Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-09-01

We have higher restiny as ma.
ton than the mere creation or accu-
mutation of capital We must pre-
serve and bequeath to future gen
]. erations the natural resources which
will be necessary to their material
welfare, and without which in the
years to come, the masses Of our peo-
pie will inevitably be reduced to pow
erty, and suffer privation and dis
tress.''
With this fine thought the Trans
Mississippi congress urges that meas
ures be taken to prevent the appalling
ravages from forest fires.
The reckless destruction of our tim.
Der resources by careless and waste
full methods Of numbering.
That the forests be preserved by
right use, not only as a permanent re-
source Of wood and timber supply
but as great natural sponges or re-
servoirs to hold back the flood waters
and lessen the destructive volume Of
floods.
That the National government build
the great irrigation systems necessary
for the reclamation and settlement
of the arid region by actual settlers
and homemakers, the landt reclaimed
to repay to the government the cost
Of the constrp etion Of the works
Mention Is made Of grea. engineer
ing works as win be necessary to ut
ilize the waters of such large rivers
as the Columbia, the Upper Missouri,
the Colorado. the Snake. the Sacra-
mento and the San Joaquin. Irriga-
tion works are urged for them as
rapidly as the lands reclaimed will be
settled upon, and will repay to the
government the cost of the works.
The Sacramento river alone furnishes
sufficient water, If stored and utiliz-
ed, to irrigate ten million acres OF
land
1t is urged that the whole irriga-
tion and flood problem should be
viewed in It's broadcast aspect and
complete and comprehensive plan OF
its entire solution be prepared with
out delay by the engineers of the re-
clamation service and Of the war de-
partment of the United States.
Objectionable Land Laws.
sThe timber and stone act should
be forthwith repealed and thereafter
a system should be Immediately adopt
ed under which the fullest utilization
of the timber might be made and the
prosperity of numbering communities
assured, the forests at the same time
preserved from destruction,
'The desert land act and the com
mutation clause Of the homestead act
should be Immediately and absolutely
repealed. and five years residence In
all cases should be required from a
settler before the government parts
with its title to any of the government
land under the homestead act. There
should be no increase of the acreage
area of a homestead entry. 1t should
in no case exceed 160 acres
Against Land Leasing.
Leasing Of the grazing land is re
garded as dangerous and inimical to
settlers and homebuilders.
"No leases Of the public land should
ever be made by the National gov
ernment. In the grazing regions the
secretary of the interior should %
empowered to grant annual grazing
leases to cooperative associations Of
settlers, and also % designate, On the
petition OF communities affected, the
public grazing lands which should be
grazcd over by sheep Or cattle respect
lively ana 70 which they should be re.
stricted.'
The president. The secretary Of the
interior and tbe officials of the gep
logical survey and reclamation seryiee
receive hearty commendation oi theiI
conservative and buslness-like policy
ia The administration OF the National
irrigation law. the congress pledgins
It's support 10 these officials in theii
efforts 10 demonstrate to the people