The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-10-14

ave OF freSlQent ROOSeVeII.
It had begun, but only partially, to feel
it, great need; when this strong, ideal
American stepped up to it and handed
Il the golden key which is to unlock it's
limitless, latent wealth-greater than the
combined mineral deposits of all the
world.
By one stroke OF his pen he gave the
United States a new empire greater i'll
possibilities, for good to the human race,
than all that other great section ituat-
ed between the Atlantic Ocean and the
Mississippi River. The National Irri-
cation Act will transform 125.OOO,OOO
acres of land from desert to garden. II
will create the greatest home market this
country has ever known. 1t will make
happy homes for millions OF free Ameri-
cans. 1t will establish forever the pres
tige Of our in the Orient. 1t
will cause President Roosevelt's name
and his of1cial acts to be gratefully re-
membered for all time to come.
All the People I~nterested.
All American citizens are essentially
interested in the operations of the Ma
donai Irrigation Act for the reason that
It's influence on domestic trade and for
eign commerce is destined to be simply
in~calculable. The reclamation of arid
America along the lines Of the National
Irrigation Act means "a home for every
nan who wants one" 1t means that
when q settler gets ready to obtain his
share Of the National heritage he will
obtain not only fertile soil, but the water
necessary to make it a ~self-sustaining
home and that tie water right is guar
anteed by the government of the United
States. This is, beyond all comparison,
one Of the greatest things ever attempt
cd BY the American people.
Pregnant with great possibilities is
this proposed irrigation Of 125.OOO.OOO
acres Of the peoples domain, an area
thAk NOW supports but a meager popu-
1eti0n. Under irrigation farms are small
because the yield of the land is very
much greater in proportion to cost and
opeFatinga expenses than it is where the
clO0ds are the first and sole reliance for
water supply. It follows that there
MI. be q dense population on our irri-
lated area and q greatly increased mar
ket Tor the manufactured products Of the
rest OF the country. The railroads and
al other industries will profit by the
reclamation OF a region, 50 vast in ex-
tent and it, settlement by Z prosperous
population.
Wealth Beyond Compare.
According to the National census of
1900 the total improved farm area of the
United States was 414,SOO,OOO acres. 1t
- ~cOnservatively estimated that the re-
cfaimable land il not less than 125, OOO,-
90 acres. Its reclamation, therefore.
will add much more than o%ne-fourth to
the actual crop-producing area OF the
country and will exceed by a liberal mar
Sin, the tillable land Of all the States
~ the Atlantic Coast from Maine to
Flofida-except = modest portion Of New
York. Allowing twenty acres as the
average sire Of irrigated farms, this area
will make 6s25O,0OO farms or more than
TO number in the United States in 1900.
The total value Of all farms in 1900, in
ciudfng al improvements except build
ins1, was $13, 115,OOO,OOO. At $3.50 per
iocfe, the average value Of irrigated land,
the IA, 100000 acres to be reclaimed
Will add 70 the value Of the farm land
36y312,600.O00. IL buildings are includ-
~, the value will be increased BY ST.
6~6Oy000,000; while the augmented wealth
through railroads, cities. mills and fac
tories II beyond estimation. . The an
nual value Of all the farm products in
1860 was $4,379.OOO,OO The average
per acre Of products OF irrigated land
was &14.61. At this rate, the area to
be reclaimed will add products worth
tl.661,26O,000. an addition of nca
hall - the life sustaining power OF the
eountfy.
VIII Not Connneta ~s%h We