The state herald., 1910-01-21

acres has resulted most bcnefcially 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 n 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 he made much
more fruitful and productive than the
best lands in n 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 II was let to the secre-
tary Of the interior to determine what
projects should he started among those
suggested and 10 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-arld lands with
out being convinced that this is one of
the most important methods of the con-
StTNatiOn OF our natural resources tnat
the government has entered upon. II
would appear that over 80 projects have
been undertaken. and that few OF
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 available under
the reclamation statute are Inadequate
to complete these projects within n
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 n most distressed con-
dition. ] urge that the nation ought
to afrord the means to INT 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 henent of reclamation
TO MS many acres and as many states
AS possible. recommend. therefore,
that authority he given to issue. not
exceeding sac. 900 900 OF bonds from
time to time. as the secretary of the
interior shall fnd II necessary. the
proceeds TO he 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 ~
these bonds were to he 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
tn. bonds within the time specified. I
hope that while the statute shall pro-
vide that these bonds are to be paid
out OF the reclamation fund. II will be
drawn In such n way as To secure In
terost at the lowest rate. and that the
credit of the United States will be
pledged for their redemption.
I urge consideration of the recon-
mendations OF the secretary of the
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 rot
included In national forests because Of
their isolation or their special value for
agricultural or mineral purposes. II Is mp
parent from tho evils resulting by vir-
tue Of the impcrfections Of existing laws
for the disposition OF timber lands that
the acts Of June :, 1873. should he re-
penlcd and n law enacted for the dlspo-
siiion OF the timber at public sale. the
lands after the removal OF the timber to
he subject TO appropriation under the
agricultural or mineral land laws
What ! have said is really an epltone
OF the recommendations Of the secretary
Of the interior In respect TO the future
conservation of the public domain In his
present annual report. lie has given
close attention 10 the problem OF dlsposi-
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 he validated 40 far a. n-c.s.
rary and that doubt as to the authority
OF III. secretary Of the interior to with
draw lands for the purpose nj submitting
recommendations MS to future disposition
OF them where new legislation Is needed
shall be made complete and undu-stion-d.
Disposition OF Forest Reserves.
The forest reserves Of the United
States. some 40 90, go acres In extent. are
under the control Of the department of
agriculture. with authority adequate to
preserve them and TO extend their growth
40 far rs that may b. practicable. The
importance of the maintenance Of our
forests cannot b. exaggerated. The possi.
biliiy Of n scientific treatment OF forests
80 that they shall be made 10 yield n
lars. return In timber withou, really re-.
ducins III. supply has been demonstrated
IN other countries. and W. should work
toward the standard set by them a- far
as their methods are applicable TO our
conditions,
Upwards Of four hundred millions acres
Of forest land In this country ar. IN pri.
waite ownership. but only three per cent.
of n h being treated scientifically and
with view 10 the maintenance. Of III.