreclosure numbered 39,
and farms' sold were 87, which were disposed of for a total selling
price of $316,476.97.
On June 30, 1942, the total investment of the Bank in loans outstanding
amounted to:
Federal Laud Bank loans------- ----------------- $10, 534, 280. 99
Land Bank Commissioner loans-------—----------- 1, 845, 430. 73
The net delinquency on Federal Land Bank loans amounted to
$235,664.69. * 31
C) Figures submitted by American Railroad Company are for year ended December
31, 1941.
(2)Figures for 1940—41. 1941—42 not reported.
52 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
During the year under review 173 new loans amounting to $856,500'
were closed, classified as follows:
65 Federal Land Bank loans__________________ $508, 400
108 Land Bank Commissioner loans______________ 348, 100
In number, the loans show a 60 per cent increase, and in value,,
a 25 per cent increase over the corresponding figures of the previous
fiscal year.
All these loans were made for terms of 20 years, at interest rates
of 4% per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. The contractual interest
rate was reduced, through contribution by the Treasury Department,,
to 4 per cent on Land Bank loans and 3^ per cent on Land Bank
Commissioner loans up until June 30, 1942, when the authorizing law
expired.
This interest reduction feature benefited borrowers during the
year ended June 30, 1942 by the considerable sum of $196,442.60, as
follows:
Federal Land Bank loans-----------------------------$168, 783.19
Land Bank Commissioner loans--------------------- 27, 659. 41
This saving to the farmers of Puerto Rico will be continued for
another year, to June 30, 1943, through legislation recently enacted,
by Congress.
Fede ral Int erme di at e Cred it Bank of Balt imore
Farmers and Farmers’ Credit Organizations availed themselves to
a markedly increased extent of the helpful services placed at their
disposal by the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank of Baltimore
through its Puerto Rico Office. Agricultural paper discounted by this
bank during the year ending June 30, 1942 had an aggregate value of
$9,070,397.69, distributed as follows:
Loans discounted for the Puerto Rico Production Credit Association $4, 302, 958. 26
Farmers’ obligations discounted for the Banco de Ponce______ 682,900.93
Farmers ’ obligations discounted for the Credito y Ahorro Ponceno 2, 086, 452. 34
Farmers’ obligations discounted for the Banco Popular de Puerto
Rico________________________________________________ 86, 450. 92
Obligations of farmers ’ cooperative associations discounted for
Baltimore Bank for Cooperatives_______________________ 1, 911, 635. 24
The lending operations in Puerto Rico of the Baltimore Bank
for Cooperatives, aggregating $1,923,835.24 during the fiscal year
ending June 30th, 1942, were distributed as follows:
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 53
Cafeteros de Puerto Pico:
Commodity Loan________________________ $736, 581.12
Puerto Pico Tobacco Marketing Association:
Commodity Loan________________________ 1,175, 054.12
Cosecheros de Tabaco de Utuado, Inc.:
Facility Loan___________________________ 12, 200. 00
$1, 923, 835. 24
Recon stru ctio n Fina nce Corp ora tio n
The activities of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation Mortgage Company, for the fiscal
year were as follows
Loans to Busi nes s Ente r pr is es
Applications Received Approved Disbursed
$703,800.00 $435, 000. 00 $293, 068. 00
Loans Mad e by th e Rec on st ru ct ion Fin an ce Cor po ra tio n
Mor tg ag e Com pa ny i
Applications Received Approved Disbursed
$196, 175. 00 None $58, 000. 00
Fede ral Hou sin g Adm in is tra tio n Insur ed Mor tg ag es Pur ch as ed by the
Rec on st ru ct io n Fin an ce Cor po ra ti on Mor tga ge Com pa ny
$790,109. 00
Emerg en cy Cro p Loa n Off ice
Upon gubernatorial petition, President Roosevelt in March 1942
declared Puerto Rico a “Distressed Emergency Area.” This action
made it possible to increase the limit of Emerge ncy Cro p Loan s
from $400 to $2,500, thus making the credit facilities of this office
accessible to medium size and large farmers who plan to grow food
crops on a commercial basis for the local markets.
Since May 13, the Emergency Crop Loan Office has approved
loans to farmers who have planted or are planting an aggregate of
3,653.69 cuerdas of food crops. Such loans were being approved
in increasing numbers each week as the fiscal year drew to a close.
During the fiscal year 1941-42 the loans granted by the Emergency
Crop Loan Office to farmers for the cultivation and harvesting
of their crops were as follows:
54 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Pue rto Ric o Hurr ica ne Rel ie f Loan Sect io n
Crop
Number of
of
Loans
Amount
Average
amount
of loans
Coffee.............................................................................................
Sugar Cane.................................................................................
Tobacco........................................................................................
Food Crops and Commercial Vegetables....................
Cotton...........................................................................................
748
2,846
2, 398
538
273
$257,995
713,990
261,015
127, 390
46, 990
345
251
109
237
172
Miscellaneous............................................................................. 2 2, 500 1,250
Total...................................................................... 6,805 $1, 409, 880 207
In 1929, the Puerto Rican Hurricane Relief Commission, now
the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Loan Section, began granting
iQans for the rehabilitation of those farms that had suffered devastation
in the San Felipe Hurricane of 1928. Those loans were distributed
as follows:
Tobacco barns only................................................................................................. 44 Loans totalling $51,359
Citrus fruit only....................................................................................................... 20 ” 143,450
Coconuts only............................................................................................................ 49 ” 120,925
Coffee only................................................................................................................... 2, 664 ” 4,908, 585
Mixed loans..................................................................................................................... 256 ” 448,730
Total....................................................................................................... 3,033 $5,673,049
As early as 1935 it became apparent that it was almost impossible
for the farmers of Puerto Rico to discharge these loans in their full
amount. It was also evident that any attempt to collect in full
would cause serious dislocations in the Island’s economy. Accordingly
there was devised and adopted a system of loan revisions
adjusted to paying capacity of the debtors.
Of the 3,033 loans made, 37 have been fully repaid and 577
adjusted up to June 30, 1942, resulting in a recovery of $551,982.46
in full or partial settlement of loans aggregating $1,821,893. Some
adjustments have been made for cash settlement, but in the main
they provide for payment of the adjusted amount over a period of
years. In the cases that have been settled this system has resulted
in the collection of an average of less than 30 per cent of the principal
of the original loan. It has been necessary to foreclose in only
12 cases.
The following is a table of loans which have been repaid, adjusted
or rendered uncollectible by foreclosures of prior lienholders, or
bankruptcy, and the balance remaining to be adjusted as of June
30, 1942:
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 55
Uni te d Stat es Dep artme nt of Commerce
Fully repaid .............................................................................................................
No. of
Loans
Amount
original
Loans
37
577
535
71
$38, 488
1, 783,405
1,150, 266
268, 764
Adjustments approved....................................................................................... ..
Foreclosed by prior lienholders..........................................................................
Closed under bankruptcy proceedings...........................................................
Total ....................1...,.2..2..0.........................................................................
1,813
$3, 240,923
Balance to be adjusted........................................................................................... 2,432,126
Total loans made........................3..,.0...3..3..................$..5..,.6..7...3..,.0..4..9..........
During the first half of the fiscal year 1941-42, the San Juan
District office of the United States Department of Commerce furnished
the customary trade informational services to firms, individuals,
banks, educational institutions, trade associations, governmental and
military agencies, covering trade statistics and general market data
with the added services of export license regulations, priorities and
information concerning the Proclaimed List of Blocked Nationals.
Following upon the events of December 7, 1941, however,’ considerable
change took place in that work. Service to business men
tended generally to decrease as priority restrictions were tightened
and shipping space contracted. On the other hand, service to
Government agencies, especially the Army and Navy Censorship
Branches, tended to increase. Interest continued to be active in the
Proclaimed List of Blocked Nationals as revised periodically.
The Department of Commerce, through its District Office in San
Juan, was also enabled to cooperate more closely with the Governor
through the two newly-created offices of the Coordinators for Insular
and Federal affairs. Cooperation and services were provided to the
Coordinator of Insular Activities, especially in matters pertaining
to the rice markets, mainland price trends and supplies, as well as
competition and commodity marketing channels in Puerto Rico.
The services performed at the request of the Coordinator of Federal
Activities had particular reference to defense and war projects,
traffic conditions, shipping matters, Puerto Rican tonnage requirements
and assistance in the preparation of briefs for the Committee
on Reciprocity Information, under the Trade Agreements Act, setting
forth Puerto Rico’s position respecting proposed Reciprocal Trade
Agreements with Mexico, Bolivia, Peru as well as further trade
concessions to Cuba, etc.
56 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
During the fiscal year, 587 business firms, banks, steamship agencies,
educational institutions, Chambers of Commerce, and Puerto
Rican and Federal Government agencies had signed applications to
be placed on the Domestic Commerce mailing list in order to receive
economic and trade services provided through the San Juan District
Office. The number represents an increase-of 132 listings.
Far m Secu rit y Admi ni stra ti on
Of Puerto Rico’s estimated 52,000 farmers, a preponderance, or
about 40,000, fall in the low-income group. Their situation in the
recent past has been such that ameliorative measures were patently
imperative. It was with the purpose of providing such sorely needed
financial and technical assistance that in July 1941 the Farm Security
Administration embarked upon its Rural Rehabilitation Program.
While there is every confidence that valuable assistance can be
extended to this, one of the most important sections of the Island’s
population, full cognizance is taken of the fact that achievement of
the goal of the Farm Security Administration entails many years of
hard work. To accomplish its objective the Farm Security Administration
had recourse to its customary phases of work, such as
security of tenure, farm debt adjustment, guidance in farm and home
management, stimulation of cooperative activities, loans, sanitation,
and farm and home operation grants. During the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1942 assistance in these forms was given to about 9,000 low
income families.
As an aid to the successful prosecution of its effort, the Farm
Security Administration classified its client families into two groups.
The first of these embraces those farm families who operate what is
known as family-type farms, that is, farms which are large enough
to provide sufficient income to cover all farm and family expenses,
and which keep the whole family engaged throughout the year exclusively
in their operation. These families were termed regular
standard borrowers. The second group is comprised of those farm
families that derive more than 50 per cent of their living expenses
from off-farm labor, and the remainder from the farms they operate.
The families falling in this category are known as standard laborhome
cases. To cover the needs of these groups two distinct programs
were formulated, the regular standard and the standard labor-home
rural rehabilitation programs.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 57
Under the regular standard program 2,263 farm families became
the recipients of loans totalling $382,551.95, and of grants totalling
$56,591.60, distributed as follows:
2,064 loans, averaging $185.34.
1,120 farm and home operation grants, averaging $40.95.
612 environmental sanitation grants, averaging $17.52.
The average assistance per case amounted to $194.05.
Under the labor-home program, 2,009 farm families received loans
totalling $86,952.45, and grants totalling $135,241.54, distributed as
follows:
1,198 loans averaging $72.58.
2,473 farm and home operation grants, averaging $43.67.
1,179 environmental sanitation grants, averaging $23.10.
The average assistance per case amounted to $110.60.
The financial assistance provided by the Rural Rehabilitation Program
in Puerto Rico thus reached 4,272 farm families, who received:
3,262 loans, averaging $143.93.
3,593 farm and home operation grants, averaging $42.83.
1,791 environmental sanitation grants, averaging $21.19.
In the light of these figures the following conclusions seem justified
:
1. Labor home families in Puerto Rico need less assistance in
the form of loans for the operation of their farms than do
the regular cases, but
2. They need more assistance in the form of grants, especially
for the improvement of environmental sanitary conditions. -
The explanation of these findings is to be sought in the following
facts:
1. They operate smaller farms, which require less investment
of capital.
2. They lack ability to pay, for they depend more on outside
labor income than on farm income.
3. The standard pf living of those families is very low, especially
in matters of sanitation and nutrition.
During the year that the rural rehabilitation work has been functioning
in Puerto Rico, the case load was built up rapidly. For the
first few months most of the effort was directed toward the training
of personnel, so that practically all the loan and grant dockets were
processed during the period extending from January 1 to June 30.
In the coming months it will be necessary to do much follow-up in
58 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
supervisory work with the client families so that the rate of intake
of new cases in the immediate future will of necessity decline considerably
from the level that prevailed in the recent past. Nevertheless
it is planned to extend rural rehabilitation services to new families
in so far as facilities permit.
Publ ic Works Admi ni stra ti on
The weekly average of men employed on all projects of the Public
Works Administration was 724. Net expenditures during the year
amounted to $573,623.55. Toward the close of the fiscal year this
agency was engaged in the liquidation of all public works throughout,
the Island.
Agric ultu ral Adju stmen t Agen cy
During the fiscal year ending June 30th, the Sugar Program
achieved a fair measure of success in its goal of insuring an equitable
distribution of the wealth of the Puerto Rican industry between the
interested parties, namely, laborers, growers, processors and consumers.
The basic wage of cane workers was increased to $1.30 under the
Wage Determination for the year. In certain operations the prevailing
rates were raised to levels ranging from $1.51 to $2.00 for the
first eight hours of work performed in a twenty-four hour period.
Furthermore, a bonus participation was provided for all laborers,
based on the price of sugar, which has been fixed by the Office of
Price Administration at $3.74 per hundredweight.
Growers received payments estimated to total $12,000,000 as
against $9,566,000 for 1941. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration
payments on the 1941-42 crops were made contingent upon
(1) non-employment of child labor, (2) payment of fair and reasonable
wages to laborers, (3) adoption of certain farming practices
tending to conserve and improve the fertility of the soil, and (4)
payment by those producers who are also processors of sugar cane
of a fair and reasonable price for the grower’s sugar cane.
The unprecedented volume of the year’s crop, coupled with
shortages of shipping bottoms and storage facilities, gave rise to a
disconcerting situation, which, if not substantially improved before
the expiration of the calendar year, cannot but affect the coming
1942-43 crop in a most serious manner.
Under the Agricultural Conservation Program conservation payments
were made to 83,232 farmers who performed practices to
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 59
conserve and improve the fertility of the soil. Principal among these
practices were the planting of certain soil-preserving crops, contour
cultivation, permanent and temporary ditching, and the planting,
maintenance and preservation of forest trees. Agricultural Adjustment
Administration inspectors visited 61,634 farms authorizing
total payments (including Tobacco Parity Payments) under these
programs amounting to $1,337,846.
The tobacco acreage allotment for Puerto Rico was fixed by the
Secretary of Agriculture at $30,572 acres, which were distributed
among 22,936 tobacco farms. Approximately 1,200 growers exceeded
their tobacco acreage allotment thereby losing their payments, and
some 3,500 growers planted tobacco without participating in the.
Program. It is estimated that approximately 35,000 acres of tobacco
were planted with an expected yield of from 280,000 to 290,000 hundredweights
of tobacco.
Fede ral Hou sin g Admi ni stra ti on
’ Despite the operation of a number of impeding factors the Federal
Housing Administration registered an undiminished yearly volume of
activity. Rising construction costs and scarcity of building materials
undoubtedly were deterrents to many prospective home builders;
nevertheless, applications attained a level equal to the average of the
two previous years.
Yet the year’s figures do not tell the whole story. The picture
changed abruptly after April 9, 1942, for on that date the War
Production Board’s Conservation Order went into effect, resulting in
an all-but-complete cessation of home-construction activity. During
the last three months of the fiscal year practically no new construction
was started and very little will be possible in the near future.
Regrettable as this forced postponement of building activity is,
there can be no doubt that the move is urgently necessary in view
of the shortages of materials required for war production and related
construction.
The Federal Housing Administration in Puerto Rico continues to
make insured mortage loans for the purchase of existing properties,
and for the refinancing of mortgages. There is still a very considerable
demand for the purchase of dwellings throughout Puerto Rico,
especially in the San Juan Metropolitan Area and those towns situated
near the various Army and Navy bases.
During its three years of operation in Puerto Rico the Federal
Housing Administration has received applications for $6,574,000, of
60 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
which it has approved and issued commitments for Insured Mortgage
Loans for over $5,000,000, the average commitment being for about
$5,800.
Nat io na l You th Admi ni stra ti on
The Island in general, and a portion of its underprivileged youth
in particular, continued during the fiscal year to enjoy the tangible
benefits afforded by the various programs of the National Youth
Administration.
A monthly average of 3,000 youths were spared the demoralizing
effects of enforced idleness through the provision of part-time employment
that gave them valuable work experience in a wide range of
projects. These undertakings also contributed visibly to the general
welfare of the population at large. Projects such as elimination
of stream pollution, conservation and reclamation of land by drainage
and filling and the furnishing of hospital assistants, to mention but
a few, made available services of far-reaching value that otherwise
would scarcely have been obtainable, despite an urgent need for
them.
The year’s operations of the National Youth Administration for
Puerto Rico embraced three distinct programs. Most important of
these was the Regular Out-Of-School Work Program, for which an
allocation of $774,390 was received. The purpose of the Regular
Program, as in past years, was to provide part-time employment and
work experience to needy unemployed youths between the ages of 17
to 24 inclusive.
A total of 6,828 such youths, both male and female, were employed
throughout the Island in the 179 municipal and area-wide
projects comprising the Regular Program. Of the $774,390 granted
to Puerto Rico for this phase of the National Youth Administration’s
program, the amount of $534,807 was used for youth labor, the remainder
being assigned for supervisory and non-labor costs.
Last year’s wage rates of $10.50 and $11.90 for 70 hours per month
were changed to $12 and $15.20 respectively for 80 hours. Those
employed in the newly established special projects located at Army
and Navy reservations were paid a monthly gross wage of $27.20.
A deduction of $11.20 for lunch and transportation left these young
men a net wage of $16. Enrollees assigned to the full-time resident
centers located at the Polytechnic Institute and at the Mona Island
forestry preserve, earned, as in the previous year, a monthly gross
wage of $30 less a subsistence deduction of $18, thus leaving a net
wage of $12.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 61
Up to January 1942, the Out-Of-School Work Program in Puerto
Rico was limited to the phase of activity described above and known
as the Regular Program. However, in January, the program known
as the Youth Work Defense Program, already in operation in the
United States proper, was extended to Puerto Rico. For the establishment
of this phase of National Youth Administration out-of-school
activities, an additional allocation of $90,982 was made.
Under the Defense Program, young men were given training in
specific occupations approved by the Office of Production Management
as necessary to the war effort. In collaboration with the Insular
Board for Vocational Education, training and work experience were
provided in radio, automotive maintenance, electric work, woodworking
and machine shop. An average monthly wage of $22 was paid
the youths, who were assigned to 160 hours per month divided in into
production and training periods. At its peak 428 youths were employed
in the Defense Program.
The Student Work Program, designed to enable needy and
worthy students between the ages of 16 and 25 inclusive to continue
their studies, was continued on the somewhat reduced budget of
$49,712. An average monthly wage of $11.09 was paid to 498 students
at the University of Puerto Rico and the Polytechnic Institute.
A total of 539 students at 55 secondary schools received an
average monthly wage of $3.67. Both average wage levels were below
those of the previous year.
Wor k Project s Admi ni stra ti on
Benefits, both of immediate and permanent nature, have been
secured for the Island through the work relief made possible during
the year through the funds alloted to the Work Projects Administration
by the Federal Government. An average of 28,100 workers have
been employed throughout the year with an average monthly wage
of $35.75.
The Civilian Defense now has at its disposal this army of workers
who have been organized into a unit for effective assistance in case
of disaster. This organization not only makes available its large component
force of workmen, but also its equipment, which embraces light
and heavy trucks and heavy road-building machinery. Facilities are
also provided to handle the feeding and care of the civilian population
during periods of emergency.
The construction work of the Division of Operations included new
school 'buildings, laboratories, municipal water and sewer systems,
62 FOETY-SdcOND ANNUAL EEPOET
roads and streets, and the widening of insular roads. The widening
of roads has eliminated many dangerous curves, and has otherwise
improved the insular road system, especially between San Juan and
Ponce and between San Juan and Aguadilla.
The work of the Division for National Defense was steadily expanded
throughout the Island. The Division’s flexibility of structure
enabled it to undertake a variety of work at military reservations
embracing the construction of such facilities as roads, buildings, water
and sewerage systems, airports, and drainage for mosquito control.
The Service Division, through its Defense, Health and Welfare
Section has provided lunches to approximately 70,000 children; has
distributed commodities to over a million needy persons and many
eleemosynary institutions; has provided subsistence food crops to
the lunchrooms through its Planting Program; is aiding the poor by
giving housekeeping aide services, and has helped the Department of
Health by providing services to over 169 units scattered throughout
the Island of Puerto Rico. Besides, the Clothing Unit has manufactured
a considerable number of articles which are being used at
present by public and municipal hospitals and institutions as well
as Civil Defense agencies.
War Services Section of the Service Division has aided the community
by providing instruction to a considerable number of adults.
Its services will be extended to teaching deferred selectees. The curriculum
will be broadened to include first aid and air raid protection
and similar activities; the Nicotine Sulphate Unit is working successfully
toward perfecting a commercial method of producing the allimportant
insecticide, nicotine sulphate; at Mayaguez, experiments
have been performed to produce suitable varieties of vanilla, and
experiments are being successfully conducted for the obtention of
quinine and rotenone on a commercial scale; the Coast & Geodetic
Survey has provided valuable information in connection with ionospheric
and radio signal strength measurements. To this should be
added the valuable contribution made by the Research Projects with
its surveys on incomes and expenditures of wage earners, slum conditions,
critical commodities and house rental data, and that of the
Historical Records Project at present aiding the governmental
agencies in the indexing and protection of cultural resources.
The National Defense Vocational Training Project has given training
to 7,699 students, of which 5,798 terminated their courses. This
work has been made possible by the assistance given by the Department
of Education in furnishing equipment, buildings and instructors.
The students who are given the vocational training are paid a living
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 63
wage while taking the training. Completion of training has resulted
in work in private and public employment for a large number of
training. Of the balance, a large percentage have either been inducted
into the military forces or gone to work on Work Projects
Administration because private employment in their respective communities
has not developed sufficiently to absorb them. In recent
months the effort to secure private employment for qualified trainees
on the Work Projects Administration rolls has achieved significant
results.
Much of the work accomplished by this work relief is of permanent
value, and will consequently eliminate future expenses both to the
Federal and Insular Governments. This is particularly true of the
buildings, which are concrete structures of hurricane-proof design,
and of road construction, which is of the Telford-Macadam type with
penetration or asphalt concrete surfaces.
Pue rto Rico Reco ns tru cti on Admi nis tra ti on
Contrasted with an aggregate of $69,904,000 in relief funds made
available to the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration during
the previous six years of its existence, this agency has had only
$1,428,891 available for expenditure during the fiscal year under
review. Of this amount, $175,338 represented reappropriated unobligated
balances as of June 30, 1941, and $1,253,553 was approved
by the President for expenditure during the fiscal year from the
Puerto Rico Revolving Fund for the following projects:
Housing Management, Replacement and Repairs $186, 000. 00
Lafayette Project----------------------------------- 95, 903. 00
Castaner Farm, Operation and Maintenance---- 50, 000. 00
Loans to Cooperatives------------------------------ 350, 000. 00
Eleanor Roosevelt Development------------------- 450, 000. 00
Administration---------------------------------------- 121, 650. 00
Total____________________________ $1,253,553.00
The yearly operations of the 1,051 urban dwelling units, 5,718
homestead, and 5,272 small parcels of land leased for cultivation to
laborers, yielded a net return of about $72,390 with an estimated
reserve of $40,000 for future replacement and repair work. The
construction of 161 additional dwellings was authorized for the
Eleanor Roosevelt Development after it qualified as a Defense Housing
project. They will be completed within a few months.
The Dos Bocas Hydroelectric project was alloted $43,318 for investment
in supplies and machinery. The Insular Government has
64 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
provided the necessary funds to finance the small amount of work
required to bring this important project to full completion and use.
Having no further funds for continued development and protection
of approximately 22,000 acres of land acquired under previous
reforestation programs, the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration
has entered negotiations for the transfer of about 5,000 acres to
the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture,
and of the remaining 17,000 acres to The People of Puerto Rico.
These transfers will be conditioned upon the continued development
and use of the lands for reforestation purposes.
With only $12,000 available for soil conservation work, the Puerto
Rico Reconstruction Administration limited its activities in this field
to the maintenance of technical and clerical help to cooperate with
other agencies engaged in this endeavor.
The Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration transferred to the
Insular Department of Agriculture and Commerce all the equipment
formerly used in its cattle-dipping program of previous years. Continuance
of the cattle tick eradication program by the Insular Government
has been insured by a $150,000 appropriation made by the
Legislature of Puerto Rico.
With $350,000 authorized for expenditure from the Revolving
Fund, the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration continued the
supervision, organization and financing of cooperatives. The vegetable
cooperatives, organized primarily with a view to exporting
fresh vegetables to the New York winter market, will suffer some
losses because of irregular sailing schedules and lack of adequate ship
refrigeration facilities. Part of their harvests was. canned for the
local market.
Shortage of cargo space has also affected adversely the operations
of the Los Canos and Lafayette cooperative sugar mills. The Lafayette
enterprise, however, has achieved a gratifying increase in its
deliveries of butyl alcohol and acetone to industries engaged in the
war effort.
The Puerto Rico Rug Cooperative, which obtained an additional
loan of $10,000 in the fall of 1941 shipped and sold nearly 114,000
rugs*'from October 1941 to June 1942. However, until such time as
shipping conditions are improved, it will have to operate on a reduced
scale, confining itself to supplying the local market.
An additional loan of $75,000 was made to the Puerto Rico
Cotton Grower’s Marketing Cooperative in July 1941 to finance its
rapidly expanding operations. It is expected that members will surOF
THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 65
pass all previous records in weight and quality of cotton delivered.
The Cooperative has a contract with the Commodity Credit Corporation
for special cotton required, in the war effort.
The Sociedad Agricola de Puerto Rico, which purchases farm supplies,
principally fertilizers, for its members, who number about 1,700,
obtained an additional Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration
loan of $190,000 to finance the acquisition of a chemical fertilizer
mixing plant and provide necessary operating capital.
One of the chief aims of the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration
has been to increase local production of food to make up
for the reduction of imports from the United States. In the Eleanor
Roosevelt Development 175 acres of unused land has been planted
to rice, beans, corn and peas. Short term crops are also intensively
cultivated under Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration supervision
at the Castaner and American Suppliers projects and in the
Lafayette district. Some 500 acres of seed beds have been added to
the approximately 12,000 acres already in cultivation by Puerto Rico
Reconstruction Administration resettlers. The Puerto Rico Reconstruction
Administration also cooperated with the Work Projects Administration
in the planting of 300 acres of seed beds and tubers
for that agency’s planting and school lunch program.
Civi lia n Cons erv at ion Corps
The Fiscal Year 1941-42 was the ninth and last year for the
Civilian Conservation Corps in Puerto Rico, as elsewhere. The Congress
of the United States failed to appropriate funds for the continuation
of this agency after June 30, 1942.
An average of 1,875 men were employed daily throughout the year,
providing a total of 468,860 man days employment at a total expenditure
of $1,004,539 or an average of $2.14 per man day. Following
the outbreak of war on December 7, 1941, several of the nine resident
Civilian Conservation Corps camps and crews of non-camp projects
were transferred to Army defense projects.
Rehabilitation. The program for rehabilitation of Civilian Conservation
Corps enrolees in camps was continued as in past years
with instruction in the three r’s to the illiterates, and personal hygiene
to all. Vocational education was given to selected groups with
the cooperation of the Insular Board of Vocational Education.
The Civilian Conservation Corps continued to cooperate in the
forest subsistence homestead program by supplying homesteaders on
public forest lands (Parceleros') with from one to two weeks employ66
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
ment per month to give them the small cash income needed to supplement
the subsistence crops produced by them. Their labor was used
to construct soil conservation improvements, houses, roads and trails
needed in homestead communities. Arrangements have been made
for these people to earn their entire cash income from the manufacture
and sale of forest products, such as charcoal, stakes, posts and
lumber, after the termination of Civilian Conservation Corps on
June 30, 1942.
Reforestation.—A total of 9,046 pounds of tree seed was collected
during the year at an average cost of 25 cents per pound. No seed
was imported from foreign countries. A total of 2,750,000 trees were
produced in nurseries operated by the Civilian Conservation Corps
at an average cost of $4.27 per thousand. They were distributed
to farmers, Insular forest lands, National forest lands, Puerto Rico
Reconstruction Administration forest lands, to other agencies of the
Insular and Federal Government and to miscellaneous plantings;
others were held in nurseries for distribution during the next fiscal
year.
Maintenance.—A total of 64,244 man days were devoted during
the year to the maintenance of roads, trails bridges, held office buildings,
residences, recreational facilities and other improvements located
on National, Insular and Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration
forest lands, maintaining them to original standards.
Summary.—After nine years of existence the Civilian Conservation
Corps can be said to have completed its program of developing
the public forest lands in Puerto Rico, equipping them with all necessary
improvements including roads and trails. All areas needing
planting on these lands have been planted, and the plantations have
been maintained through a sufficient period to insure their establishment.
The Civilian Conservation Corps has also contributed a large
amount of labor to land-scaping the grounds of public improvements
throughout the Island including the University of Puerto Rico, Department
of Agriculture and Commerce, the Agricultural Experiment
Stations, Federal and Insular, the new Department of Agriculture
and Commerce building, the Insular Sanatorium and many others.
All told, Civilian Conservation Corps has made a significant contribution
to the economy of the Island, both in unemployment relief
and in the rehabilitation and development of lands.
I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
R. G. Tug wel l ,
Governor.


OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 69
Exhi bi t No . 1
PERSONNEL AND CHANGES IN PERSONNEL OF THE INSULAR GOVERNMENT
Name Office Appointed Change
Guy J. Swope............................
Rexford G. Tugwell................
George A. Malcolm..................
Rafael Buscaglia........................
Sergio Cuevas Bustamante..
Jos6 M. Gallardo......................
Isidoro A. Colon........................
Benigno Fernandez Garcia...
Governor.........................................
Governor.........................................
Attorney General........................
Treasurer of Puerto RicO........
Commissioner of the Interior.
Commissioner of Education...
Commissioner of Agriculture
and Commerce............. ..
Commissioner of Labor............
Feb. 3, 1941...
Sept. 19, 1941..
Jan. 13, 1940..
April 8, 1941...
April 8, 1941...
May 11, 1937..
Dec. 28, 1939...
Sept. 23, 1941..
Resigned Sept. 18,1941
E. Garrido Morales..,............
Patrick J. Fitzsimmons.........
Commissioner of Health..........
Auditor of Puerto Rico............
Aug. 16, 1933..
May 21, 1941..
Resigned June 26, 1942
Carlos Gallardo..........................
Everett D. Brown....................
Executive Secretary...................
Executive Secretary...................
Oct. 16, 1933...
Nov. 18, 1941..
Died Nov. 15, 1941
Sup re me Cour t of Pue r to Ric o
Emilio del Toro........................
Martin Travieso........................
Angel R. de Jesus.....................
Roberto H. Todd.....................
A. Cecil Snyder........................
Chief Justice........... <....................
Associate Justice..........................
Associate Justice..........................
Associate Justice..............,.........
Associate Justice..........................
Jan. 20, 1922...
Mar. 24, 1936..
June 15, 1938..
Feb. 21, 1941...
Jan. 13, 1942...
Resi de nt Com mi ssi one r for Puer to Rico
Bolivar Pag&n Resident Commissioner............ Feb. 19, 1940...

Exh ib it No . 2
unraiar uauur .rveiauiuiis uuaiu.

OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 71
Exhi bi t No . 3
LIST OF SEMI-INDEPENDENT'oR SEMI-GOVERNMENTAL BOARDS
AND COMMISSIONS
Administrative Board of the Tobacco Institute of Puerto Rico.
Advisory Parole and Pardon Board.
Arecibo Harbor Authority.
Board of Commissioners for the Promotion of Uniformity of Legislation in the
States & Territories of the Union.
Electricians.
Board of Dental Examiners.
Board of Examiners of Accountants.
Board of Examiners of Agronomists.
Board of Examiners of Chemists.
Board of Examiners of Cinematograph Machine Operators and Expert
Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects & Surveyors.
Board of Examiners of Master and Journeymen Plumbers.
Board of Examiners of Optometrists.
Board of Examiners of Social Workers.
Board of Management of the Ponce Pier.
Board of Medical Examiners.
Board of Nurse Examiners.
Board of Pharmacy.
Board of Registration of Technologists and Microscopists.
Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Library.
Board of Trustees of the University of Puerto Rico.
Board of Veterinary Examiners.
Bureau of Civil Liberties.
Bureau of Translations.
Civil Service Commission.
Commission for Old Age Assistance.
Commission for the Prevention of Tuberculosis in Children of School Age.
Commission for the Promotion of 4-H Clubs in Puerto Rico.
Commission for the Study of the Teachers Pension Law.
Commission of Social Security.
Commission to Study the Coffee Problem.
Commission to Study the Problem of Children Without Schools.
Court of Tax Appeals.
Director, Puerto Rico Lottery.
Executive Committee of the Child’s Congress.
Industrial Commission of Puerto Rico.
Institute of Puerto Rican Literature.
Insular Board of Elections.
Insular Board of Eugenics.
Insular Board of Health.
Insular Board for Vocational Education.
Insular Building Board.
Insular Commission of Beaux Arts.
Insular Labor Relations Board.
72 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 3—Continued.
LIST OF SEMI-INDEPENDENT OR SEMI-GOVERNMENTAL BOARDS
AND COMMISSIONS
Insular Police Commission.
Insular Racing Commission.
Insular Target-Shooting Director.
Irrigation Commission for the Additional District.
Isabela Public Irrigation Commission.
Judicial Council.
Land Authority of Puerto Rico.
Manager of the State Fund.
Mediation and Conciliation Commission.
Minimum Wage Board.
Model Housing Board.
Public Amusements & Sports Commission.
Public Service Commission.
Puerto Rican Child Welfare Board.
Puerto Rico Coffee Price Stabilizing Corporation.
Puerto Rico Housing Authority.
Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority.
Retirement Board (Insular Government Employees).
San Juan Harbor Board.
Savings & Loan Fund Association of Insular Government Employees.
Sugar Board.
Superintendent of Insurance.
Teacher’s Pension Board.
Territorial Charities Board.
Vocational Board for the Adult Blind.
(Cre ate d by Ac ts of the Spe ci al Sess ion of 1941 an d th e
Regu lar Sess io n of 1942)
Board of Planning, Urbanizing & Zoning Appeals.
_ Central Civilian Defense Committee.
General Supplies Administrator.
Insular Sewerage Service.
Insular Fire Service.
Irrigation Commission.
Puerto Rico Planning, Urbanizing & Zoning Board.
Superior Educational Council.
Supplies Appeal Court.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 73
74 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 5
As of June 30, 1942
BALANCE SHEET
Assets Current Year Previous Year Difference
Land and Equipment................................................
Cash....................................................................................
$73, 542, 290.44
46,994,108.52
1, 246, 252.79
6,972,793.27
201, 669.66
12,203,257.83
2, 668,116.68
90,144.33
6,024, 055.94
$70,083, 387.46
26, 551,239.96
1, 331,132.15
6,302, 543.55
430.57
9, 872,283.90
2,382,846.99
103,785.73
5,425,153.38
$3,458,902.98
20,442,868.56
84, 879.36
670,249.72
201, 239.09
2,330, 973.93
285,269.69
13,641.40
598, 902.56
Sinking Funds................................................................
Trust Funds Reserves................................................
Notes Receivable...........................................................
Accounts Receivable....................................................
Deferred Assets..............................................................
Deferred Debits.............................................................
University of Puerto Rico........................................
$149,942, 689.46 $122, 052, 803.69 $27,889, 885.77
Liab il it ie s
Notes Payable................................................................
Accounts Payable....................................... .
Trust Fund Liabilities...............................................
Deferred Liabilities......................................................
Deferred Credits............................................................
Bonded Indebtedness..................................................
Contingent Liabilities.................................................
Trustees, University of P. R..................................
Surplus, Guayama Irrigation Service..................
Surplus, Isabela Irrigation Service.......................
Surplus, Hydroelectric Projects...,......................
Donated Surpluses.......................................................
Paid-in Surpluses.........................................................
Surplus, Ponce Electric System............................
The People of Puerto Rico......................................
$2,035, 000.00
11,549, 777.95
28,411, 500.05
796.88
1,469,997.85
23,700,000.00
15,376.63
6,024, 055.94
3,824,454.37
1,375, 617.63
3,712,809.95
6, 244,023.97
22, 849.67
395,859.25
63,911,804.58
$190,000.00
7,885, 567.84
23, 134, 111.36
796.88
1,473, 604.86
26, 975, 000.00
15,358.33
5,425,153.38
3,668,861.54
1,697,025.55
3, 513,884.44
5, 634,113.14
22, 765.84
317,119.25
45,493, 492.38
$1, 845, 000.00
3, 664, 210.11
5,277, 388.69
3, 607.01
3, 275, 000.00
18.30
598,902.56
155, 592.83
321, 407.92
198,925.51
609,910.83
83.83
78,740.00
18,418,312.20
$149,942, 689.46 $122,052,803.69 $27,889,885.77
OF.THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 75
Exhi bi t No. 6
STATEMENT OF LIQUIDATION OF THE GENERAL FUND OPERATIONS,
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1942
RESOURCES
Cash Balance, July 1, 1941....................................................................................
Revenue Receipts:
Collections made during Fiscal Year 1941-42...............................
Non-Re venue Receipts:
Surplus, Special Insurance Fund (Act 12 of 1929).....................
$6,447,843.39
$37,578,862.49
79,998.40
Total Income Receivable during the year........................................................... 37,658,860.89
Total Resources available for liquidation of
appropriation liabilities......................................................................................... $44,106, 704.28
LIABILITIES
Carry-over appropriation balances from previous
year:
Fiscal Year 1940-41........................................................ $1,118,970.65
No Fiscal Year.................................................................... 1,439,315.65
Appropriations set up during fiscal year 1941-42:
Budgetary appropriations....................................... $15,612,340.04
Additional appropriations to Budget........................ 375,829.92
Self-renewing appropriations......................................... 2,327,770.20
Deficiency appropriations:
Public Debt.................................. $528,000.00
Departments................................... 383,326.24 911,326.24
Temporary advances, P. R. Water Resources
Authority....................................................................... 500,000.00
(Act No. 78 of 1941).
Indefinite Appropriations............................................... 252,310.17
Other Appropriations....................................................... 7,021,066.83
Total appropriations set up......................................................
Total appropriation liabilities...................................................
Less: Surplus Fund Warrants, Cancellations...............................................
Total Net appropriations in force during F. Y.
1941-42............................................................................
Excess of resources over appropriation liabilities........
Add: Other resources reimbursable to the General Fund:
Temporary Loan to P. R. Water Resources Authority under
Act No. 78 of 1941.................................................................................
Surplus of cash and other resources over liabilities of the
General Fund as of June 30, 1942........................................
$2, 558, 286.30
27,000,643.40
$29, 558,929.70
7,194.33
29,551,735.37
$14,554,968.91
500,000.00
$15,054, 968.91
76 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 7
STATUS OF THE RESERVE FUND FOR EMERGENCIES CREATED UNDER
PROVISIONS OF ACT NO. 33 OF 1932, AS OF JUNE 30, 1942
Balance July 1, 1941..................................................................................................
Reimbursements and other receivables credited to the fund since
July 1, 1941:
Refund of advance made to Special Fund for Public, Health
Work in Connection with Title VI, Social Security Act..........
Refund of advance made to Venereal Disease Control..................
(See T. W. 481 of June 15, 1942)
Reimbursements to Municipalities:
Part payment on account of previous loan made to them
from the General Fund.......................................................................
Part payment on account of previous loan made to them........
from the Insular Emergency Fund...................................................
Reimbursements (Per Act No. 43 approved November 25, 1941)...
Homestead Trust Fund....
Redemption Funds.................
From Federal Tax Unit.........
Bureau of Supplies....................
Graving Dock Project Fund
$17, 852.46
16,429.84
1,100.00
$798,169.08
$66,363.88
115,311.12
107,325.00
140, 000.00
71,000.00
2,450.00
500,000.00
Principal and interest on balance of the $500,000 Public Hospitals
Charity Bonds of 1938...............................................................................
Appropriation Balances 1940-41.................................................................
(Per Act 33, Special Session of 1932)
Total cash credited to the fund since July 1, 1941
Total cash including balance
Dis bu rs em ent s :
Advance to War Emergency Fund..............................................................
Advance made to Special Fund for Public Health Work in Connection
with Title VI, Social Security Act (Refundable)..............
Advance made to Venereal Disease Control (Refundable)...............
Advance for Acquisition of Blanche Kellogg Institute (Refundable).
Refunds of amounts improperly credited to the Fund:
Government of the Island of Culebra......................................................
Insular Police Pension.....................................................................................
Total Disbursements.
Cash Balance at June 30, 1942
Add :
Acc ru ed Reso ur c es : (Emergency Fund Loans)
Due from Public Hospitals Charity Fund....
Due from War Emergency Fund..........................
Due from Blanche Kellogg Bldg. Fund...............
Due from Municipalities, on advance for their
public debts at maturity....................................
Due from Fruit Growers Association....................
Due from Isabela Irrigation Fund.........................
Due from Redemption Funds.................................
$300,000.00
400,000.00
150,000.00
49,350.00
38,892.15
257, 000.00
102,738.88
60,500.00
484,099.68
$400,000.00
17,852.46
16,429.84
150,000.00
76.13
303.84
$1,297,981.03
1,082,431.98
$1,880,601.06
$584,662.27
$1, 295, 938. 79
Gener al Fund Loa ns :
Due from Isabela Irrigation Fund
Due ' ’ .. -
Due
Due
from Redemption Funds.........
from Municipality of Arecibo
from various municipalities...
$1,499,208.75
1,259, 500.00
25,000.00
21, 730.00 2,805,438.75
Total Accrued Resources to be credited to the fund
Cash Bala nc e an d Acc rual s in the Res er ve Fun d
for Emer ge nc ie s at June 30, 1942...............................
4,103,419.78
$5, 399, 358.57
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 77
Exhib it No. 8
CONSOLIDATED CASH STATEMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1942 *
Balance on hand July 1, 1941.............................................
General
Funds
$6,447,843.39
41, 500,214.21
100, 276.13
Trust
Funds
$16,030, 382.67
Reve nue Rec ei pt s .
Gen er al Funds :
Customs......................................... $2,085,000.00
Internal Revenue.............................. 21,020,318.27
U. S. Internal Revenue............. 13,939,989.26
Miscellaneous...................................... 533, 554.96
Total Revenue Receipts....................................
Non -Reve nu e Rec ei pts :
Surplus, Special Insurance Fund
(Act 12 of 1929).........................................................
Total Receipts........................................................
Rep ayme nt s to Gene r al Funds :
To appropriations 1940-41..... $26,145.76
To appropriations 1941-42............. 386,798.19
To No Fiscal Year appropriations 3,428, 325.00
To Indefinite appropriations....... 84.37
Total Repayments................................................
Total Receipts into General Funds.............
Transfers from Trust Funds................................................
$37, 578,862.49
79,998.40
$37,658,860.89
3, 841,353.32
Trust Funds ............................................................................ 38,026, 494.10
4,619,883.23
$58, 676,760.00
Transfers from General Funds...........................................
Total Funds to be accounted for..................
Disb urs em en ts
Fr om Gen er al Funds :
Against appropriations 1940-41... $691,992.11
Against appropriations 1941-42... 16,681,581.29
Against No Fiscal Year
appropriations............................ 5,286,431.64
Against Indefinite
appropriations............................. 241, 657.28
Total ....................................................................... $22,901,662.32
4,619,883.23
$48, 048,333.73
Transfers to Trust Funds.....................................................
Total disbursements and transfers,
Insular Revenues.......................................... 27, 521,545.55
Fr om Trus t Funds :
Disbursements.............................................................
Transfers to General Funds.........................................
Total disbursements and transfers,
Trust Funds....................................................
$39,272,518.96
100,276.13
39,372,795.09
Balance at June 30, 1942........................................................ $20, 526, 788.18 $19, 303,964.91
78 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 9
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND NET DISBURSEMENTS FISCAL YEAR ENDING
JUNE 30, 1942
Cash Bal an c e , July 1, 1941................................................................................. $6,447, 843.39
37, 759,137.02
Revenue s :
Customs.........................................,....................................... $2,085, 000.00
Internal Revenues.............................................................. 21,020,318.27
U. S. Internal Revenue................................................... 13,939,989.26
Miscellaneous........................................................................ 533, 554.96
$37, 578,862.49
79,998.40
Total Revenue Receipts..................................................................
Non -Reve nue Rec ei pt s :
Surplus, Special Insurance Fund per Section 61 of Act 12 of 1929...
Total Receipts..................................................................................... $37,658,860.89
Transfers from Trust Funds......................................................................... 100,276.13
Tot al Rec ei pt s , Including Transfers......................................
Tota l Rec ei pts an d Bal anc e ................................................... $44, 206,980.41
Net Disbu rse me nt s :
Fiscal Year 1940-41............................................................................................ $691,992.11
26,145.76 $665,846.35
16,294, 783.10
1,858,106.64
241, 572.91
Less Repayments.......................................................................................
Fiscal Year 1941-42............................................................................................ $16,681,581.29
Less Repayments....................................................................................... 386, 798.19
No Fiscal Year.................................................................................................... $5, 286,431.64
Less Repayments........................................................................................ 3, 428, 325.00
Appropriations Indefinite............................................................................... $241, 657.28
Less Repayments....................................................................................... 84.37
Tota l Net Exp end itur es ........................................................... $19,060, 309.00
4, 619,883.23
20, 526, 788.18
Other Tra nsa ct io ns :
Transfers to Trust Funds...............................................................................
Cas h Bala nc e , June 30, 1942..............................................................................
Tota l ....................................................................................................... $44, 206,980.41
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 79
Exhib it No . 10
INSULAR REVENUES AND TRUST FUNDS
STATEMENT OF CASH RECEIPTS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 1942
Insular
Revenues Trust Funds Totals
Cash Balance as of July 1, 1941........................................ $6,447,843.39 $16, 030,382.67 $22,478, 226.06
Customs........................................................................................ $2, 085, 000.00 ...........2..,. .0..8..5..,. .0..0..0....00
U. S. Internal Revenues....................................................... 13,939,989.26 13, 939, 989.26
Excise Taxes............................................................................... 12,933, 010.14
$6,601, 275.92
12, 933, 010.14
Property Taxes.......................................................................... 367, 331.10 6, 968, 607.02
Property Taxes, Proportion of the University Tax.. 138.32 138.32
Income Tax................................................................................. 7, 635,382.93 7, 635, 382.93
Inheritance Tax......................................................................... 84,455.78
18, 797.29
84,455.78
Telegraph and Telephone Receipts.................................. 186,871.65 205, 668.94
Court Fees and Fines............................................................ 47,293.60 163, 565.16 210, 858.76
Harbor and Dock Fees.......................................................... 49,449.56 201,805.92 251, 255.48
Interest on Bank Balances.................................................. 70.03 34,839.82 34,909.85
Royalties and Franchises...................................................... 9, 630.50
803.33
9,630. 50
Rent of Government Property.......................................... 803.33
Sale of Government Property............................................ 10, 515.65
50,025.95
10, 515.65
United States Government (Morril-Hatch Act).... 50,025.95
Insular Bond Redemption Tax, Sinking Fund......... 310,791.23 310,791.23
Special Insular Tax for the Redemption of Bonds,
Sinking Fund..................................................................... 155,391.25 155,391.25
Special Additional Insular Tax for the Redemption
of Bonds, Sinking Fund............................................... 310, 786.27 310,786.27
Additional Tax for Insular Loans, Sinking Fund...
308,919.04
310, 235.48 310, 235.48
Others............................................................................................
Repayments:
Bureau of Supplies, Printing and Transp............
29, 868,979.81 30,177,898.85
3,189,975.57 ...........3..,.1...8..9..,.9...7..5....57
Miscellaneous Repayments.......................................... 651,377.75 651,377.75
Transfers....................................................................................... 100,276.13 4,619,883.23 4, 720,159.36
Insular Government Receipts............................................. $41,600,490.34 $42, 646,377.33 $84,246,867.67
Totals................................................................. . .. $48, 048,333.73 $58, 676, 760.00 $106, 725, 093.73
80 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 11
INSULAR REVENUES AND TRUST FUNDS
STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS
Description
Appropriations:
1940-41............................................................................
1941-42....................................................................................
No Fiscal Year.......... '...................................................... .^...
Indefinite................................................................................
Additional Public Improvement Loan Red. Tax....
Municipal Bond Redemption Tax..................................
Special Mun. Bond Redemption Tax............................
Municipal Property Tax.........'...........................................
Special Municipal Property Tax......................................
Special Addit. Mun. Property Tax.................................
School Tax Account...............................................................
Insular Bond Redemption Tax.........................................
Spec. Ins. Tax for the Redemption of Bonds............
Spec. Additional Insular Tax for the Redemption
of Bonds............,........... ............................................. ;...
Additional Tax for Insular Loan......................................
Special Tax for Graving Dock....................................... ...
Special Tax for Municipal Loans.....................................
Special Addit. Tax for Municipal Loans......................
Extra Tax for Municipal Loans........................................
Extra Addit. Tax for Municipal Loans........................
Irrigation Funds:
Maintenance and Operation........................................
Special Fund for Development and Use of the
Water Power of P. R....................................................
Isabela Irrigation Fund.........................................................
Insular Police Pension Retirement Fund.....................
Teacher’s Pension Fund.......................................................
Outstanding Liabilities........................................................
University Fund......................................................................
University Agricultural Fund............................................
Cash Bond Deposits...............................................................
Extra Addit. Tax for Public Improvement Bonds..
Wharf and Harbor Fund......................................................
Unclaimed Wages....................................................................
Franchise Deposits..................................................................
Special Deposits........................................................................
Extension, Maintenance and Operation, Insular
Telegraph Bureau............................................................
Homestead Trust Fund........................................................
Savings and Loan Fund.......................................................
Pension Fund of Employees of the Insular Gov’t...
Special Funds, General..........................................................
Special Funds for Roads......................................................
State Insurance Fund of Non Insured Employers..
Insular Racing Commission Fund...................................
Special Fund Ten Per Cent Retention Fund............
Division of Free Studies.......................................................
Special Insurance Fund........................................................
State Insurance Fund............................................................
Fund for the Prophylaxis of Tuberculosis in Children
Special Tax, Ponce Consolidation Loan........................
Insane Asylum Bakery..........................................................
Teacher’s Pension Loan Fund...........................................
Fund for the Prevention of Tuberculosis in
Children of School Age..................................................
San Juan Harbor Fund.........................................................
Maintenance of Tuberculosis Hospital for
Children at Aibonito.......... ....................................
Loan P. R. Coflee Market per Act No. 157 of
May 8, 1940........................................................................
Special Tax, Municipal Charity—San Juan................
Federal Vocational Funds....................................................
Cash Deposits to Cover Bids and Contracts.............
Const., Maintenance and Vigilance, Munoz Rivera
Park and Athletic Field..................................................
Insular Racing Fund, Charitable Institutions..............
Insular Racing Fund, School Lunchrooms.....................
Municipal Health Units.............................................. .
Special Tax for Water Improvements, San Juan.........
Dept, of Agriculture and Commerce, Warehouse
Operation Fund........................................................•.... .
Forest Fund...................................................................................
Public Amusement and Sports Fund................................
Insular
Revenues
Trust
Funds Total
$691,992.11
16,681,581.29
5,286,431.64
241,657.28
$691, 992.11
16,681,581.29
5,286, 431.64
241, 657.28
30, 503.00
359,499.22
170,998.74
2,857, 553.29
41,858.84
30,588.73
391, 841.47
525,952.65
408,753.83
300,007.65
7.48
1.93
594,078.50
227,520.60
188,774.97
119,750.27
817,481.38
642, 500.75
626,345.35
86,738.94
286,384.01
3,208.14
1,328,976.48
48,844.18
812.50
2,560.00
78,902.29
3, 807.47
109.11
67,435.70
16,584.63
16,389.00
1,816, 825.81
371,934.79
141.21
45.94
9,676.17
59, 651.49
142, 267.49
15,436.97
135,963.83
2,398,255.40
22,261.53
54,843.96
20,369.87
108,411.52
6,864.53
32.15
19,118.27
525,744.36
61,304.19
95,349.07
21,998.28
64.97
5, 535.84
3,928.79
60,883.28
5,980.00
31,308.29
12, 806.40
18,963.48
$30,503.00
359,499.22
170,998.74
2,857,553.29
41,858.84
30,588.73
391,841.47
525,952.65
408,753.83
300,007.65
7.48
1 93
594,078.50
227, 520.60
188, 774.97
119, 750.27
817,481.38
642,500.75
626,345.35
86,738.94
286, 384.01
3,208.14
1, 328,976.48
48,844.18
812.50
2,560.00
78, 902.29
3,807.47
109.11
67,435.70
16,584.63
16, 389.00
1,816,825.81
371,934.79
141.21
45.94
9,676.17
59,651.49
142,267.49
15,436.97
135,963.83
2, 398,255.40
22, 261.53
54,843.96
20, 369.87
108,411.52
6,864.53
32.15
19,118.27
525,744.36
61, 304.19
95, 349.07
21,998.28
64.97
5, 535.84
3,928.79
60, 883.28
5,980.00
31, 308.29
12, 806.40
18,963.48
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 81
Exhi bi t No . 11—Continued
INSULAR REVENUES AND TRUST FUNDS
STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS
Description
Insular
Revenues
Trust
Funds Total
Teacher’s Pension Fund for Mortgage Loans............
Special Redemption Fund for Water System Improvement
Bonds of the Capital of P. R............
Deferred Taxes Paid...............................................................
Special University Fund......................................................
Maintenance of Patients in Antituberculosis Hospitals
General Receipts of the Department of Agriculture
and Commerce...........................................................
Operating Fund of the P. R. Lottery...........................
To Assist Municipalities of the 2nd and 3rd Classes..
Maintenance of Patients in Antituberculosis Hospitals
at Rio Piedras, Ponce, Mayaguez and
Guayama......................................................................
Maintenance of an X-Ray and Pneumothorax Circulating
Clinic, Salaries of a Physician, Technical
Personnel and Plates...................................
Maintenance of Diagnosis and Tuberculosis Treatment
Centers including Salaries of Physicians,
Office Personnel, X-Ray Technicians, Janitors
and Purchase of Equipment for these Centers..
Maintenance of Tuberculosis Children of School
Age in the Preventory at Aibonito.........................
Special Tax for Public Improvement Bonds..............
Pay Patient’s Fees, University Hospital......................
Sanatorium Race Fund............... .........................................
Park Commission Fund..*................................................
Special Addit. Tax for Public Improvements,
San Juan.......................................................................
Maintenance of an X-Ray and Pneumothorax
Circulating Clinic............................................................
Redemption Fund for the Waterworks and
Sewerage Bonds of Mayaguez ..........................
Maintenance of Antituberculosis Centers.....................
Model Housing Fund............................................................
Extra Tax for Public Improvements Bonds,
San Juan......................................................................
Tobacco Institute of Puerto Rico.....................................
Fund for the Development of a Market for
Puerto Rican Coffee........................................................
Cooperative Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons
Disabled in Industries..................................................
Fund Service of Crop Estimates..................................
Fund for the Development of the Fishing Industry..
Land Authority of Puerto Rico—General Fund........
Puerto Rican Coffee Price-Stabilizing Corporation-
Pignoration Fund.............................................................
Municipal Bond Fund...........................................................
Interest on Deferred Taxes...................................................
Permanent University Fund...............................................
Night School Fees....................................................................
Acquisition Fund..................................................................... •
Fund for the Support of Milk Stations.........................
Prtg. of Beverage Identification Stamps........................
Public Hospitals Charity Fund.........................................
Completion of Road Starting from Pueblo del
Rosario-San German to connect with San
German-Las Vegas Road..............................................
Liq. Fund of the Workmen’s Compensation Bureau
Subscription Fund, Proportion for School
Lunch Rooms.....................................................................
Fund for the Promotion of Tourism and for
Publicizing Puerto Rico................................................
Fisheries Fund................................ ..........................................
Special Fund for the Survey, Construction and
Maintenance of Roads, Highways and Bridges...
Inspection, Studies and Office Personnel for the
Construction of Highways, Roads and Bridges..
Fund for the Elimination of Railroad Crossings....
Maintenance and Repair of Highways, Roads and
Bridges.................................................................................
Special Fund for Indemnities in the Construction
of Roads and Bridges........................... ...............
Public Works, Department of the Interior: To
Cooperate with the W. P. A. for the Construction
of the Department of Agriculture and Commerce
Building and Garage............................................
$72,453.04
105,300.00
128,534.38
5.00
369,941.55
21,475.60
4,010,183.12
305,132.94
21.63
227.25
46.30
6,045.81
32,280.85
26, 317.45
3,999.18
87,462.80
15,415.90
7,096.09
26,940.00
190,285.28
8,256.15
67,720.00
74,319.49
33,510.61
18,893.60
3,243.23
21,669.85
100,600.82
551,262.49
36,675.00
55,511.10
20,000.00
29,214.10
6,394.70
8, 586.99
14,864.91
664, 799.13
4,139.03
8, 301.56
755.70
51,278.40
182.97
574,344.29
619,597.92
32,837.96
1,379,378.54
519,525.12
3,922.34
$72,453.04
105,300.00
128, 534.38
5.00
369,941.55
21, 475.60
4,010,183.12
305,132.94
21.63
227.25
46.30
6,045.81
32, 280.85
26,317.45
3,999.18
87,462.80
15,415.90
7,096.09
26, 940.00
190,285.28
8, 256.15
67, 720.00
74,319.49
33,510.61
18, 893.60
3,243.23
21,669.85
100,600.82
551, 262.49
36, 675.00
55, 511.10
20,000.00
29, 214.10
6, 394.70
8, 586.99
14,864.91
664, 799.13
4,139.03
8, 301.56
755.70
51, 278.40
182.97
574,344.29
619,597.92
32,837.96
1,379,378.54
519,525.12
3,922.34
82 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 11—Continued
INSULAR REVENUES AND TRUST FUNDS
STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS
Description
U
Roads, Highways and Bridges, Insular Const. Plan...
Roads, Highways and Bridges Construction Plan
not in Federal Aid Annual Program..............
Construction of Federal Aid Grade Crossings
Projects.........................................................................
Redemption Fund for the Sewerage System,
Revenue Bonds of Lares......................................
Special Fund for Extension Schools................................
Redemption Fund for the Water System Revenue
Bonds of Fajardo......................................................
Income Tax Bonds for Appeal to Board of Review
and Equalization According to Act No. 102,
approved May 14, 1936..........................................
Insular Sanatorium Dairy....................................................
P. R. Water Resources Authority: Hydroelectric
Projects Redemption Fund per Act No. 87 of 1931
Special Deposit Redemption of $500,000.00-
Toro Negro Project Bonds..............................
Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority—General
Fund..............................................................................
George Deen Funds for Promotion of Vocational
Education.....................................................................
Special University Fund, Income of the Agricultural
Experiment Station................................
Special University Fund, Income of the Agricultural
Extension Service...................................
Venereal Disease Control.....................................................
Public Hospital Charity Bonds of 1938, Redemption
Fund....................................................................
Administration and Distribution of Supplies,
Surplus Commodity Corporation.....................
Fund for Aid of Indigent Tuberculosis Patients
and Maintenance of Milk Stations..................
Construction Account, The People of Puerto Rico,
Graving Dock—Docket 1012 F.........................
Board of Medical Examiners..............................................
Const, of Roads with W.P.A. Combined Funds...
Special Fund, University of Puerto Rico,
Act No. 254 of 1938..................................................
Reserve Fund for Emerg., Ins. Emerg. Fund...........
Public Works, Department of the Interior:
Const, of an 8 room School Building, Bo. Tras
Talleres, Santurce.............................................................
Special Fund for Child Welfare, Title V, Part 3,
Social Security Act...................................................
Special Fund to Match W. P. A. Allotments for
the Construction of Privies in Rural Communities
per Act No. 267 of 1938.............................
Special Fund for Public Health Work in Connection
with Title VI, Social Security Act.........
Special Fund for Maternal and Child Health
Services, Title V, Social Security Act.............
Fund to Combat Malaria and Uncinariasis and to
Assist Insolvent Mothers and Abandoned
Children........................................................................
Fund for Old Age Assistance.............................................
Public Works, Department of the Interior:
Study and Construction of Waterworks Projects.
Fund for the Payments of Rights of Way and
Damages Caused in the Elimination of Railroad
Crossings.............................................................
War Emergency Fund...........................................................
Coffee Insurance and Rehabilitation Fund.................
Special Fund for the Acquisition of Blanche
Kellogg Institute of Santurce..............................
To Continue the Works of the Topographic Map
of the Island of Puerto Rico...............................
Puerto Rican Coflee Price-Stabilizing Corporation
Operating Fund........................................................
Redemption Fund for the Waterworks System
Revenue Bonds of Coamo....................................
Redemption Fund for the Waterworks System
Revenue Bonds of Aibonito................................
Redemption Fund for the Waterworks System
Revenue Bonds of Aguadilla...............................
Insular
Revenues
Trust
Funds Total
.............................. $1,268,122.43 $1,268,122.43
.............................. 165,762.74 165,762.74
319,204.12 319,204.12
940.00
24, 666.51
940.00
24,666.51
3,680.00 3, 680.00
5,127.01
15, 593.31
5,127.01
15, 593.31
.............................. 300,000.00 300,000.00
200,000.00 200,000.00
1,981, 784.06 1,981, 784.06
223,082.06 223,082.06
13,422.58 13,422.58
2,980.79
128,620.88
2, 980.79
128,620.88
60,500.00 60, 500.00
.............................. 36.19 36.19
.............................. 26, 672.16 26, 672.16
..............................
55,470.45
223.84
61,031.38
55,470.45
223.84
61,031.38
..............................
2,836.24
303.84
2,836.24
303.84
7.23 7.23
32, 357.94 32, 357.94
46,412.85 46,412.85
.............................. 276,496.45 276,496.45
.............................. 237,995.24 237, 995.24
2, 067.36
165,808.66
2, 067.36
165,808.66
.............................. 27,526.49 27,526.49
31,155.25
245, 591.24
622.40
31,155.25
245, 591.24
622.40
140,000.00 140,000.00
24,932.70 24,932.70
312, 812.62 312, 812.62
2,240.00 2,240.00
1,600.00 1,600.00
5,240.00 5,240.00
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 83
Exhi bi t No . 11—Continued
INSULAR REVENUES AND TRUST FUNDS
STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS
Description
Redemption Fund for the Waterworks System
Revenue Bonds of Vega Baja................................
Redemption Fund for the Waterworks System
Revenue Bonds of Morovis....................................
Redemption Fund for the Waterworks System
Revenue Bonds of Yauco........................................
Redemption Fund for the Waterworks and Sewerage
System Revenue Bonds of Caguas..................
Special Fund to Combat Malaria in Connection
with National Defense Camps...........................
Special Fund to Combat the Outbreak of Malaria
at Vega Baja and Juana Diaz............................
Fund for the purchase from the P. R. R. Light and
Power Co. of such Hydroelectric Plants as it
may Construct to Utilize the Waters of the Rio
Blanco of Naguabo and its Tributaries.........
Fund for the Indemnities in the Const, of Roads
and Bridges with W.P.A. Combined Fund....
Planting and Propagation of trees and flowers for
Embellishment of Highways and Roads......
Public Works, Dept, of the Interior: Repair and
Alteration of the Building Acquired from
Sucn. L. P. Valdivieso at Ponce......................
Fund for the Vocational Education of'Defense
Workers under Act of Congress No. 668,
approved June 27, 1940...........................................
Special Fund for Services to Crippled Children in
Connection with Title V, Part 2, Social
Security Act................................................................
Expenses Internal Revenue Salt Agents.......................
Special Fund to Cooperate with the W.P.A. in
the Construction of Tropical Forest Experiment
Station Building...........................................
Fund to Cooperate with Farmers and Laborers in
the Production of Subsistence Crops..............
Redemption Fund for Waterworks Bonds of Corozal.
Remittance of Taxes Redemption Loan Fund per
Act No. 22 of 1939...................................................
Special Additional Tax for the Remittance of
Taxes per Act No. 85 of 1941.....................................
National Defense Workers Equipment..........................
Puerto Rican Coffee Price-Stabilizing Corp.,
Insular Subsidy.........................................................
Puerto Rican Coffee Price-Stabilizing Corp.,
Federal Subsidy .......................................................
Special Fund for the Filling, Urbanization and
Maintenance of Streets, the Riera and Miranda
Lands under Section 3 of the Act of 1938....
Fund for the Preparation of Plans of Public and
Private Lands............................................................
Special Tax Public Hospital Charity Fund per
Act No. 29, Special Session of 1935..................
Education and Training of National Defense
Workers—NY A Program......................................
Education and Training of National Defense
Workers—VE-ND Program 1............................
Education and Training of National Defense
Workers—OSY Program........................................
Ten Per Cent San Juan Graving Project Retention
Fund—1012 F.............................................................
Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority:
P. R. 4? Electric Power Revenue Bonds of 1936—
Redemption Fund............................................................
Special Fund for Power Account, Ponce District....
Fund for the Acquisition and Improvements of
the Ponce Electric Plant per Act No. 1,
approved September 22, 1936...............................
Special Fund Covering Expenses of the Federal
Alcoholic Tax Unit..................................................
Fund for the Promotion of 4-H Clubs..........................
Special Fund for Insurance Policy for Damages
Caused to Passengers Traveling in Public
Automobiles................................................................
Fund to Cooperate in the National Civil Population
Defense Plans................................................
Insular
Revenues
Trust
Funds Total
$660.00 $660.00
416.00 416.00
2, 240.00 2, 240.00
7,840 00 7,840.00
73,711.02 73, 711.02
5, 392.46 5, 392.46
1, 444,411.35 1,444,411.35
1, 750.51 1, 750.51
22, 637.50 22, 637.50
113.68 113.68
170,091.65 170,091.65
78,139.87 78,139.87
10, 642.09 10,642.09
598.78 598.78
39,284.76 39,284.76
' 997.50 997.50
1,421,544.31 1, 421, 544.31
155,258.36 155,258.36
36,533.50 36,533.50
196, 486.43. 196,486.43
51, 439.12 51, 439.12
1, 250.00 1,250.00
11, 325.46 11, 325.46
3.21 3.21
89, 304.27 89, 304.27
371,837.02 371, 837.02
159, 843.15 159,843.15
141, 068.09 141, 068.09
107, 600.00 107, 600.00
411,615.31 411, 615.31
0.05 0.05
24, 775.00 24, 775.00
2,000.00 2,000.00
58,319.00 58,319.00
44, 245.50 44,245.50
84 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 11—Continued
INSULAR REVENUES AND TRUST FUNDS
STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS
Description
Insular
Revenues
Trust
Funds Total
Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority:
Garzas Hydroelectric Project Const. Account
No. 1—PWA Docket 1084 P.F., Bond Issue..
Const. Account No. 2 Grant—Garzas Hydroelectric
Project, PWA Docket 1084 P. F........
Garzas Hydroelectric Project Redemption
Fund Accounts PWA Docket No. 1084 P.F..
Caguas Antivenereal Hospital Docket P. R. 52-105..
Caguas Antivenereal Hospital Docket P.R. 52-M-l
Contribution Account, The People of P. R........
M iscellaneous..............................................................................
..........................$..3..01,460.24
523, 583.39
80,000.00
800.00
228.47
190, 455.74
$301,460.24
523,583.39
80,000.00
800.00
228.47
190,455.74
Insu l ae Gover nme nt Disb urs em en ts
Exc l usi ve of Tra nsf er s ............................
Transfers.......................................................................................
$22,901, 662.32
4,619,883.23
$39, 272,518.96
100, 276.13
$62,174,181.28
4, 720,159.36
Ins ul ar Gover nme nt Disb ur sem ents
Includi ng Tr ansfe r s ....,...................
Balance of June 30, 1942........................................................
Grand Tota l ....................................................
$27, 521, 545.55
20, 526, 788.18
$39, 372,795.09
19,303,964.91
$66,894,310.64
39, 830, 753.09
$48, 048, 333.73 $58, 676,760.00 $106, 725, 093.73
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 85
Exhib it No. 12
STATEMENT OF THE DEBT-INOURRING POWER OF THE MUNICIPALITIES
OF PUERTO RICO AS OF JUNE 30, 1942
Assessment
as of
April 13, 1942
Capacity Authorized by law:
Municipality of San Juan, 10$ of......................
Municipality of Ponce, 10$ of....................................
Municipality of Mayaguez, 10$ Of............................
All other municipalities, 5$ of....................................
$74, 925, 305.00
25, 691,094.00
14, 765, 957.00
198,527,146.79
$7,492, 530.50
2,569,109.40
1,476,595.70
9, 926,357.33
Total assessed property valuation............................ $313, 909, 502.79
Total debt-incurring power of all
municipalities.............................................................. $21,464,592.93
Outstanding Indebtedness:
Unaccrued payables—
Bonds outstanding...................................................
Local loans...................................................................
Loans with Insular Government......................
Other Indebtnedess.............. ;.................................
$13, 702, 500.00
4,018,129.73
255,000.00
21, 341.94 $17,996,971.67
Accrued principals payable—
Bond redemption fund deficiencies due the
Treasurer of Puerto Rico..............................
Loans with Insular Government......................
$71,080.00
38,000.00 109,080.00
Total outstanding indebtedness................................. $18,106, 051.67
Less redemption funds:
For bonds.....................................................................
For local loans............................................................
$2,054,233.16
213,559.58 2,267, 792.74
Net outstanding indebtedness as of June 30, 1942 15,838, 258.93
Difference.............................................................................. $5,626,334.00
Less Loans and debts authorized to be contracted:
Bonds.....................................................................
Local Loans.................................................................
$200,000.00
204,900.00 404,900.00
Difference:
63 municipalities have available margin amounting
to............................................ . ..........................
13 municipalities show excesses of indebtedness
over the present 5$ limitation amounting to..
$5,487,207.34
265,773.34 $5,221,434.00
86 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 12—Continued
CLASSIFICATION BY MUNICIPALITIES-Continued
63 Municipalities have available Margins
as follows:
.13 Mun icipaiities, because of indebtedness incurred
prior to latest amendment to Organic
Act, have exceeded the 5$ limitation, as
follows:
Anasco....................................................
Barceloneta..........................................
Ceiba......................................................
Ciales......................................................
Isabela....................................................
Lares.......................................................
Las Marias..........................................
Luquillo................................................
Morovis.................................................
Quebradillas........................................
Trujillo Alto........................................
Vieques.'................................................
Y auco......................................................
$25,166.23
43,139.88
1,990.77
53,735.44
607.98
75,832.42
12, 750.94
9, 574.35
17,656.66
16,548.98
6,159.25
74.59
2, 535.85
Adjuntas...............................................
Aguada..................................................
Aguadilla..............................................
Aguas Buenas....................................
Aibonito.................................................
Arecibo... .*..........................................
Arroyo....................................................
Barranquitas........................................
Bayamon..............................................
Cabo Rojo............................................
Caguas....................................................
Camuy...................................................
Carolina.................................................
Catano....................................................
Cayey.....................................................
Cidra......................................................
Coamo....................................................
Comerio................................................
Corozal...................................................
Dorado..................................................
Fajardo..................................................
Guanica........................... .....................
Guayama.................... . ........................
Guayanilla...........................................
Guaynabo.............................................
Gurabo...................................................
Hat ill 9....................................................
Hormigueros........................................
Humacao..............................................
Jayuya...................................................
Juana Diaz..........................................
Juncos........................ ............................
Lajas........................................................
Las Piedras..........................................
Loiza.......................................................
Manati...................................................
Maricao..................................................
Maunabo..............................................
MAYAGUEZ....................................
Moca.......................................................
Naguabo................................................
Naranjito..............................................
Orocovis.................................................
Patillas..................................................
Penuelas................................................
PONCE................................................
Rincon....................................................
Rio Grande..........................................
Rio Piedras..........................................
Sibana Grande..................................
Salinas....................................................
San German........................................
SAN JUAN........................................
San Lorenzo........................................
San Sebastian......................................
Santa Isabel........................................
Toa Alta................................................
Toa Baja...............................................
Utuado...................................................
Vega Alta.............................................
Vega Baja.............................................
Villalba..................................................
Yabucoa................................................
$8,188.83
4, 684.67
63, 702.20
10,071.43
17, 267.64
49,164.04
19,176.10
26,068.37
33,102.97
25,919.32
94,072.45
45,089.82
13, 077.64
25, 756.23
54, 553.23
13,486.98
17,632.70
45,671.56
6, 809.42
48,232.56
58,152.78
■ 181,270.16
32, 273.12
26, 639.73
52,514.22
24,456.65
18, 851.04
58,118.90
59,418.21
7, 499.31
114, 849.35
16,478.89
15, 384.36
6, 338.36
40,126.31
47,836.92
23, 470.00
15,244.83
526,200.93
3,912.86
58, 763.43
3, 701.82
30,303.23
14, 623.25
8, 299.16
152,829.86
3,406.26
17,016.14
375, 055.99
12,874.21
245,976.56
24, 467.29
2,191, 360.17
19, 009.35
19,454.52
153, 360.47
15,132.06
44,247.70
22, 660.47
22, 404.75
66. 464.77
3, 326. 52
31, 704.27
Tota l ..........
Dif fe r en c e
$265, 773.34
5,221,434.00
Tot al $5,487,207.34
$5,487, 207.34 $5,487, 207.34
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 87
Exhi bi t No . 13
DEBT-INCURRING CAPACITY OF THE INSULAR GOVERNMENT
As of June 30, 1942.
Total Public Indebtedness which can be incurred (101 of assessed
valuation)....................................................................................................... $32, 574, 016.90
Ins ul ar Bon ds Outs tan ding :
Homestead Bonds of 1932.........................................
Workmen’s Relief Bonds of 1930..................................
Guayama Irrigation Bonds.............................................
Road Bonds............................................................................
Public Improvement Bonds............................................
Public Hospitals Charity Bonds of 1938..................
P. R. 41 Electric Power Revenue Bonds of 1936.
Isabela Irrigation Consolidation Bonds of 1938....
Isabela Irrigation Bonds...................................................
Refunding Bonds.................................................................
Consolidation Bonds of 1935...........................................
Garzas Hydroelectric Revenue Bonds of 1939........
City of Ponce Lot and Building Bonds..................
$337, 000.00
200,000.00
2,895, 000.00
3, 500, 000.00
8,000,000.00
300,000.00
1,130,000.00
2,100, 000.00
1, 475,000.00
250,000.00
1,423,000.00
2, 000,000.00
90,000.00
$23, 700, 000.00
Tem po ra ry Loan s :
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico...................................................................
Loans contracted by Municipalities and chargeable against
Insular Government borrowing capacity.............................................
$635, 000.00
742,865.11
$25, 077, 865.11
Les s :
Garzas Hydroelectric Revenue Bonds of 1939....
(Per Pub. 264-74th Cong. 8-1227)
P. R. 41 Revenue Bonds of 1936................................
(Per Pub. 264-74th Cong. 8-1227)
Municipal & School Bonds..........................................
Sinking Funds:
For isabela Irrig. Bds.................. $401,929.59
For Rds., Pub. Impr. &
Homestead Bonds............... 254,933.48
For Ponce District Bldg. Bonds... 1,087.50
$2, 000, 000.00
1,130,000.00
250, 000.00
. i
657,950.57 4, 037, 950.57 21, 039,914.54
Net Avai la b le Mar gi n .................................................... $11, 534,102.36
________________
88 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exib it No . 14
WHERE PUERTO RICO GOVERNMENT INCOME DOLLAR OF 1942 CAME FROM
(Fisc al Year , end in g Jun e 30, 1942)
Thi s Char t Repr ese nts a Dolla r of Curr en t Reve nue . Trus t Fun ds and Tre asu ry
Balanc e Not Inc lude d
Source of Income Amount Per Cent
U. S. Internal Revenues................................................................................................
Excise Taxes........................................................................................................................
Income Taxes......................................................................................................................
Customs..............i.................................................................................................................
Miscellaneous Receipts............................................................................................. (1)
Other Income..................................................................................................................(2)
$13, 939,989.26
12, 933,010. 14
7, 635, 382. 93
2, 085, 000. 00
613, 553. 36
451, 925. 20
37.02
34. 34
20. 27
5. 53
1.63
1.21
Total................................................................................................................ $37, 658,860.89 100. 00
(1) Includes surplus from Special Insurance Fund in the amount of $79,998.40.
(2) Includes Inheritance Tax amounting to $84,455.78 and University Tax Excess in the
amount of $138.32, and Property Taxes amounting to $367,331.10.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 89
Exh ib it No . 15.
HOW THE PUERTO RICO GOVERNMENT DOLLAR OF 1942 WAS EXPENDED
(Fis c al Year Ended June 30, 1942)
This chart represents a dollar of actual expense. Trust Funds and Transfers are eliminated.
Amount Per Cent
Used For :
Insular Government Disbursements including transfers..............................
Carry-over appropriation liabilities to Fiscal Year 1942-43.......................
Excess of casn resources over ap; ropriation liabilities.. $14, 554, 968. 91
Other resources reimbursable to General Fund.............. 500,000.00
Excess of resources over appropriation liabilities............................................
Total.................................................................................................................
Det ai l of Dis bu rs eme nts :
Legislative...........................................................................................................................
Judicial..............................................................................................-...............................
Attorney General............................................................................................................
Department of Finance...............................................................................................
Department of the Interior......................................................................................
Department of Education...........................................................................................
Department of Agriculture and Commerce.....................................................
Department of Labor...................................................................................................
Insular Police..................................................................................................................
Department of Health................................................................................................
University of Puerto Rico........................................................................................
General Miscellaneous.................................................................................................
Others.................................................................................................................................
Net transfers........
Total.
$23, 579,916.10
5, 971, 819. 27
15,054, 968. 91
$44, 606, 704. 28
$386, 384.81
956,105. 12
599, 461. 54
1,116, 374. 47
1, 278, 259. 29
6,469, 687.16
753, 874. 25
314, 721. 24
1, 662,190. 06
2, 481, 194. 39
342, 420. 24
1,894, 656. 06
804. 980. 37
$19,060, 309. 00
4, 519, 607. 10
$23, 579,916. 10
52. 86
13. 39
32. 63
1. 12
100. 00
.87
2. 14
1.34
2.50
2. 87
14. 50
1. 69
.71
3. 73
5. 56
.77
4. 25
1.80
42. 73
10.13
52. 86

