The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-06-18
RECLAMATION WORK
Continued from page y
ont in some parts of the West,

ont in some parts OF the West.
While not ON a large scale, the Una.
tilla reclamation project, in Eastern
Oregon, is regarded one of the most
promising of all this character OF work
undertaken by the government. The re.
claimed area is situated in a peculiarly
desolate region, which is found to be as
rich as any Western soil when irrigated.
With such bleak environment and the
assured abundance of all temperate zone
crops this project is expected to be-
come a show-ground, to which the gov.
ernment win be glad in the early days
to conduct skeptics. Most OF the Umatilla
work will be finished next year, and by
the year following at the outside, crops
should begin. There is but $4,000 acres
in the project, and the average cost per
acre is about the highest OF all work
undertaken by the government. The de-
mand for this land, richness of soil, and
proof of salubrious climate found here
prompted the government to prosecute
the work, which even the high acreage
cost and comparatively small area
affected
Forest Fire Losses.
Especial attention is being directed
to Oregon's forest fire losses annually,
because of the immensity Of destruction
wrought in the great red fire areas.
Senator Fulton has been comforting with
the forest service officials to see if the
subject cannot be made special object
for trained officials, and has frequently
referred to the efforts of individuals
and companies owning large forest
areas. The result will be an exhaustive
inquiry some time in the future, to de-
termine the best solution of the diff.
Guilty.
Some of the officials of the forest ser.
vice believe that the only effective
remedy is in inspiring every individual
living in the forested areas or travelling
through them for any purpose, to the
utmost vigilance and caution. If every
man was impressed with the awful pos
sibilities of lighted match dropped in
to the brush, and if the community was
taught to watch and guard these re-
sources as a priceless treasure, the
number of fires undoubtedly would les
sen. But in addition, it is felt by
other students that additional provision
must be made. Communities, counties,
and even the state, should, in the belief
of these students, be drilled in fire
fighting whenever forest fire starts.
This might seem futile effort, in view
of some of the tremendous bazes known
in the past, but the proposition is back
ed by statements Of many experienced
foresters, who say that there are many
stages in even great fire when an or
ganized effort to quench the blaze or re-
strict progress would save millions Of
dollars The subject cannot be given ex-
tensive attention this year. but in the
near future the senator hopes to see
important preventive and suppressive
being tried
Back to Old Home.
All that is left of Captain Jacks band
Of Modocs, who were taken from the
Lava Beds in the early 70's and confined
in northern Indian territory, desire to
return to the Klamath reservation. Ap-
plication was made to Senator Fulton to
aid in the effort. as the department Of
the interior discourages all such moves.
The Modocs yet alive are reported to be
good Indians, perfectly submissive in
every respect. and pining to return to
-he land where their people were reared.
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