The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-11-29

demand the expenditure of more than
the amount contributed by those
states to the fund, while in others OF
them it will be difficult, not to say i'm
possible, to expend the amount con-
tributed without subjecting the gov
ernment to the charge of extravaganza
and gross favoritism.
Fostered by Politicians.
It has oeen the pan OF the secretary
not to regard state lines 100 c1oseiy,
but, while keeping the requirements
of the law we'll in mind, to provide
I rejects where the physical conditions
are the most inviting, and where, as
result, the work will be done cheap
est, relatively to the number of acres
benefited. In this plan he has the
hearty Endorsement of the reclamation
bureau, a brancn of the geological sur
vey, which is in direct charge of all
the work of investigating sites and
constructing works. The officers ana
agents of this bureau are scientists OF
approved reputation, and neither they
nor the secretary of the interior have
been controlled by political considera-
tions in making their recommends
tions and decisions.
1t is easy to understand why work
upon this high plane does not please
the politicians in some irrigation
states. The idea of having men who
are mere scientists, and know nothing
about politics and care less, distribute
a $23,0OO,00O fund is something the
politicians find themselves unable to
indorse.
In several states the agitation in
favor of turning the irrigation expert
ment of the government over to the
politicians has already begun, notably
in North Dakota, where it cropped out
during the recent campaign in stump
speeches made in all parts of the
state.
Physical Conditions Govern.
The physical conditions in the irri-
cation states are very dissimilar.
Some invite the construction of reser-
voirs and bitches, while others do not
The result is that in some states the
reclamation bureau, on orders from
the secretary of the interior, is pre-
pairing to, expend considerably more
than these states have contributed to
the irrigation fund, while in others
the proposed expenditure will, for the
present at least, fall considerably be-
low those contributions.
The line of cleavage is thus plainly
drawn. The states which are to re-
ceive, in the near future, irrigation
works exceeding in cost the sums
contributed by them to the irrigation
fund, are apparently we'll satisfied
with the law while those which are
to receive less are willing to change
the law and turn the irrigation busi-
ness over to the politicians, hoping
through the pull of senators and
congressman to secure greater recog-
milton than has thus far been accorded
them.
In this latter class is North Dakota.
which is cited here as Illustrating the
;aI, o1I c%o
its class.
Case in Point.
North Dakota has contributed to
the irrigation fund $3,4O6, 100. II a
sum of that size could be properly ex-
pended on irrigation works within the
states, without neglecting more invit-
ing projects elsewhere, there would
be no complaint, but according to the
government engineers, this cannot be.
After careful investigation, ex-
tending over more than year, anu
embracing the entire irrigation area
OF the state, it has been decided that
$1,750,0O0 is all that at present can be
expended there. This
sum embraces three projects, one at
Fort Buford to cost $1,2OO,OOO, one at
Bismarck, pumping project, to cost
$25O,OO0, and one at Trenton, also =
project, to cost 100000.
The two pumping projects have been
cordially recommended to the secre-
tary of the interior for adoption, and
it is expected that he will pass upon