Democratic National Campaign Committee Our wealth of earth and water

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Our Wealth of Earth and Water

Once upon a time America was a fertile land of plenty. But abundance made us careless. We overworked our soil. We let wind and rain leave a trail of destruction across our continent. We handed over to special interests the wealth that belongs to the people.

LOST RICHES
Over 50 million acres of crop land totally ruined in the last century by soil erosion (destruction of loosened top soil by wind and water). Another 125 million acres, now in cultivation, in serious plight.
Still another 300 million aces suffering from soil depletion (loss of plant food in soil) so that crop yields are cut in half.
Billions of dollars of flood damage. Congress has spent almost 176 million for flood relief.
About 60 million acres of timber land now useless from improper cutting.
Around 42 million forest acres swept by fire every year at a loss of approximately 60 million dollars.
Annual forest losses due to beetles, moths, and other insects, about 100 million dollars

Countless American families are on relief because they are stranded on barren soil or in abandoned forests.

The New Deal Saves Our Heritage

For the first time the National Government is taking steps to stop this vast national waste. Thirty-five years ago Theodore Roosevelt was a pioneer in conservation. Today Franklin D. Roosevelt is turning those early ideals into practical acts. Under his leadership the New Deal is saying our God-given treasure of earth and water for future generations so that America may be once again "A Land of Opportunity."

A UNITED DRIVE FOR CONSERVATION
1. The new Social Conservation Administration (S.C.A) is making it possible, through bounty payments, for farmers to shift 30 million acres in 1936 from soil-depleting crops to soil-building crops like grasses and legumes. As a result not only will the land be given a chance to regain its health but the work of the A.A.A in cutting huge crops will be continued and farm prices maintained. Under its regular program, the Department of Agriculture is reaching private owners with an erosion-control demonstration covering 8 million acres.

2. Although the main purpose of the Tennessee Valley Authority (T.V.A) is to build a series of dams to curb floods and make the Tennessee River more navigable, this purpose goes back to the land. Years of plowing corn and cotton have loosened the top soil in the Valley so that rains have torn the countryside with gullies and filled the river channels with mud. In order to achieve its ends, the T.V.A is helping farmers fill up the gullies, terrace their acres and plant soil-binding crops. It is developing and distributing fertilizers, supplying cheap electricity and bringing hope to thousands of discouraged farmers in the 7 states through which the Tennessee flows.

3. Besides improving the Tennessee Valley, the Government is engaged in scientific river control in every corner of the country. Through government departments and agencies, it is building 37 major dams to harness waters for flood control, navigation, irrigation and (in 19 cases) electric power.

4. The Rural Resettlement Administration (R.R.A) salvages both land and those who dwell on the land. It is using some 9 million acres of "dead" farm land and turning it into national parks, grazing ranges, forests, game preserves and other uses. At the same time is giving over half a million destitute families in rural slum areas a chance to get a new start in life, by farm loans or transfer to better soil where they can earn a decent living. Since the cost of schools and roads in barren sections often exceeds tax income, land retirement aids state and county treasuries.

5. The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C) has enrolled more than a million young men in conservation work. Under the direction of the Department of Agriculture they have built nearly 2 million soil erosion dams and otherwise improved 2 million acres of agricultural land. Under the Forest Service they planted half a billion trees, driven pests and blights from 29 million acres and reduced fire hazard on over a million acres. The C.C.C has added half a billion dollars to the wealth of the nation.

LOOK AHEAD WITH ROOSEVELT

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE