The Ordway new era., 1909-06-25
Will ASK BONDS
FOR LAND USES
REVOLUTIONS TO BE SUBMITTED
TO NATIONAL IRRIGATION CON-
GREss AT SPOKANE.
$1,000, PLAN
FOR DRAINAGE, IRRIGATION, WA.
TERWAYs, GOOD ROADS AND
FOREST PROTECTION.

Spokane, Wash.-Arthur Hooker.
secretary Of the board of control OF
the National Irrigation Congress. will
present resolution for approval by
that organization at its seventeenth
session in Spokane. August 9th to
18th. memorializing Congress to Issue
per cent. gold bonds. running 100
years. to the amount OF $4,000. 900 900.
or as much thereof as may be neces-
sary. for the following specific pur-
poses
One billion dollars for drainage of
overflowed and swamp lands. thus re-
claiming an area equal to 100000
square miles.
One billion dollars for the reclama-
ton by irrigation Of 10000. 900 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
United States is approximately $780,
OO0. 900 annually.
One billion dollars for forest pro-
lection. reforestation and conserva-
ton OF the forest resources. thus as
surfing timber and lumber supplies for
centuries to come.
"Five billions OF dollars Is an enor-
nous sum, but 1t 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
explaining the plan. Congress will
not be asked to appropriate a penny.
The returns from the improvements
would pay off the bonds. The gov
ernment would simply act as a bank
or. as 1t does now for the various ir-
rigation projects. The bond issue
would provide ample funds as required
to carry out the work in the several
divisions. at the same time giving the
best possible collateral to those In
] vesting in these securities.
Government figures bear out the
statement that there is enough good
land overflowed in Minnesota. Wiscon-
sin. Kansas. Nebraska. Louisiana.
Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi
to make an area as large us the state
OF Missouri, or more than 100000
acres. while In the eastern, central.
and western states there Is more than
AS much more, or about 100,O00,00O
acres in all. At a conservative es,i-
mate of s25 an acre, the sale of this
reclaimed land would Justify the en-
penditure of $4,000. 900 900. or $50 per
cent. more than is required to drain 1t.
This land would support from 2.oOoe
900 to 100000 population.
approximately 100000 acres Of
land in western and southwestern
states are adapted to irrigation. which.
IL reclaimed at an average cost of S2o
an acre, would be worth not less than
5000 an acre or total OF $S.0O0.GS0
900, and provide homes for more than
5000 900 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 $4,000 900 acres under irrigation
and the Reclamation Service esti-
mates It will have reclaimed 100000
acres at a cost not exceeding $7O.0O0.-
900, before the close Of 1911.
THE construction and improvement
OF the deep waterways required to pro-
vide better and cheaper transportation
facilities is, believe. 100 per cent.
investment. from the fact that two
thirds Of the bulky freight could be
shipped by water routes, at cost to
the shipper Of not more than one
sixth Of the present rail rates. The
Importance OF this becomes apparent
when 1t is remembered that the food
question is becoming world prob
lem"
Mr.. Hoover said 1t is likely that his
resolution will be presented to the va
rious interests of the Irrigation con-
gres for discussion and will afterward
be incorporated In memorial to the
United States Congress 1t Is also
proposed to have a large delegation.
composed Of representatives Of every
state and territory in the Union, push
the measure for adoption. The work
of enlisting the support Of the people
Interested in the various projects will
be taken up Immediately after the
close Of the Irrigation congress with
the view to concerted action.
Experiments by several investiga-
"a hat tfNy