The Glenwood post., 1910-01-22

stead has been enlarged from 16O TO 3zu
acres has resulted most bcnefcially 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 supply OF water as
has been heretofore thought to be neces-
sary for agriculture.
But there are millions of acres of COM
pletey arid land in the public domain
which, by the establishment of reservoirs
for the storing of water and the frri-
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 reclama-
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 LETT 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 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. It
would appear that over 30 projects have
been undertaken, and that a few of
these likely to be unsuccessful be-
cause of lack of water. 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
| ri. t. tl~-t
| view of the available funds have been
| set on foot. The funds available under
| the reclamation statute are Inadequate
| to complo te these projects within
| 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 breach of faith and
| leaves them in most distressed con-
| dtion. ] 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 over Jealous desire
| to extend the benefit of reclamation
| to as many acres and many states
| that authority be given to issue. not
exceeding s3O.OOO,OO0 of bonds from
! time to time. as the secretary of the
interior shall find 1t 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 If
| 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
| out of the reclamation fund. 1t will be
| drawn in such a way as to secure in
| terest at the lowest rate. and that the
| credit of the United States will be
| pledged for their redemption.
l urge consideration of the recon-
| interior in his annual report for
| amendments of the reclamation act.
| proposing other relief for settlers on
| these projects.
New Law Requisite.
Respecting the comparatively small
| timbered areas on the public domain not
| included in national forests because of
their isolation or their special value for
| agricultural or mineral purposes. it 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 8. 1873. should be re-
pealed and law enacted for the dispo-
stion 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 l have said is really an eptome
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 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, 900 acres in extent. are
under the control of the department of
agriculture, with authority adequate to
preserve theV and to extend their growth
SO far as that may be practicable. The
Importance of the maintenance of our
forests cannot be exaggerated. The possi-
bility of a scientific treatment of forests
so that they shall be made to yield
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 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 It is being treated scientifically and
with a view to the maintenance of the
forests The mart played hy fhe forest~