The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1909-07-02
RESOLUTION TO
IRRIGATION CONGRESS
Vast Sum for Improvement Of Lands
and Forests in the United States.

Arthur Hooker, secretary of the board
of control at Spokane of the National
Irrigation congress, will present a reso-
luton for approval by that organiza-
tion at its 18th sessions in Spokane,
August 9 to IA; memorializing congress
to issue per cent gold bonds, running
100 years, to the amount Of $5,OOO,OOO,-
600, or as much thereof as may be neces-
sary, for the following specific pur-
poses:
One billion dollars for drainage of
overlooked and swamp lands, thus re-
claiming an area equal to 100000 square
miles.
One billion dollars for the reclamation
by irrigation of 100000 acres of
arid and semi-arid lands, now partly or
wholly waste.
One billion dollars to construct and
improve deep waterways, to develop
thousands of miles of territory now
without adequate transportation facili-
ties.
One billion dollars for good roads and
national highways, for the lack Of
which the loss to the farm area of the
United States is approximately $780,
100000 annually.
One billion dollars for forest protec-
ton, reforestation and conservation of
the forest resources, thus assuring tim
Der and lumber supplies for centuries
to come.
fFive billions Of dollars is an enor-
nous sum, but it is no more than is
actually required to carry out the gigan-
tic scheme in developing millions Of
acres Of lands in various parts of the
United States now absolutely worth
less" said Mr.. Hooker in explaining
the plan. "Congress will not be asked
to appropriate a penny. The returns
from the improvements would pay off
the bonds. The government would sim
ply act as banker, as it does now for
the various irrigation projects. The
bond issue would provide ample funds
as required to carry out the work in the
several divisions, at the same time Civ
ing the best possible collateral to those
investing in these securities.
Government figures bear out the
statement that there is enough good
land overfowed in Minnesota, Wiscon-
sin, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Ken
lucky, Tennessee and Mississippi to
make an area as large as the state of
Missouri, or more than 100000 acres,
while in the eastern, central and west
ern states there is more than as much
more, or about 1O0,0O0,ooo acres in ALL
At conservative estimate of $25 an
acre, the sale of this reclaimed land
would justify the expenditure of 3d.
50O,0OO,O00, or $50 per cent more than
is required to drain it. This land would
support from 100000 to 5000 900 pop
ulation.
approximately 100000 acres of
lands 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 a total of $s,OOO,OOO,-
900, and provide homes for more than
100000 persons. The economic value
of irrigation cannot 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 al
ready 100000 acres under irrigation
and the reclamation service estimates
it will have reclaimed 100000 acres, at
a cost not exceeding $7O,CO0,o0o, before
the close of 1917
Mr.. Hooker said it is likely that his
resolution will be presented to the vari-
GUS interests of the irrigation congress
for discussion and will afterward be in
corporated in a memorial to the United
States congress. 1t is also purposed to
have large delegation, composed of
representatives of every state and ter
ritory in the union, push the measure
for adoption. The work of enlisting
the support of the people interest in
the various projects will be taken up
Immediately after the close of the ir-
rigation congress with tho view to con.
certed action.