The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-11-04
How Uncle Sam Is Retaining Millions Of Acres
of Nom Productive and Arid Lands.
ROOSEvELTS FRIENDSHIP FOR THE west
Manner Of Determining Reservoir Sites and How
Organized Effort Secures the Highest Eff
ciency-Glimpses Of the Future
Of "Arid America"

cent to the streams. There will be much
good Land. however, which lies too high
to be thus reached, and these lands, il 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 irrigating 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, il 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 Fam.
The easily available waters Of the
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 nave 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
volve the application or trial of new
methods and devices and the dealing with
considerable numbers OF persons who ara
private owners of land under such pro-
posed irrigation projects. 1t wall be seen
that the work requires not merely skill,
but time.
In the execution Of the work, it is nec-
essary to utilize lands, rights Of way or
privileges owned by individuals. Many
OF these can be acquired by purchase;
AAC AuSS VIC W P1VSCSS OA
law. 1t is not desirable to begin con-
demnation proceedings until all possible
efforts have been exhausted to bring
about a fair and business-like sale. as it
Is essential to secure and maintain the
good will of the community. 1t is 4
better policy not to force matters, but
even to risk some delay. rather thar
by main strength to bring about reforms
which will be appreciated only after
many years.
Nationai irrigation for Private Lands.
As stated, Uncle Sam still owns from
one-half to nine-tenths Of the area OF
each Of the Western States and terri
tories affected BY President R~oosevelt's
National Irrigation Act. He is the big
land owner and will always remain tho
proprietor OF the great mountain areas
covered mainly with trees, and from
which come the waters essential to the
life OF agriculture. Much Of the best
land in the valleys has already passed
into private ownership and along almost
every stream 10 q continuous succession
Of claims taken up under the Homestead
or Desert Land law.
The public land, as a.rule, 10 che bench
land adjacent to the valley. Nearly every
scheme for the reclamation Of govern
ment land must OF necessity Involve the
irrigation Of land now in private own
ership. The provisions Of the law are
such chat the hand owned by individuals
can be irrigated In small tracts not to
exceed 100 acres, that being the amount
allowed for each individual. The law
has been % framed - to require ION
tinuous residence on. and cultivation OF
the land; whether originally in private
or public ownership, the chief purpose
being, Of course, to bring about imme-
diately . dense settlement in small, self
sustaining farms.
The projects already agreed upon en-
brace all extremes from those where
nearly al Of the land IL in public own
ership. to those where most OF the land
IL u present owned BY individuals. In
the latter case the lands are now for the
most part vacant, cultivation having been
attempted with m inadequate supply
Of water, and failure was the result. IL
the land in private ownership were al
ready irrigated, there would. of course,
be no need Of governmental interference.
but in q majority OF instances settlers
have come in with good faith and tried
to make homes. In any event, whether
they have or not. they Z now obtain
water under the Law only By residence
and cultivation in small tracts, thus
bringing about the intent Of the National
Irrigation Act.
Individual Home Builders.
Whenever 4 project for reclamation Of
government land is declared to be FEAST
BILE, public lands under it are immediate
II taken up under the terms Of the
homestead law, and by the time the
works are completed the land IL nearly
always in private ownership. Thus,
whatever the initial condition may be,
whether the arid land was owned at FIRST
by the government Or b. individuals, the
results are the same-the ssta blishment
OF homes upon small farms.
Where the land holddngs In the hands
OF an individual Of cooperation are large.
water for these cannot be obtained until
they are subdividsd and disposed Of In
small tracts to actual settlers. Such
occupants must reGlde Spontaneously Tor
= Years. ct sask. upea - land end