Exh ib it No . 16
TOTAL ASSESSED VALUE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY, BY MUNICIPALITIES AND CLASSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1941-1942
(Corr ec te d to Jun e 30, 1942)
Municipalities Money
Mdse, raw
material &
fixtures in
establishments
Work
Cattle
Other
Cattle
Horses,
mules &
donkeys
Airplanes
Carts
drawn by
animals
Automobiles
Coaches Portable
Track
Machinery Hives Rolling
Stock
Vessels Other
property
Total
personal
property
Adjuntas........................... $970 $34, 615 $3,420 $9,915 $5, 370 $1,940 $18, 250 $790 $75,270
Aguada.............................. 690 48,210 12,330 16,895 6, 270 5 480 13,120 $4, 320 $6,240 $475 114,030
Aguadilla.......................... 23, 235 274', 515 27,860 46, 210 12; 150 6 380 87, 650 1,600 $38, 730 6; 490 $19,170 4,665 548, 655
Aguas Buenas................. 16,915 6, 370 14,820 5; 460 880 5,460 890 ' 110 50, 905
Aibonito............................ 375 60, 290 6,870 18, 260 8; 140 1,350 17,060 890 470 113, 705
Anasco................................ 24,835 8,040 13, 890 5,430 2 260 10 470 4,480 5,030 1,210 9,770 85,415
Arecibo.............................. 97,635 1,689,475 97,660 88, 390 43; 430 22, 065 188, 370 19, 470 82,690 4; 110 312,950 16,820 12,975 2, 676; 040
Arroyo................................ 318,175 ' 201, 335 60,120 83,490 13', 550 9, 320 32,940 4,030 L520 26,890 12', 370 32; 265 ' 796, 005
Barceloneta...................... 8, 545 83, 260 45,490 49,170 13, 520 7, 315 18,950 1,490 29,660 970 97,680 3; 220 ' 280 359, 550
B arranquitas.................... ' 865 24,195 4,280 8,170 4; 570 1,180 12,620 510 1,035 57, 425
Bayam'on.......................... 64,735 412; 215 59,370 95,620 25,490 7, 390 90; 380 3,970 46, 740 1,990 36,320 3', 120 847', 340
Cabo Rojo.................... 6,425 112,175 64,480 80, 330 17; 320 12; 270 48,300 8; 860 27; 490 3,040 IL 575 392, 265
Caguas................................ 64,740 312,630 106, 355 97, 540 38; 290 19; 360 135, 010 12,110 39, 870 34; 770 68; 523 929; 198
Camuy............................. 6,435 193, 295 30,410 47,140 13; 620 10, 370 20, 730 4,860 14; 320 1,110 13, 970 10; 805 36L 065
Carolina............................. 4, 575 138, 690 35, 230 114, 990 15', 365 9,110 38; 400 6,260 18; 650 40,980 '540 422; 790
Catano............................... 1,685 8L 595 3,980 7, 860 2; 210 i; 340 6,800 2,040 10,970 2,670 12L 150
Cayey................................. 5,325 148,470 38,820 51, 730 13, 640 4,960 34,270 19,220 2,210 9; 450 7,480 335, 575
Ceiba ................................ 21,490 10,485 22, 630 5, 380 6 210 700 2,670 3; 260 858 73; 683
Ciales................................ 21, 660 4,410 14,230 4; 140 i; 090 10, 515 1,120 70 5L 235
Cidra ................................ 27,895 8,420 10, 510 4; 630 745 17, 870 795 70; 865
Coamo ............................ 44,225 16,140 68,210 10; 930 1 420 25; 230 960 825 167, 940
Comerio............................. 695 76, 210 8; 980 24,270 8; 740 2,940 7; 680 510 1,935 13L 960
Corozal.............................. 370 31,415 9,330 23, 870 6,140 3; 490 16, 330 90; 945
Culebra........................... 20,690 3,970 31,480 2,870 1 320 610 60; 940
Dorado ........................... 1,365 36, 610 14,280 42; 160 5, 330 $4, 500 3,140 14,400 1,990 40,870 680 165; 325
Fajardo............................ 31,615 354,395 56, 340 53,810 14, 220 9; 170 22,910 9,860 94,470 6,920 1, 370 655; 080
Guanica.......................... 37^ 675 1,012; 280 90,460 167, 510 40, 220 IL 170 33, 620 12,430 2i; 570 76,450 12; 890 98; 260 1, 614; 535
Guayama........................ 61,275 756,980 144,770 107,210 37,640 20, 530 59, 525 24, 210 47; 740 1,980 2L 660 7', 480 24; 580 i; 32L 580
Guayanilla...................... Hi 590 305; 878 30,740 30, 990 12, 860 6, 250 20; 975 e; 216 8; 670> 4,120 23, 790 440 L 145 ' 477, 658
Guaynabo....................... 17,495 227,210 35,440 54, 730 16; 310 5, 930 13; 700 3; 730 e;980 '430 22; 650 57; 120 461', 725
Gurabo............................. 7', 865 110,940 38, 890 33, 630 8; 140 5, 970 10,050 13,130 22,150 2; 515 253; 280
FT at ill o............................ 24,875 10, 710 22,430 4; 640 §; 320 21, 750 ' 690 14; 690 1,180 104', 285
TT or m i guer os................... 3,945 48, 260 14,110 32; 860 8; 170 4,030 7, 590 4,130 6, 670 15; 210 2, 070 147; 045
Humacao......................... 27' 735 370i 610 94,430 93,820 43; 540 20; 870 47,940 7; 490 93,515 83,990 4,360 42', 793 93L 093
Isabela............................ 2, 260 55, 870 14, 770 2< 150 8', 740 4; 240 29,170 L 010 1,810 Mi 490 L 987 154', 497
Jayuya .......................... 115 22, 360 7,410 15,220 5; 070 2,480 16; 650 9,760 3,080 '520 82; 665
Juana Diaz..................... 17, 260 431, 650 67,360 76, 510 42; 870 ■— 8, 540 37, 590 5,610 36,470 3; 260 59, 320 11,120 79/ 560
Juncos................................. 9, 745 216,890 68,215 74, 770 13; 650 16, 510 26, 715 12; 320 50, 610 20; 110 6; 965 516; 500
Dajas ............................ 6,985 61,310 47,340 82,170 13; 060 9, 550 18, 615 2,970 635 9, 935 252; 570
Daras ........................... ' 985 43,840 6; 780 19,240 9,420 4, 110 32, 850 4,140 430 12L 795
Das Marlas..................... 455 9, 730 1,460 6,310 4,100 820 4, 820 2; 810 400 30; 905
Las Piedras.................... 1,645 20,430 7,930 16, 480 3; 830 3,610 4,100 18, 290 47,870 1,620 125; 805
Doiza ............................ 13,635 240,471 42,140 42, 690 8; 570 7,310 29, 340 7,140 13, 620 63; 860 770 8; 325 47L 871
Tmqiiillo........................... 21, 230 14, 710 14, 360 L 040 5,190 i; 200 6, 320 6,890 L 610 78; 550
Manati............................... 7,265 253', 570 35, 920 56', 460 20; 350 7,040 37; 990 8; 540 5L 150 7, 690 L 705 493, 680
Maricao ........................ 4, 160 2, 710 3,235 3, 360 1,020 6, 600 960 1,690 23, 735
Maunabo........................ 2, 025 75,485 21,270 5L 685 5; 390 4, 610 32, 050 4,320 5,390 1,805 204; 030
Mayagiiez....................... 206, 640 2, 763,753 56,820 78', 530 3L 490 18, 580 289, 630 $270 15,860 151,490 5,870 82; 430 23, 510 5L 230 3, 776; 103
M oca ............................ 975 28,455 10, 360 20,510 6; 220 4,030 6,950 ' 820 1, 340 6 ', 210 85,870
Morovis........................ 11, 735 6, 870 14,285 5,290 2, 980 10, 350 ' 550 52; 060
Napuabo........................ 1,785 89,625 43,210 31,450 14,' 610 9,260 7,270 3, 730 43,220 52,860 6,450 550 304, 020
Naranjito ............... 11,885 5,020 10,940 3; 110 1,320 3; 030 610 35, 915
Orocovis............................ 2,620 3; 550 5; 720 2; 770 1,010 Hi 980 470 28 120
Patillas............................... 3,025 227, 365 34, 790 36,680 9; 220 5,190 5,620 1, 270 10; 690 4 630 338 480
Penuelas............................ 625 16,345 14,420 25, 540 8', 230 2, 180 20; 190 4, 530 1,490 210 93, 760
Ponce.................................. 307,425 2, 769; 970 312, 530 236,860 58; 620 29,900 30, 380 428, 735 790 39, 640 189, 630 11, 590 174,360 21,610 747,955 5, 359, 995
Quebradillas.................... 495 19, 365 14,230 14,190 4, 070 3; 010 25,300 1, 340 82 000
Rincon............................... 735 14, 180 4,490 4,065 L 920 1, 310 7, 370 9,640 4, 960 48, 670
Rio Grande...................... 1,745 44,090 17,870 22, 630 8, 790 4,410 8,310 5,890 9.120 28, 650 1,135 152, 640
Rio Piedras...................... 159, 746 1,204, 565 78,340 236i 710 78,490 14, 790 216, 000 IL 210 145, 380 5,695 64, 730 205 180 2, 423, 836
Sabana Grande.............. 965 61,105 11,170 19,450 4, 990 3,140 27,180 1, 780 320 130 100
Salinas.............................. 14,375 596,425 204, 770 244,160 162,345 47, 590 66,950 22,470 356, 650 8,140 12 630 274 625 2 011 130
San German.................... 9,315 173, 745 36, 990 58, 310 13; 790 8, 480 58,020 6, 235 32 250 } 397 135
San Juan........................... * 3,038, 575 11,324,115 57,290 46, 530 13, 720 509, 670 784,190 226 110 240, 860 1 308 405 17 549 465
San Lorenzo.................... 785 42, 775 31,470 39, 840 8', 320 4,020 15,750 6,470 14’ 660 ’ 210 164 300
San Sebastian................. 4, 945 175,860 25, 930 36, 850 16; 390 4, 760 24,020 6,790 '9, 320 625 305’ 490
Santa Isabel.................... 8,155 284,290 165,470 140,130 82, 940 36,130 8,415 7,480 36, 860 27,890 25 110 822’ 870
Toa Alta........................... 1,345 39,165 10, 590 29, 320 4,140 2, 180 4, 870 1,210 8 760 ’ 510 102 090
Toa Baja........................... 18,415 292, 525 44,140 79, 065 12; 430 10, 210 17, 590 13,890 30; 470 41 620 3 280 7 335 570’ 970
Trujillo Alto.................... 735 15, 380 8,460 19,190 3,480 1,660 2, 810 '980 1, 530 8,260 ’ 120 62 605
Utuado............................... 3,140 72,215 7, 290 23, 730 14,860 2,110 27, 720 2,110 190 153’ 365
Vega Alta......................... 1,875 81,415 18, 520 19,290 L 930 3,040 6,450 19, 330 34 590 2 335 194* 775
Vega Baja......................... 1,165 36,435 17,390 24,470 3,190 3, 610 28,100 46, 260 48 450 209’ 070
Vieques.............................. 1,145 67, 785 61, 240 48, 670 19, 320 16, 070 9,490 220 6,140 28, 310 31 970 6 840 710
Villalba.............................. 17, 290 7,420 19; 670 8', 490 3,850 ie; 100 1,790 100 74' 710
Yabucoa............................ 17, 375 209, 415 62, 970 65, 610 18; 520 11, 230 22, 870 39, 670 50,490 115 210 11 490 17 630 642 480
Yauco................................. 895 118, 730 18, 730 21,490 6; 870 4,920 65, 040 3, 735 2; 240 242’ 650
Totals................$..4..,. 674,811 $29, 617, 957 $2,876,055 $3,846, 695 $1,290, 540 $34,400 $580, 765 $3,339,035 $1,280 $377,160 $2, 683, 625 $89,460 $2,175,430 $433,120 $3,129,971 $55, 150, 304

OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 91
Exhi bi t No . 17—Sc he du le 1
LOANS TO MUNICIPALITIES AS OF JUNE 30, 1942
Municipality
Balance
July 1,
1941
Repaid
during the
year
Balance
June 30,
1942
Distributioi
Owe
General
Funds
of Balance
djTo
Insular
Emergency
Funds
Loan:
Arecibo, Act No. 23 of 1937.. $25, 000. 00 $5, 000.00 $20, 000. 00 $20,000.00 ..........................
Totals.............................. $25, 000. 00 $5, 000.00 $20,000. 00 $20,000.00 ..........................
Advances to cover Redemption
Fund Deficiencies:
Adjuntas.................................
Cayey....:................................
Ciales............................................
Lares............................................
Las Marias................................
Morovis.......................................
San Sebastian...........................
$12, 530.00
14, 500.00
29,000. 00
6, 900. 00
2, 200. 00
1, 700. 00
7, 800.00
$200.00
500. 00
200. 00
950.00
100. 00
200. 00
1,400.00
$12, 330.00
14,000. 00
28,800. 00
5, 950.00
2,100.00
1, 500.00
6,400.00
$5, 330.00
8,500.00
4,900.00
1, 600. 00
1,400.00
$7,000.00
14,000.00
20, 300. 00
1, 050.00
500.00
1, 500.00
5,000.00
Totals.............................. $74, 630. 00 $3, 550.00 $71,080.00 $21, 730.00 $49, 350.00
Grand Total.................. $99, 630.00 $8, 550. 00 $91,080. 00 $41, 730.00 $49, 350.00
92 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

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A m ount
$2, 686.44
4, 206. 99
6,253.94
1, 333. 36
2, 699. 06
3,839. 88
26,850. 88
6, 486. 46
6,065.82
1. 553. 68
10,435. 84
6, 513.84
18, 374. 50 4 ,203. 78
7,847. 38
2, 738. 62
6,954. 56
1,907.. 76
2,417. 32
2,384.06
3,988. 96
3, 332. 72
1,938.44
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Special In su lar
A m ount
$1, 343. 22
2,103. 50
3,126. 97
666. 68
1,349.53
1,919. 94
13,425. 44
3,243. 23
3,032.91
776. 84
5,217. 92
3,256.92
9,187.25
2,101.89
3,923. 69
1,369. 31
3,477. 28
953.88
1, 208. 66
1,192. 03
1,994. 48
1, 666. 36
969. 22
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Special M unicipal
A m ount
............................................• • O> • rH........................«£>••••
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..........
M unicipal L oan
A m ount
$8,059.29
14,724. 46
15,634.87
3,866. 75
4,048. 58
11, 519. 66
53,701. 75
24,972.88
12,131. 64
3, 884. 20
37, 569. 03
14, 656.14
36, 749. 00
11,560. 42
24,326. 84
10,954. 51
12,170. 46
4 769. 38
7,251. 97
5, 960.14
13,961.39
13,330. 84
3,392. 25
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3, 736. 32 | . 10 | 1, 868.16 i . 03 ( 560.45

Exhib it No . 19
TOTAL INCOME TAX ASSESSMENT FOR THE TAXABLE YEARS 1918 TO 1942 UP TO JUNE 30, 1942
(Pursua nt to the Pr ov isi on s or Laws Nos . 80, 43, 69, 74, 18, 30, 102, 74, 2, 31, 159 an d 23)
Years 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
Individuals........................................... $1,074, 826. 25
799, 656.04
1, 510,986.08
134,173. 31
$1, 268, 756. 66
1, 024,091. 39
2, 505,407. 22
121, 560. 28
$1, 529, 389.17
2,945, 630. 89
7,114,193.19
132, 182.54
$299, 693. 26
234, 779. 45
464, 657. 06
118, 210.15
$208,190. 54
192, 372. 01
289, 086. 86
121, 111. 83
$372, 495. 58
682, 353. 32
758, 078. 71
118, 277. 26
$835, 297. 39
592, 799. 79
1,191,047.14
226, 551. 77
$517, 729. 55
494,434. 50
1, 579,092. 87
109, 225. 49
$494,978.10
331, 950. 99
1,038,311.99
161,060.19
$603,628. 06
294,032. 06
1, 682,197. 99
192, 946. 92
$706, 929. 94
459, 661. 90
1, 714,851. 61
151,024.46
$366, 292. 22
260, 990. 40
974, 343. 55
193, 621. 66
$517,069. 94
287, 503. 28
1,142, 239. 51
117, 242. 26
Partnerships........................................
Corporations........................................
Withheld at Source........................
Tota ls ........................... $3, 519, 641. 68
957,109. 31
$4, 919, 815. 55
1, 745, 091.16
$11,721,395. 79
5,086, 659. 01
$1,117, 339. 92
315, 245. 22
$810,761. 24
186, 596. 20
$1,931,204. 87
545, 991. 95
$2, 845, 696.09
539, 547. 62
$2, 700,482. 41
415, 632. 52
$2, 026, 301. 27
209, 355. 58
$2, 772,805.03
394,863.45
$3, 032, 467. 91
351, 977. 82
$1,795,247.83
270, 293. 85
$2, 064, 054. 99
252, 557. 72
Less:-
Amount of tax cancelled and
credited to collectors...................
Bal an c e ........................ $2, 562, 532. 37 $3,174,724. 39 $6, 634, 736. 78 $802,094. 70 $624,165.04 $1, 385, 212. 92 $2, 306,148.47 $2, 284, 849. 89 $1, 816,945. 69 $2, 377,941. 58 $2, 680,490.09 $1, 524, 953. 98 $1, 811, 497. 27
Years
Individuals...........................................
1931
$550, 631. 25
172, 418. 34
875,941. 29
81, 583. 72
1932
$266, 954. 32
242,185. 95
839, 884.00
54, 376. 08
1933
$295, 793. 52
358, 905. 76
1,154, 227. 94
62,152. 67
1934
$402, 587. 82
442, 536. 62
1, 733, 429. 73
47, 467. 47
1935
$488, 612. 39
381, 683. 33
1,488, 373. 46
28, 662. 33
1936
$945,324. 47
569,104. 84
2,631, 396.11
14,039. 77
1937
$1, 272, 216. 51
515, 734. 37
2, 526, 300.84
12, 957. 90
1938
$542,155. 64
274, 389. 34
1, 446, 531. 77
12, 073. 79
1939
$556, 498. 78
232, 730. 42
1, 558, 569. 20
16,135.02
1940
$1, 846,606. 74
455,037. 64
2,108,560. 95
725, 554. 38
1941
$1, 855, 989. 37
1,030, 813. 73
3, 746,000. 85
412, 359. 52
1942
$117, 719. 09
135, 572. 60
71, 977. 89
Totals
$17, 936, 366. 56
13, 411, 368. 96
42, 145, 687. 81
3, 364, 550. 77
Partnerships........................................
Corporations........................................
Withheld at Source............
Tot al s ........................... $1, 680,574. 60
399,973.44
$1, 403,400. 35
230,051. 35
$1,871,079. 89
330, 640. 52
$2, 626,021. 64
210,177. 91
$2, 387, 331. 51
321, 782. 34
$4,159,865.19
525, 940. 39
$4,327, 209. 62
947,600.33
$2, 275,150. 54
92, 536. 61
$2, 363, 933. 42
261, 687. 41
$5,135, 759. 71
95,836. 88
$7, 045,163. 47
19, 482. 90
$325, 269. 58
11, 415. 08
$76, 857, 974.10
14, 718,046. 57
Less:-
Amount of tax cancelled and
credited to Collectors..................
Balanc e ........................ $1,280,601.16 $1,173, 349. 00 $1, 540, 439. 37 $2,415, 843. 73 $2,065, 549.17 $3,633, 924. 80 $3, 379, 609. 29 $2,182, 613. 93 $2,102, 246. 01 $5, 039,922. 83 $7, 025, 680. 57 $313,854. 50 $62,139, 927. 53

