The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-01-21

the public domain. the area Of the home
stead has been enlarged from leo to 10
acres has resulted most bcnefcially In
the extension OF 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 q 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 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 left 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-
servation OF our natural resources that
the government has entered upon. II
would appear that over 30 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. hut generally the work which has
been done has been well done. and many
mn nFt INF an uin huU a
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 arc Inadequate
to complete 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 mp. 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 most distressed con-
dition. ] 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 recia nation service. II
only indicates an over jealous desire
to extend the benefit of reclamation
to many acres and as many states
rs possible. I recommend. therefore.
that authority be given tn ISSUE not
exceeding s30.000.o00 OF bonds from
time to time. as the secretary Of the
interior shall find IL necessary. the
proceeds to he applied to the compile
tion nf 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 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 n
sinking fund large enough to retire
the bonds within the time specified. I
hope that. while the statute shalt pro-
vide that these bonds are 10 he paid
ont nf the reclamation fund. IL will be
drawn In such n way as to secure In
terest at the lowest rate. and that the
credit OF til. United States viii be
pledged for their redemption.
! urge consideration Of the recon-
mcndations 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,
timhered areas on the public domain not
included in national forests because of
their isolation ar their special value for
agricultural ar mineral purposes. u Is ap-
parent from the evils resulting by vtr-
tue of the imperfactions OF existing laws
for the disposition Of timber lands tina,
the acts Of June ;. 1878. should tie re-
pealed and n law enacted for the dspo-
sitinn OF the timber at public sale. the
lands after the removal OF the timber In
be subject to appropriation under the
| agricultural or mineral land laws.
| What I have said Is really an epitome
| of the recommendations OF the secretary
/ of the interior Ia respect TO the future
| conservation Of the public domain In his
| present annual report. He hns given
| close attention to the problem OF DISPOSE
| tinn 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 nj
| the disposition of the congress | earnest.
|
which he has made with respect to these
lands shall he embodied In statutes and
especially. that the Withdrawals already
made shall he 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 he made complete and unauestioned
| Disposition Of Forest Reserves.
The forest reserves of the United
States, some iaO. COO. 900 acres In extent. AR
under the control OF the department o
agriculture. with authority adequate I,
preserve them and to extend their growth
50 far as that may be practical bic. III,
importance at the maintenance of gu
forests cannot he exaggerated The posi-
hiliiy OF a scientific treatment nt forests
81 that they shall be made to yield
large return la timber without really re
ducing the supply has been demonstrate,
in other countries. and We should worl
toward the standard set by them as IA
AS their methods are applicable to ou
| conditions.
L