OCR Text |
Show Soil Conservation Service Designated As Defense Agency SJ Conservation Service has been designated as a defense agency, agen-cy, according to word received hire today by Hugh O. Calkins, regional conservator. This follows action 'aken four months ago setting up the cartographic and land utilization utiliza-tion divisions of SCS as defense units within the service. Present action, however, throws the entire forces of this conservation agency into recognition as performing a defense de-fense function. Beyond the fact that conservation conserva-tion of natural resources Is recog nlzed as an Integral part of the program of total defense, the conservator con-servator pointed out that existing facilities in the SCS can b" u'-lllzed 'o meet speciflp needs of the defense de-fense program. Among thPsa facilities Mich activities acti-vities as land surveys, mapping, in gineerlnn. transnortatlon mid mn. struetlon. climate and weathei studies, land management and In formation were cited as being avail able for defense purposes if needed Through its close relatlonshi with more than 400 soli conserve lon districts In the nation an he 25000 CCC enrollees workln; under SCS supervision, the servlc is further enabled to function L' defense activities. Calkins said. According to Mr. J. J. Turne: area conservationist at Cedar Clt the designation of the Soil Conser vation Service as a defense agenc-has agenc-has not prevented the service fron -ooperatlng with the military de fense program, Ttjig i8 evidenced by the fact that of 106 eligible em ployees In the Southwest region, If men have already gone Into military mili-tary service, either as reserve officers offi-cers called to active service or draftees. - |