The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-06-21
INTERESTED IN IRRIGATION.

Aatue w oAS A' AlAlSuCAA. y
rotary Of the National Irrigation as
ISOLATION, the work of reclaiming
western arid lands is a subject OF in.
terest on the Atlantic seaboard. In a
recent press bulletin he says:
That the eastern part of the United
States is not Indifferent to the nation
al benefit OF irrigation and the de.
velopment Of the west is shown by the
intelligent resolutions passed at the
recent annual meeting of the National
Association of Manufacturers held at
Atlanta, Georgia. May p.
Recognizing that the reclamation Of
western desert acres will furnish the
finest markets possible for eastern
manufacturers, the resolutions com.
mend the administration of Secretary
Hitchcock of the interior department.
who is charged with the administra.
ton OF the irrigation law, endorse
Director Walcott and Chief Engineer
Newell of the reclamation service, and
pledge to them the support Of some
$500 Of the largest manufacturers in
the United States in their continued
efforts to carry out the national lrri.
CATION act for the creation of the larg.
est possible number Of prosperous
| American homes.
The resolutions further set forth
that the profound Importance of the
social and philanthropic features Of
the irrigation movement and the sub.
division Of large land tracts into
! small homes should be impressed
upon the .Americ an people to the end
that America should become a nation
of rural homes rather than one of
large cities.
The resolutions call attention to the
great public Importance Of the nation.
al frauds, the weakness of our present
land laws and strongly support the
Recommendations of President RoOse.
velt's public land commission for a
thorough reform in our land laws, to
the end that the public lands be held
strictly for real settler, and against
spectators.
While the present irrigation fund
OF 80, oOo. 600 would not so very far,
distributed throughout the Ii great
western states and territories. in two,
three or four million dollar accounts.
it i being made 20 carry forward q
quite uniform and comprehensive irri-
CATION development by making the ir-
riga,ion works pay for themselves.
In other words. it il not the pro,
graulmc of the reclamation service tc
: bulld large pro iects complete immedi
!, ately, but 70 finish Il small but indie
pendent portion of each project so tina
, the water rights of the lands thus ir
: rig ated may be sola to the settlers aul
thus Immediately furnish money witt
, which to carry the work still farther
: The government Is in each case star.
ing the works, and allowing the pro
! jec, itself and the settlers TO provid,
: for its completion. And as in all Tn.
Z government projects the lands are be
ing eagerly taken up 10y settlers, Their,
. Is no question Of the success and com
ple,ion OF the works. of however grea
magnitude.
{ Colorado. Wyoming and Mon,an;
are apparently waxing up 10 the fac
e that several million acre, OF land il
d! those states which have been for year.
/ @ra2ed upon by cattle anu sheep AM
considered worthless for agricul,ur,
? IL any form. a be made to grow yer,
, profitable crops OF grains. forage an
III some eases even vegetables an
fruits The rainfall il these region,