The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-16

" NAAS "
Gress IN session at Ogden, Utah, Sept.
l6. 1905. 1t is characteristic of the
man 1t shows a broad, deep, patriotic
interest i'll both irrigation and forestry.
lfe aiss shows his mastery intellectual
grasp II any and all topics concerning
the public welfare:
Oyster Bay. N. Y, Sept. Is, 1903.
The passage of the National irrigation
u Law ", va one Of the greatest steps; not only
to that OF all mankind.
u WAS the beginning of an achievement
SO great that we hesitate to predict the
outcome. bnt 1t was only the beginning.
Now TINT the law Is an accomplished fact,
TINT must be given effect. To that end the
EXCLAMATION service organized under the
has been pushing its surveys and examina-
fion OF possible irrigation projects ener-
geticaiIy In each of the thirteen States and
three Territories named In the act. Some
OF the projects which promised well at first
are fsund on careful study to be imprac-
tkcabie. either because of scanty water sup
higher values In land, while still Others
stan9 the test and are ready for immediate
Construction.
Necessity of National Aid.
1'ha feasible projects are always large
aud eastly. because private enterprise has
already seized upon the smaller and less
Tspen.aye ones. leaving to the government
the great works which are to be so essen
qai . part In bringing the nation to its
Khn development. Grcat care and the high
eN engineering skill are required to plan
sud build such works. which are among the
most difticu!t of mankind. They
pnst he built for permanence and safety,
- thsy are to last and spread prosperity
vurks q body Of engineers of the highest
character hnye been brought together in
partially selected for capacity alone are
capable Of creating these great structures.
Merit must govern, not only in the selec-
OF the projects.
Ever reclamation project selected for
construction must possess the qualities
ing, certain to reclaim large tracts of arid
fand sad to support in well being a dense
ana Tigareus population; Vast though the
nenefto OF the reclamation law, there will
he many disappointnlents, which necessarily
await both the advocate OF special projects
AID the men whose desire OF accomplished
results %outruns the slow and steady deyel-
opment of these great undertakings. 1t
should be borne in mind that n broad sur
yegy OF all possible projects gives the con-
csption of&their relative value, and that a
work OF prime Importance to one group OF
men may seem less desirable in the light of
wider Knowledge.
Saption Urged.
Nor is 1t wise in largo affairs to begin
cai,sfrrction first, and elaborate details af-
forwards. Each important point must be
carefully studied In advance, and the whole
pian tested and approved before work can
begin. Yet If we proceed both cautiously
and pofslstently under this ljenefcent law,
We 1aay confidently expect the largest pos
sIhle development of our arid lands and
their settlement by Industrious. prosperous, !
self respecting men and women, who Will
exchange the Products of irrigated asrieul- |
turt: FOR the products of mills and factories
throughout the United States. Collmuni-
-tAhs tisurishing in what is now the desert /
VIII finally take their places among the |
strongest pillars of our Commonwealth.
The irrigation development of the ARID
West cannot stand alone. Forestry is the
ont forestry. Irrigation must fall. ,Perman- |
tlit trrlgntiol development and forest de-
get TINT the forest-reserve policy of the /
national government means the use of all
the resources of the forest reserves. There /
luse.