The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1900-10-13
AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT.

AN BESSFSH %bN NuSS
The National Business League at
a meeting held in Chicago have set
on foot what promises to be one OF
the greatest undertakings in the
history of the country. The prop
osition is that the Federal Govern
meut shall undertake to construct
irrigation works for the reclamation
of thessarid lands of the west line
Secretary of the Interior in his re-
port for 1899, speaking of the vast
area of irrigable public lands, says;
"That this acreage capable of sus-
tanning and comfortably supporting
under proper system of irrigation
at least 50, 900, 900 persons, should
remain practically desert is not in
harmony with the spirit of the age
or in keeping with the possibilities
of the future" The number Of
acres of land susceptible of reclama-
ton is given at $4,000, 900, and it
is believed that all this land can be
supplied with water at an average
cost of $500 per acre. The plan
of the National Business Leagne is
set forth in resolutions which were
adopted at this meeting and en-
bodies the following specifications;
that Congress appropriate not less
than $25o,ooo each year for tie
purpose of making irrigation sur
veys and maps of irrigable public
lands with plans and estimates OF
cost of reservoirs, canals and exper-
mental artesian wells by the United
States Geological Survey; and not
less than 500, 900 for irrigation in
vestigation by the Department Of
Agriculture. The resolutions also
embody the following policy with
respect to the future disposition Of
arid lands; all remaining public
lands to be held and administered
as a trust for the benefit Of the
whole people of the United States
and no grant Of the title to any Of
the public lands to be hereafter
made to any state or territory or tc
anyone but actual settlers and
home-seekers. The Fundamental
proposition in this movement is that
ownership of land and water shall
be vested in the actual tillers of the
soil. The National Business
League recognizes the necessity Of
establishing this principle and spe.
officially states it III their resolutions.
1t is somewhat gratifying to THE
TRIBUNE to find that the leading
business organization of the Uuited
States has now come to the same
conclusion with respect to owner
ship Of land and water that we
came to seven years ago and which,
locally, we have persistent1y advo.
Gated up to the present time. We
believe that this movement looking
to have the general government
take up the question of irrigation
on large scale is the proper thing.
The millions of acres of land which
are now desert and will always re-
main desert until irrigated will
amply justify the most stupendous
irrigation enterprise ever underta,
ken in the world. The National
Business League clearly sets forth
that the undertaking is beyond the
ability of private capital or state
aid. And that is true, but it is
equally true that should the FEEDER.
al Government undertake the work
slight addition to the price OF
public lands would repay all ex-
pense connected with the necessary
irrigation plants. This matter
should be urged upon our Represen-
sentatives in Congress and everv
pressure should be brought to bear
to enlist the aid of the Government
IN undertaking the irrigation of the
arid lands of the western half of the
United States.