Exhi bi t No . 20
MONTHLY INTERNAL REVENUE STAMP SALES FOR THE YEAR 1941-1942
Articles July August September October November December January February March April May June Total
Cigars.................................................................................. $11,234. 00
135,492. 06
264. 24
1,082.00
275. 84
$11,349. 70
424,768.95
$11, 744.05 $12,980. 09 $12, 371. 35 $13,278.38 $12,704.60 $12,112.00 $14, 514.70 $13,399.75 $13,807.75
258,683.60
$14,360.00
364,728.40
473.69
6.00
$153, 856.37
3, 577, 774.38
3,828.10
9, 012.62
Cigarettes ...................................................................... 208, 746. 21 230,154. 59 265, 513. 94 319,490.30 309, 642.19 316, 532.88 388,980.69 355, 040.57
Cut Tobacco.................................................................... ' 115. 68
2, 025.00
868. 29
508. 80 86.46 336. 72 149.04 92.60 486.24 440.58 660.93 213.12
Playing Cards................................................................
Arms and Ammunitions..........................................
330.00
657. 79
459. 50
727. 98
481. 50
919. 88
1,240.99
542.75
581.11
1,066.01
786.77
348 95
1,749.75
300.97
.270 00
360.49 334.16 227.97
16, 313.57
6,631.08
77,252.95
843,663.14
14, 403.71
1, 399.16
73,025.29
147,053.09
4,706.02
4,232.88
114,079.21
10,890.87
3, 706.83
91,485.33
28,054.81
112,355.66
29,030.96
13, 220.15
Matches .......................................................................... 2,369.83
102,333. 69
3,320.14
101,102. 84
3,095. 21 3, 528.02 3,861. 87 9, 500.53 7,078.21 7,142.74 6,046.98 10,592.90
45,820.75
4, 40-2.95
Self-propelling Vehicles, etc.................................... 80, 865. 32 74, 350. 61 89, 774. 49 93,577.22 55, 812.71 31,120.75 65,246.54 50, 026.09 53, 632.13
2,397.37
Velloneras Sinfonolas. Grafonolas. 1,679.12 1.03
544. 82
149. 28 934. 39 1,759.37 196.54 3,443.86 2, 291.10 940..64 612.04
23. 24 113.14 96.30 9.72 93.09 517.82
Pneumatic Tires, Inner Tubes, etc...................... 10, 577. 02 9,760. 46 12,873. 56 7, 706. 62 5,452. 20 9, 594.36 3,206.45 976.42 2, 506.11 4, 556.47 2,936.49
7,257.58
2, 879.13
8,607.47
119.78
660.63
9,633.88
455.02
177.34
Phonographs, Radios, etc.......................................... 9, 741. 79 17, 259. 88 7, 362. 78 13, 733. 96 8, 321. 01 11,994.83 12,010.34 8, 652.63 25,374.82 16, 736.00
Juke Boxes .................................................................... 926.40 184.82 741. 72 792.27 689.22 316.45 344.95 63.16 527.25
Pianolas, pianos, etc.................................................... 139. 81 487. 30 198. 65 681.17 188. 66 970.41 239.68 56.79 121.65 86.79 401.34
Cinematographic Films..............................................
Photographic Cameras and Accs...........................
7,579.88
1,154. 64
486. 79
9,945. 82
1, 306. 41
8, 790. 97
578. 75
11,147. 60
930.40
7,721. 83
703.07
13,282.01
1, 462.16
8,666.80
1,245.07
8, 726.70
698.94
9,974.58
321.20
9,087.38
1, 300.12
9, 521.76
735.09
Billiard Tables and Accs.......................................... 18. 35 741. 01 218. 66 91.48 264.14 967.26 86.44 37.77 512.48 105.11
Chewing Gum, Bombons, etc.................................. 6,983. 23
2,211. 51
7,900.12
1,974. 03
7, 513. 56 7, 301.15 9, 818. 60 14,828.15 6,671.68 6,105.74 7,682.70 6,785.79 3, 561.62 6, 332.99
Mats, Rugs, Linoleums, etc.................................... 2, Oil. 58 3,801. 65 1, 955. 23 3,879.94 1, 310.85 1, 806.72 1,524.85 2, 567.18 2, 616.02 2, 395.25
Electrical and Fluid Gas Apparatus.................. 9,009. 08
1,675.15
13 23
9,020. 56 9, 571. 34 22, 701. 98 9, 626.88 10, 827.80 6, 760.59 10,245.27 5,303.24 6, 577.69 5, 284. 50 7,426.73
194.33
Typewriters..................................................................... 1, 593.37 1,074.02
2, 740. 69
1,426.52
2,501. 34
553. 54
2, 333.13
647. 50
2,889. 58 4, 765. 78
1, 980. 39
1,190. 64
5,691.62 2,356.94 3,236.54 2, 235.65 1, 455.62 603.25
1, 950. 22
2,402. 54
1, 747.47
2,128.46
497.94 2, 568.69
Cash Registers, etc............................ 1,768. 32
1,970.49
575. 74
1, 866. 08 2,021.96 1,998.92 2,022.30 1,403.99 444.30 435.57 19, 109.60
14, 082.65
3, 796.61
161,176.45
49, 142.92
27,832.18
208, 180.47
Adding and Calculating Machines...................... 640.13 1,053. 25 395.41 813.31 1,328.91 1, 567.43 585.97 1,660.69 1, 345.42 220.30
Safes ............................................................................ 268. 58 134. 29 218.08 413.36 203.98 965.38 255.29 147.04 10.33 51.00
5,506.47
5,088.28
1,847.89
Electric Fans and Ventilators................................ 16, 719. 54 20,336. 66 13, 283. 43 21, 201. 03 16, 594. 49 17,423.54 14,494.97 11,969.08 9,969.87 7,261.35 6,416.02
J ewelry .......................................................................... 3,304. 71
4,320. 39
15,640. 57
2, 744. 21 3,232. 54 4, 890.35 3, 961. 45 5,400.06 2,564.48 3,005.42 3,401.71 5, 718.63 5,831.08
Hydraulic Cement.................................. 4, 613. 34
11, 513. 33
822. 44
1, 543. 46
21, 510. 78
1,181. 08 1, 615. 04 2,541.79 3,164.95 3, 658.47 1,911.00 1,161.45 273.32
Kerosene.......................................................................... 7,176. 66 18,431. 95 19.965.64 6, 630.25 53, 059.76 56.93 42, 306.98 11,887.62
7,420.55 134,599.49
129,445.84
110,399.43
21,224.40
3, 667.79
288,493.82
Fuel Oil ......................................................................... 20,188.00
12,871. 09
5, 897. 22
1, 887. 28
8,549. 74 12,014. 65 13,056.35 11,263.49 5, 867.32 11,176.94 37,853.28 6, 384.73
Cosmetics, Perfumery.................................... 9,316.87
13,383. 80
1,735. 88
595.18
8,168. 47
11,365.46
881.93
11,896.86 12,154. 30
5, 719. 77
14, 017.48 7, 674.77 7,982.39 9, 338.04 12,393.49 6, 111. 13 17, <520.95
Lubricating Oils............................................................. 8,846. 72
903.96
7,864.99
1,467.41
6,020.71 10, 379.19 5,431.31
718.33
12, 452.76 13, 450.19 9, 587.31
Imbricating Grease...................................................... 582.85 682.58 226.94 9,181.06 2,183.38 772.80
Cinematographic Apparatus, Parts and Accs.. 294. 60 106. 76 235. 22 351. 36 586.89 454.80 385.72 197.09 87.49 51.76 320.92
33,228. 82
8,621.57
8,812.48
130. 61
6,030. 21
4,161.49
586.02
37,146. 67
20,468. 86
26,436. 71
6, 747.45
25, 341. 60
4, 241. 44
13,481.46
13,908.38
5, 624.22
7, 574.50
38,282.42
5,532.48
160,949.01
Ltas ano uieoci .................................................... 51, 895.16 45, 026.55
Contracts......................................................................... 18,458.77 16,669.25
229, 099.57
5, 297.25 18,764.90 130,446.34
1,090,468.31
3, 040.28
30, 669.58
340,469.25
24,476.67
368,441.85
27,260.69
10,214.30
914.57
320.21
34,220.99
195, 355.74
2,290.00
Sugar ........................................................................ 688. 90 4, 553. 94 4,856.45 45,653.27 228,803.99 226, 227.1)2 180,237.66
Stone ............................................................................. 212. 76 220. 97 184. 74 173. 20 222.04 331.38 170.87 195.26 193.61 482.59 522.25
Affidavits ........................................................................ 2,521.00 2,688. 70
4, 686.00
1,725.51
2,077. 00
3, 276. 00
1, 264. 51
2, 544.15 1,861. 75 2,249.35 2,138.75 2,187.15 3, 012.65 1, 967.60 1, 954.00 5,467.48
Internal Revenue Licenses............................. 76,615. 50
1,451. 60
35,996.04
2.263. 80
78,162.,25
2, 394.73
3, 334. 25 3, 574.50 78, 036.00 2,113.75 4, 237.00 78,427.75 2, 866.00 5, 140.25
Administrative Fines.................................................. 1,959.08 1,814.74 2,162.44 1,635.09 2,438.39 2,704.30 2, 788.89 2,137.39
Notarial Instruments.................................................. 29, 518. 50
2, 733. 20
20.15
31,103. 73
2,037. 86
10.60
32, 661. 20 27,166.81 30, 721.36 30,092.21 29,378.79
2, 860.71
31,044.56 32,577.79 27,013.85 31,167.01
Court Fees....................................................................... 2,222.08 1, 619. 88 1, 753.38 1, 874.11 2,409.29 2,502.85 2, 212.73 2, 770.80
Insurance ...................................................................... 2, 678.14
89.35
644.05 32.91 57.76 667.75 34.71 38.30 229.64 14.17 5, 786.12
Blank Books............................................................. 62.50 60. 95 87.50 /6. 25 61.00 62.45 102.05 66.90 100.00 63.85 81.77
Law Pamphlets............................................................ 42. 60 34.41 57.70 31.15 22.20 19.85 36.20 22.60 25.10 3.45 12.10 12.85
Section 16—A ........................................................ 11,347. 71 8, 753. 28
32,005. 59
156. 50
1, 553. 35 2, 615. 79 367. 89 2,006.09 2,615.21 2,807.10 1,209.49 236.42 437.13 271.53
Sales Taxes 2%................................................................ 118,927. 50
181. 50
3, 733. 25 7, 004.89 7, 551. 52 5,225.34 4, 901.97 2, 573.57 2, 254.92 2,327.52 4, 361.12
318.50
4,488.55
Miscellaneous.................................................................. 103. 00 135. 50 116. 50 143.50 188.50 154.50 227.50 268.50 296.00
Tot al s ...................................................... $674,863. 50 $764,156. 25 $548,130. 35 $626, 740. 37 $577,323. 34 $680, 744.52 $669, 773.38 $762, 753.65 $875, 076.76 $1,036,732.84 $735,094.75 $798,013.33 $8, 749, 403.04
Spe ci al Laws
p P Coffee-Metal Seal. . $20.00 $70.80 $260.00 $765.00 $360.00 $367.04 $50.00 $1,892.84
Development, Market for P. R. Coffee............ $7,067. 32 $16,371. 28 $23,381. 68 $1, 759.67 $46, 559. 26 35,445.32 29,848.75 15,792.67 33, 340.55 49,654.06 32, 440.85 32,462.63 324,124.04
128.10
Soil Amendments.......................................................... 12. 30 3.20 7, 139.00 24.10 11.40 21.80 8.40 6.70 4.30 30.60 4.40 0.90
Cattle Feed...................................................................... 1,705. 60
3,505. 05
17. 80 1, 650. 60 6. 00 1,831.20 45.20 13.20 1,784.00 67.40 18.00
Fertilizers........................................................................ 3,054.15
3, 628. 00
340, 943. 05
2, 502.00
13, 582.91
25.30
10, 782. 77
1,236. 60 746.40 1, 466.10 2,106.11 1,713.90 1, 384.30 1,330.95 2, 003.30 2,152.75 1,023.00 21, 722.61
Antn P A 29, 746. 00
120, 716. 85
1,427. 00
1, 421.00
389,514. 33
2,819.00
16,283. 95
30.80
7,062. 73
877.50 232. 00 290.00 19,562.50
80,236.90
1,392.00 449.50 102.50 43.50 57, 744.50
Gasoline .......................................................................... 364, 662.49 280,087.78 558,774.78 711,260.03 1,176.87 620,943.63 89,091.31 7.42 3, 557,415.44
Health Licenses.............................................................. 2, 911.00 1, 637.00 1,382.00 2,052.00 24,370.00
16, 766.77
3,079.00 1,921.00
20,043.31
1,639.00 1, 622.00 1,379.00
Public Shows.................................................................. 16j 146. 34 15,864.08 17, 249.41 16,883.15 16,287.95 17, 837.25 15, 988.71 21, 492.71 204,426.54
86. 50
6,361. 82 .
599,205. 30
2,061. 38
90.00
32.05 7. 60 15.41 3.75 3.05 12.50 3.70 24. 30 244.96
Tobacco............................................................................. 5,936. 22 2, 755. 57 2,200.22 2,433.73 772.95 3,187.31 1, 674.52 2,824.52 5,293.07 51,285.43
Ante and Chauffeur Licenses................................. 50,464. 25
1, 409. 47
48,058. 75
1, 664. 69
51, 636. 32 32, 980. 91 29,420.71 29,836.85 15,715.30 15,046.43 10,503.29 9, 673.18 9,822.42 902,363.71
Milk Stations.................................................................. 1, 475. 78 1,464. 89 1,710.94 1,746.52 1, 516.15 1,808.19 1, 809.52 1, 990.96 2, 358.22 21, 016.71
Game Funds................................................................... 90.00 60.00 30.00 60.00 210.00 120.00 ' 40.00 20.00 60.00 150.00 380.00 1, 310. 00
Cigarettes, Law 22, 1939............................................ 22,581. 21
2,175. 50
1,732. 39
132.00
70,793. 30
132. 73
34, 785. 20 38, 357.45 44, 251. 94 53,248.62 51,605.95 52, 754:94 64,829.91 59,173.57 43, 111.90 60,785.36 596, 279.35
Malaria Fund 26.31 434. 50 513.25 1,160.25 8,438.08 24,509.64 34,693.48 29,626.20 20,498.99 122,208.93
University Fund 106.18 21.05 347. 60 410.60 928.19 6, 749.99
148.00
19,601.66
122.00
28, 043.45 18, 228.66 16, 401.23 92, 571.00
Pension Fund—Insular Police............. 169. 00 180.00 177.00 125. 00 225.00 127.00 117.00 118.00 116.00 1, 756.00
Cigarettes,—Law 185, 1.............................................. 67,985.03
1,988.96
34,821. 47 38,407.05 44,251.94 53,250.01 52, 754.94
50.00
64, 829.91 59,173.57 43,111.90 60,785.36 570, 977.13
Salt................................ ■'................................................... 19, 503. 71 100.00 100.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 148.20 50.00 22,090.87
Tota l Spe c ia l Law s .......................... $834,256. 27 $584,028. 38 $561,388. 56 $524, 647. 71 $473, 928. 90 ' $756,227.92 $291, 709.41 $888,451.25 $253,062.23 $889,656.44 $290,785.78 $232,924.31 $6, 581, 067.16
Grand Tota l ......................................... $1, 509,119. 77 $1,348,184. 63 $1,109, 518. 91 $1,151,388.08 $1,051, 252. 24 $1,436,972.44 $961,482.79 $1, 651, 201.90 $1,128,138.99 $1,926, 389.28 $1,025,880.53 $1,030,937.64 $15, 330, 470.20
=========—=■ „ = =_=-_= =

Exhi bi t No . 21
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT SHOWING EXCISE TAXES COLLECTED DURING THE PAST FOUR FISCAL YEARS AND QUANTITY OR VALUE ON WHICH THE TAX
HAS BEEN ASSESSED AND COLLECTED: ALSO AMOUNTS COLLECTED AS SALES, LICENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS TAXES DURING THE PERIOD GIVEN
1938 -1939 1939-1940 1940-41 1941-42
Articles Unit
of Tax Quantity or
Value Tax
Quantity or
Value Tax
Quantity or
Value Tax
Quantity or
Value Tax
Increase over
Fiscal Year
Decrease over
Fiscal Year
Inter nal Rev en ue Laws :
C igars . Each . $113, 548.90
2, 669,092.37
1, 653.96
3,823.10
5,293.78
109, 324.76
439, 818.61
$125, 331.38
2, 688, 346.58
2. 380.50
8, 774.53
5, 005.30
94, 546.30
601,110.96
$130, 343.71
2,992, 981.77
2, 655.56
7,644.57
5,735.09
49, 330.46
931,802.63
$153,856.37 $23, 512.66
C igarettes Each 3, 577, 774.38
3,828.10
9, 012.62
6,631.08
77,252.95
584, 792.61
Cut Tobacco....................................................
Playing Cards..................................................
Arms & Ammunitions.................................
Matches ..............................................
Ounce___
Pkge..........
Value........
Each
55,132.00
15, 292.00
$52, 937.80
79, 350.00
35,098.00
$50, 053.00
88, 518.00
30, 578.00
$57,350.90
127, 603.00
36,050.00
$66,310.80
1,172.54
1, 368.05
895.99
27,922.49
..............................
Self-propelling Vehicles, etc . Value $6, 749, 305.12
$115,229.68
843, 663.14
14, 403.71
$88,139.49
Other Self-propelling Vehicles, etc.........
Launches, Yachts and Motor Boats...
Pneumatic Tires, Inner Tubes, etc....
Phonographs, Radios, etc.......... ................
Velloneras, Sinfonolas, Grafonolas..........
Pianolas, Pianos and Accs........................
Cinematographic Films..............................
Photographic Cameras and Accs............
Billiard Tables and Accs............................
Chewing Gum, Bomcons, etc..................
Mats, Carpets, Linoleums......................
Electrical and Fluid Gas Apparatus...
Typewriters......................................................
Dynamite, etc............................................. .
Cash Registers, etc.....................................
Adding and Calculating Machines.....
Safes.............................z.....................................
Electric Fans and Ventilators..................
Jewelry...............................................................
Hydraulic Cement........................................
Value........ 14,403.71
Value........ $11,193,28 1, 399.16 1,399.16
Value........
Value........
Value........
$8,100, 702.00
$529, 643.80
101,259.00
52,964.38
$10, 726,193.60
$525, 956.50
134, 077.42
52,595.65
$945,912.00
$758,977.40
118, 239.68
75,897.74
$584,202.32
$1,470, 530.90
47,060.20
73,025.29
147,053.09
4,706.02
71,155.35
4,706.02
45,214.39
Value........
Foot..........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Value........
Cwt...........
Race
$27, 500.20
4, 787, 689.00
$58,446.30
$3,256.32
$502,879.10
$155,140.90
$424,256.10
$72, 363.80
$41,960.40
$108,876.20
$121,486.10
$10, 570.10
$901,095.30
$205,148.20
1,616, 073.00
2, 750.02
72,085.38
5,844.63
1, 302.53
50,287.91
15, 514.09
42,425.61
7,236.38
4,196.04
10,887.62
12,148.61
1, 057.01
90,109.53
20, 514.82
40,401.83
13,100.00
14,697.73
34,811.74
194,620.20
$43,951.20
4,894,844.00
$69, 376.00
$5,795.90
$653,135.00
$164,922.60
$478,1S8.20
$74,486.70
$71, 870.80
$132,477.20
$76,145.80
$7.139.10
$858, 772.40
$274,120.60
1,706, 838.00
4, 395.12
97,896.89
6, 937.60
2, 318.37
65, 313.50
16,492.26
47,818.82
7,448.67
7, 187.08
13, 247.72
7, 614.58
713.91
85, 877.24
27,412.06
42, 670.96
10,660.00
9, 673.45
23,549.61
162,383.27
$42,667.90
5,487,884.00
$81, 338.00
$7,942.50
$998,130.40
$190,695.00
$829,532.60
$141, 728.50
$112,912.00
$151, 761.10
$134,860.70
$14,420.80
$1,143,150.50
$336, 701.30
1, 554, 671.20
4,266.79
109, 757.69
8,133.80
3,176.99
99,813.04
19,069.50
82,953.26
14,172.85
11,291.20
15,176.11
13,486.07
1,442.08
114,315.05
33, 670.13
38,866.78
42; 328.80
5, 703,960.50
$108,908.70
$9,267.07
$914,853.30
$280, 548.10
$1,123.556.60
$290,309.60
$132,201.50
$191,096.00
$140,826.50
$37,966.10
$1, 611,764.50
$491, 429.20
1,113,287.00
4, 232.88
114, 079.21
10,890.87
3, 706.83
91,485.33
28, 054.81
112,355.66
29,030.96
13, 220.15
19,109.60
14,082.65
3, 796.61
161,176.45
49,142.92
27,832.18
4,321.52
2, 757.07
529.84
8,985.31
29,402.40
14,858.11
1, 928.95
3, 933.49
596.58
2,354.53
48,861.40
15,472.79
33.91
8,327.71
11, 034.60
Purses Won at Horse Races $146,977.30
$348, 117.40
6,487,340.00
$96, 734.50
$235,496.10
5,412, 775.00
Value
Kerosene............................................................
Fuel Oil
Gals...........
Value...
7,042,765.00 211,282.95 6,939,347.66
$3, 364, 987.25
$1, 294, 458.40
2,453,320.00
1,061,220.00
$36, 677.90
7,212, 345.50
$6, 522, 317.00
21,809, 366.00
60,805.60
122,678.00
208, 180.47
134,599.49
129,445.84
110, 399.43
21,224.40
3, 667.79
288,493.82
130,446.34
1,090,468.31
3, 040.28
30,669.58
340,469.25
24,476.67
368,441.85
27,260.69
10,214.30
914.57
134, 599.49
3,102.48
Cosmetics, Perfumery, etc.........................
Lubricating Oils.............................................
Lubricating Grease........................................
Cinematographic Apparatus, Pts. & Accs
Gas and Diesel Oils.....................................
Contracts...........................................................
Sugar...................................................................
Stone....................................................................
Affidavits................. ......................................
Internal Revenue Incenses
Value........
Gals...........
Lbs............
Value........
Gals...........
Value........
CWT........
C. M.........
Each.........
$689,117.60
1,205,130.00
412,040.00
$48, 374.60
803, 652.00
$8, 257, 538.00
17,226,991.00
40,967.00
117,024.00
68,911.76
54,230.83
8, 240.80
4,837.46
32,146.09
162,701.48
689, 079.65
2,048.28
29, 256.00
294,128.25
20,616.97
281, 134.91
31, 271.19
9, 001.18
$787,371.80
1, 363,873.00
637,396.00
$43,448.00
5,188,821.00
$5, 737, 013. 50
19,998,881.00
33,880.00
112,079.00
78, 737.18
61, 374.31
12, 747.93
4, 344.80
207,552.86
114, 740.27
799,955.24
1,693.98
28, 019.70
279,117.75
15, 997.54
300,228.54
26,915.50
6, 836.30
1, 670.50
142.60
$930,612.60
1,796,497.00
767,386.00
$39,555.60
4, 730, 722.00
$4, 602, 764.00
18,438, 603.00
62,989.00
107,977.00
93, 061.26
80,842.37
15, 347.72
3,955.56
189,228.88
92, 055.29
737, 544.12
3,149.45
26,994.20
302,390.00
13,007.21
301,526.74
36, 384.58
29,557.06
5, 876.68
99,264.94
38,391.05
352,924.19
3, 675.38
38, 079.25
11,469.46
66, 915.11
1, 343.35
2,051.26
287.77
109.17
Notarial Instruments .
Court Fees 25,917.34
8,163.04
1,361.78
286.65
1, 494.50
150.05
447.21
Tiqw Pamphlets.. 320.21 33.56
Section 16-A.....................................................
Sales Taxes 2%................................................. Value........
$6, 579,295.00
$36,264,137.00
131,585.91
725,282.74
433.50
$7, 299, 337.00
$49,928.691.00
145, 996. 74
998,573.83
740.00
$9,238,830.00
$69,116, 678.00
184,779.87
$1,382, 333.56
2,847.40
$1,711,049.50
$9, 767, 787.00
34, 220.99
195,355.74
2,290.00
150,555.62
1,186,977.82
557.40
Tot at . Exc ise Law .................. $6, 677, 322.09 $7,437,165.30 $8, 560, 294.68 $8, 749, 403.04 $1,683,895.93 $1,494, 787.57
Spe ci al Law s :
P R Coffee—Metal Seals. . $722.25 $553.92 $1,028.14
262,622.38
184.53
$1,892.84
324, 124.04
128.10
$864.70
Development, P. R. Coffee......................
Soil Amendments. . .
C.wt........ 117, 309.00 36,827.26
1,263.00
4, 328.70
19, 428.40
53,232.00 79,847.70
480.80
175,081.58 .............................. 61, 501.66
$56.43
Cattle Feed...................................................... 5, 212.10 5,926.70
23,383.80
7,139.00
21,722.61
57,744.50
3, 557,415.44
24,370.00
204,426.54
244.96
1,212.30
22; 137.55 1, 661.19
57, 744.50
668,228.88
837.00
Gasoline........................................................... ..
Health I licenses
Gallon.... 33,894,395. CO 2,372, 607.63
27,719.00
16,846.42
764.00
37, 862,463.00 2,650,372.40
23,462.00
120, 262.14
681.00
41,274, 093.00 2,889,186.56
23,533.00
134,690.41
378.75
50,820,220.55 ..............................
69, 736.13
Fisheries 133.79
Tobacco.............................................................
Auto and Chauffeur Licenses
Cwt.......... 313,425.00 47,013.75
753,989.48
33,835.74
11, 306.98
851.00
114,447.00 17,167.05
781, 323.84
20,595.90
20, 280.34
1, 111.00
246,869.00 37, 030.47
561,745.05
17,062.16
2,350.78
1,382.00
341,902.86 51,285.43
902,363.71
21,016.71
14,254.96
340,618.66
3,954.55
..............................
Subscription Funds 2, 350.78
Came Fund 1,310.00
596, 279.35
122, 208.93
92, 571.00
1, 756.00
570, 977.13
22,090.87
72.00
Cigarettes, Law 22, 1939.............................
Malaria Fund..................................................
University Fund............................................
M...............
Gallon....
Gallon.. ..
12, 994,692.00
11, 220,865.00
32,486.73
22,441.73
974, 593.00
58,404, 056.00
54,030,295.00
487,296.47
146, 010.14
108, 060.59
29,496.00
998, 341.00 499;170.63
138,058.47
109,206.32
2,085.00
1,192, 558.70 97,108.72
15,849.54
16, 635.32
329.00
1,141,954.26
22,090.87
570, 977.13
Salt...........’................... ’...................................... Cwt.......... 297,982.68 297,982.68 239, 384.70 239, 384.70 335, 549.56 335,549.56 313, 458.69
Tot at Spec ia l Law s $3, 680,414.75 $4, 753, 735.64 $5, 044, 574.71 $6, 581, 067.16 $1,887,039.19 $350, 546.74
Gra nd Tot al Colle c tio n $10, 357, 736.84 $12,190,900.94 $13,604, 869.39 $15, 330,470.20
- ■ ■ - ■ . -------- ------- — ■ ; .= 1 - =
Tota l Net Inc r ea se $1,725, 600.81

OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 95
Exhi bi t No. 22
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC INDEBTEDNESS OF THE MUNICIPALITIES OF PUERTO
RICO AS OF JUNE 30, 1942
Municipality
Bonded
Indebtedness Notes
Indebtedness with Insular
Government
Total
Loans
Advances to
Cover Red. Fd.
Deficiencies
Adjuntas $50, 000.00
76,000.00
163,000.00
22,500.00
66,000.00
121,000.00
448,000.00
70,000.00
194,000.00
21,000.00
234,000.00
87,000.00
266,000.00
71, 000.00
209, 000.00
$12,330.00 $62, 330.00
Aguada........................ $23, 000
5,000
00 99,000.00
Aguadilla.................... 00 168,000.00
Aguas Buenas..........
Aibonito......................
22, 500.00
66,000.00
Anasco......................... 121, 000.00
Arecibo 103,000
81,650
00 $20, 000.00 571, 000.00
_ArV Lr rlUnvjnu......................... 00 151, 650.00
*IDR eal l CUlnVJnU p-CtL fCl *................ 194, 000.00
Barranquitas...
Bayamon & Catano.
Cahn "Reno
2 000 00 23, 000.00
266,000.00
144, 047.43
32’ 000 00
vaUU XWjv................. 5/ 047 43
Caguas........................ 240, 000 00 506,000.00
Camiiv 71,000.00
vCaalr nUll ilnll oa.i...................... 31, 500 00 240,500.00
Catano*....................... 18, 400 00 18,400.00
Cl awv 103,000.00
44,000.00
82, 500 00
14,000.00 117, 000.00
Ceiba 44,000.00
Ciales .................... 3,000.00 28, 800.00 114, 300.00
Cidra 62,000.00
89,000.00
18,000.00
28,000.00
11,000.00
231,000.00
4,000.00
238,000.00
86,000.00
65,000.00
49,000.00
80, 500.00
18,000.00
222,000.00
91,000.00
46,000.00
63,000.00
41,000.00
61,000.00
143, 500.00
43,000.00
52,000.00
98,000.00
59, 000.00
45,000.00
1, 400 00 63,400.00
23,000 00 112, 000.00
Comerio...................... 30, 850 00 48, 850.00
Corozal........................ 39, 000 00 67,000.00
Dorado........................ 45, 000 00 56, 000.00
Fajardo........................ 24,300 00 255,300.00
Guanica...................... 107,087 74 111, 087. 74
Guayama.................... 148, 500 00 386, 500.00
Guayanilla................. 32, 500 00 118, 500.00
Guaynabo.................. 65, 000.00
Gurabo........................ 24, 000 00 73, 000.00
TTatilln 80, 500.00
IJTjL nUrlr UnLiLclng.iUP.VT'lO VSo............. 18,000.00
Humacao.................... 112, 500 00 334, 500.00
Isabela......................... 91,000.00
J ayuya........................ 46,000.00
Juana Diaz................ 142, 000 00 205,000.00
108, 320 00 149, 320.00
55,000 00 116,000.00
5, 950.00
2,100.00
149, 450.00
T.q q A/Tarias 45, 100.00
T .oa RipHras 19,000
50,000
00 71,000.00
00 148,000.00
Luquillo...................... 59, 000.00
Manati........................ 66, 500 00 111, 500.00
AT aunabo.................... 26,000.00
1,259,000.00
48,000.00
72,000.00
50,000.00
3,000.00
3,600
71, 500
00 29, 600.00
Mayaguez.................. 00 1, 330, 500.00 48,000.00
1, 500.00 73,500.00
69, 750
18, 000
3,900
17, 833
17,400
467,849
Naguabo..................... 00 119, 750.00
Naranjito.................... 00 21, 000.00
00 3, 900.00
Da t ill a a 51,000.00
39,000.00
1,946,000.00
62,000.00
Jr amias........................ 37 68,833.37
00 56,400.00
24 270,000.00 2,683,849.24
U.V DI dac Hll ii*llt *a«s5.............. 62, 000.00
27,800 00 27, 800.00
Din OraTldp 86,000.00
79,000.00
47,000.00
136,000.00
135,000.00
5,107,000.00
62, 500.00
68,000.00
17,000.00
67,000.00
121,000.00
Jtvio urrauciu............... 86, 000.00
294/400
900
00 373,400.00
Sabana Grande........ 00 47, 900.00
85,803
57, 500
868, 691
8,700
90 221,803.90
San German............. 00 192, 500.00
San Juan.................... 98 5,975,691.98
San Lorenzo.............. 00 71, 200.00
£R?adnll RDouHUaacM;tKi6lnH.......... 6,400.00 74, 400.00
118, 650 00 135,650.00
Santa Isabel.............. 67,000.00
i oa Alia....................
i oa naja.................... 58,000 00 179,000.00
96 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 22—Continued
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC INDEBTEDNESS OF THE MUNICIPALITIES OF PUERTO
RICO AS OF JUNE 30, 1942
Municipality
Bonded
Indebtedness Notes
Indebtedness
Gover
Loans
with Insu ar
nment
Advances to
Cover Red. Fd.
Deficiencies
Total
Trujillo Alto $51,000.00
7,000.00
18,000.00
162,000.00
69,500.00
23,000.00
176,000.00
141,000.00
$51,000.00
91,000.00
74, 000.00
206,906.32
92,800.00
28,700.00
227,250.00
162,341.94
TTtii ado $84,000,00
56,000.00
44, 906.32
23,300.00
5,700.00
51,250.00
21,341.94
Vftga Alta
Vpga Raja
Viftcpifts
Villalba
V abiiooa
Yauco
Totals.......... $14,401,000.00 $4,099, 331.92 $293,000.00 $71,080.00 $18,864,411.92
See Bayamon and Catano.
Exh ib it No . 23
COMPARATIVE STATISTICAL REPORT OF SUGAR MANUFACTURED IN PUERTO RICO
Cr op s of 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, in clud in g quan tity of c ane gr oun d in 1942
(Corrected to June 30, 1942)
Municipalities Name of Mill Name of owner
TOTAL CROPS IN TONS (2,000 lbs.) Quantity of
cane ground
in 1942
1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 (in tons)
Adjuntas............. Central Pellejas......... Jorge Lucas P. Valdivieso.... 1,292.70 1,351.80 1,145.25 1,438.67 1,511.68 2,465.00 4,034.04 5,423.31 6,248.41 5,331.66 48,613.63 Aguada............... Central Coloso.......... Central Coloso, Inc..... 28,517.09 37,913.47 29,365.44 34,807.35 38,676.22 41,953.334 36,355.54 44,879.67 39,157.78 46,070.59 384,587.35 Arecibo............... Central Cambalache.... Central Cambalache, Inc... 33,663.37
13,568.00
Do............... Coop. Az. Los Canos. 44,209.25 31,048.00 36,893.00 42,389.88 48,490.88 40,709.89 40,123.04 40,957.82 45,680.86 411,687.62 Arroyo................ Cooperativa Azucarera Los Canos... 15,959.88 9,;88.3^ 15,527.48 15,231.90 20,824.125 17,217.16 20,604.83 19,994.48 25,362.18 218,867.73
Barceloneta.........
Central Lafayette...... Asociacidn Azucarera Coop. Lafayette,, 36,327.25 37,212.50 26,188.13 31,526.33 32,458.91 34,408.58 28,458.64 29,721.57 31,642.10 34,821.11 300,202.52 Central Plazuela........ Plazuela Sugar Co.,.... ........................ 19,959.88 27,428.13 16,640.25 20,922.59 25,234.25 33,054.76 19,567.50 23,827.26 20,965.40
26,174.88
Bayam6n............ Juanita...................... 28,007.45 254,534.00 Caguas................ Santa Juana.............. Central Juanita, Inc.... 7,698.50 15,331.00 10,340.00 14,798.00 18,412.50 23,542.00 23,074.00 28,224.50 31,078.99 287,356.38 Do.............. Eastern Sugar Associates.... 6,125.80 15,831.79 12,226.86 12,928.91 14,769.39 17,291.49 16,528.77 28,987.52 28,996.00 38,410.19 345,942.63
Camuy.............
JDefensa................ ..... Eastern Sugar Associates.......... 12,513.92 19,816.11 14,128.87 19,818.24 16,065.89 22,659 23 Seller......................... Seller Sugar Co., Inc.......... 4,862.00 5,694.00 5,926.13 5,937.63 5,860.38 7,748.00 6,615.88 7,311.70 5,734.02 7,858.71 66,161.77 Do...............
Carolina..............
Cayey...,,............
Fajardo...............
Guanica..............
Ingenio Riollano........
Central Victoria........ Cia. Azucarera del Camuy, Inc.........
Central Victoria, Inc..... 10,957.00 19,339.99 13,820.40 16,917.43 17,241.77 21,293.990
6,267.00
17,541.16
8,328.30
21,656.94
10,581.05
19,308.65
13,647.86
24,265.75
116,845.07
Cayey........................ 213,633.20 Central Fajardo........ Eastern Sugar Associates,, 3,857.20 8,657.55 5,433.22 9,930.42 8,654.73 9,786.79 7,058.36 11,229.38 7,532.36 13,228.87 114,402.17 South P. R. Sugar Co. The Fajardo Sugar Co. of P. R... 39,716.00 82,942.00 54,229.41 67,944.97 63,997.48 67,332.265 56,122.74 63,252.01 56,424.42 67,912.80 621,108.17 South Porto Rico Sugar Company..... 138,411.60
22,461.88
Guayama..,........... Central Machete Co,. 150,040.07 96,669.70 107,900.06 131,039.00 104,885.70 86,935.96 102,020.64 79,877.47 111,248.24 899,197.59 Do........... x... Central Guamani...... The Central Machete ,Co..... 26,282.00 23,652.52 21,371.00 24,729.00 25,163.00 17,445.00 20,197.60 19,292.00 22,104.71 187,278.00 Guayanilla.......... Central Rufina,,...... Suers, de J. Gonzdlez & Cia., S. en C,, 15,247.87 15,689.25 8,760.82 12,450.88 14,726.87 14,625.48 10,190.04 11,481.00 10,847.14 13,837.88 116,932.83 Do............... Central San Feo....... Mario Mercado e Hijos....... 26,091.38 36,264.16 24,224.50 31,847.48 34,696.46 30,395.193 27,433.08 31,935.62 27,850.69 37,332.64 333,471.32 Arturo LIuberas & Sobrino_ 6,825.00
11,127.00
Hormigueros....... 7,705.00 5,258.00 6,606.00 6,733.00 7,207.148 5,884.75 7,080.00 6,538.00 8,398.90 70,082.50
Humacao............
Central Eureka......... Central Eureka, Inc........ 14,571.63 9,784.50 11,946.50 13,890.00 19,353.625 18,729.25 24,890.38 24,550.88 29,550.75 246,557.87 El rajemplo................ Antonio Roig, Sucres. S. en C............ 12,076.38 16,904.63 11,896.27 13,300.53 13,012.35 16,676.109 11,714.21 11,796.59 10,372.29 11,908.40 115,736.58 Do............... Pasto Viejo............... Eastern Sugar Associates .... 23,372.94 40,850.52 28,788.15 37,409.54 30,679.99 40,754.90 31,412.07 30,063.54 32,730.41 39,981.27 395,592.25 Jayuya................
Juana Diaz.........
Juncos................
Loiza...................
Manati...............
Santa Barbara........... Maria Toro Vda. de Ortiz... 2,833.50 3,528.95 3,999.41 3,477.00 3,245.00 2,865.00 2,917.00 3,735.51 3,753.83 3,891.33 33.648.47 Boca Chica................ Wirshing & Co., S. en C.... 18,525.50 19,028.06 14,994.63 18.228.92 20,568.00 25,154.97 17,341.00 14,145.74 18,849.07 167,609.07 Juncos....................... Eastern Sugar Associates .... 14,657.20 28,979.39 20,845.95 26,222.32 22,056.83 28,805.88 27,601.48 30,155.52 23,798.68 -29,596.18 262,706.60 Canovanas................. Loiza Sugar Co........ 18,189.56 44,573.52 27,201.35 36,286.18 34,830.76 40,067.045 20,180.10 36,260.58 34,543.00 45,874.62 396,057.27 Central Monserrate... Jaime y Federico Calaf Collazo.......... 9,100.00 15,151.50 7,433.63 14,777.28 12,338.12 13,656.60 12,266.60 14,957.67 13,348.56 13,963.63 134,865.63 Mayaguez........... Rochelaise.................. Mayaguez Sugar Co., Inc................... 11,346.00 13,863.00 8,656.00 9,598.37 11,369.47 9,878.965 8,490.00 11,425.87 10,135.78 11,311.75 96,992.00 Do...............
Ponce..................
Igualdad.................... Central Igualdad, Inc..... 11,370.62 15.332.00 10,375.00 14,308.82 18,702.17 21,463.387 17,083.54 26,234.62 32,816.04 42,049.89 356,251.53 Mercedita.................. Sucn. J. Serrallhs................................ 41,081.84 44,221.00 34,444.00 37,561.41 36,453.80 40,130.47 45,632.31 38,404.00 34,966.00 44,980.00 394,354.00 Do...............
Rio Piedras........
Salinas................
Do...............
San Sebastian....
Santa Isabel.......
Toa Baja............
Vega Alta...........
Constancia................. Corp. Sauri & Subird.... 9,080.75 9,689.13 8,133.50 10,333.77 8,949.73 9,371.981 6,990.90 8,500.57 7,437.95 9,344.90 82,782.69 Central San Jose....... Central San Jos6, Inc........................... 10,737.12 19,521.47 12,258.75 12,578.43 16,489.48 18,793.929 15,406.13 17,469.08 17,069.74 18,694.41 157,418.17 Aguirre...................... Central Aguirre Sugar Co................... 72,166.00 76,342.00 66,291.00 61,260.00 75,691.00 72,557.00 55,043.22 80,745.00 74,446.45 72,924.00 580,720.00 Central Caribe.......... Godreau Godreau & Co... 7,630.25 8,023.88 6,026.00 6,375.60 7,678.27 7,420.00 5,910.10 7,980.87 8,082.24 10,219.49 86,592.00 Central Plata............ Plata Sugar Co., Inc........................... 8,125.00 11,656.00 9,294.64 11,435.50 12,509.62 16,263.58 15,989.06 19,063.70 17,692.49 23,232.41 187,728.66 Cortada.......,........... . Central Aguirre Sugar Co., Inc.......... 25,187.50 26,088.00 21,506.00 20,768.35 24,190.84 23,355.526 17,022.08 12,409.00 115,337.00 Constancia-Toa......... Cia. Azucarera del Toa....................... 17,520.00 29,212.50 17,807.00 19,896.00 26,160.38 27,377.157 20,988.41 25,564.79 23,284.27 27,639.76 262,031.04 Carmen..................... Central Carmen, Inc.... 13,482.00 17,444.80 12,767.34 15,460.00 18,227.65 19,341.00 14,715.88 18,362.73 16,715.69 21,650.97 192,155.89 Vega Baja..........
Vi :ques...............
Vulalba...............
Yabucoa .............
Central San Vicente., Sindicatura Rubert Hnos. Inc... 25,579.74 33,055.60 9,138.44 31,204.40 36,116.80 43,451.305 32,444.99 39,133.79 35,026.47 38,517.78 335,188.72 Playa Grande............ Juan Angel Ti6...... 6,149.63 8,882.38 5,549.18 9,341 00 10,509.50 8,500.921 7,528.38 9,337.50 8,293.00 9,197.63 90,772.37 Herminia................... Santos Semidey .... 1,278.25 2,039.30 2,354.50 1,934.65 2,347.74 2,497.570 1,960.00 2,290.37 1,979.71 3,014.00 27,406.00 Central Roig............. Antonio Roig, Sucres. S. en C........... 28,767.13 34,282.38 23,809.02 29,747.73 27,193.81 34,844.47 24,818.93 28,419.12 28,851.440 33,183.71 300,713.90
Totals .... 827,481.35 1,100,909.59 762,400.14 923,018.74 995,640.71 1,073,243.357 851,303.15 1,008,474.12 932,163.78 1,146,584.34 10,010,122.19


98 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t
COST OF ROAD
Ave r age s
Character of Work
1933 1934 1935 1936 1937
Stone Delivered............................................................Cost/cu. m... 1. 60 1. 56 1.61 1.86 1.94
Stone Delivered........................................................... Cu. M/km... 33. 73 44. 95 12.84 8.14 40. 60
Stone Placed..................................................................Cu. M/km... 23.29 54.10 19.70 34. 36 21.31
Placing Stone................................................................Cost/cu. m... 1.08 0.69 0.67 1. 20 1.08
Salaries Travel Expense Rent, Light, etc. ...Cost/km......... 63. 57 51.25 8. 63 10.15 .8. 80
Machinery and Tools.............................................. Cost/km......... 15. 62 28. 75 14. 42 9. 38 18.25
Bituminous Surface Treatment...........................Cost/km.......... 50. 96 45. 09 38.93 35. 60 59.16
Roadmender’s Work & Road Cleaning.......... Cost/km.......... 161. 07 80. 77 86. 90 103.12 98.16
Construction & Repair of Bridges..................... Cost/km......... 24.25 36. 93 30. 42 31.73 42. 91
Retaining Walls, etc..................................................Cost/km.........
Construction, Relocation, Changing Grade
and Widening of Curves................................. Cost/km......... 37. 35 7.61 14. 84 9.50 29.44
Repair of Road Houses...........................................Cost/km......... 11. 69 3.15 1. 56 3. 75 4.70
General Expenses........................................................Cost, km......... 4. 07 5. 63 17. 39 48. 28
M iscellaneous................................................................Cost/km......... 2.07 6. 60 5. 56 1.11 7. 35
Totals
Fiscal Year
1916—1917......................................................................................
1917—1918......................................................................................
1918—1919......................................................................................
1919—1920....................................................... ■>............................
1920—1921......................................................................................
1921—1922......................................................................................
1922—1923.................................................................. ....................
1923—1924......................................................................................
1924—1925......................................................................................
1925—1926......................................................................................
1926—1927......................................................................................
1927—1928......................................................................................
1928—1929......................................................................................
Kilometers
Maintained
Total
Cost in $
Unit
Cost $/Km.
1,138. 30 516, 581. 00 453. 81
1,154. 00 608, 886. 00 527. 63
1, 202. 20 647, 575. 07 338. 65
1, 239 45 769,145.82 620. 59
1, 265. 50 905,423. 91 715. 50
1, 375. 50 1,162, 648. 77 845.90
1, 391. 30 896, 705. 73 644. 50
1, 447. 50 1,129, 835. 58 849. 97
1, 509. 90 1, 237,101. 48 819. 32
1, 585.10 1, 237,101. 48 663. 31
1, 663. 04 1, 319, 016. 49 793. 15
1, 693. 30 1, 354, 406. 55 799. 85
1, 770. 90 1, 593, 872. 52 900. 03
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 99
No. 24
MAINTENANCE
Percentage of Total Cost
1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942
1.67 1. 60 1.76 1.91 2.07 12.19 8. 86 8. 52 7.05 10.79 11. 36 8.05 13. 51 8. 90 11.03
72.50 63.90 73.74 42. 58 25. 56
50. 86 65. 90 36.15 .25. 30 25. 2i)
4. 71 1.04 0. 86 1.01 0. 98 1. 87 5. 73 5. 37 4. 23 . 5.76 7. 97 4. 46 6.60 5. 28 9.82
7. 60 7. 99 6. 31 52. 31 42. 07 14. 37 16. 77 3. 52 4. 21 2. 35 1.81 1.47 5. 25 10. 93 6. 71
14. 04 14.80 32.50 17. 25 28. 32
9. 39 5.94 3.74 4.87 3. 34 3. 64
5.59 3.60 5.88
68.10 96. 07 68. 82 70. 73 66. 86 3. 53 12. 68 14. 78 13.90
104. 55 100. 33 101.81 156. 38 147. 40 2. 66 14. 75 16. 06 14. 26 15. 78 16. 22 21. 85 18. 78 32.60 22. 36
55. 90 47.82 47. 55 22. 86 23. 42 36.40 26.42 35. 79 41. 10 26. 29 24. 89 22. 82 7. 15 4. 80 4. 86
.............. 11. 12 .......... 4. 87 8. 58 5.48 12.08 12. 52 12. 72 10. 21 13. 31 13. 42 1.62 1.02 2.56
20.74 44. 59 99.60 41. 04 4. 10 8.44 2. 50 6.11 3. 80 7. 85 4.94 10.13 21. 26 8.58 9.12
2.54 1.90 2. 27 3. 63 11.37 2. 64 1.03 0. 65 1. 48 1.24 0. 61 0. 44 0. 42 0. 77 2. 36
59. 89 55. 04 58. 79 37.11 40. 54 1. 33 2. 23 5. 53 12. 88 14. 09 12. 51 5. 85 7. 04 8. 78
3. 65 5. 30 4. 72 4.70 4. 48 1. 56 2.16 2. 29 1. 88 1. 88 1. 46 1. 21 1.29 1.70 2. 62
.......... 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100. 00 100. 00 100.00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00
Fiscal Year
Kilometers
Maintained
Total
Cost in $
Unit
Cost $/Km.
1929—1930....................................................................................... 1, 822. 70 1,110, 967. 24 610. 82
1930—1931. ..................................................................................... 1, 828. 70 1,181, 319.81 645. 99
1931—1932....................................................................................... 1,872. 90 1,433, 348. 57 765. 26
1932—1933....................................................................................... 1, 880. 49 ' 832; 284. 74 442. 58
1933—1934....................................................................................... 1,945. 69 595, 015. 76 305.81
1934—1935....................................................................................... 2,072. 00 503,189. 46 242.85
1935—1936...................................................................................... 2,109/60 509, 290. 35 241.42
1936—1937....................................................................................... 2,154.10 807, 504. 92 374. 78
1937—1938...................................................................................... 2, 251. 21 904, 518. 95 401. 78
1938—1939...................................................................................... 2,316. 90 1, 019, 311. 27 439.94
1939—1940...................................................................................... 2i 394. 00 1, 298; 694.11 542. 48
1940—1941...................................................................................... 2, 552.00 1, 220,881. 42 478. 40
1941—1942...................................................................................... 2, 688.40 1, 293, 287.10 481.07

