Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-03-06
NATIONAL IRRIGATION.

tional policy In America, endowed and
lation. and this reminds us
Of the splendid work which
has been going on for few
years in the annual meetings Of the
irrigation Congress- This great work
was begun In the west by western
men. and II is opporfune that Presi-
dent Roosevelt's administration is
friendly to the west II is fortunate
that Mr.. Roosevelt himself knows the
great west and its manifold resources
a. well ~ Its many needs In the ma
ture Of friendly legislation.
The Hansbrough senate bill provid-
ing for the reclamation of the arid
lands Of America by irrigation passed
the senate last Saturday without
dissenting vote, and II is announced
that the prospects for the passage Of
the bill by the house are most favor
able.
A quarter OF century ago when
economic writer's frst begun serious
iy TO discuss the vast agricultural re-
sources Of the then comparatively ub-
known west ithat west which Is far
removed from the Missouri riyert II
would have been impossible TO get
the serious attention OF the national
congress- directed TO the subject.
Then and for some years later the
west was struggling to secure the at.
tention of capital for It's mineral re
sources. and was begging for few
a
All tho money the west could secure
then WAS Shyiock's and the battle for
western industries WAS made for 40
long n time under greater disadyan.
tages than amy other part Of the civil.
ized world ever suffered.
Instead ~ tn. few potato patches
and small gardens scsttcrcd far and
vide through the west twenty-five
wears ago nearly all the land which
hHs been able TO avail! water for ,r.
figation by the ordinary means is
now under cultivation, and now II Is
the millions Of acres of higher and
better lands which congress seems
Disposed 20 provide means for lrripHi-
Ing Colorado has more NJ these than
almost any other western state or ter
ritory, and she has more living bonpt
eous stresms Of water than all others
combined with the aid which ron.
gross promises To provide by leeisia.
tion Colorado will fnd the reclaim
tion Of her arid lands easy.
The idea that Colorado is not i'm.
poitHnt for It's agricultural resources
has long been dispeiied. md while
the state has steadily increased tn.
volume Of its agricultural products
HnnpaIiy. II has been necessary ench
year 90 import from other states
greater volume Of farm products II
ia NOT = matter Of surprise that people
outside Of the state fail 10 appreciate
the Importance Of this Colorado indus.
try when there are thousands nt home
who have little idea where the pro.
ducts thss furnish their tables ARE
grown.
the growth OF the states industries
particularly those which are chi-f.
have noticed that while mining and
smelling and milling were advancing
rapidly tho hest effort Of the home
farmers has been Inadequate TO the
growing demand for their products
Tho aid which tho new Irrigation laws
promised. with render win within n
few years doubtless enable Colorado
farmers 10 supply the home demands
and this will carry along a largely in
creased production of meats. for
which thr state paws annually hun,
dr~ds N thousands OF dollars to other
sections beyond her horder~
While Colorado Ia regarded abroad
nF strictly a mining state only few
wears viii demonstrate her ngricui.
tlirHi Importance TO he second only to
two or three riate- west Of the Mis-,
souri river
For the splendid outlook for relief
through irrigation Legislation the west
will not regret that Theodore Roose.
Welt is president Of the United States
while that energetic galaxy Of west.
ern representatives are urging IN.
needed relief