Gilpin observer., 1903-05-14
FARMING MATTERS.
The New Irrigation Law.

| c. e. Wantland, land agent for the
union Pacific railroad, and one of the
leading spirits in promoting the Ma
tional Irrigation act, has written an
article entitled, Importance of the Ma
tional Irrigation Act" which appears
In the April issue of Guntons NJ ga
zine, and in which he has embouIed
his views on this important subject.
Mr Wantland says in part
! THE National Irrigation act pro-
vides the plan by which the irrigable
but now arid lands in Arizona, Cali
fornia. Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mon
tana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico,
North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon,
South Dakota, Washington and Wy
oming may be reclaimed. 1t creates
from the proceeds of future land sales
| a reclamation fund to be used by the
secretary OF the interior in the exam
| 1nation and survey for, and the con-
struction and maintenance of irriga-
ton works for the storage, diversion
| and development of waters for the re-
clamation of arid and semi-arid lands.
THE land so reclaimed will be sold
to settlers. who must return to the
government, in ten equal instalments,
without interest on deferred payments,
the cost of supplying water to the land.
This will give them free land under
the homestead law, and the water at
actual cost on easy terms and under.
canal systems which will be under
their control and management
THE first effect has been to give a,
great advertisement to the western
states and to encourage the investment
of private capital in irrigation enter;
prises. In the reclamation fund cre-
ated by the National Irrigation act,
there is now about $10.000000 which
is being drawn upon to meet the costs
OF surveys and Investigations now be-:
ing conducted. Lands now owned by,
the states will produce greater reve-
nue., additional values for taxation will
be created, and lower rates will be
possible for states, counties and cities.
The increase of irrigated ranches will
provide more hay for feeding, and
cheaper feed and greater security for
live stock in winter.
But above all, the National Irriga-
ton act will provide a way for the re-
lief of the thousands in the cities, who,
when the next period of depression
comes to the nation, will be among
the army of the unemployed
1T was fortunate that there was in
the Presidential chair a man who knew
the West as well as the East, and had
the courage to throw his full strength
into the hight for the National Irriga-
ton act. The Importance of this act
and the beneficial results which will
arise from its operation can hardly be
overestimated. Within the next thirty
five years it is reasonable to believe
that there will be added to the agri-
cultural land in the sixteen states and
territories affected an area equal to
the whole irrigated area now in the
entire West"
Mr.. Wantland lays great stress on
the imperative necessity for the pres
ervation of the forests and under
growth. without which there cannot be
a sufficient water supply. Actual work
under the new law will be commenced
soon and contracts let for the con-
struction work. Labor will be required
and increased demands in many direc-
tions will be felt, and from its initia-
| ton to its outcome the new law will
| be a great benefit to the entire coun-
try-