The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1906-06-29

has vast areas Of marvelously rich
land which with the advantage Of ir-
rigation would add millions of dollars
annually to the wealth Of the state. It
also has an abundance of water run
ming to waste through courses, which
can be utilized comparatively easily
in making productive thousands of
acres of land. 1t was the great extent
Of these lands and plentiful supply of
water available which gave Oregon
such prominence in the original plans
for irrigation work in the West. The
possibilities for wonderful results,
where rich soil and water were both
abundant, were so great that quite
naturally Oregon waslevied on heavily
in the interest of the general reclama-
tion fund.
This fund now amounts to many
millions, and while extensive irriga-
tion projects are under way in ColGra-
do, Arizona, Idaho, California, Wash
ington and other western states, all of
which have smaller contributions to
the reclamation fund than have been
made by Oregon, this state has been
practically ignored. The Klamath
irrigation project, which is the most
important one yet undertaken in the
state, as is we'll known in both states
and probably at Washington, is much
more of California project than of
Oregon, as the state lying to the south
Of Oregon will reap greater benefits
than any that will accrue to this state.
It is in Central and Eastern Oregon
that the Governments neglect will be
felt the most seriously. When the
reclamation plans for the Government
began to assume definite shape and it
was clearly apparent that there
would be millions of dollars available
for carrying on the work, settlers be-
gan moving into the districts already
stated--rich land and an abundance
of water-Oregon, Of course, attracted
much attention, and hundreds Of set
tiers poured into the dry regions and
began preparations for making the
desert blossom as soon as the life Civ
ing water was available. They are
still waiting, and unless there is a
change in the policy of ecretary
Hitchcock, the work of development
in what will some day be the richest
part of the state will be delayed many
years. There have been rumors that
the work has been retarded somewhat
by the numerous private irrigation
projects that have started in various
parts of the state, but as the largest of
these projects is small in comparison
with those planned by the Government
and would not conflict in any way
with the latter, this could not be con-
strued as a reason for long delay in
granting Oregon the assistance to
which this state is entitled.
Land which has been brought un-
der irrigation and cultivated to high
degree is selling today at Charleston,
Wenatchee and North Yakima at
$1,000 an acre, and is yielding fruit
and other products that justify the
prices at which it is selling. Equal
ly rich land, we'll located for irriga-
tion purposes, can be secured in Ore
gon in immense areas at from 80. 80
TO $40 an acre and needs only applica-
tion of water to bring it into condi-
tion where it will produce crops that
will swell its value to maximum
figures. The Government owes it to
Oregon to make an equitable division
of the funds, to which this state has
contributed so heavily. This is duty
which should be discharged for reas-
ons other than the money rightfully
belongs to this state.
With the development of our lands
which are susceptible to irrigation
will como increased population, bet
ter transportation facilities and great
er prosperity. all of which will con-
tribute to the general good of the Gov
as we'll as the people. When
this development comes, the large de-
Hcits, now duo in maintaining expen-
sive stage routes and remote postoffic-
es in the isolated regions of Central
and Eastern Oregon, will be eliminat-
ed. AS plain business proposition,
aside from the moral obligation of the
Government in the matter, Oregon's
full share in the reel amation fund
should be spent in this state at the
earliest possible moment.
SHOULD BE GENUINE INSPECTION.