The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-01-19


stead has been enlarged from 160 to 800
acres has resulted most beneficially in
the extension OF dry farming and in
the demonstration which has been made
of the possibility. through a variation in
the character and mode Of culture. OF
raising substantial crops without the
presence Of such a supply Of water as
has been heretofore thought to be neces-
sary for agriculture.
But there are millions Of acres Of COM
pletely arid land in the public domain
which. by the establishment Of reservoirs
for the storing Of water and the irri-
CATION Of the lands. may be made much
more fruitful and productive than the
best lands in a climate where the mois-
ture comes from the clouds. Congress
recognized the importance Of this method
OF artificial distribution Of water on the
arid lands by the passage of the reclar,a-
ton act The proceeds OF the public
lands creates the fund to build the works
needed to store and furnish the neces-
sary water. and It was left to the secre-
tary Of the interior to determine what
projects should be started among those
suggested and to direct the reclamation
service. with the funds at hand and
through the engineers in Its employ. to
construct the works
No one can visit the far west and the
country of arid and semi-arid lands with
out being convinced that this is one OF
the most important methods OF the con-
servation Of our natural resources that
the government has entered upon. II
would appear that over 50 projects have
been undertaken. and that few of
these are likely to he unsuccessful be-
cause of lack of water. or for other rea-
sons but generally the work which has
been done has been well done. and many
important engineering problems have
beer met ard solved.
Funds Inadequate for Service.
One Of the difficulties which has
arisen is that too many projects in
view Of the availa BILE funds have been
set on foot. The funds available under
the recla mation statute are INADEQUATE
to complete these projects within a
reasonable time And vet the projects
have been begun: settlers have been
invited to take up and. in many in
stances. have taken up. the public land
within the projects. relying upon their
prompt completion. The failure to
complete the projects for their benefit
is. in effect. a breach OF faith and
leaves them in most distressed con-
dton. I urge that the nation ought
to afford the means to lift them out Of
the very desperate condition in which
they now are.
This condition does not indicate any
excessive waste or any corruption on
the part Of the reclamation service. 1t
only indicates an OverZealOuS desire
to extend the benefit of reclamation
to as many acres and as many states
as possible. l recommend. therefore.
that authority he given to issue. not
exceeding $4,000 900 OF bonds from
time to time. as the secretary OF the
interior shall find it necessary. the
proceeds to be applied to the compile
ti"n of the projects already begun and
their proper extension. and the bonds
running ten years or more to be taken
up by the proceeds of returns to the
reclamation fund which returns. as
the years go on. will increase rapidly
IN amount.
There is no doubt at all that II
these bonds were to he allowed to run
ten years. the proceeds from the public
lands. together with tie rentals for
water furnished through the completed
enterprises. would quickly create
sinking fund large enough to retire
the bonds within the tim" specified I
hope that while the statute shall pro-
vide that these bonds are to be paid
ont Of the recla nation fund. it will be
drawn in such way to secure in
tercst at the lowest rate. and that the
credit OF the United states will be
pledged for their redemption.
! urge consideration of the recon-
mendationS of the secretary of the
interior in his annual report for
amendments OF the reclama ton act
proposing other relief for settlers on
these projects
New Law Requisite.
Respecting the comparatively small
timhered areas on the public domain not
included in national forests because Of
their isolation or their special value for
agricultural or mineral purposes. il is ap-
parent from the evils resulting by vir-
tue of the imperfectiOns OF existing laws
for the disposition of timber lands that
the acts of June 3. ISIS. should he
sitnn of the timber at public sale. the
lands after the removal of the timber to
be subject to appropriation under the
agricultural or mineral land laws
What | have said is really an epitome
of the recommendations OF the secretary
of the interior in respect to the future
conservation of the public domain in his
present annual report. He has given
close attention to the problem Of DISPOSE
ton of these lands under such conditions
as to invite the private capital necessary
to their development on the one hand
and the maintenance of the restrictions
necessary to prevent monopoly and abuse
from absolute ownership on the other
These recommended tons are incorporated
the disposition of the congress. I earnest
Iy recommend that all the suggestions
which he has made with respect to these
lands shall he embodied in statutes and.
especially, that the Withdrawals already
made shall he validated SO far as neces-
sary and that doubt as to the authority
of the secretary of the interior to with
draw lands for the purpose Of submitting
recommendations as to future disposition
of them where new legislation Is needed
shall be made complete and unduestiOned.
Disposition of Forest Reserves.
The forest reserves Of the United
States some 100, Coz. 900 acres in extent, are
under the control of the department OF
agriculture. with authority adequate to
preserve Them and to extend their growth
so far as that may he practicable. The
Importance OF the maintenance Of our
forests cannot be exaggerated. The posi-
bility of n scientific treatment OF forests
81 that they shall be made to yield
large return i'm timber without really re-
ducinS the supply has been demonstrated
in other countries. and we should work
toward the standard set by them as far
as their methods are applicable to our
conditions.
Upwards Of four hundred millions acres
of forest land in this country are in pri-
vate ownership. but only three per cent
of 1t is being treated scientifically and
with a view to the maintenance of the
forests. The part played by the forests
in the equalization of the supply of water
on watersheds is a matter OF discussion
a nd dispute. but the general benefit to be
derived by the public from the extension
Of forest lands on watersheds and the
promotion of the growth of trees in
places that are now denuded and that
once had great flourishing forests. goes
without saying. The control to be exer-
cised over private owners in their treat
ment of the forests which they own is "A
matter for state and not national reSu-
lation. because there is nothing in the
81, Col.