The Teton peak., 1904-09-15
Telegram to National irrigation
Congress at Ogden, Utah,
Last Year.
"GREATEST STEP FORWARD"
Sach Is the Presidents Opinion Of
Grigati0n-Message Shows Vast Fund
Of Information on Reclamation
of Arid Lands.

President Roosevelt sent the following
message to the National Irriga ton Con-
gress in session at Ogden. Utah. Sept.
10, 1903. 1t is characteristic of the
nan. 1t shows broad. deep. patriotic
interest in both irrigation and forestry.
Il also shows his mastery intellectual
grasp Of any and all topics concerning
Ne public welfare:
Oyster Bay. N. Y, Sept *. 1903
The passage of the National Irrigation
Law was one Of the greatest steps, not only
to that of all mankind.
It was the beginning Of an achievement
- great that we hesitate to predict the
bNtcome. but 1t was only the beginning.
Now that the law Is an accomplished fact.
that must be given effect. To that end the
exclamation service organized under the
National Irrigation Law of Juae II. 1902,
las been pushing Its surveys and examina-
eion Of possible irrigation projects ener-
Eetically In each of the thirteen States and
ehree Territories named In the act. Some
II the projects which promised well at first
are found on careful study to be mprae
0cable, either because of scanty water sup
Ry or of great cost. Others must await
higher values In land, while still Others
stand the test and are ready for immediate
sonstruction.
Necessity Of National Aid.
The feasible projects are always large
and costly, because private enterprise has
e1ready seized upon the smaller aud less
the great works which are to be so essen
GAL Z part In bringing the nation to its
eutl development. Great care and the high
ct engineering skill are required to plan
ana build such works, which are among the
most difficult undertakings Of mankind They
must be built for permanence aud safety.
eer they are to last and spread prosperity
Tor centuries. To design aud build such
a hnlr nf nutn nf hf.rt.
character have been brought together In
the reclamation service, for only men I'M
partially selected for capacity alone are
capable Of creating these great structures.
Merit must govern. not only In the selec-
esen OF men, but still more In the selection
q the projects.
Every reclamation project selected for
construction must possess the qualities
which commend 1t as national undertake
ing, certain to reclaim large tracts Of arid
land and to support in well being dense
sud vigorous population; Vast though the
benefits of the reclamation lay, there will
De many disappointnents, which necessarily
awaft both the advocate Of special projects
end the men whose desire of accomplished
ce6uits Outruns the slow and steady devel
epment of these great undertakings. II
Should be borne In mind that a broad sur
vJ OF all possible projects gives the con
eeption OF their relative vaAle, aud that
work OF prime Importance to Que group OF
0e1 may seem less desirable ln the light Of
wider knowledge.
caution Urged.
Nor IL 1t wise In large affairs to begin
esnstructlon first, and elaborate details af
forwards. Each important point must be
carefully studied In advance, and the whole
Plan tested and approved before work can
begin. Yet If we proceed both cautiously
end persistently under this benefcent law.
We may confidently expect the largest pos
aiole development OF our arid lands aud
Aeir settlement by Industrious, pre-, ,perous
seif-respecting men and women, who will
exchange the products of irrigated agricul
eere for the products Of mills aud factories
throughout the United States Commuli
des fourishing In what Is now the deser.
Will finally take their places AMONG the
strongest pillars of our Commonwealth.
The Irrigation development of the arid
West caunot stand alone. Forestry Is Ill,
eompanion and support OF irrigation. With
eut forestry, ri.ation must fall. Pernan
ent irrigation Development and forest de
Nructioh canlot exist together. Never for
get that the torest-reserve policy Of til,
eationai government means the use OF ali
the resources of the forest reserves. Their.
y little profit Ia destruction compared with
vse
Home Making Chief Obi ct.
The settlement Of the great urid West 10y
the makers OF homes Is tae central object
both Of the irrisatiou aud the forest policy
ef the United States. In forestry, as III
irrigation, the immediate private Interests
ef some individual must occasionally yieh.
= their permanent advantage, wAicn Is til.
YoohS 6oou. Aut vi lO.tStly
bot only for the future, but for the present
Rhe forest reserves are for all the peop e
put first for the people in the immaculate L
aeighborhood, for whom supplies OF woou
and water are among tue first nccessares OF
6fe. With the wisrr and lnore shillfui
management of the reserve by trained ul.il
Che greater obviously will their usefulness
oe to the public
Ultimate succes. Sure.
We must never allow our chagrin at ten
porary defeat and difficulties In the iiiau
egement OF the forest reserves to blind us
70 the absolute necessity of these reserves
to the people of the West
Support of the iorest-rrserve policy has
grown with wonderful rapidiiy In the Wcs
During the last few years IL viii cont inu,
TO grow III the iast vestige of opposition.
Aow almost gone, has wholly Disappeared
before the understanding oi the object ana
ehe effect of the reservation. The create
ene support Of the forest serve by the pco.
pie OF the West, the greater the assur;inc,
that the national irrigation policy will not
Tall, for the preservation of The forests l.
Vital to the success of this policy.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.