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Show hand, and the distinct advantage of geographical location that makes it remote from possible danger of attack and capture. Utah possesses exceptional natural facilities for the training of our land forces. Her waote lands are excellent for maneuver, artillery ranges, and for bombing practice from airships. We have water for testing hydroplanes, and plenty of level ground for landing planes. The climate is dry so that war supplies and munitions can be stored with a minimum of protection. Munitions factories could be built here xvith safety* and would have all of the essential supplies, with cheap labor available. Since it is the practice to sell metals at the delivered price to the Atlantic Ocean points, the prices in Utah are much less than elsewhere. This means that the raw materials for munitions can be made many dollars per ton cheaper in Utah than elsewhere, ( The freight rate saving on copper would be $ 12.90 per ton, on lead the same, and on zinc $ 18* 00 per ton). With munitions factories located in Utah, near the raw material supply, they can be kept in operation with little danger of having the supply shut off. At present these raw materials have to be taken over long distances, through tunnels and over bridges, to refineries and then to factories, where the munitions are fabricated, and finally to proper storage places. Especially during war times, Utah is an ideal location for a military prison, particularly on Antelope Island, situated in the Great Salt Lake: ( a) Because of its isolation and ease of guarding. ( b) Prisoners could be made self- supporting. ( c) Food supply is certain and cheap because the community always has an exportable surplus. ( d) There would be plenty of work for the prisoners. ( e) In case of escape, the main highway could be easily guarded- no chance for the prisoners to escape from the country unless they follow the main highways. ( f) In peace times the prisoners could be used to make and maintain the proposed dikes, roads, reforest the hills, make parks, and make irrigation and drainage projects, build and maintain water fowl refuges for the biological survey. They could work in munitions factories and build the necessary military fortifications and artillery rifle ranges. An army to be successful must be properly and promptly supplied with the essential arms and munitions of war, and the equipment and subsistence to keep the soldier fit. The first are essential to fight with; the latter may at times be had only in limited quantities, but still we can fight. I might sum up by saying that the potentialities of this project from a National defense standpoint are tremendous, and the development, if and when consummated, would be of untold value to our Nation in time of war. I cannot help but admire the foresight, energy and enthusiasm that has brought this project so far along. With whatever personnel or political aspects this may be concerned I am not interested. With its National defense possibilities I am, and I would like to state here my appreciation of the thoughtfulness and patriotism that has been given to this matter, and to thank you for the opportunity you have given me to present my ideas to you tonight. - 27 - |