The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1910-01-22

the public domain. the area OF the home
stead has been enlarged from $50 TO S2o
acres has resulted most beneficially In
the extension OF dry farming and In
the demonstration which has been made
of the possibility, through variation in
the character and mode OF culture. OF
raising substantial crops without the
presence of such 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 trri-
CATION OF the lands, may be made much
more fruitful and productive than the
best lands in a climate where the mois-
tnre 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 reclama-
tion act. The proceeds OF the public
lands creates the fund to build the works
needed to store and furnish the neces-
sary water, and 1t was let 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-
OF our natural RESOURCES tHdt
the government has entered upon. II
would appear that over 30 projects have
been undertaken. and that few CT
these are likely to be 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
been met and solved
Funds Inadequate for Service.
One OF the difficulties which has
arisen is that too many projects in
view OF the available funds have been
set on foot. The funds availa BILE under
the recla tion statute are Inadequate
to compl' 20 these projects within
reasonable time. And vet the projects
have been begun: settlers have been
invited to take np and in many ina
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. breach OF faith and
leaves them in a most distressed con-
dition I urge that the nation ought
to anord the means to lift them out of
the very desperate condition in which
they now
This condition does not indicate any
excessive waste or any corruption on
the part of the recla nation service. 1t
only indicates an over Jealous desire
to extend the benefit of recla tion
to many acres and as many states
rs possible. I recommend. therefore,
that authority be given to issue. not
exceeding $50 100000 OF bonds from
time to time. as the secretary OF the
interior shall find IT necessary. the
proceeds to be applied to the compile
tion 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 be allowed to run
ten years the proceeds from the public
lands. together with the rentals for
water furnished through the completed
enterprises. would quickly create a
sinking fund large enough to retire
the bonds within the time specified. I
hope that. while the statute shall pro-
vide that these bonds to be paid
ont of the reclamation fund. il will be
drawn in such way as to secure in
terest 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
amendments OF the reclamation act
proposing other relief for settlers on
these projects.
New Law Requisite.
Respecting the comparatively small
timhered areas on the public domain not
their isolation their special value for
agricultural or mineral purposes. II is ap-
parent from the evils resulting by vir-
tue Of the imperfectOns OF existing laws
for the disposition OF timber lands that
the acts OF June 8. 1873 should be
pealed and a law enacted for the dispo-
sition OF the timber at public sale, the
lands after the removal of the timber to
be subject to appropriation under the
agricultural mineral land laws.
I said n anif0ne
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 disposi-
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 recommendations are Incorporated
in bills he has prepared. and they are at
the disposition of the congress I earnest
ly recommend that all the suggestions
which he has made with respect to these
lands shall be embodied in statutes and
especially, that the Withdrawals already
made shall be 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 unauestioned
Disposition Of Forest Reserves.
The forest reserves OF the United
States some 1870 600, 900 acres in extent.
under the control of the department of
agriculture. with authority adequate to
preserve them and to extend their growth
so far as that may be practicable. The
Importance of the maintenance of our
forests cannot be exaggerated. The posi-
bility of a scientific treatment of fc> <sts
hat "A
large return In timber without really re-
ducing the supply has been demonstrated
in other countries. and we should work
toward the standard set by them far
as their methods are applicable to our
conditions.
Upwards of four hundred millions acres
of forest land in this country in pri
yate ownership but only three per cent.