The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1903-08-22
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

nation ever set Its hand, new and
appalling obstacle is encountered.
Almost every acre Of these lands
which this nation is about to pre-
pare for the swarming Of a home
building population may, under ex-
listing laws, be stolen and used as
the basis of a profitable specula-
ton. And those who desire to Sc
cure these lands for speculative
purposes are strong enough to tie
the hands Of congress until the
deed shall have been done. This,
too, in spite Of the fact that the
president Of the United States has
urged the repeal Of these iniqui-
tous land laws as something which
is vital to the success Of the ma
tional irrigation policy.
Shall the nations land then, and
the nations money be used enrich
a comparatively few greedy indi-
viduals, or shall they be used to
furnish security and happiness for
millions Of men, women and chill
dren?
This is the question which must
be answered when Congress meets
again. The answer depends abso-
lutely upon the will of the people
as it shall be made known to their
representatives in Washington. No
power on earth, except the power
of an aroused and indignant public
opinion can save the arid region
from falling prey to the spectators
who are alive to their opportunity
while the people are asleep.
In his last message, the president
recommended the repeal of the
Desert Land Law. of the commu-
tation of the Homestead Law, and
the Timber and Stone Act. These
are the provisions of existing stat
;utes under which absolutely the
most valuable property now owned
by the American people is being
systematically absorbed into pri.
vate ownership by those who can
not use it, but who propose to sell
it at an enormous profit to real
homeseekers when the nation shall
have multiplied it's valve an hun.
dred fold by means of irrigation.
The nation has land for every
man who will make his home on it
in good faith,-who will break the
sod, plant crops. build a house and
settle down to support his family
from the soil. But the nation has
no land--at least it ought to have
none-for the man who merely
seeks to ~forestall the actual settler
and sell out to him at a profit, or
become alandlord collecting income
from his tenants.
Under present land laws millions
of acres are being taken by those
who have no thought of breaking
the soil, planting crops or building
home. They are mere adventures
and spectators.
The Desert Land Lawgives them
a chance to obtain for a song, with
out residence and without cultiva-
ton three hundred and twenty acres
of the richest soil on earth-enough
for sixteen families. The commu-
tation clause of the homestead law
gives them a chance to take up 100
acres with, hut the barest pretense
of residence, and that for only IA
months. The Timber and Stone
Act enables them to acquire forests
and quarries for a bagatelle and
hold them for speculative advances.
Frank Stockton left the hero of
his famous tale hesitating before
two doors. If he opened one, it
meant life and happiness; if the
other, death. And the question
was never answered-"The Lady
or the Tiger"
Uncle Sam stands at>the door of
the arid region. Hissfoot is on the
threshold, his hand is on the latch.
Shall it be the homemaker or the
speculator. Shall it be life and
happiness for millions, or a riot
and a carnival of speculation at the
expense Of the people.