The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-10-10

doubtless devise a means by which
the poor mans family may be helped
to get a home On the soil.
Does Not Solve the Problem.
Government. land at cost does not
wholly solve the problem. There are
railroad fares u be met, homes to be
built, lands to be improved and
mouths to be fed before the lands
come into bearing. Thus. the prob
lem Of colonization is by no means
wholly solved by putting the water
on the land. lido not see how a man
could have a nobler monument than
a colony Of happy families or ever
n family enjoying the security Of
life ON the irrigated farm as the re-
suit Of his assistance.
If you ask me for an example Of
what might be accomplished in this
line, l point you to the irrigated val
leys of Utah. These were settled by
comparatively poor men, many Of
whom were assisted by a powerfuhor:s
~ganization. They live en- small farms.
They enjoy economic independence
by the simple method Of producing
the variety Of things which they con-
sumo. They live chiefly in villages
and SO have social advantages not
usually. within reach OF farming COM
,nunities.
1T is an amazing statement, but the
United States ceusus vouches for it's
veracity, that Of their 10000 farms,
10000 are wholly free from incum-
ORANGES. I love to think of these
green oasis among the Utah noun
tains.
1t Is His Own Work.
the republic the jewellers Of these love
ly valleys will know nothing CT it, ex.
cept from hearsay. They will contin-
ue to live on the fat of the land, as
long as water run down hill. Work
ing for themselves among their homes
and living in the midst of congenial'
neighbors, what have they to fear:
Now think of and America, with it's
hundred million acres of irrigated,
land, as densely settled as those of
Utah valley. Think of the people who
combine social advantages of town
with the independence of country life.
Think of them with their daily
newspapers, their telegraphs, and tele-
phones and>their rapid means Of trans
p~ortation for products and people, and
then realize that under the plans we
propose, the humblest citizen of the
republic can pass at will from the
discouraging conditions of town life
If for him they are discouraging-
tc the inspiring and hopeful opportun-
tiles Of this new promised land.
It Makes the Bosom Swell. =
1T is when think of it this way
that my enthusiasm is kindled until
mind and heart are ablaze. i thank
God that l have lived to see the great
policy of national irrigation actually
inaugurated. l thank God that / have
been permitted to have an humble
part in bringing it about, and, my
friends, let us not permit ourselves
tic think that u labors in this great
work are ended. On the contrary.
let us, with patriotic zeal, dedicate
ourselves anew to this advancement.
Let us continue to use our influence
to keeping it IN a national plan, 10
eating the first reservoirs to be built
where the conditions fer insuring sue
cess are perfect in seeing that the
farms created go to actual settlers
only; in bringing to the attention of
the fortunate and b~enevolently in
clined the opportunity for doing last
ing good in helping worthy families
to settle upon these new farms, in
the building Of good roads, of the for
ests, the identifying of country homes.
in utilizing the powers of nature and
GuC 1OOOl lASCACAIAS VI AloA "
make country life and country homes
in every way attractive and inviting.
you could not, be engaged in a
more noble work than that which you.
have come here. today from your dis
tant homes to deliberate upon. 1t is
truly heavens work. because its ben
aHoopt ,.oc,,1t will net q lone nc h,,.
mainly itself. 1t is heavens work be-
cause in addition to adding great
wealth to the nation, it will benefit
the homeless and unfortunate of Gods
children and God will surely bless
the government and the people will
carry it to a successful fruition."
Addresses were made at the con-
clusion Of President Walsh's response
--.4 49, -