The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-12-07

81
The lands reclaimed by them should be
reserved by the government for actual
settlers, and the cost OF construction
should SO far as possible be repaid by the
land reclaimed. The distribution Of the
water, the division of h streams among
~irrigators. should be left to the settlers
themselves in conformity with state laws
n without Interference with those laws
or with vested rights. The policy Of the
national government should be to aid
irrigation in.the several states and terri
tories in such manner as will enable the
people in the local communities to help
themselves and as will stimulate needed
reforms in the state laws and regulations
governing irrigation.
~
The proclamation and settlement of
/'the arid lands will enrich every por-
- ton OF our country, just as the set .
. Element of the Ohio IN Mississippi .
valleys brought prosperity to the At =
. lantic states. .
The increased demand for manufactured
articles will stimulate industrial produc-
tton,t while wider home markets and the
trade Of Asia will consume the larger
food supplies n effectually prevent
Western competition with Eastern agri-
culture. Indeed the products of irriga-
~ "a w AANEJO SkAAGly IA HOu1lU
ing local centers of mining and other In
dustries which would otherwise not come
into existence at all. Our people as a,
whole will profit, for successful home
making liz but another name for the up
building OF the, nation.
The necessary foundation has already
been laid for the Inauguration of the poll
cy just described. It would be unwise to
begin by doing too much. for q great deal
Will doubtless be learned. both as to what
can and what cannot be safely attempted,
by the early efforts, which must Of neces-
eity be partly experimental In character.
~ the very beginning h government
eshould make clear, beyond shadow Of
doubt, It's Intention to pursue this policy
on lines Of the broadcast public interest.
reservoir or canal s1ould.eYer be built
to satisfy selfish personal or local inter-
eats, but only In accordance with the adj
vice OF trained experts after long investi-
cation has shown the locality where all.
the conditions combine . make the work
est usefulness to the community al ii
whole. There should be no extravaganza,
and the believers In the need OF irriga-
ton will most benefit their cause by see-t5
ing tot that It Stree from the least
faint ofsexcessiye or reckless expenditure
Of the public. moneys.
FSGS 80
. extension Of irrigation should har- .
= mqnise with and tend TO simproveath the =
Z conditionso Of those now living son irri-1
$Asgated land. Ts ss&3S &A$Ss
We are not Mt thess starting point OF this
development. Over two hundred mii1ions;
ofsapfivate capitalS has already beenex-
pended IN the continuation Of Irrigation
works and many million acres OF arid
hand reclaimedss9 @hiKhsdeGtce OF enter
prise i ability has been shown IN 1.-The
work Itself. but n muchSscannot be raid
ingreference To- the lAMss@felAting there
ssto. Thesssecurlty anddNs9valle Of the homes
gcreatedydepend largely ON h stability OF
sstIitaes 10 water but d asmajarityN0 these
Sfestson fkessHncertatn foundation Of court
sd1cfsion1 eKdefNd III Sordinary suits at
Nv. with fswNagcreditable exceptions
Stafes have failed Il sapr0ytde
4sceptatnsa Il 3ust division
11ttrealxxnib tns times scarcityssLsxand
uncertain slaW6 shaKe SMadA ne possible
sto est2biiskgg fiG Ktgl HI water inasesxcses
" Observation-Disclosures md uI9ny
STREAMS sshave already p46S(Sdankpsspdrt4ya
slSNInerSlhlpSSo Observation-Disclosures n-s
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ~