The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-03-30
SMITH BOOSTS THE
RECLAMATION PLAN

WASHINGTON, d. c.. March 80
The one clear, concise and convincing
, argument made before the house COM
mittee on ways and means in support
Of the bill making available $3O,0o0'0O0
to complete government irrigation pro-
ieets and the argument that did more
70 create sentiment favorable to the
legislation than all else that was said
was the Commute talk of representa-
five Smith of Texas In this brief pc
| riods Representative Smith did more.
to help the bill than did Representative
MondeI, who monopolized more than
two DAYS. Smiths argument was eff
fective because it dealt with the direct
tissues involved and pointed out the
reasons why the legislation is essential
at this time.
After a brief review of the purposes
or the reclamation act, Mr.. Smith
showed that "a projects have been be-
gun, about s4S,OOO,0OO has already
been expended upon them and onl!
722.275 acres have thus far been irri-
gated. When completed 100000 acres
will be reclaimed: Conditions are such,
he said. as to absolutely require that
these projects be speedily completed.
Need More Money.
There is not enough money on
hand" he said, land a sufficient
sum amount cannot be anticipated
from the sale of lands to meet this re-
uuirement" He said the work of the
reclamation service got into its present
condition for various reasons, under
estimating the cost of construction, the
lands for, forest reserves, cutting
down returns from the sale of public
Hands for forest reserves. cutting down
returns from the sale of public lands,
failure of the cooperative plan, and the
fact that political influence had forced
the service to begin too many projects.
Continuing Mr.. Smith said:
lone of the strongest appeals that
comes to me out of this situation arises
from the fact that hundreds of settlers
with their families have located upon
the lands to be brought under these
their places, built schoolhouses, all in
expectation of an early supply of water.
Settlers Live In Hope.
"These people have been waiting for
wears and are still waiting, and the
only hope that sustains the dropping
spirits of these brave pioneers at this
time against failure and disaster is that
this congress will come to their re-
lief
TT has been suggested here that
these people We're not invited upon the
said lands. that they went there at
their own peril and therefore are not
entitled to any consideration at the
hands of congress. Whether this be so
or not, surveys were made. money was
allotted, contracts let, big outfits put
to work, the lands opened to settle
ment. What further invitation would a
man. want who desired a home?
''All these acts indicated that the
government meant business and in
tended to carry out it's undertaking
promptly.
The settler may have been gambling
in going upon the land, but for one do
not think so. If he was he was gambl-
ing for a home where he could rear
| his family, and by his industry, his
Drawn and muscle pay for that home
and make a living Such gambling as
that ought to be. encouraged in this
country
Astors VS.. Struggling Settlers
Mr.. Smith then cited the activity of
the government and the liberality of
congress in authorizing a search for
the Aston yacht when it was supposed