Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-10-02
WHAT IRRIGATION
LAW PROVIDES
Prof. Newell. In Charge of Work OF Govern
ment Irrigation, Sets Forth the Work.
ings of the National Irrigation Act.

ton This power carried out by cleo
trcal transmission, can be used to
pump water to the lands somewhat
above the ordinary canals.
1t is one of the engineering prob
lens of the reclamation service to de-
velop all of the power possible, and to
utilize this in irrigating the higher
lands by means of pumping Another
problem is that of discovering the
quantity and quality of the under
ground waters. and devising means by
which these may be brought to the
surface. if not too saline, for agricul-
tura purposes. Thus the work of the
engineers is not merely hydraulic in
character; ii involves mechanical and
electrical construction, and a knowl-
edge of geological principles which
govern the occurrence of water under
ground.
The easily available waters of the
arid region have already been appro-
priated and put to use by private en-
terprise. leaving for the government
only the large, difficult or involved
projects. 1t is not possible anywhere
to find ideal conditions, and. although
great results can be accomplished,
these will be achieved only after great
skill and tact has been brought to
bear. Criticism has and will be made
because of the slow progress in these
, great works but when it is remem-
, bered that nearly all of these under
takings involve the application. or
: trial. of new methods and devices,
, and the dealings with considerable
numbers of persons. it will be seen
that the work requires not merely skill,
but time.
p In the execution of the works, ii is
necessary to utilize lands, rights or
n way or privileges owned by individ-
% uals Most of these can be acquired
r by purchase: others must be con
o demned by process of law. 1t is not
e desirable to begin condemnation pro
a ceedings until all possible efforts have
O been exhausted TO bring about a far
is and business like sale, as it is essen
ii tial to secure and maintain the good
ho will of the community. 1t is consid-
. cred wise not to force matters. but to
i,o risk some delay rather than by main
70 strength to bring about reforms which
nd will be appreciated only after some
en- years
40 The government is still the owner
m of from one half to nine-tenths OF the
area of each of the western states ant
=, territories il is in effect the grea
IN land owner. and viii probably Away!
~, remain the proprietor of the grea
do mountain masses covered in part VIII
l. trees and from which come the water
1ot essential to the life of agriculture
Much of the best land in the valleys
bo has. however, passed into private own
in ershp and along every stream IS q
ii continuous succession OF claims taken
nv up under the homestead or desert law.
n The public land, as a rule, is on the
90 bench land adjacent to the valleys.
IN Nearly every scheme for the reclama
.a1 ton of government land must OF neces-
of sity involve the irrigation Of lands n
oh private ownership, The provisions of
IN the law are such that the lands owned
80 by individuals can be irrigated in small
- tracts not to exceed 100 acres being
,ts allowed for each Individual. Great
,ar care is being taken to have this feature
,ct of the law enforced in such a way as
10 to require continuous residence an(
40 cultivation of the land, whether orig
tar inally in private or public ownership
the chief purpose being to bring abou
oet Immediately a dense settlement i
,od small. self sustaining farms.
no In the various projects under con
ON sideration are all extremes. from
os those in which nearly all of the Ian
or- is in public ownership to those wher
tho most of the land is now owned by in
,ds dividuals In the latter case the land
ba are now. for the most part, vacan
ver cultlNatloh nay ms "'S' 49,
ucb an inadequate supply of water, an
a. failure ensued. If the land in priya1
,ed ownership were already irrigated thel
all. would OF course DC 10 n'eu -
of mental interference, but in the m
sio, iority of instances settlers have con
the in. with good faith. and tried to ma
sion homes IN any event Wlel"el ~
lped (Continued on Fourth PageO