Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1904-11-03
UOOSEVELT'S FRIENDSHIP FOR The WEST
Manner of Determining Reservoir Sites and How
Organized Effort Secures the Highest Eff
ciency-GIimpses Of the Future
of "Arid America"

i
good land however, which lies too high
to he thus reached, and these lands, if ir-
rigated at all, must be supplied by some
form Of pumping device or from artesian
source. AS the water flows down the
steep river channels it can occasionally
be diverted and power developed, the
water being used for irrigation later.
This power, carried by the electrical
transmission mentioned in our last issue,
can be used to pump water to the lands
somewhat above the ordinary canals.
AS previously stated, it is one of the
engineering problems OF the reclamation
service to develop all power possible and
utilize this in irrigatng the higher lands
by means of pumping. Another problem
is that of discovering the quantity and
quality Of the underground waters and
devising means by which these may be
brought to the surface, if not too saline
for agricultural purposes. Thus the
work OF the reclamation engineers Is not
merely hydraulic in character; it involves
mechanical and electrical construction
and a knowledge of geological principles
which govern the occurrence Of water
underground.
Some Tedious Work for Uncle Sam.
no edSlly dNdlldDle WHLeTS OI Vue
arid region have in many instances been
appropriated and put to use by private
enterprises, leaving for the government
only the large, difficult or involved pro-
jects. 1t is not possible anywhere to
find ideal conditions, and although far
reaching results are to be accomplished,
these will be achieved only after great
skill and tact have been brought to
bear.
Criticism will be launched against the
government by the uniformed, because
of the apparently slow progress in the
development Of great irrigation projects
, In all cases it should be remembered
that nearly all of such undertakings in
, vove the application or trial of new
methods and devices and the dealing with
considerable numbers of persons who are
private owners of land under such pro-
posed irrigation projects. 1t will be seen
that the work requires not merely skill,
but time.
, In the execution of the work, it Is nee
, , essary to utilize lands, rights Of way or
privileges owned by individuals. Many
of these can be acquired by purchase;
others must be condemned by process OF
law. 1t is not desirable to begin con-
demnation proceedings until all possible
, efforts have been exhausted to bring
about fair and business-like sale, as it
is essential to secure and maintain the
: good will of the community. 1t Is a
better policy not to force matters, but
. even to risk some delay, rather than
t. by main strength to bring about reforms
= which will be appreciated only after
many years.
National Irrigation for Private Lands.
n As stated, Uncle Sam still owns from
Il one-half to nine-tenths of the area of
r each of the Western States and terri
p tories affected by President Roosevelts
h National Irrigation Act. He is the big
Q land owner and will always remain the
- proprietor of the great mountain area
|. covered mainly with trees, and from
= which come the waters essential to the
@ life OF agriculture. Much of the best
n land in the valleys has already passed
l. into private ownership and along almost
= every stream is a continuous succession
o of claims taken up under the Homestead
II or Desert Land law.
: The public land, as a rule, is the bench
land adjacent to the valley. Nearly every
: scheme for the reclamation OF govern.
Y ment land must of necessity involve the
|
II ership. The provisions of the law are
Il such that the land owned by individuals
# can be irrigated in small tracts not t.
i exceed 160 acres, that being the amount
n allowed for each individual. The law
IS has been so framed as to require con
y tinuous residence on and cultivation OF
IS the land; whether originally in private
n or public ownership, the chief purpose
m being, OF course, to bring about imme
T. diately a dense settlement in small. self
% sustaining farms.
" The projects already agreed upon EN-
n brace all extremes from those wher,
l. nearly all Of the land is in public own
ership, to those where most of the lane
Is at present owned by individuals. Ii
the latter case the lands are now for th,
most part vacant, cultivation having been
IS attempted with an inadequate suppl,
n OF water, and failure was the result. l.
~ the land in private ownership were al
o. ready irrigated, there would, of course
e. be no need of governmental interference
e. but in majority of instances settler
r. have come in with good faith and trie,
IL TO make homes. In any event, whethe
o. they have or not they can now Obtain
III water under the law only by residence
C. and cultivation in small tracts, thu
ST bringing about the intent OF the Nationa
10 Irrigation Act
% Individual Home Builders.
81 Whenever project for reclama ton o
~ government land is declared TO be feasi
ble public lands under ii are immediate
III l. taken up under the terms OF tn
homestead law, and by the time tn
works are completed the land is nearl
er always in private ownership. Thu,
cs whatever the initial condition may b,
cd whether the arid land was owned at hrs
rs. by the government or by individuals, tn
Sc results are the same--the establishment
Ii OF homes upon small farms.
ng Where the land holdings In the hand
wv of an individual or corporation are larg,
he water for these cannot be obtained unit
they are subdivded and disposed of 1
an small tracts TO actual settlers. Sue
TO occupants must reside continuously fC
ia i've years, at least, upon the iaAd an