Exh ib it No . 25

OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 101
102 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 27
ISABELA IRRIGATION SERVICE
HYDRO-ELECTRIC SYSTEM
POWER GENERATED AND PURCHASED, REVENUES,
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES
». 000.000—
e.ooo.ooo-----
5.000,000-------
5269,276.00
---260,000.00
250,000.0 0
...240,000.0 0
230,00 0.0 0
220,000.00
210,000.00
—ZOOPOOJOO
.— 190,000.00
— - 180,000.00
__ 170,000.00
- — 160,000.00
— 150,000.00
140,00000
__ 130,000.00
__ 120,000.00
__ HO,000.00
... 100,000.00
90,000.00
— 80,000.00
1928-2929-30 30-31 31-32 32-33 33-34 34-35 35-36 36-37 37-38 38-39 39-40 40-41 41-42
[ |ge ne ra te d
- - ANNUAL PRODUCT. K.W.HRS PURCHASED FROM MAYAGUEZ LICHT, POWER 6 IC£ CO.
— - REVENUES PURCHASED FROM AGUADILLA MUNICIPAL PLANT
IIHIIIIIIIII PURCHASED FROM CENTRAL COLOSO
------------ OPEN. ANO MAINT. EXPENSES PURCHASED FROM UTILIZATION OF THE WATER RESOURCES
YEARS
ANNUAL PRODUCTION
RE VE NUES OPER. a MAINT.
be ne ra t £D PURCHASED Tot al s ex pens es
l926-29 1,222,59 0 111 1 1,222,590 t 38,426.40 i 19,769.10
1929-30 1,359,07 0 22,300 ■■ 1,38 1 ,37 0 45,5 1 7, 23 21 ,7 74.62
19 30- 3 1 !,332,290 SSr'.SS S 1,4 10,570 46,662,79 1 9,41 5.24
193 1 - 32 1,638,570 26,342 BBS 1,664,91 2 5 2,58 2.35 18,965.39
1932 - 33 1,56 7,600 7 4 ,9 00 EE 1 ,642,500 55,807.35 31,508.71
1933-34 1,758,300 12 1,8 50 ES 1 ,880,1 50 5 7,788.1 t 20,2 69.37
1934-35 1,691 ,900 1 49,9 00 ES 1,841 ,800 63,579.03 19,33 1.80
1935-36 2,335,5 00 53,7 5 0 KE) 2,3 89 ,250 80,75 1 .68 22,3 86 .05
1936-37 2,926,960 4 3,500 £23 2,970,460 1 07,325.1 2 39,094.45
19 37- 38 3,1 97,3 40 74,9 5 0 BSJ 3,272 ,290 1 1 7,1 66.27 5 1 ,587. 98
19 38- 39 3,779,600 fl i,4 j § Eza
3 « 4 6 o 0 EZDJ 4,207,638 1^34,650.12 48 ,856. 37
1939-40 4,930,630 'S8 -.856 B 5,1 80,302 1 55 ,038.04 51.255.06
1940-4 i 5,306,240 6 ,766,840 2 0 6,48 2.46 67.590.32
1941-42 7, 749,920 1,827,753 EM 9,577, 673 $2 6 9,276.08 $ 78,150.10
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO
Exhi bi t No . 28
ISABELA IRRIGATION SERVICE
BALANCE SHEET, JUNE 30, 1942
4 ASSETS
Fix ed Ass et s :
Inve st me nt s :
Irrigation System:
Guajataca Reservoir..........................
Diversion Canal..................................
Distribution System..........................
$1, 789,034. 25
1,012,115. 36
727,926.99 $3,529,076. 60
Hydroelectric System:
Power Plant No. 1........................
Power Plant No. 2............................
Substations............................................
Transmission Lines............................
Distribution Lines........................
Less:
Property of Municipality of
Aguadilla under 10 year lease...
$323, 002. 02
. 10, 377.13
$133, 757.48
71, 049.18
24, 882. 29
124,970. 98
312, 624. 89 667, 284. 82
General Administration:
Main Headquarters........................
Telephone Lines..................................
Pulverizing Plant................................
$52, 867.07
13, 765. 30
1, 554. 65 68,187. 02
Less: Reserve for Depreciation........
$4, 264, 548.44
276, 374. 47
Tota l Fix ed Asset s .................................. .............................. $3, 988,173. 97
Gene r al Equ ip men t .................................
Less: Reserve lor Depreciation ..............
........................ $63, 648. 63
15,839. 23 47, 809. 40
Curr ent Asse ts :
Cash:
Treasurer oi Puerto Rico (General Fund)............
Treasurer of Puerto Rico (Cash in Transit)............
Special Disbursing Officer............................................
3, 206. 38
1,315.12
656. 05 $35,177. 55
Inventories:
Materials and Supplies.................... ........................ 38,137. 88
Accounts Receivable:
Tax Levies Receivable.....................
General Accounts....................................
$22, 961. 29
72, 979. 23 95,940. 52
Tota l Curr ent Asset s ............................. .............................. 169, 255. 95
Defe rr ed Ass e t s :
Deferred Tax Levies......................
Stream Gauging....................................
Construction of Power Plant No. 2
Other Items..............................................
........................
..............................
$51, 982. 58
1,579. 99
52,066. 62
6,131. 01
Tota l Defe rr ed Asset s ......................... .............................. 111, 760. 20
Def er re d Char ge s :
Discount on Bonds..............................
Prepaid Insurance....................................
5% Premium on Construction Bonds Retired.........
$1,826. 96
1,168. 84
81, 250. 00
Tota l Def er re d Cha rg es .................... .............................. 84, 245.80
Tota l Ass et s .................................................. ........................ $4,401, 245. 32
104 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 28—Continued
ISABELA IRRIGATION SERVICE
BALANCE SHEET, JUNE 30, 1942
LIABILITIES
Fixe d Liab ili ti es :
Bond Indeb tednes s :
Operation Period:
Series “A” to “SS” 1952-70.....................................
Series “S” to “T” 1970-71.........................................
Series “T” to “U” 1971-72........................................
Series “U” to “V” 1972-73.......................................
Series “V” 1973..............................................................
$750,000. 00
150,000. 0O
100,000.00
150,000. 00
100,000. 00 $1, 250, 000.00
Refunding Bonds:
Series “A” 1935-1945-1974..........................................
Series “B ’ 1936-1946-1975..........................................
Series “C” 1937-1976....................................................
P. R. 2J0 Isabela Irrigation Consolidation
Bonds of 1938:
Original Issue......................................$2,625,000.00
Less: Amortization............................... 525,000.00
$75, 000. 00
75, 000.00
75, 000. 00
2,100,000.00 2, 325,000. 00 $3, 575,000. 00
Insu lar Tre asu re r Tem por ar y Loan s .................... .............................. 1, 726, 208. 75
Tota l Fix ed Lia bi li ti es ..................................................... .............................. $5, 301, 208. 75
Cur re nt Liab ili ti es :
Accounts Payable.................................................................
Unpaid Labor.........................................................................
Accrued Expenses.................................................................
Accrued Interest on Treasury Loan............................
Customers’ Cash Bond Deposits..................................
$2,467. 67
244. 59
21, <45.44
6, 275. 43
1, 406. 00
Tota l Cur r ent Liab il it ie s .............................................. .............................. 32,139.13
Defe rr ed Cr edi ts :
Premium on Bonds.......................................................... $39,011. 57
Tot al Defe rr ed Cre di ts .................................................. .............................. 39,011. 57
Cont inge nt Lia bi li ty :
Conditional Contribution by Borinquen Field.... $4, 999. 50
Tota l Cont inge nt Liab ili ty ........................................... 4,999. 50
Tota l Liab il it ie s .................................................................... $5, 377, 358. 95
Surpl us :
Operating Surplus:
General...................................................................................
1/10% Special Tax (Act 120 of 1939)..........................
$1,980,828.60
692,132. 41 $1, £88, 696.19
Donated Surplus:
Federal Government Contributions......................... $152, 582. 56
Insular Government Contributions.......................... 160,000.00 312, 582. 56
Tota l Sur plu s ................................................................... 976,113.68
$4,401, 245. 32
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 105
Exhi bi t No . 29
PUERTO RICO IRRIGATION SERVICE
GUAYAMA, P. R.
BALANCE SHEET
As of June 30, 1942
Accounts Totals
ASSETS
Fixe d Ass e t s :
Irrigation System................................................................................................
Hydro-electric System......................................................................................
General Headquarters.................................................... ..................................
$5, 765,326. 70
2,054, 393. 04
362, 260. 53
Total........................................................................................................
Projects under Construction.........................................................................
$8,181, 980. 27
Total, Fixed Assets, Exhibit No. 1.......................................... $8,181,980. 27 $8,181, 980. 27
Less: Depreciation:
Irrigation System........................................................................................
Hydro-electric System................................;............................................
Transportation Equipment....................................................................
68, 780. 44
1,361,025. 44
1,429, 805. 88
Net Amount, Fixed Assets............................................................................ $6, 752,174. 39
Cash :
Treasurer Cash Account.................................................................................
Disbursing Officer, Advance.........................................................................
$14,067. 31
14,067.31
Curr ent :
Irrigation Tax Levy:
Uncollected, Present Fiscal Year................................................
Uncollected, Previous Periods...,.......................................................
$41,056. 15
256, 741.41
Total........................................................................................................
Accounts Collectible..............................•.........................................................
$297, 797. 56
154, 357. 69 452,155. 25
Stores, (Materials and Supplies)................................................................. 79,469. 99
Defe r r ed :
Amortization, Accrued Monthly Instalments:
Bonded Debt........................................................................................
10 years Loan Debt..................................................................................
Other Deferred Accounts........................................................................ 77, 207. 76
Tota l Ass e t s ...................................................................................... $7,375,074. 70
LIABILITIES
Bonded Deb t :
Bonds Issued........................................................................................................
Bonds Paid...........................................................................................................
$6, 895,000.00
3, 700, 000.00 $3,195,000.00
Acc ounts Payab le :
Vouchers Payable...............................................................................................
Unpaid Labor......................................................................................................
Accrued Expenses..............................................................................................
Accrued Interest on Bonds............................................................................
Accrued Interest on Notes Payable...........................................................
Debt from Purchase of Mun. Dist. Systems........................................
$103,997. 27
4.97
36, 231. 53
2,079. 14 142, 312. 91
Not e s Payab le :
Notes Payable...................................................................................................... 180,000. 00
Def er re d Liab ili ti es :
Deferred Accounts (Premium on Bonds)................................................
Reserve for Amortization, Bonded Debt Add. Irrig. Dist............
Reserve for Amortization, 10 years Loan Debt...................................
..............................
3, 804. 00
21,000. 00
Sur plu s :
Invested Surplus.................................................................................................
Other Surplus......................................................................................................
Net Surplus, Exhil it No. 3.................................................................. ..
$3, 700,000.00
132,957. 79
3, 832,957. 79
Tota l Liab ili ti es ....................................................... ...................... $7,375,074. 70
106 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No. 30
PUERTO RICO WATER RESOURCES AUTHORITY
BALANCE SHEET
COMPARATIVE
As of June 30, 1942.
ASSETS
Fiscal Year
1941-42
Fiscal Year
1940-41 Difference
Uti li ty Pla nt :
100 Electric Plant.............................................................. $7,432,058.67 $7,034, 092.11 $397,966.56
107 Electric Plant Adjustments..................................
100.3 Construction Work in Progress...................... 6, 573,974.62 4,963,285.95 1,610,688.67
100.5 Electric Plant Acquisition Adjustment,
Arecibo.............................................................................. 101,696.40 101,696.40
Inv est men t a Fund Acc ou nt s :
110 Other Physical Property...................................... 85,154.03
108,726.78
85,154.03
113 Sinking Funds........................................................... 287,220.50
114 Miscellaneous Special Funds..............................
(178,493.72)
Cur r ent and Acc ru ed Ass et s :
....................
120 Cash................................................................................ 1, 090, 671.47 750,138.84 340,532.63
121 Special Deposits........................................................ 163.80 936,315.59 (936,151.79)
122 Working Funds.........................................................
123 Temporary Cash Investments............................
124 Notes Receivable...................................................... 1, 669.66 430.57 1, 239.09
125 Accounts Receivable................................................ 602,134.91 551,460.22 50, 674.69
129 Rents Receivable......................................................
131 Materials and Supplies.......................................... 291, 807.86 115,827.98 175,979.88
132 Prepayments............................................................... 11,981.28 34,680.17 (22,698.89)
133 Other Current & Accrued Assets..................... 205,742.73 62,089.09 143, 653.64
Defe rr ed Deb it s :
140 Unamortized Debt Discounts & Expenses..
141 Extraordinary Property Losses..........................
837.15 837.15 ..............................
142 Preliminary Surveys & Investigations Charges 165,648.41 136,206.98 29,441.43
143 Clearing Accounts....................................................
144 Retirement Work in Progress............................
2,020.71 1, 073.22
114.17
947.49
(114.17)
145 Other Work in Progress........................................ 36,640.33 3,471.24 33,169.09
146 Other Deferred Debits........................................... 61,470.76 47, 986.17 13, 484.59
Total Assets.........................................................
LIABILITIES AND SURPLUS
$16,772, 399.57 $15,010,383.98 $1, 762,015.59
Long -Ter m Liab ili ti es :
210 Bonds......................................................................... $3,130, 000.00 $4,190, 000.00 ($1, 060,000.00)
213 Miscellaneous Long-Term Debt........................ 9, 278.13 7,800.01 1,478.12
Cur r ent an d Acc rue d Lia bi li ti es :
220 Notes Payable............................................................ 900,000.00 900,000.00
221 Notes Receivable Discounted.............................
222 Accounts Payable..................................................... 652,925.39 419,185.26 233,740.13
222 Temporary Advance from Treasurer of P. R. 500,000.00 500,000.00
227 Customers’ Deposits................................................ 163.80 163.80
229 Interest Accrued........................................................ 2, 341.18 2,341.18
230 Other Current and Accrued Liabilities........... 438' 548.68 330,394.71 108,153.97
Def er re d Cre di ts :
240 Unamortized Premium on Debt.......................
241 Customers’ Advances for Construction.......... 8,416.52 2,495.23 5,921.29
242 Other Deferred Credits.......................................... 69.55 14, 216.20 (14,146.65)
Res er ves :
250 for Depreciation of Electric Plant.................. 1, 019,782.86 739,413.21 280,369.65
252 for Amort, of Electric Plant Acquisition
Adjustments............................................................ 8,474.70 8,474.70
253 for Depreciation & Amort, of Other Propertv 3, 230.73 2, 573.01 657.72
254 for Uncollectible Accounts....................................
258 Other Reserves..........................................................
842.44 842.44
258.1 Amortization Reserve.........................................
258.2 Miscellaneous Reserves...................................... 124,720.00 87,200.00 37,520.00
258.3 Bond Amortization Reserve............................ 200,000.00 (200, 000.00)
258.4 Reserve for Contribution in lieu of Taxes.. 29, 564.88 29,564.88
Cont ri bu ti ons in Aid of Con str uc ti on :
265 Contributions in Aid of Construction............ 1,420,104.89 1,216,554.89 203, 550.00
Sur pl us :
270 Capital Surplus.......................................................... 6,035,814.71 5,756,571.25 279,243.46
271 Earned Surplus.......................................................... 2, 488, 121.11 2,042,973.97 445,147.14
Total Liabilities and Surplus..................... $16, 772, 399.57 $15,010,383.98 $1, 762,015.59
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 107
Exh ib it No . 31
PUERTO RICO WATER RESOURCES AUTHORITY
BALANCE SHEET
CONSOLIDATED
As of June 30, 1942.
ASSETS
General
System
Ponce
System Total
Uti li ty Plan t :
100 Electric Plant .......................................................... $5,947,614.67 $1,484,444.00 $7,432, 058.67
107 Electric Plant Adjustments..............................
100 3 Construction Work in Progress..................... 6, 573,974.62 6, 573, 974.62
100.5 Electric Plant Acquisition Adjustment,
Arecibo .......................................................... 101,696.40 101,696.40
Inves tme nt a Fund Ac c oun ts :
110 Other Physical Property...................................... 24,763.48 60,390.48 85,154.03
113 Sinking Funds........................................................... 6.78 108, 720.00 108,726.78
114 Miscellaneous Special Funds..............................
Cur r ent and Ac c r ued Ass et s :
120 Cash.............................................................................. 1,082,808.67 7,862.80 1.090,671.47
121 Special Deposits............................ :......................... 163.80 163.80
122 Working Funds.........................................................
123 Temporary Cash Investments...........................
124 Notes Receivable ........................................ 1,669.66 1,669 66
125 Accounts Receivable................................................ 482,821.57 119' 313.34 602,134.91
129 Rents Receivable ....................................................
131 Materials and Supplies.......................................... 287.7W.07 4,101.79 291,807 86
132 Prepayments............................................................... 11', 237.11 ' 744.17 11,981.28
133 Other Current & Accrued Assets..................... 168,037.73 37,705.00 205, 742.73
Def er r ed Deb it s :
140 TTn’amortized Debt Discounts & Expenses.. 837.15 837.15
141 Extraordinary Property Losses..........................
142 Preliminary Surveys & investigations Charges 165,207.56 440.85 165,648.41
143 Clearing Accounts.................................................... 1, 872.06 148.65 2,020.71
144 Retirement Work in Progress............................
145 Other Work in Progress......................... ■............ 36, 640.33 ' 36, 640 33
140 Other Deferred Debits 61,470.76 61, 470 76
Total Assets........................................................ $14,946,694.96 $1,825,704.61 $16,772, 399.57
LIABILITIES AND SURPLUS
Long -Ter m Liab ili ti es :
210 Bonds ......................................................................... $2,000, 000.00 $1,130,000.00 $3,130, 000.00
21.3 Miscellaneous Long-Term Debt....................... 9,278.13 9, 278.13
Cur ren t an d Acc ru ed Lia bi li ti es :
220 Notes Pavable .............................................. 900,000.00 900,000.00
221 Notes Receivable Discounted
222 Accounts Payable ................................................... 592,960.05 59,965.34 652,925.39
2.22 Temporary Advance from the Treas. of P. R. 500,000.00 500, 000 00
227 Customers’ Deposits............................................. 163.80 163.80
2.20 Interest Accrued ........................................ 2, 341.18 2,341.18
230 Other Current and Accrued Liabilities......... 427,872.68 10,676.00 438,548.68
Def er re d Cr edi ts :
240 TTnamortized Premium on Debt .....................
241 Customers’ Advances for Construction......... 8,351.81 64.71 8, 416.52
242 Other Deferred Credits.......................................... 69.55 69.55
Res er ves :
9An for Depreciation of Electric Plant.................... 826,961.96 192,820.90 1,019,782.86
252 for Amort, of Electric Plant Acquisition
Adjustments .......................................... 8,474.70 8,474.70
253 for Depreciation & Amort, of Other Property 3,230.73 3, 230.73
254 for Uncollectible Accounts ........................ 842.44 842.44
253 Other Reserves ..............................................
25K 2 Miscellaneous Reserves...................................... 16, 000.00 108,720.00 124,720.00
258A Reserve for Contribution in lieu of Taxes.. 17,171.93 12,392.95 29, 564.88
Cont ri but ion s in Aid of Con st r uc ti on :
265 Contributions in Aid of Construction............ 1,420,104.89 ...........1..,.4..2..0..,.. .1..0..4....89
Sur plus :
270 Capital Surplus ............................................ 6,012,965.04 22,849.67 6,035,814.71
271 Earned Surplus......................................................... 2,200,981.86 287,139.25 2,488, 121.11
Total Liabilities and Surplus...................... I $14,946,694.96 I $1,825,704.61 $16,772,399.57
108 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exh ib it No. 32
GROSS REVENUE IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
GRAPH NOU
Exhi bit No . 33
MILLIONS OF KILOWATTS HOURS
QRAPH NQ 8 FISCAL YEAR

OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 109
R E S U M E O F N E W P R O P E R T IE S , SA L E S, M O R T G A G E S A N D C A N C E L L A T IO N S . F IS C A L Y E A R 1941-1942
(1) N E W P R O P E R T IE S
C L A S S IF IC A T IO N S
U R B A N
V A L U E
000'001$ mao
(2) A L IE N A T IO N S
04) Onerous Title
C L A S S IF IC A T IO N S
U R B A N
V A L U E
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HQ FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
E x h ib it N o . 34—C ontinued
R E S U M E O F N E W P R O P E R T IE S , S A L E S , M O R T G A G E S A N D C A N C E L L A T IO N S , F IS C A L Y E A R 1941-1942
(2) A L IE N A T IO N S
________________ __ ____________________________ (B) Gratuitous Title_________________________________________________
C L A S S IF IC A T IO N S
U R B A N
V A L U E
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E x h ib it N o . 34—C ontinued
R E S U M E O F N E W P R O P E R T IE S , S A L E S , M O R T G A G E S A N D C A N C E L L A T IO N S , F IS C A L Y E A R 1941-1942
_________ (8) R E A L P R O P E R T Y A N D R IG H T S O F N O N -R E S ID E N T S , IN C L U D IN G C O R P O R A T IO N S
U S U F R U C T
a
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mG
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A
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R U R A L L E A S E S
A rea
UOpOBJJ
C uerdas
jeqmnN
M O R T G A G E S
V alue
SJU9Q
D ollars
559, 768
jequinx 51
U R B A N
V alue
SJU9Q 0
D ollars
26,479 ■
jgquinx
R U R A L
___________________________________________
V alue
SJU9Q
D ollars
97,448
A rea
uoiiOBjj §
C uerdas
2, 305
jequinx 10
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IC A G R IC U L T U R A L P A R T N E R S H IP S A N D C O R P O R A T IO N S
C O R P O R A T IO N S
L e a s e s
A rea
uoi -job jj T—<
C uerdas
O
seijradorj
jo jaqum^j
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M o r t g a g e s
V alue
SJU9O
D ollars
94,454
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Sa l e o f R u r a l P r o p e r t y
V alue
SJU9O co
D ollars
78,441
A rea
UOIJOBJJ
CM
C uerdas
_________
LQ
CM
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_____________(9-A ) R U R A L P R O P E R T Y A N D R IG H T S R E A L O F D O M E S
A G R IC U L T U R A L P A R T N E R S H IP S
cr
or
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UOIJORJJ 5CO!
C uerdas
3, 662
serjjedojj
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M o r t g a g e s
V alue
SJU9Q
D ollars
29, 306
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Sa l e o f R u r a l P r o p e r t y
V alue
SJU9O
D ollars
368,391
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C uerdas
1,761
jQqtnnx fOF
THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 113
Exhib it No . 35
COFFEE PRODUCTION IN PUERTO RICO
Crop year
Production
(pounds)
1920-21................................................................................................................................................................
1921-22................................................................................................................................................................
1922-23................................................................................................................................................................
1923-24................................................................................................................................................................
1924-25......................................................... ......................................................................................................
1925-26................................................................................................................................................................
1926-27................................................................................................................................................................
1927-28................................................................................................................................................................
1928-29................................................................................................................................................................
1929-30................................................................................................................................................................
1930-31................................................................................................................................................................
1931-32................................................................................................................................................................
1932-33................................................................................................................................................................
1933-34................................................................................................................................................................
1934-35................................................................................................................................................................
1935-36................................................................................................................................................................
1936-37..............................................•..................................................................................................................
1937-38.............................................................................................................................................. ..................
1938-39................................................................................................................................................................
1939-40................................................................................................................................................................
1940-41................................................................................................................................................................
1941-42................................................................................................................................................................
1942-43................................................................................................................................................................
44,194,219
38, 367,875
25,271,306
28,908, 342
34,177,196
36, 334, 570
39,124, 692
32, 393, 259
18, 446, 602
5,351, 599
6,000,000
10,090, 219
11, 381,096
9, 000,000
8,000,000
20,000,000
20, 536,996
16, 639,200
18,949,198
23,498,000
16,200,000
29, 593, 000
(1) 14,632,700
(1) Estimate
Source: Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
114 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exh ib it No . 36-
TOBACCO ACREAGE, PRODUCTION AND PRICE IN PUERTO RICO
Crop year Acreage
Production
(pounds)
Yield per acre
(pounds)
Average price
received by
farmers
per pound
(cents)
(4)
1920-21.......................................................... (1) 40,000 (1) 25,000,000 625 00 18 68
1921-22........................................................ (1) 35'000 (1) 22,500,000 642 85 24 28
1922-23.......................................................... (1) 41^500 (1) 26,000,000 626 50 29 01
1923-24.......................................................... (1) 40,000 (1) 25,000 000 625 00 17 53
1924-25.......................................................... (2) 34,023 (2) 23,000,000 676 01 28 53
1925-26.......................................................... (2) 58,000 (2) 36,000 000 620 68 38 17
1926-27.......................................................... (2) 81,900 (2) 50 000 000 610 50 19 84
1927-28.......................................................... (2) 40,345 (2) 27,000 000 669 22 25 07
1928-29.......................................................... (2) 39,075 (2) 28,000 000 716 57 19 18
1929-30.......................................................... (2) 43,312 (2) 32, 500 000 750 36 23 38
1930-31.......................................................... (2) 50’()00 (1) 37 300 000 746 00 17 07
1931-32.................................................. (2) 10 079 (1) 6 000 000 595 29 11 74
1932-33........................................................ (2) 25,300 (1) 16’783'000 663 35 11 44
1933-34.......................................................... (1) 45, 500 (1) 25 000000 549 45 14 18
1934-35.......................................................... (2) 38,000 (1) 22, 500, 000 592 10 17 22
1935-36.......................................................... (2) 43'809 (2) 26 000 000 593 48 15 32
1936-37...................................................... (3) 50 000 (3) 34 983 117 699 66 14 96
1937-38.......................................................... (3) 63,000 (3) 44 069 272 699 51 11 81
1938-39.......................................................... (3) 18,688 (3) 13 825 223 739 79 16 86
1939-40...................................................... (3) 33 262 (■3) 28 087 050 844 42 13 87
1940-41.................................................. (3) 48 316 (3) 31’ 695 400 656 00 (5)
1941-42.......................................................... (3) 42,000 (3) SO’OOO^OOO 714 Y8 (6) 18.00
Source: (1) Commission for the Protection of P. R. Tobacco.
(2) Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
(3) Tobacco Institute.
(4) Bulletin 60, Insular Experiment Station.
Figures for 1938-39-and 1939-40 have been revised.
(5) No data available.
(6) Estimate, Tobacco Institute.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO
Thousands
of acres
Exh ib it No . 37
tso
600
gSO B ....................■—■ ■■ .. ■ ....--- ■ ..OIMBWH.IIUIII
fl -pa st ur e
B -MINOR CHOPS
c - SUGAR CANE 9 O -COFFEE
soo | | M e - wo odland
M F - TOBACCO I Id G - COCONUTS
LAND LAND H -PINEAPPLES
IN NOT IN !-ORANGES
+$O FARMS FARMS J - COTTON
K - GRAPEFRUIT
L - OTHER CROPLAND
M - OTHER LAND IN FARMS
N - LAND NOT IN FARMS
600
fl&GoefiQuiilAk MA
Distribution of Cultivated and Non-Cultivated Area of
Puerto Rico, Year 1942.
116 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No. 38
PUBLIC HEALTH UNITS IN OPERATION ON JUNE 30, 1942, WITH THE
POPULATION SERVED BY EACH, FOLLOWS:
Adjuntas........................................................................................................................
Utuado.......................................................................................................................
Jayuya........................................................................................................................
Estimated
Population
of Individual
Municipalities
Population
of Area
covered
by Unit
23, 435
42, 295
14, 778 80, 508
Aguadilla.............................................................. ........................................................
Isabela.........................................................................................................................
36, 024
25, 967 61, 991
Aguada.................................................... ......................................................................
Moca...........................................................................................................................
Rincon................................................................................................ ,............. ..
Anasco................... ,.................................;........................................................
18, 257
19, 643
3,517
15, 751 63,168
Arecibo........................................................................................................................... 70,974 70,974
Bayamon.......................................................................................................................
Catano............................................................................ ;..........................................
Guaynabo.................................................................................................................
38, 644
10,124
19,214 67, 982
Barranquitas................................................................................................................
Orocovis.....................................................................................................................
Comerio............................................. ........................................................................
17, 358
20,142
18,866 56,366
Cabo Rojo.......................................................... ".
Lajas............................................................................................................................
Hormigueros.............................................................................................................
29, 315
15,061
6, 213 50, 589
Caguas.................................................................................................................. ..........
Aguas Buenas..........................................................................................................
54, 732
14,693 69,425
Camuy...........................................................................................................................
Hatillo.........................................................................................................................
Quebradillas........ . ..................................................................................................
19, 314
18, 618
11,653 49, 585
Cayey.................................................................................................... .*___ _ 31. 630
16, 743
20,351 68, 724
Aibonito.....................................................................................................................
Cidra............................................'.............................................................................
Ciales..............................................................................................................................
Morovis......................................................................................................................
22, 790
19, 046 41,836
Fajardo ......................................... •...........................................
Luquillo.....................................................................................................................
Ceiba...........................................................................................................................
20, 999
9,026
6,794 36, 819
Guayama.......................................................................................................................
Arroyo.............................. ............,....r....................................... .....
Patillas.. .
31, 361
11, ISO-
17, 779 60,320
Humacao........................................................................................................................
Naguabo.....................................................................................................................
Las Piedras...............................................................................................................
30,194
18,903
15,493 64, 590
Juana Diaz............................................................................................... .................
Villalba.............................................. . ......................................................................
Coamo.......... ..............................................................................................................
24,176
12,872
23,161 60,209
Juncos.......................... .................................................................................... ..............
Gurabo............................ ..........................................................................................
San Lorenzo.............................................................................................................
19,470
15, 943
26, 978 62, 391
Lares........................... ....................................................................................................
Las Marias...............................................................................................................
San Sebastian..........................................................................................................
30,074
9,765
31,164 71,003
Manati.................................... ... ..................................................................................
Barceloneta.!...........................................................................................................
29, 854
18, 881 48, 735
Mayaguez...................................................................................................................... 78, 458
Maricao...................................................................................................................... 7,788 86,246
Ponce............................ V.... .H...*?... ,Y... .t... P....?... .7............... 107, 235 107, 235
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 117
Exh ib it No . 38—Continued
PUBLIC HEALTH UNITS IN OPERATION ON JUNE 30, 1942, WITH THE
POPULATION SERVED BY EACH, FOLLOWS:
Rio Grande..................................................................................................................
Carolina.....................................................................................................................
Estimated
Population
of Individual
Municipalities
Population
of Area
covered
by Unit
16, 220
24, 827
Loiza........................................................................................................................... 22,491 63, 538
Rio Piedras.................................................................................................... .............. 72,947
Trujillo Alto............................................................................................................ 12, 032 84, 979
Salinas.............................................................................................................................
Santa Isabel.............................................................................................................
19, 734
11,835 31, 569
San German.............................................. ........ ..........................................................
Sabana Grande.......................................................................................................
Guanica................................. ....................................................................................
26,819
14, 595
12,996 54,410
San Juan....................................................................................................................... 36,443 36,443
Santurce.................................................... :.............................................................. 142, 044 142,044
Toa Baja.........................................
Toa Alta................................................................... ................................................
Corozal.......................................................................................................................
11, 770
13, 477
20,917
Naranjito................................................................................................................... 14,158 60, 322
Vega Baja.....................................................................................................................
Vega Alta............................. ........................................
Dorado........................................... .............
23,144
14, 579
9, 717 47, 440
Vieques........................................................................................................................... 10,456 10, 456
Yabucoa........................................................;,.
Maunabo................ ... ..............................................................................................
28, 296
10,907 39, 203
Yauco..............................................................;..............................................................
Guayanilla................................................................................................................
Penuelas.....................................................................................................................
30, 653
15, 783
14,913 61, 349
1, 910, 449 1, 910,449
118 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No. 39
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH UNITS IN THE FISCAL
YEARS 1939-40, 1940-41 AND 1941-42
1939-40 1940-41 1941-42
Pub li c Health Educ ati on :
Health Talks................................................................................... 26,624
836, 541
29,154 26, 826
Attendance................................................................................... 1,008, 283 969, 907
Fie ld Visi ts by Nur ses :
To cases of Transmissible Diseases.................................... 7, 498
81, 305
41,331
69, 222
23, 824
42,904
52,477
22, 340
To Patients of Tuberculosis Clinics...................
To Patients of Maternal Hygiene Clinics...................................
To Patients of Infant Hygiene Clinics....................................
19, 590
42, 309
11, 934
26, 444
22, 289
15, 839
To Patients of Preschool Clinics....................................................... 17, 231
To cases of Venereal Diseases............................................................. 30,137 31, 901 47,096
Total Nurse’s Visits................................................................. 192, 773 215, 011 197, 887
Per sons Recei vi ng Spec ifi c Immuni zat ions or Tr eat ment s :
Vaccination Against Smallpox............................................................
Immunization Against Typhoid Fever...........................................
49, 565
58, 741
35, 771
36, 859
216,031
101,034
Immunization Against Diphtheria (Toxin-antitoxin and
Toxoid).................................................................................................... 10,033
147, 600
24, 218
10, 013
113, 832
26, 396
428, 337
12, 496
64, 760
26,406
416,459
Individuals Treated for Intestinal Parasites................................
Individuals Treated for Malaria........................................................
Treatments for Venereal Diseases.....................................................
Speci men s for Labo rat ory Diagnosi s Exa mi ne d or
For war ded to the Biolo gi c al Lab or ato ry :
Cultures for Diphtheria......................................................................... 15,134 16, 036
211, 638
14, 688
25, 334
196, 645
129, 695
20, 814
Blood for Wasserman Reaction.......................................................... 159i 607
13,815
21, 546
191, 547
91,442
198,934
14,911
43, 387
164, 256
Sputum for Tubercle Bacilli................................................................
Blood for Malaria.....................................................................................
Specimens for Intestinal Parasites....................................................
Others.............................................................................................................
Total............................................................................................... 493,091 594,036 442, 302
Cli ni c Ac ti vit ie s :
Venereal Disease Control:
Individuals Admitted to Service........................................................ 24, 481
461, 312
30,137
37, 546
513, 666
28, 490
545, 254
47, 096
Clinic Visits.................................................................................................
Field Visits.................................................. 31, 901
Tuberculosis Control:
Individuals Admitted to Service....................................................... 37,599
21, 522
93,163 127,181
Contacts Admitted to Service............................................................ 23, 453 15,141
Number of Positive Cases Remaining Under care of Clinics
at End of Year......................................................................................... 8, 541
5,617
67, 550
9, 981
6,190
10, 358
New Positive Cases Found.................................................................. 5; 051
Clinic Visits................................................................................................. 88' 492 114,547
Number of Home Visits by Nurses................................................
Tuberculin Tests.......................................................................................
81, 305
8, 954
69, 222
13, 663
52,477
7, 552
Maternity Service:
Individuals Admitted to Service.......................................................
Visits to Medical Conferences.........................................................
Home Visits by Nurses.........................................................................
14, 491
50, 347
19, 590
18, 620
48, 956
23,824
20,739
59, 202
13,047
Infant Hygiene:
Individuals Admitted to Service....................................................... 12, 771
71,974
15, 367
47, 586
16, 507
Visits to Medical Conferences............................................................. 48, 267
Home Visits by Nurses......................................................................... 42', 309 26,444 15,839
Preschool Hygiene:
Individuals Admitted to Service....................................................... 6, 502 19, 612 12, 321
Visits to Medical Conferences............................................................. 30,888
11,934
48, 622
22, 289
37, 238
Home Visits by Nurses......................................................................... 17i 231
School Hygiene:
Number of Children Inspected.......................................................... 188,109 180,006 102,391
Number of Children Examined by Physicians.......................... 32, 540 17, 909 4,147
Number of Children Inspected by Dentists................................ 7, 527
127,421
16,116 12,813
Children Treated for Intestinal Parasites..................................... 88,105 42,311
Q
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO
§r^—g^g?s- r5— S “ -
119
l-s
E x h ib it N o . 40
C A SE S O F R E P O R T A B L E D IS E A S E S IN P U E R T O E.ICO , B Y M O N T H S : Y E A R 1941
|SS§"S
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aa
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ri
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s—r§
2
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120 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exh ibi t No . 41
RECORDED BIRTHS AND BIRTH RATES PER 1,000 POPULATION IN PUERTO RxC (
DURING THE YEARS 1939, 1940 AND 1941
Municipalities
Births Rates
1941 1940 1939 1941 1940 1939
PUERTO RICO........... 76,130 72, 388 73, 044 39.8 38.7 39.8
Adjuntas..................................
Aguada.....................................
973
805
900
797
• 851
781
41.5
44. 1
43.5
43.2
41.7
43.2
38.5
46.9
Aguadilla.................................
Aguas Buenas.......................
1,558
625
1,331
594
621
1,275
736
605
43.2
42.5
40.0
39.6
37.2
Aibonito.................................. 669 35.2
Anasco...................................... 645 681 727 40.9 41.2
Arecibo..................................... • 2, 697 2,490 2, 629 38.0 36. 5
Arroyo................................ 476 457 -441 42.6 45.0 4A5
Barceloneta.............................. 752 713 802 39.8 38.1 43.6
Barranquitas............................ 708 674 628 40.8 39.1
Bayamon................................... 2, 108 1,862 1,499 54. 5 54.3
Cabo Rojo........................ 1,174 1,168 1, 120 40.0 41.9 40 7 Caguas.................................. 2, 022 2, 007 2,033 36.9 39.5 41 4 Camuy................... 802 737 778 41.5 39.4
Carolina......................... 882 880 843 35.5 37. 6 36 7 Catano............................. 280 225 326 27.7 27.0 39 2 Cayey......................................... 1,400 1,264 1,221 44.3 39.5 33 .5 Ceiba.............................. 203 219 292 29.9 26. 6 3.5 9 Ciales.................................. 802 800 828 35.2 31.2 33 0 Cidra...........................................
Coamo............................
677
916
600
813
692
882
33.3
39.5
28.2
33. 7
32.8
Comerio..................... 37 .5 675 694 768 35.8 38.3 43 0 Corozal....................... 788 769 788 37.7 36.9 38 6 Culebra...................... 30 34 42 35.7 32.6 43 0 Dorado....................... 297 293 296 30. 6 30.7 31 7 Fajardo.............. 1,126 759 767 53.6 36.8 39 1 Guanica............. 595 523 592 45.8 41.1 47 4
Guayama.......... 1,096 1,137 1,201 34.9 35.8 40 0
Guayanilla.................... 606 650 607 38.4 40.0 38 0 Guaynabo................. 630 584 579 32.8 35.2 35. 5 Gurabo............................. 588 572 649 36.9 35.3 40 7 Hatillo................ 790 739 705 42.4 40.6 39 1 Hormigueros............ 260 216 240 41.8 33.9 38. 6 Humacao....................... 1,295 1,213 1, 240 42.9 39.0 40. 6 Isabela............................ 1, 101 967 933 42.4 35.4 34. 7 Jayuya............................. 651 606 615 44.0 39.6 41. 0 Juana Diaz............... 895 791 833 37.0 36.5 38. 9 Juncos............................... 828 795 800 42.5 37.8 38. 7 Lajas................................. 549 583 535 36.4 40.1 37. 3 Lares........................... 1,340 1,400 1,319 44. 6 45.2 43.1
Las Marias............... 354 381 366 36.2 40. 7 40. 3 Las Piedras.................. 718 680 703 46.3 40.6 43.0 Loiza......................... 904 971 977 40.2 42.8 43.8
Luquillo....................... 322 336 386 35.7 39.1 45. 3 Manati................... • 1,193 1,065 1,149 40.0 35.5 39.0
Maricao................... 340 332 315 43.7 39.8 38. 6
Maunabo................ 498 483 496 45.7 42.2 44. 2
Mayaguez..................... 2, 871 2, 796 2, 776 36.6 35.4 36. 1
Moca............................... 797 741 756 40.6 33.2 34. 7
Morovis....................... 734 717 702 38.5 33.5 33.4
Naguabo.................... 730 797 888 38.6 36. 7 41. 6
Naranjito..................... 533 508 518 37. 6 34.9 36. 3
Orocovis...................... 866 800 784 43.0 39.2 39.2
Patillas............................. 787 803 854 44.3 47.3 51.1
Penuelas......................... 651 587 590 43. 7 38. 5 39.2
Ponce........................ 3,944 3,960 3, 773 36.8 37.4 36.2
Quebradillas............. 545 527 580 46.8 45. 6 50.8
Rincon................... 408 429 427 42.9 50.4 50. 4
Rio Grande...................... 520 561 662 32.0 32.8 39.4
Rio Piedras...................... 2, 556 2,162 2, 219 35.0 35.3 37.4
Sabana Grande.................. 725 696 745 49. 7 52.9 57. 1
Salinas...................... 858 781 832 43. 5 38.1 41.6
San German............. 1,044 1,063 1,014 38.9 40. 1 38.7
San Juan....................... 6, 566 5, 940 5, 746 36.8 38.5 38.2
San Lorenzo........................ 1,213 1, 160 1,088 45.0 43.0 40.9
San Sebastian....................... 1,324 1,310 1,501 42. 5 46.2 53. 5
Santa Isabel............................. 490 511 541 41.4 45.4 49.1
Toa Alta................... 534 501 528 39.6 35.5 38.2
Toa Baja................... 420 415 420 35.7 39. 7 40.6
Trujillo Alto.......................... 453 1 432 518 37.6 37.4 45.6
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 121
Exhib it No . 41—Continued
RECORDED BIRTHS AND BIRTH RATES PER 1,000 POPULATION IN PUERTO RICO
DURING THE YEARS 1939, 1940 AND 1941
Municipalities
Births Rates
1941 1940 1939 1941 1940 1939
Utuado....................................... 1,802 1, 753 1 612 42. 6 36 4 34 2
Vega Alta................................. 658 ' 605 ' 654 45.1 42.1 46 1
Vega Baja................................. 1,049 883 1 029 45. 3 35 1 41 8
Vieques...................................... '382 429 457 36. 5 49. 0 45 5
Villalba.............................. 643 599 611 50. 0 43 2 45 2
Yabucoa.................................... 1, 083 1,165 1,148 38. 3 43. 9 44 0
Yauco......................................... 1, 301 1,351 1,181 42.4 42.2 37.4
122 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 42
RECORDED DEATHS AND DEATH RATES PER 1,000 POPULATION IN PUERTO RICO
DURING THE YEARS 1939, 1940 AND 1941
Municipalities
Deaths Rates
1941 1940 1939 1941 1940 1939
PUERTO RICO.......... 35, 551 34,477 32, 631 18.6 18.4 17.8
Adjuntas.................................... 342 318 418 14. 6 15. 4 20 5
Aguada...................................... 461 399 366 25.2 21. 6 20. 2
Aguadilla................................... 777 685 632 21.6 20.4 19.1
Aguas Buenas......................... 204 194 213 13.9 12.1 13.6
Aibonito.................................... 237 190 210 14.1 10.8 12.0
Anasco........................................ 364 383 368 23.1 23.1 22. 5
A recibo....................................... 1,612 1,610 1,512 22.7 23. 6 22. 5
Arroyo........................................ 234 ' 224 211 20.9 22.0 21.3
Barceloneta.............................. 382 359 410 20. 2 19. 2 22. 3
Barranquitas............................ 211 183 210 12. 1 10. 6 12.4
Bayamon.................................. 1,030 1,010 594 26. 7 29. 5 17. 6
Cabo Rojo................................ 473 493 462 16.1 17.7 16.8
Caguas........................................ 1,051 1, 205 1,110 19.2 23.7 22.6
Camuy....................................... 341 344 332 17. 7 18.4 18.0
Carolina.................................. >. 328 308 266 13. 2 13.1 11. 6
Catano........................................ 131 151 129 12.9 18. 1 15.5
Cayey......................................... 587 607 584 18. 6 19.0 18.4
Ceiba.......................................... 82 85 76 12. 1 10.3 9. 3
Ciales.......................................... 334 334 323 14.7 13. 0 12. 9
Cidra.......................................... 249 236 228 12.2 11.1- 10.8
Coamo........................................ 350 279 312 15. 1 11.6 113
Comerio..................................... 282 283 257 14. 9 15. 6 14. 4
Corozal....................................... 232 210 194 11. 1 10.1 9. 5
Culebra...................................... 8 8 11 9.5 7. 7 11. 3
Dorado....................................... 129 89 108 13.3 9.3 11.6
Fajardo....................................... 583 465 343 27.8 22. 5 17. 5
Guanica...................................... 206 168 183 15.9 13.2 14.7
Guayama.................................. 639 645 635 20.4 20.3 21.1
Guayanilla................................ 261 233 221 16.5 14.3 13. 8
Guaynabo................................. 186 159 187 9.7 9.6 11. 5
Gurabo....................................... 208 210 221 13.0 12.9 13. 8
Hatillo........................................ 289 285 290 15.5 15.6 16. 1
Hormigueros............................. 124 118 131 20.0 18.5 21. 0
Humacao................................... 690 691 642 22.9 22.2 21.0
Isabela........................................ 505 466 417 19.4 17. 1 15. 5
Jayuya........................................ 292 257 241 19.8 16.8 16. 0
Juana Diaz............................... 447 353 376 18.5 16.3 17. 5
Juncos......................................... 396 434 371 20.3 20.6 17.9
Lajas............................................ 191 217 202. 12. 7 14.9 14. 1
Lares. . . 699 637 614 . 23.2 20. 6 20.0
Las Marias............................... 123 163 142 12.6 17.4 15. 2
Las Piedras......................\ ... 263 271 245 17.0 16.2 15. 0
Loiza........................................... 348 429 321 15. 2 18.9 14.4
Luquillo..................................... 143 146 141 15.8 17.0 16. 5
Manati....................................... 544 554 573 18.2 18.5 19.4
Maricao...................................... 103 116 135 13.2 13.9 16. 5
Maunabo................................... 209 191 202 19.2 16.7 18.0
Mayaguez.................................. 1, 724 1,922 1,731 22.0 24.4 22.5
Moca........................................... 310 386 339 15.8 17.3 15. 6
Morovis...................................... 232 209 275 12. 2 9.8 13.1
Naguabo.................................... 359 352 310 19.0 16.2 14. 5
Naranjito................................... 150 123 149 10. 6 8.4 10.4
Orocovis..................................... 225 246 236 11.2 12. 1 11.8
Patillas....................................... 453 382 328 25.5 22.5 19. 6
Penuelas..................................... 223 229 251 15.0 15.0 16.7
Ponce.......................................... 2,463 2,310 2,286 • 23.0 21.8 21.9
Quebradillas............................. 256 201 214 22. 0 17.4 18.8
Rincon........................................ 194 187 175 20.4 22.0 20. 7
Rio Grande.............................. 208 234 213 12.8 13. 7 12.7
Rio Piedras.............................. 1,727 1, 537 1, 410 23.7 25. 1 23.8
Sabana Grande...................... 285 294 301 19.5 22. 3 23.1
Salinas........................................ 355 339 280 18.0 16.5 14.0
San German............................. 471 514 453 17. 6 19.4 17.3
San Juan................................... 3,256 3,021 2,842 18.2 19.6 18.9
San Lorenzo............................ 424 409 373 15.7 15.2 14.0
San Sebastian.......................... 545 601 568 17. 5 21. 2 20.2
Santa Isabel............................ 274 257 247 23.2 22.8 22. 4
Toa Alta.................................... 169 185 188 12.5 13. 1 13. 6
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 123
Exhi b it No . 42—Continued
RECORDED DEATHS AND DEATH RATES PER 1,000 POPULATION IN PUERTO RICO
DURING THE YEARS 1939, 1940 AND 1941
' Municipalities
Deaths Rates
1941 1940 1939 1941 1940 1939
Toa Baja................................... 156 173 154 13. 2 16. 5 14.9
Trujillo Alto............................ 135 107 122 11. 2 9.3 10.7
U tuado........................,............ 711 737 695 16.8 15. 3' 14. 8
Vega Alta.................................. 236 223 234 16.2 15. 5 16. 5
Vega Baja................................. 467 424 431 20.2 16.8 17.5
Vieques...................................... 155 138 145 14. 8 13. 7 14. 4
Villalba...................................... 244 237 208 19.0 17.1 15.4
Yabucoa.................................... 499 532 484 17. 6 20.0 18.6
Yauco.......................................... 765 573 620 25.0 17.9 19. 6
Exhi bi t No . 43
DISTRIBUTION OF THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF PUERTO RICO AS OF
JULY FIRST 1941, BY AGE, RACE AND SEX
Age Total
White Colored
Males Females Males Females
All Ages ...................................... 1,911,290 727,197 725,481 228, 613 229 999
Under one year............................................... 62, 404 23, 491 22,906 8, 044 7,963
1— 4 years....................................................... 224, 341 84; 621 82,342 28; 945 28 433
5— 9 years....................................................... 257^ 311 97; 920 95^775 31,834 31' 782
10—14 years....................................................... 232, 202 88; 270 86; 619 28; 910 28 403
15—19 years....................................................... 210; 783 76', 514 83; 224 24, 906 26,139
20—24 years...........................................■........... 210,964 78, 828 82, 375 24,819 21, 942
25—34 years....................................................... 256j 238 95; 800 101', 446 29; 084 29 908
35—44 years....................................................... 191,316 73, 974 73', 391 2i; 691 22 260
45—54 years....................................................... 128,825 53; 264 45'. 841 15; 327 14, 393
55—64 years....................................................... 71, 400 29; 732 25, 762 8,152 7, 754
65—74 years....................................................... 42,846 16, 949 ie; 534 4,499 4,864
75 years and over........................................... 21, 676 7,456 8,891 2, 286 3 013
Unknown..................................... ...................... 984 '378 '375 ' 116 115
124 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
E x h ib it N o . 44
A V E R A G E H O U R L Y A N D W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S A N D H O U R S O F L A B O R O F IN D U S T R IA L A N D A G R IC U L T U R A L W O R K E R S ,
B Y S E X , 1941-42
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126 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 127
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128 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
E x h ib it N o . 44—C ontinued
A V E R A G E H O U R L Y A N D W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S A N D H O U R S O F L A B O R O F IN D U S T R IA L A N D A G R IC U L T U R A L W O R K E R S ,
________ B Y S E X , 1941-42
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 129
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E x h ib it N o . 44—C ontinued
A V E R A G E H O U R L Y A N D W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S A N D H O U R S O F L A B O R O F IN D U S T R IA L A N D A G R IC U L T U R A L W O R K E R S ,
B Y S E X , 1941-12
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 131
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134 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
A V E R A G E H O U R L Y A N D W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S A N D H O U R S O F L A B O R O F IN D U S T R IA L A N D A G R IC U L T U R A L W O R K E R S ,
B Y S E X , 1941-42
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 135
Exhib it No . 45
CLASSIFICATION OF SCHOOLS (1)
A. Acc ord ing to Numb er of Pupi ls Enro lled
Number of Schools
High Trade
Elem.
Urban
Elem.
Rural
Second
Unit
Total
10— 19......................................
20— 39......................................
40— 69......................................
70— 99.................. ....................
100—199......................................
200—299......................................
300—499......................................
500—999......................................
1000 and over..........................
Total...........................
1
75
1
7
G
9
64
3
22
1
3
13
34
32
20
41
91
25
52
659
358
290
63
15
3
42
28
23
2
4
62
679
398
371
118
88
99
29
8 259 1,437 1,848
B. Acc ord ing to Numb er of Teac hing Posi ti ons
1 Teaching Position... .
2 Teaching Positions...
3 Teaching Positions...
4-6 Teaching Positions...
7-10 Teaching Positions...
11-20 Teaching Positions...
21-50 Teaching Positions...
51 and over..............................
Total...........................
11
3155
13
•71
1
1211
36
27
9
34
32
98
23
1,002
267
86
79
3
4
2
24
44
21
1, 051
302
99
144
85
136
30
1
8 259 1,437
(1) Definition of School:—A school for this report is a one room school employing only one teacher,
or a school of two or more rooms usually housed in the same building, but not necessarily so, and having
a principal or teacher in charge. Therefore a one room rural school is one school; a two-room rural
school is one school also, and a second unit rural school (usually of two or more buildings) is one school
too. When a high school is housed in the same building with an elementary school count them as two
separate schools. In buildings having more than one teacher each room should not be considered a school
for the -purpose of this report.
136 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exhi bi t No . 46
AGE GRADE DISTRIBUTION OF ENROLLMENT (1)
HIGH SCHOOLS (2)
C. Boys and Gir ls
Grade
Age
9 10 11 12 Special
Total
12.
13.
14.
15
16
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
40.
19
159
828
1, 609
1, 523
959
363
128
39
10
5
311
17
161
673
1,306
1, 249
687
272
78
30
14
33
41
12
14
128
427
1,025
995
516
175
71
33
8
5
4
23 ......................
139 ......................
511 1
868 8
708 6
368 2
117 3
61 ......................
29 1
8 ......................
8 ......................
2 2
20
166
1,003
2,433
3, 395
3,745
2,921
1,630
662
231
113
44
17
17
5
44
22
12
1
Total...........................
Median Age............
4.494 3,407
16. 08 17.11
16, 418
16. 32
1
1
2
211
(1) Age as of September 1, 1941.
(2) “Extension” (incomplete high schools) included.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 137
s s
E x h ib it N o . 47
TOTAL ENROLLMENT BY GRADES SINCE 1910
DAY SCHOOLS
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138 FOETY-SECOND ANNUAL EEPOET
Exhi bi t No . 48
ENROLLMENT BY GRADES (1)
(Day Schools )
Grade Urban Rural (2) Total Per cent
1..................................................................................................... 21, 264 44, 085 65, 349 22 28
2 ................................................................................................... 16, 529 3i; 188 47; 717 16 27
3 ............................................................................................... 17, 591 2L 758 45; 349 15 47
4..................................................................................................... 18i 633 20; 708 39, 341 13 42
5..................................................................................................... 16; 291 12; 220 28, 511 9. 72
6 ................................................................................................. 12, 642 6; 802 19, 444 6 63
7..................................................................................................... Hi 763 4,833 16, 596 5. 66
8 ................................................................................................... 10, 265 3; 905 14; 170 4. 83
9..................................................................................................... 5; 649 ' 368 e;oi7 2.05
10 ................................................................................................. 4,494 4; 494 1. 53
11..................................................................................................... 3; 407 3', 407 1.16
12 ............................................................................................... 2,845 2,845 .97
23 23 .01
Total...................................................................... 141, 396 151, 867 293, 263 100. 00
(1) As of May 29, 1942.
(2) Second Unit Rural Schools included.
OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO 139
Exh ib it No . 49
FIELD PERSONNEL AND TEACHING POSITIONS
Position
Nu
Insular
mber
Municipal
Total
55
53
28
130
93
416
25
38
59
440
29
1,602
22
8
64
11
14
14
5
2, 334
5
4
281
6
5
31
72
59
74
’88
26
1. District Administration and Supervision:
a. Superintendents of Schools..................................................... 55
53
28
130
93
412
25
‘(1)38
50
440
29
1, 530
22
8
64
11
14
14
b. Assistant Superintendents.......................................................
c. High School Principals.............................................................
d. Elementary School Principals...............................................
e. Second Unit Rural School Principals...............................
2. High School Teaching:
a. High School Teachers................................................................
b. Extension High School Teachers.........................................
c. Evening Extension High School Teachers..................
d. Teachers of English...................................................................
4
3. Elementary Urban Teaching:
a. Teachers of English....................................................................
b. English Field Assistants..........................................................
c. Elementary Urban Teachers............................................... ..
d. Elementary Home Economics Teachers...........................
e. Intermediate Home Economics Teachers........................
f. Elementary Industrial Arts Teachers................................
g. Intermediate Industrial Arts Teachers.............................
h. Elementary Social Work Teachers.....................................
i. Physical Education Teachers.................................................
72
j. Native Handicraft Teachers.............................................. 5
18
4. Elementary Rural Teaching:
a. Elementary Rural Teachers...................................................
b. Native Handicraft.................................................................
2,316
5
4
281
6
5
31 72
59
74
87
26
c. Physical Education Teachers............................................
5. Consolidated Rural Teaching:
a. Academic Teachers...................................................
b. Home Economics Teachers.......................................
c. Industrial Arts Teachers........................................
d. Social Work Teachers.............................................
e. Native Handicraft Teachers.....................................
6. Second Unit Rural Teaching:
a. Academic Teachers.....................................................
b. Native Handicraft Teachers....................................
c. Social Work Teachers................................................
d. Industrial Arts Teachers....................................................... ..
e. Home Economics Teachers...................
1
------------------ ---- -----------------------------------------
140 FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Exh ib it No . 50
PER-CAPITA EXPENDITURES
Based on Insular Municipal Total
Total Enrollment.................................................................................. $21.53
22. 53
24. 45
$4.55
4. 76
5.17
$26.08
27. 29
29. 62
Average Number Belonging.............................................................
Average Daily Attendance..............................................................
Exh ib it No . 51
ESTIMATED VALUE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY (1)
• A. Gover nm ent Owne d
Type of School Sites Buildings Equipment
Total
Estimated
Value
High School................................................
Elementary Urban Schools.................
Elementary Rural Schools..................
Second Unit Rural Schools.................
Total Estimated Value.........
$123,800.00
811,863. 49
231,136. 23
126,060. 00
$1,801,446.12
7,065,817. 35
2, 595, 699. 38
1, 251, 750. 57
$258, 796. 99
837, 637.84
352,906. 66
155, 864.13
$2,184, 043.11
8, 715, 318. 68
3,179, 742. 27
1, 533,674. 70
$1, 292. 859. 72 $12, 714, 713. 42 $1, 605, 205. 62 $15,612,778.76
B. Rente d Pri vat e Pro per ty
(1) Original cost of the property used whenever possible.
Type of School Sites Buildings Equipment
Total
Estimated
Value •
High School................................................
Elementary Urban Schools.................
Elementary Rural Schools..................
Second Unit Rural Schools................
Total Estimated Value.........................
$4,000. 00
54, OiO. 00
69, 795.10
15, 580. 00
$17, 200.00
215,310. 00
293, 924. 00
26, 545.00
$1, 200.00
25, 274. 22
61,670. 00
3, 765.00
$22, 400. 00
294, 624. 22
425,389.10
45,890. 00
$143,415.10 $552, 979. 00 $91,909. 22 $788, 303. 32
Exh ib it No . 52
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT SHOWING THE GROWTH OF THE PUERTO RICO
CIVIL SERVICE
Fiscal Year
Approximate
Number of
Employees in
Classified
and Unclassified
Service
Approximate
Number of
Classified
Employees
Per Cent of
Classified
Employees
Natives Non-Natives
1932-33.......................... 8, 914 2, 838 31.8 8, 759 155
1933-34.......................... 8, 965 2, 868 31. 9 8 817 118
1934-35.......................... 9,827 2,948 30.0 9, 682 145
1935-36.......................... 10, 830 3,184 29.4 10,629 9,(11
1936-37.......................... 12,414 3, 751 30.2 12,172 24?
1937-38.......................... 13,435 4,067 30. 2 13, 069 366
1938-39.......................... 14, 493 4,471 30. 8 14 108 385
1939-40 . 15, 394 5,420 35 2 15 (P7 367
1940-41.......................... 15, 579 5,064 32. 5 15^, 259 320
1941-42.......................... 18, 894 6,744 35. 7 18, 498 > 396
B


JUL 12 1943