The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-01-14


years with proper means. Of deter
mining a graduated rental and with
some equitable way of fixing the
terms and renewal. it would seem en-
tirely possible to prevent the absorb
ton of these most useful lands by
power monopoly. As long as the
government retains control and can
prevent their improper union with
other plants, competition must be
maintained and prices kept reason
able.
In considering the conservation OF
| natural resources of the country the
features that transcends all others in.
Guiding woods, waters and minerals
is the soil. It is incumbent upon the
government to foster. by all available
means, the resources of the country
that produce the food of the people
To this end, the conservation of the
soils should be cared for with all
means at the governments disposal
THE act by which, in semi-arid
parts OF the public domain, the area
OF the homestead has been enlarged
to 800 acres, has resulted most bene.
| ficially in the extension of dry farm.
| ing and the demonstration that has
made possibility, through varia-
ton in the character and mode of cul-
ture, of raising substantial crops
without the presence of such supply
of water as has been heretofore
thought to be necessary for agricul-
ture.
But there are millions of acres
OF completely arid lands in the public
domain which, by the establishment
of reservoirs for the storing of water
and the irrigation of the lands may be
made much more fruitful and pro-
ductive than the best lands in a eli
mate where the moisture comes from
the clouds.
mo one can visit the far west and
the country of arid and semi-lands
lands without being convinced that
this is one OF the most important
methods of conservation of our natu-
raj resources and the government has
hot
over 80 projects have been under
taken and that few of these are like
ly to be unsuccessful because of the
lack of water or for other reasons,
but generally the work which has
many important engineering prob
lens have been met and solved
"One difficulty which has arisen is
that too many projects, in view of the
available funds. have been set on foot
The funds available under the recla-
nation statute are inadequate to COM
plete these projects within a reason
able time And yet the projects have
been begun; settlers have been invit-
ed to take up and in many instances
have taken UP land within the pro-
jects. relying upon their prompt COM
pletion. The failure to complete the
projects for their benefit is in effect
a breach of faith and leaves them in
a most distressing condition
II urge that the nation ought to af-
ford a means to lift them out of the
desperate condition in which they are
now This condition does not indi-
cate any excessive waste, or any cor
ruption on the part of the reclama-
ton service 1t only indicates an
overzealous desire to extend the bene-
fit of reclamation to- as many acres
and as many states as possible.
recommend, therefore, that authority
be given to issue not exceeding $780,
100000 of bonds from time to time
as the secretary of the interior shall
find it necessary, the proceeds to be
applied to the completion of projects
already begun ana their proper extern
sion, and the bonds running ten years
or more, TO be taken UP by the pro-
ceeds of returns to- the reclamation
fund, which returns as the years go
by will increase rapidly in amount
THE forest reserves of the United
States. some 100. 100000 acres in ex-
tent, are under control of the depart
ment of agriculture, with authority
adequate to preserve them and to ex-
tend their growth so far as that may
be practicable.
Upward of 100000 acres of
forest land in this country are in pri-
vate ownership but only per cent
of it is being treated scientifically
and with view to the maintenance
of forests. The part played by for
ests in the equalization of the supply
of water on water sheds is a matter
of discussion and dispute. but the
general benefit to be derived by the
public from the extension of forest
lands on watersheds and the promo
ton of the growth of the trees in