Omaha daily bee., 1898-03-08
MONTANA WATER PROBLEM
Importance of Ascertaining the Sourcs and
Extent Of Water Supply.
BOUNDlEsS BENEFIT TO A STATI
Omcer OF the Hydrographic once
Gives His Views-Necessity for
Action by the Persons Most
Interested In the work.

HELENA, Mont, March 7-(Special.)-
Arid Land Commissioner Donald Bradford
has received a letter from photographer
Newin OF the Interior department, in which
the writer speaks of the possibilities Of
irrigation in state like Montana. He says
that Montana has more vacant land than any
state in the union, and that in the reclama-
ton of the greatest possible portion Of that
land lies the prospect of making Montana the
home OF thousands, perhaps even millions,
Of producing settlers.
Mr.. Newill is especially interested in the
work outlined for his department, which Is
the securing Of information as to the water
howage of the state, the elevations OF the
land and the water courses, and the areas
that may be brought under irrigation. He
says:
st gives me pleasure to learn Of your in
| terest in our work as shown by your letter OF
| February 10. Approaching that the waters
| of Montana are among the greatest of the
| permanent resources Of the state we have
been endeavoring to ascertain fundamental
| facts concerning these in order that data
| might be available for systematic develop
| ment. The area Of land vacant in Montana
| is greater than that in any other state in
| the union: the soil, as We know. is Of su-
perior quality and there are opportunities
| for the creation Of thousands and possibly
Of millions Of homes If the water resources
| are properly conserved and economically ad-
| ministered
| APATHY OF THE PEOPLE.
"This is an old story, and one which have
repeated so often east and west that 1t has
become platitude. / have urged in season
and out of season the far-reaching impor-
| tance of land laws suited to the conditions
of the west and have urged that such thor
| ough knowledge be obtained of the possbili-
| ties of reclamation that legislators, investors
| and settlers might be guided and so advised
| as to result in the fullest public and private
success. The attempt, however, to accom-
plish anything has been long and at times
| almost disheartening struggle owing largely
| to the apathy of the people in the west who
| apparently have assumed that it was the
duty of some one connected with the govern
| ment to attend to such matters and have
not fully appreciated the fact that in our
| form of government good results cannot be
obtained unless citizens individually and col
| lectiVely give personal attention to matters
OF Pubic Importance. There is sufficient
power in the hands of the men who are in.
terested In the west and familiar with its
needs to bring about the accomplishment OF
much lasting good for that half of the coun-
| try. Instead Of the comparatively small ap.
preparation scattered at a few important
| points over this vast country there might BIZ
| at least ten times as much attempted.
THE work which / have in hand-tha
OF determining the water supply-is carries
on under an appropriation of $50, ,0Ot
used in various lines authorized by law
and there are at least twenty states In which
work should be done, each claiming tha
preference should be given over all the res
and presenting proof why the whole sun
cuold well be expended within its borders
There Is no doubt but that this could be done
economically, efficiently and to great ad
| vantage to the various communities con.
cerned II each group of men would devote
energies toward securing fair apprpopria
tion instead Of merely attempting to take
from the others.
"In the case OF Montana we have en-.
deavored to be as liberal as possible, weigh
ing each item carefully and doing as full
justice as we can to the magnitude of tho
opportunities presented When, however
pass In review the numerous streams anC
the opportunities for water construction,
see the hopelessness Of attaining result.
commensurate with the needs unless the
citizens will awake from their lethargy anC
take upon themselves the duty OF securinl
| sufficient appropriations. AS you mus
recognize. 1t is improper and in fact i'm
possible for an officer of the executive de-
partment to lead in such matters. He may
indicate the way, but the citizens themselve.
must demand before the people OF the countr,
at large will respond. 1t, therefore, give
me pleasure to note that men like your
self are beginning to recognize this con
ditlon and to inquire why it Is that NOR
is not done In this line. / trust that you
efforts will not cease until the waite
resources Of the state have been mad
: apparent to the world and every encoura ge
ment and opportunity offered for the making