The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-06-26
Will ASK FOR
FIVE BILLION

Arthur Hooker, secretary OF the
board of control off the National Irri-
CATION congress, will present resO-
luton for approval by that organiza-
ton at its 18th session in Spokane
August 8 to Ia memorializing the
United States congress to issue 3 per
cent gold bonds, running 100 years,
to the amount of $4,000, 100000, or
as much thereof as may be necessary,
for the following specific purposes:
One billion dollars for drainage of
overlooked and swamped lands, thus
retaining an area equal to 100000
square miles.
One billion dollars for the reclama-
ton by irrigation of 100000 acres
of arid and semi-arid lands, now part
ly or wholly waste.
One billion dollars to construct and
improve deep waterways, to develope
thousands of miles of territory now
without adequate transportation facil-
tiles.
One billion dollars for good roads
and natural highways, for the lack
of which the loss to the farm area of
the United States is approximately
$500, 100000 annually.
One billion dollars for forest protec-
ton, reforestation and conservation
of the forest resources, thus assuring
timber and lumber supplies for cen
turtles to come.
Give billions of dollars an enor-
nous sum, but it is no more than is
actually required to carry out the gi-
gantic scheme in developing millions
of acres of lands in various parts of
the United States now absolutely
worthless" said Mr.. Hooker in ex-
planning the plan. Congress will not
be asked to appropriate penny. The
returns from the improvements would
pay off the bonds. The government
would simply act as a banker, as it
does now for the various irrigation
|
vide ample funds as required to carry
on the work in the several divisions,
at the same time giving the best pos
sible collateral to those investing in
these securities.
approximately 100000 acres of
land in western and southwestern
states are adapted to irrigation,
which, if reclaimed at an average cost
of $25 an acre, would be worth not
less than 5000 an acre, or total Of
$4,000, 100000, and provide homes for
more than 100000 persons. The
economic value of irrigation can not
be measured in dollars and cents, but
crops of from $500 to $1,000 an acre
are not rare in the irrigated districts.
There are Already 100000 acres
under irrigation and the reclamation
service estimates it will have re-
claimed 100000 acres, at a cost not
exceeding $7O,OOO,OOO before the close
of 1911.
"No one questions the statement
that good roads have a high money
value to the farmers of the nation,
and it may be said that this alone is
sufficient to justify the cost Of their
construction as rapidly as practicable
under an efficient, economical and
equitable system of highway improve
ment. The big points in favor of this
expenditure is the economy of time
and force in transportation between
farm and market, enabling the grow
ers to take advantage Of fluctuations
in buying and selling, as well as en-
HANGING the value of real estate.
"Reforestation and conservation of
the vast resources are necessary to
provide future generations with tim
Der and lumber supplies. The gov
eminent is expanding large amounts
of money every year to protect its
forests from fires, yet expert lumber
men say that more standing timber
is destroyed by flames annually than
is converted into merchantable lum-
Der by sawmills."
Bill No. read second time by title.
Bill No. 5 read third time in full
and placed on its final passage. On
the question, Shall Bill No. pass?
the roll call being on the motion, the
vote resulted:
Ayes-Clark, Devers, Farrar, Gar
tin, Gipson-5. Nays-O. Absent
Paynter. So Bill No. passed, be-
coming Special Ordinance No. l.
Voted, on motion of Gipson, that
council adjourn.
WhnN uIass1d x1a,, AAkn9