Gilpin observer., 1910-01-20

the public domain. the area Of the home
stead has been enlarged from 100 to 320
acres has resulted most bcnefcially in
the extension or 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 millions OF acres OF COM
petely arid land in the public domain
which. by the establishment of reservoirs
for the storing of water and the irri-
CATION OF the lands. may be made much
more fruitful and productive than the
best lands in 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 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 can 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-
seryation OF our natural resources that
the government has entered upon. 1t
would appear that over 30 projects have
been undertaken and that few OF
these are likely to be unsuccessful be-
cause of lack of wator 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 complcie 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. a breach OF faith and
| leaves them in a most distressed con-
| dition. I 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 over jealous desire
| to extend the benefit of reclamation
| to many acres and as many states
possible. l recommend therefore.
| that authority be given to issue. not
| exceeding s30.000.o00 of bonds from
| time to time. as the secretary of the
| Interior shall find II 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.
| the years go on. will increase rapidly
| in amount.
There is no doubt at all that II
| 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
| hope that. while the statute shall pro-
| vide that these bonds are to be paid
| out of the reclamation fund. il 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.
I 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
| tnbereu areas on tne pubic CONAN not
| included in national forests because OF
their isolati their special value for
| agricultural or mineral purposes, II 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 3, 1873. should he re-
| pealed and law enacted for the dispo-
| sition OF the timber at public sale, the
| lands after the removal OF the timber to
| be subject to appropriation under the
| M Or mi
| What i have said is really an epitome
| of the recommendations OF the secretary
| Of the interior in respect to the future
| conservation of the public domain in hi.
present annual report He has given
| close attention to the problem OF disposi-
| 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 the other.
| These recommendations are incorporat ed
| in bills he has prepared, and they are at
| the disposition of the congress. l 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. .O00. 900 acres in extent, are
under the control of the department OF
| agriculture. with authority adequate to
| preserve them 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 scientific treatment of forests
| so that they shall be made to yield a
| 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