Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-08-10

nation fund.
OF course, there is always another
side to every large problem. 1t is not
that the reclamation act
could be wholly perfect or that it's
could be without flaw.
The very benefits brought about by the
act have been a source of criticism.
The requirement. of residence on the
land, or in the neighborhood, is freely
criticised as involving unnecessary
hardship, and yet this is one of the re-
quirements which the majority
of congress considered as being an es-
of federal funds.
The sloWness of the work is also
criticised ana it has came to be a mat
ter of general remark that the govern
ncnt IS always SLOW. This, like many
tuisms, is a statement which does not
stand close analysis There are very
few corporations which have accom-
plished with the funds available as
much as has been carried on by the
reclamation service.
The successful handling OF the re-
elamation fund probably requires as
much, if not more, skin and patience
than in amy industrial enterprise. ON
the one hand are the settlers clamor-
ing for immediate results; on tile other
hand are engineering problems and
complications of vested rights to wa
ter and difficult rights of way with
defective land titles. all of which must
be patiently worked out under very eN-
acting regulations. The federal en-
ployee is regarded by all as a proper
target. when Joined with this is the
fact that the man in control Of the
ditch is as matter of course regarded
by everyone as responsible for every
evil in the community and you have a
combination which requires almost un-
limited skill tact and self-control.
The reclamation act is not per
feet document, but, like most acts Of
congress, is the result of compromise
of many conflicting ideas. Wherever it
may be defective. these defects can
only be demedied in one way. namely
by congress and not by any official 1t
is worse than useless, therefore. to at
tempt to remedy these defects, if they
exist through criticism of the methods
adopted by the officials in direct
charge. Any needed improvements
should be brought to the attention of
the law-maIling body and particularly
tu the committees on irrigation of the
senate and house, each of which is
seeking for suggestions and intelligent
ifstl1
Joseph NJ. Cary Of Washington pro-
posed system OF state laws for the
various states contemplating the pro-
lection of the individual farmer. He
was opposed in some quarters by dele
gates who believed irrigation laws
might be proper for some of the
newer states but that the older COM
themselves
The congress opened with the "irriga
ton ode" sung by the Spokane chorus
Of $50 voices. The address Of wei
come to the state was delivered by
Governor NJ. r. Hay Of Washington.
The response on behalf Of the con-
sress was made by George Barstow,
president of the congress. He said:
President Barstow's Address.
Judging from President Tart's
many uttcrances on the line of the
conservation Of our national resources
we may rest assured that this con
gress viii ever have his clTUo. and
cordial support. That our sphere OF
influence is rapidly broadening both
m it's national and International AS
Dects is evidenced as never before by
-he roll of delegates and the presence
IF seventy distinguished representa-
Tvs of foreign nations.
eve have heartily endorsed and
still give warm adherence TO the great
work of improving our natural water
ways and reclaming our vast area of
swamp land. But all this is only the
prelude to the noblest of all our pur-
Doses and works: to see that the path
)f the home builder is made easy.
only as we keep this noble sentiment
n mind we hope to long endure.
"The national government already |
las passed a law providing for the cs-
"a ablishment of bureau OF immigra |
ion, TO aid the immigrants coming |
o our shores to proper understands |
ng as to where they can best locate |
lpon lands for home building. Bet
mould not the national government, |
f not the state, go step further
\ large percentage of immigrants land
n our shores with insufficient money
o push out west or southwest; Shall |
be regarded as preaching paternal- |
sm or as socialistic in my purpose, |
when suggesting that the duty of the |
national government may be found in |
under proper safeguard, a |
und which may be used to make |
oans to enable this frugal class OF
,cople TO locate homes under govern |
nent irrigation plans? There is too
much and unwarrantcd prejudice by
he majority Of Americans against |
many Of the nationalitics coming to |
,ur shores There are. no doubt |
.omc of the people of each nationality |
hat are undcsirahlo But is this not |
tlso true of some uf cur own peu-
,lc ?''
Mr.. Iarstow advocated the cm-
,loymont OF immigrants in the busi-
less OF home building as most likely |
o promote patriotism
He recommended to the congress Is |
IN important basis for action. the
lrainagc Of 50 0.00O. 900 acres of swami |
and in the country. and also pointed
,ut the increasing popularity Of irri-