Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1902-08-22
IRRIGATION.
Senator Hansbrough Makes Some Interest.
ing Statements.

AAAAo III VAo VIII S1CleS lew
days ago, Senator Hansbrough was in
terviewed by a Minneapolis Journal
reporter, on the irrigation question,
and that paper says:
Senator H. c. Hansbrough of North
Dakota, the foremost figure in nation
al irrigation legislation says the fund
for the reclamation of arid lands un-
der the provisions of the new irriga-
tion law is growing at gratifying
rate and that plans for irrigation in
various parts of the northwest are
going forward. Engineers connected
with the geological survey are now
investigating opportunities for this
kind of improvement in the north
west, especially in Montana and North
Dakota. The fund is now in the
neighborhood of SO, 900, 600 all receiv-
ed from the sale of public lands since
the law went into effect. Of this
North Dakota has contributed almost
81, 600, 900, leading the entire list of
states included in the provisions of the
law. South Dakota has contributed
about -thild of that amount.
Montana presents the largest field for
the irrigator. The senator estimates
that North Dakota has 100000 acres
which can be brought under irrigation
in the next eight or ten years. The
Milk River irrigation scheme is the
big proposition now being considered
by the department Of the interior
This will bring about 600, 900 acres of
land under cultivation, all located in
territory tributary to northwestern
distributing centers.
Senator Hansbrough, who is spend
ing the summer in the northwest, fol-
lows the irrigation plans of the gov
ernment with much interest. He be-
lieves that the land which will be
brought under cultivation by irriga-
tion in the next eight or ten years
will and greatly to the business done
northwestern wholesale points as we'll
as creating new opportunities for the
farmer and business man in many
parts of the northwest
Irrigation will add little to the
cereal production Of the northwest,
but it will solve the problem of meat
production which now threatens to be
hampered by the invasion of the small
grain farmer in the range sections.
Discussing national irrigation plans
with the Journal Senator Hansbrough
said:
In carrying out irrigation plans
under the provisions of the new law,
the states and the federal government
must cooperate. Under the consti :
tutions Of most Of the states interested
in this measure the appropriation use
and distribution Of waters in all
streams belong to the states The
purpose of the national irrigation law
is to enable the federal government
to work in conjunction with the state
authorities in conserving those flood
waters of those streams for distribu-
tion and use on the public domain.
Under regulations to be agreed upon
between the secretary Of the interior
and the states interested in any-im-
provement reservoirs can be construct
ed and the waste waters conserved.
"a ,;,k
itself to the use of flood waters except
in case where the state authorities
are willing to 60 further and use the
normal stream. Naturally where
the federal government and the state
are SO closely interested there will be
a conflict occasionally that must be
settled in the courts. There are some
decisions already made by the federal
courts which have bearing on points
that are likely to arise. Mr.. Newells
Of the geological survey is now in the
Rocky Mountain region working east
with several assistants. Parties in
other sections of the country are max
ing the necessary examinations and
surveys incidental to the contraction
of the necessary reservoirs and canals.
The purpose is to have all of the pre-
liminary data gathered and at hand,
so that the letting Of contracts for the
construction Of reservoirs may begin
next year. For fifteen years the gov
ernment has taken accurate measure
ment Of streams throughout the arid
and semiarid regions of the west,
both as to their normal and their tor
renetial capacity. This will be of such
assistance in carrying out irrigation
plans. The idea that national irriga-
tion means a largely increased volume
of cereal products is wrong. This
was the opinion of our friends in the
east who were first opposed to the bill
in congress. Estimates based on the
best information at hand indicate that
under this law not to exceed 900, 900, :
900 acres can be irrigated within the
next forty years. This is about one
tenth Of the land in the arid and
semiarid region of this country. A