The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-08-10

ctude the idea of cooperation with all
of our states owning swamp lands lv-
ing within their borders. as well as
with such of our citizens who have
private holdings in such lands. and |
recommend that this congress take
vigorous steps on this line through its
congressional committee.
Drainage Needs.
But too little attention has been
given by the great constituency en-
gagged in eur irrigation enterprises of
the need ef drainage for irrigated
lands. The practice of this principle
Is of great antiquity. No irrigation
plant has reached its highest efficiency
until a system of we'll planned drain
age bitches has been installed within
its sphere. | believe this matter to be
worthy of the serious attention of this
congress. and some time could not be
letter occupied than In full discus
sion concerning the drainage of irri-
gated lands.
one of the most hopeful and cheer
ing signs of the times i'm ACCOMPLISH
ing the work of sreclaiming the re-
mainder Cor over 10000 900 acres) of
arid lands in our nation is that many
of our able and leading fnanciers and
bankers, some of whom have come
from as far east as Boston are now
realizing the Inherent value of irri-
CATION bonds. Such bonds. based upon
lands and values that are developed
To the highest point under irrigation
if properly safeguarded in the legal
aspect of the case, and with whole
some commercial conduct. will GER
tainly address themselves favorabIy to
critical financiers. Stop moment
and consider In the year 1908 there
We're about three hundred million
100000. 00h) acres Of land in cultiva-
ton in the humid region of our coun-
try. The crops from those lands ag-
sregated about eight billions of dol
lars $4,000. 000.000) in value When
the sixty million 100000. 000) acres OF
arid lands are in cultivation their an
nual crops will safely reach six and
one-half billions of dollars CS6,50o.-
000.000). In other words. the irrigated
lands have a productive capacity of at
leas four to one.
Prompt Action.
! Right here | desire to impress unon
the mind of This congress the great
Importance of taking PROMPT steps to
give the fe(eral government to under
stand that the voice of the people of
our entire nation demands that the
reclamation fund shall be forthwith
supplemented by the creation and sale
from time to time of gold bonds in
the total sum of five hundred million
dollars t$500,000,000) in order that
much more rapid work may proceed
in reclaiming the nations arid lands.
This same principle finds its applica-
ton as to retaining our swamp lands
and Improvement nj our natural river
ways. This is no time to halt and
disband. But rather to arouse the
people of our country to overthrow
any ana all those men who may seek
To emasculatc the work So wonder
fully and auspiCinusIy begun
The great west and southwest needs
some of the money of the east with
which to push forward with rapid
strides the stupendous and far reach
ing work of irrigation which this con-
gress primarily advocates The irri-
CATION states are operating under both
stood the test nf time When once all
these arid lands shall be under Guilt
walton by irrigation. we shall have
given opportunity for about twenty
i've million additional population with
an annual increase of agricultural
products amounting To six billion and
five hundred million dollars. How
vastly Will the people of the eastern
states profit commercially by the de
mand for their manufactures.
As Is the case i'll all industrial and
commercial enterprises. there are to be
FOUND in the promotion of irrigation
projects some that are unworthy
these cases should be constantly
looked after and brought To. book by
our intelligent and Justice loving peo-
pie. and the strong arm of the gov
eminent should be exercised to bring
every operation of such character To
Il Just retribution. Along this and
other valuable lines the 18th National
irrigation congress in session at Boise.
idaho, IN 1905 appointed a publicity
committee of five. Professor Samuel
Fortler being the chairman thereof
rms committee has already performed
hhaah Ndiudble service, ana | regard
its continuance as most important
looking toward broadening the intelli-
genee of all the people. and especially
those who are contemplating locating
IN irrigated lands
Forestry Schools.
Already there have been established
IN different parts of our republic
schools for the study of forestry.
These schools provide course of
study in this vital part of our ma
tion's need. SO as To efficiently pre-
pare our Young men in theory and
practice for Intelligent and thorough
work In the preservation and refor-
estatIon Of our timber lands. But
why should we not have schools for
theory and practice. the better tn lit
our young men who contemplate fol-
lowing the important industry of irri-
CATION: OR at least a course of train
ing on these lines in our state asricul-
turai colleges? d
The Officers ana hoard NJ a,,-arn,,.