While covering the technical aspects, Mr. Stevens concentrates on the human dimensions of Hoover Dam's construction. Thus Wobblies as well as engineers are present in this book.
I obtained it through the kindness of a PBS comrade for the shelf at the old soldiers' home and read Chapter 5 on the way there. The profits were front loaded by the construction magnates that bid in this huge project and they used new, efficient construction techniques. (The construction industry in the US and Europe is criticized today for adopting few up to date technologies and materials, the reason being that there are so many thousands of mostly small contractors and the ups and downs in the industry make investment in technology risky). Workers compensation payments were higher in Arizona than in Nevada so injured workers would sometimes drag themselves across the boundary line despite a broken leg or whatever.
One of Secretary Ickes' first acts of office was to rename the project 'Boulder Dam.' But it was renamed for Hoover in 1947--remember the 'Do Nothing' Congress that HST campaigned against in 1948? The payment of workers in script was also ended, to the delight of the bawdy house owners I am sure.
Chapter One offers an excellent review of the political problems in getting this project underway and keeping the appropriations flowing.
Very good detail, excellent research. Index and bibliography.
I obtained it through the kindness of a PBS comrade for the shelf at the old soldiers' home and read Chapter 5 on the way there. The profits were front loaded by the construction magnates that bid in this huge project and they used new, efficient construction techniques. (The construction industry in the US and Europe is criticized today for adopting few up to date technologies and materials, the reason being that there are so many thousands of mostly small contractors and the ups and downs in the industry make investment in technology risky). Workers compensation payments were higher in Arizona than in Nevada so injured workers would sometimes drag themselves across the boundary line despite a broken leg or whatever.
One of Secretary Ickes' first acts of office was to rename the project 'Boulder Dam.' But it was renamed for Hoover in 1947--remember the 'Do Nothing' Congress that HST campaigned against in 1948? The payment of workers in script was also ended, to the delight of the bawdy house owners I am sure.
Chapter One offers an excellent review of the political problems in getting this project underway and keeping the appropriations flowing.
Very good detail, excellent research. Index and bibliography.
