Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-01-20

the public domain. the area OF the home
stead has been enlarged from 160 TO 800
acres has resulted most beneficially In
the extension or dry farming" and In
the demonstration which has been made
az the possibility. through variation In
the character and mode or culture, OF
raising substantial crops without the
presence of such supply OF water as
has been heretofore thought 10 be neces-
sary for agriculture
But there are millions OF acres OF COM
pletely arid land I'm 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 10 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-ard lands with
out being convinced that this is one or
the most important methods OF the con-
servation OF our natural resources that
the government has entered upon. IL
would appear that over 80 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. but generally the work which has
been done has been we'll 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 complete these projects Within
reasonable time. And yet 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. breach of faith and
leaves them in a most distressed con-
dtion. ] urge that the nation ought
10 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 an over-zealous desire
10 extend the benefit of reclamation
TO as many acres and as many states
as possible. / recommend. therefore.
that authority be given 10 issue. not
exceeding $50. 900 900 OF bonds from
time to time. as the secretary OF the
interior shall find IL 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 10 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.
sinking fund large enough to retire
the bonds within the time specified
hope that while the statute shall pro-
vide that these bonds are 10 be paid
out of the reclamation fund. II will be
drawn In such a way rs to secure in
terest at the lowest rate. and that the
credit OF the United States will be
pledged for their redemption.
urge consideration OF the recon-
mendations of the secretary OF the
interior in his annual report for
amendments OF the reclama ton act.
proposing other relief for settlers on
these projects.
New Law Requisite.
Respecting the comparatively small
timbered areas on the public domain not
included in national forests because of
their isolation or their special value for
agricultural or mineral purposes. IL Is APP
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 9, 1873. should he re-
pealed and a 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
agricultural or mineral land laws.
What | 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 his
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 on the other
These recommendations are Incorporated
in bills he has prepared, and they are at
the disposition OF the congress / earnest
y recommend that all the suggestions
which he mas MADE with respect TO THESE
lands shall he embodied in statutes and.
especially. that the Withdrawals already
made shall he validated so far 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 unquestioned
Disposition Of Forest Reserves.
The forest reserves OF the United
States some 10000. 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 ms that may he practicable. The
Importance of the maintenance OF our
forests cannot be exaggerated. The posi-
bility or scientific treatment OF forests
so that they shall he made TO yield n
large return Ia 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
conditions.
Upwards OF four hundred millions acres
OF forest land in this country are in pri-
vate ownership. hut only three per cent.
OF II Is being treated scientifically and
with view to the maintenance ~ the
forests. The part played nv the forests
In the equalization OF the supply OF water
on watersheds IL matter OF discussion