The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1910-01-21

the public domain. the area OF the home !
stead has been enlarged from l6G TO go |
acres has resulted most beneGciaiIv in |
the extension OF dry farming" and in
the demonstration which has teen made
Cf the possibility. through variation in
the character and mode ef culture. e
raising substantial crops without the
presence of such 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 rom the clouds Congress
recognized the Importance OF this method
of artificial distribution of water on the
arid lands by the passage of the reelama-
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 It 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 sem-arid lands with
OUT being convinced that this is one of
the most important methods of the con-
serNatlan of our natural resources that
the government has entered upon. It
would appear that over 30 projects have
been undertaken. and that few Of
these aSe 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
beea 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 10
complete the projects for their benefit
Is. in effect. 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
u
the part of the reclamation service It
only indicates an over-zcalous desire
to extend the benefit of reclamation
to as many acres and as many states
rs possible. | recommend therefore,
that authority he given to issue not
exceeding $50 000. 600 Of bonds from
time to time. as the secretary of the
interior shall lind. it 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 fand which returns as
the years go on. will increase rapidly
in amount
There is no doubt at all that IL
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 iarge enough to retire
the bonds within the time specified I
hope that while the statute shall pro
vide that these bonds are TO be paid
out of the reclamation fund it will be
drawn in such a way to secure In
tercst at the lowest rate and that the
credit OF the United States will be
pledged for their redemption.
l urge consideration of the recon-
mendations 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 or their special value for
agricultural or mineral purposes II is APP
parent from the evils resulting by viz
tue of the imperfectious of existing laws
NlSnOSitiDn pf &c
the acts OF June 3. lS7S should he re-
pealed and a law enacted for the dispo-
stion 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 epitoYno
of the recommendations Of the setretar9
of the interior in respect to the futua
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
10 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 recommended tons are Incorporated
in bills he has prepared and they are at
the disposition of the congress I earnest
~ recommend that all the suggestions
which lie has made with respect to these
lands small be ernheiled in statutes and
especially. that the Withdrawals already
made shall he validated SO far as neces-
sary aud that doubt as to the authority
of the secretary OF tho 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 unQuestioned
Disposition of Forest Reserves.
The forest reserves Of the United
States. some lao eco 000 acres in extent. are
under the control ef the department Of
agriculture, with authority adequate to
preserve them and to extend their growth
far that may be practicable The |
Importance OF the maintenance of our
forests cannot be exaggerated The posi-
hllity of a scientific treatment OF forests |
that they shalt be made to Weld 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 10 our |
conditions.
Upwards OF four hundred millions acres
Of forest land in this country are in nrf
Nate ownership. but only three per cent
Of il Is being treated scientifically and
with a view to the maintenance nf the