The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1905-11-09

From certain quarters there has
come some criticism OF the Reclama-
tioD Service and In some sections Of
the arid west the people have COM
planned because the government did
not at once proceed with the work
on certain projected iuigation sys-
TENS. Put those who have taken the
trouble TO investigate with view TO
learning the true situation. have
found that the fault Is neither with
the engineers OF the reclamation
bureau nor with the government.
The blame should be laid where IL
belongs, and that Is at the door OF
the large land owners, many OF whom
have acquired their vast holdings,to
say the least, 10y questionable meth
DDS.
AT the late Portland irrigation con-
gress Chief Engineer Newell, OF the
Reclamation Service OF the United
States government spoke plainly on
the situation In some OF the arid re-
gions where the government Is asked
to construct irrigation works. Mr..
Newell declared that owners of land.
especially In Oregon and Washing
ton, are responsible for delay on the
part OF the government In beginning
activities. lie emphasized the tact
that the law requires persons owning
large bodies Of land subject to the
reclamation act TO snbdivide their
holdings, so as TO subject them u ac
QUESTION by actual settlers. and that
the government, which Is expendinR
vast sums OF money In carrying out
its plans along these lines without
Expectation OF receiving profit or In
terest, would be seriously handicapped
In It's initial proceedings unless some
concessions OF this character indicat-
ed were made by the large property
owners. together with those holding
the key 10 the situation In the shape
OF control OF the sources OF water sup.
ply. Until there was complete bar.
mony between the interests affected
by any proposed project, 4, would re-
suit In placing the government In an
embarrassing position.
This feature OF the situation was
dealt with In President Roosevelt's s
last message 10 congress, aud partic-
ular attention was called to the fact
that the object OF the reclamation
act was based upon providing homes
for the masses. Nj. Newell said that
Oregon and Washington were partic-
ularly susceptible TO this phase OF the
matter, for the reason that in the
raid districts stockmen and other
early settlers, as well as private en-.
terprises, has absorbed the springs
and other sources OF water supply,
besides available reservoir sites, aud
that there could he no practical ex-
tension OF irrigation under any of
the federal laws, either the Carey act
or reclamation act, without the CO.
operation of large osners, as there
was no extensive holdings by the
government in any OF the recIama-
tion districts.
Ii Is obvious to all who understand
the true situation that where there
has been delay in active operations
nn any feasible government irriga-
tiou project, the blame rests with the
large land owners OF the district.
Who not only refuse to divide their
extensive holdings but In truth do
not want the country settled nor de
yeloped otherwise than according TO
their plans OF land monopoly This
being the situation IN districts where
a large proportion OF the area that
formerly was government land has
been acquired by private individuals
or corporations, IL should serve as a
warning TO sections where the gov
ernment still holds the title 10 ex.
tensiye areas, and prevent, II pos
sible, like situation before too late.
Except In districts that were plas-
tered over With old Spanish grants,
all land monopoly IN Western states
is the result OF the present system OF
I
prevails the land monopolists aud
landgrabbers will multiply their
holdings, and stand In the way not
only OF national irrigation but OF
general development Of the West.
All Who desire to see rapid prog ress
In the work of national Irrigation
and who believe that the benefits
thereof should be, as intended 10y the
law, for the masses OF the people,
should lend their aid and influence
to secure the repeal Of the vicious
land laws by the next congress. In
no other way can the remaining arid
public lands be saved for the actual
settler and homemaker. .-Tslisman.