Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-28


verting a desert into a highly produc-
tive irrigated farm. Canal companies,
irrigation districts. state and federal
governments should share in the IN
dertaking.
leave to ADLER men the task of
formulating plans for the most eff
Client organization of this force. What
! particularly desire to advocate T.
the enlistment of every useful agency
in support Of the hOme-builder. These
J agencies may work independently OF
each other or they may work in CO.
. operation. Canal companies. for ex-
ample. may employ with profit TO
their shareholders skilled men to d.
; rect the labors Of inexperienced set
tiers. This kind OF assistance has
been given under Carey act projects
In Idaho and its value has been fully
shown. The conversion of five-dollar
grazing land into one hundred-dollar
alfalfa land and five hundred-dollar
orchards is of vital interest to every
western commonwealth and each can
afford liberal appropriations To help
those who produce such changes. Re
lance must also be placed on western
states and territories to maintain in
the highest state Of efficiency the ir-
rigation work Of western experiment
stations. The small sun which is an
nually appropriated by congress for
this purpose Is not enough to main
and too frequently the funds which
should be given to this basic industry
are devoted to less important sub
iects.
DR.. Mead has spoken Of the irriga-
ton work Of the department of agri-
culture. As e member OF that staff. |
may be permitted 10 state that the
FH.HI Aaa Ha-aMm - -. - A.
problems So numerous that we have
not been able to cover more than a
small part Of the total irrigated area.
The demands Of the old settlers under
irrigation have taxed to the utmost
the energies Of our small force. and
now a new difficulty is presented. The
new as well as the old settlers are
Clamoring for advice and assistance.
Instead Of 1900. 600 acres 10 look
after. there viii soon be 1900. 600.
and We have neither the means nor
the men 70 meet this demand.
one word In conclusion In direct
ing YOUR attention TO what seems TO
me 10 Doe the greatest need Of arid
America I have been obliged 70 pre-
sent the dark side Of the picture.
hasten 90 assure you this course has
not been taken in order 20 discourage
settlers. but rather to aid them. [
believe so thoroughly In irrigation
and iu the advantages Of irrigated
agriculture thai / would not ATTEMPT
20 cultivate land outside Of the arid
region. 1 feel certain that in no other
part Of the United States can the
staple products Of the soil he 50
cheapiy grown. In no other par Of
this country Is the soil 50 rich, the
climate so agreeable and so well
adapted to the outdoor occupations Of
men. n o. because Of this Abiding
faith that I 50 earnestly desire the
success Of all irrigation enterprises
The strong features Of these need no
words Of praise from me- b. Is the
features which cause Us To fear.
and since a chain o. no tronger than
itz weakest link. ] urge upon YOU as
the representative ~ the people Of
the west. 20 come % the rescue and
change possible defeat into a glorious
victor.
In all the great battles Of the his
tory Of the world the wise general
has re-erved a part ~ his force to use
at critical periods i8 support OF the
Weakest positions In this great bat
tie against sridify which g. nov be-
ing WaEed. the weakest position Is %
be found on -he firing line amidst fhe
thlckest Of b fight among that
great army Of taiiers who are sfriv-
ing O. conquer with water the great
American Desert.