The Minneapolis journal., 1903-12-08

the country east Of the Mississippi will
stand without break against the bill.
This statement, sweeping as it is, is
made after careful talk with some Of
the representative men in both houses
OF congress from the eastern states.
In Washington the McCumber bill
has been regarded as merely a bit Of
god politics. 1t voices the sentiments
OF the Bismarck congress, and stand
ing on that ground the senator feels
sure OF being able to increase his fol-
lowing in the state.
North Dakota Projects.
SO far as North Dakota is concerned,
| may say that the reclamation service
has in mind a rather important prof.
ect, In addition to those referred to In
this correspondence few days ago.
quite from an interview with q prom
lnent official of the service:
Government engineers are considering
the feasibility of constructing pumping
plants on the Missouri, in regions where
Ignite is found In quantities, and, by
this means. considerable areas possibly
may be reclaimed.
The state of North Dakota, however
notwithstanding it has contributed so
largely to the reclamation fund, presents
few opportunities for the construction of
large irrigation systems. The Missouri
river, which is the principal stream in the
arid section Of the state, has a fall of only
four or five inches to the mile, making
it impossible to divert water by gravity.
The valleys of the small tributaries in this
section are exceedingly narrow, and con-
tain only small tracts of irrigable land.
One large irrigation work is projected on
the lower Yellowstone, which, if con-
structed. will reclaim considerable land in
North Dakota.
The project last mentioned would
develop considerable section of
country in the northwestern corner of
the state, and at the proper time it
Will be strongly urged hy the state
delegation in congress. -.
So much from Official sources re-
gardlng the conditions in the western
portion Of North Dakota. Now, some
thing, from the same sources, regard
ing the semi-humid regions lying be-
tween the Missouri and the James
rivers:
The universal history Of irrigation in
the sem1-arid states, to which region
part Of North Dakota belongs, has been
that during periods of ample rainfall,
which occur at varying intervals, irriga-
tion bitches are permitted to fall into dis
use, and, when the dry seasons come, the
canals are not available. This has been
true to large extent in Nebraska and
in South Dakota It is the chief reason
semiarid regions Of India. The farmers
Will not keep their bitches in order when
the rainfall is abundant. If this is true,
large sums Of money expended east of the
Missouri river in North Dakota would be
expended unwisely, as compared with
| their expenditure in arid regions. where
there Is never sufficient rainfall, and
where, accordingly, the bitches must al
ways be kept in order.
FTact nf tho Dill
Of course, the McCumber bill would
cause the immediate cessation of re-
clamation work in Arizona, where con-
struction has already begun on one of
| the largest propositions in the country.
1t would stop the work already under
way in Nevada, and would render i'm
possible any consideration Of feasible
| irrigation works in Utah, Kansas, New
| Mexico, and perhaps Wyoming and
| South Dakota, as funds derived from
the sale Of lands in these states and
| territories are inadequate for the con-
structiOn of important works. The
Oklahoma fund is nos nearly $4,000
600, and yet with the exception Of one
county and part of another, irrigation
tory, whose irrigation fund, under the
McCumber bill, would be tied up per-
manently. Nevada, generally consid-
| cred the most arid state. - the coun-
try, has contributed but 10 ,S79 to this
fund. The government now has in
progress in that state work which will
| necessitate the outlay of a million and
a half dollars. Should the McCumber
| bill become a law, this work must
| stop. Without irrigation, crops are
| impossible in Nevada. The govern
| ment owns there a, vast area of LAND
which would remain forever absolute
| ly without value.
With the exception of North Da,
kota, and under certain condition!
which may arise, Oregon, all the pub
lie land states would suffer by the pas
sage Of the bill. If projects now un
der consideration for Oregon are car
ried out, the large fund contributed
by that state to irrigation-the larges
of all the states-will not suffice tt
carry the work to completion.
The opinion is ventured that tn,
McCumber bill will not even be re
ported out of the senate irrigation
committee. SO far as can now b,
known, every member Of that commit
tee, republican as well as democrat
is opposed to the principle which i
seeks to establish. ..... .. ...
w, w. Jermane,