Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-24
PLEA OF MONTANA
Delay in irrigation Project
Brought to Attention.
DELEGATION VISITS TAFT
Disposition of Water Rights of
Milk River Valley.
POSTAL SAVINGS BANK PLAN
Senator Lodge Discusses It With
the Observation-Disclosures
Reid at White House.
POSTAL SAVINGS BANK PLAN

49, Aibppi ueleSdllOH OIL Montana
people, joined by Louis w. Hin, presi-
dent OF the Great Northern road. talked
TO the President today about the serious
delay in carrying out the Milk river
and st. Mary's irrigation project, in the
Milk River valley Of that state. They
also complained about the tremendous
quantity of unsurveyed public lands and
the great quantity of forest reserves
They made the claim that Americans are
fast going to Canada and taking UP lands
there, to the detriment of this nation
because of inability to get surveyed lands
in great agricultural state like Mon
tana.
The delegation was headed by Senate
Carter and Representative Pray, accom-
panied by Louis Hill. State Senator Ever
EFT, NJ. D. Hoyt. president of the com
mittee of Milk river citizens sent here,
and others.
The complaint to the President is thai
seven or eight years ago a large num-
Der of farmers surrendered TO the gov
eminent their private water rights under
the belief that the government would
quickly complete the Milk river project
and they would again have water for
their lands. Little more has been done,
II Is stated, than to survey the project
The President was told that the Milk
river valley is one of the greatest farm
ing regions of the west. with rich soil
that is unproductive without water.
Proportion of Forest Reserve.
Mr.. Taft was handed figures showing
that nearly one-fouIth of the total area
of Montana is in forest reserves. There
arc rich river-bottom lands in these re-
serves. where farming would be p oft
able to high degree. The President was
urged to open the river bette ms of the
forest reserves and encourage American
farmers to settle at home rather than so
to Canada for farming ground no richer
or better than fC und in their own country.
The President was also told that IS per
cent of the total area of Montana, or 49,
100000 acres out of a total OF 93.OOO.O0o.
Is unsurveyed, putting stop to settle
ment for farming purposes. This is indie
pendent of the forest reserves. OF this
total unsurveyed land 100000 acres are
capable of being irrigated.
The facts presented to the President
made an impression upon him and he has
promised to take the matter up without
delay.
Senator Bourne, who was at the White
House today. has reached some ideas as
to the public land laws and will intro
duce bill bearing upon the subject He
says that he has reached the conclusion
that residence upon public lands should
not be made the basis of title, as under
the present laws. He wants productive
ness of soil as the basis He would re-
quire a homesteader to show a certain
amount of production from the soil each
year before being allowed clear title. The
senator thinks this would stop the ac-
QUESTION of lands for unfair purposes
Remedy for High Prices.
One of President Taft's callers today
was Duke c. Bowers. who runs thirty
stores in the city OF Memphis. He was
presented by Representative Garrett OF
Tennessee. Mr.. Bowers has plan of
his own for holding down the price OF
meats. Although he did not talk to the
President on the subject, he has had an
interview with Secretary Wilson of the
Department Of Agriculture as to what he
thinks should be done.
THE bills of fare in all the large hotels
and restaurants Of the country contain
roast pig, calls liver spring lamb
and similar lishes.' said Mr. Bowers
I'm my opinion 1t is this wholesale
slaughter of the young animals that is
causing a scarcity of grown animals and
the consequent rise in the price Of meats.
| think there should be a law preventing
the slaughter of young female calves.
pigs, lambs. etc.. permitting these tn
grow to maturity for reproduction or al
least not sent to slaughter until full
grown.
Gill duSiS6d tlldL IL WOulQ not De
possible to enact a federal law safe
guarding young animals in this way, but
that 1t would have to be done by the
states. l suppose this is true, although
the federal government could pass a law
that would prevent the interstate ship
ment of young animals for slaughter"
For Postal Savings Banks.
Senator Lodge spent some time with tae
President this morning, talking over the
question of postal savings banks, as rec
commended by the President The Massa-
chusetts senator said he believed a bill
providing for these institutions will be re-
ported from the proper committee within
a short time and passed. He is certain
that the Senate is strongly in favor .
the proposition.
Kentucky Patronage Fight.
Kentucky republicans are trying 10
get together upon the appointment of a
United States attorney for the western
district of the state. George Du Rel"
Is the incumbent of the office j. -
Speight of Mayfeld has strong support
for the appointment, and so has NJ. IL
Thatcher of Louisville. According IL
plans that may be carried out, Du Relic
will continue to hold the office until
the republicans nominate their state
ticket this summer. He will then b.,
nominated for attorney general Of the
state. When this is done Speight Will
be made United States attorney and
Thatcher will be brought to Washing
ton and given a federal appointment
that will suit him
Ambassador Reid Calls.
Whitelaw Reid, the ambassador to Great
Britain, arrived in Warrington d ", and
after a call at the State Department. pro-
ceeded to the White House, where he
found President Taft engaged in an i'm
portant conference. The ambassador left
his card. saying he would be in Washing
ton for several days and would take
further occasion to pay his respects t.
the President. Mr.. Reid sails from New
York next Saturday to return to his pos
at London. Since the deciination of for.
mer President Eliot of Hazard University
no successor to Mr. Reid has been men
toned. and he will remain at his post in
definitely.
Baron Uchida, the Japanese ambassa
dor. today presented to President Taft
Baron kikuchi .sident of the Imperial
of Kyeto, Japan, and former
minister f education. The President and
the distingu. shed visitor chatted together
for half an hour or more, the President
recalling many OF the pleasant incidents
Of his several visits to Japan, and eN-
hi n cybr ri FOR ba To-