El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-03-08
B, T, YOAKUM TALKS RECLAMATION
To THE PEOPLE Of THE SOUTH

projects OF northwest DcCduSG liz -
pie of the northwest became interested
in the Development of their country
and urged their claims.
To Drain Lowlands.
"A drainage bill permitting the
drainage of southern lands was intro
duced by a western senator at the last
session of congress. 1t was killed by
a southern senator. This opposition
which attracted but Nttle attention
then, stopped for the time important
work for the south's development
There are 14S senators and representa-
tives in congress from the southern
states. By working together with one
object in view they can accomplish
much; in fact they can get what they
want if they will go after it.
THE state of Louisiana has 10 mil
lion acres that can be made into rich
farms at one-half of that cost, or 50
per acre. These idle lands are en-
riched by centuries of decaying vegeta-
ton and deposits of sits. They are the
richest and deepest alluvial soil in the
world This applies equally to the p
million acres of alluvial soil on both
sides of the Mississippi river in the
states Of Illinois. Mississippi, Louis
lana, Arkansas and Missouri.
The small section of these swamp
lands which the drainage bureau OF
the government has surveyed shows
the cost would not exceed So per acre
to put them in readiness for the plow
Valuing these lands at $40 to SIS per
acre, when drained and cleared Will
stand to cost s25 per acre. In cultiva-
ton. their value would be from SIS to
500 per acre. In other words, for an
investment of $40 to SIS an acre in
drainage and clearing, the increased
wealth of Louisiana would be more
than 500 million dollars.
The Value to the Country.
The value of this work does not
stop with making these lands tillable-
Isis conservative to estimate $40 per
acre annually from crops, which would
mean an annual increase of 800 mil
lion in the products of Louisiana, or to
put it in another way, each dollar in
vested in drainage would pay Sc an
nually in products. This in connection
with the upbuilding of new towns,
sugar mills. cotton mills, rice mills.
railroads and other Industries shows
the importance of starting this work
under a broad and comprehensive plan,
with the aid and cooperation of the
federal government The government
is waiting for you to say what you
want Everyone must realize what it
means in raising vegetables and pro-
ducts from such rich soil to the mass3s
who are struggling under the burden
of the high priced food. The govern
ment could afford to make surveys and
lay ont plans on comprehensive scale;
the government could afford TO supply
the main drainage channels for the
surplus waters to make their way to
the gulf. If it will undertake the sur
veys and provide the main channels
for drainage. private capital will do
the rest. For every so cents the gov
eminent will expend, private capital
will spend So 10 push forward and
complete the work of reclama ton to
make your state in land values and
productiveness one iof the strongest
and richest of the nation.
Arkansas Leads.
''The state of Arkansas is leading in
drainage work. The swamp area Of
Arkansas is smaller than that of
Louisiana, but Arkansas has sent
committee of farmers and busienss men
to Washington who have discussed the
question with the president. the secre-
tary of agriculture. speaker Cannon
and their congressman. They have been
promised support. Louisiana should
send a committee to Washington TO
see the president and your representa-
tives and ask them to join the people
of Louisiana in giving you support for
the development Of your resources
They should go 10 Washington TO talk
in the interest of the state and not
politics or questions foreign 10 your
development
There are rs million acres of swamp
lands in the United States. 5S million
acres of which are in the southern
states-a greater acreage than the
states of Tennessee and Kentucky. This
fertile area is not being utilized as ii
should While local in its development
it is nation wide in its effect TO Pre-
vide food for the people. Let the sena-
tors and representatives of the south
ern states cooperate with the agricul-
tural and business interests of the
south. and we will make farms faster
than they ever were made in the his
tory of the world. 1t is a big task, but
the south is equal 70 it If it will only
take hold of it
Public Sentiment Necessary.
1T must be inaugurated by the bust
ness and farming interests OF the south
through public sentiment and coopera-
ton at Washington. 1t is necessary m
order to carry out large development
plans that the administration at Wash
ingtou, the senators and representa-
tives in congress take a personal in
terest and work with the people of the
southern and southwestern states
What the south needs is more work
ers of the right class to take hold OF
its untitled soil, timber and mineral
lands, md make the south what II
should .e
This important work cannot be con-
sidered wholly from a local o. selfish
standpoint.
Railroads and Prosperity.
Railroad construction aud prosperity
OF our country run hand in hand Dur
Ing periods when extensive new mile
age of railroads is constructed, We
have good times When new construc-
lion is li1aitoa I'd times.