The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-06-30

ItOChy MOuuCdlu, bdSlu anu EdCluC
states, the principle sources of wealth
and revenue have been mining and
stock raising, neither of which re-
quired exceptionally well-built high
ways; the mines depending on the
construction of railroads and the
stockmen trails in order to preserve
their range.
The introduction of irrigation, how
ever, has changed economic condi-
tons over the entire West and today
there are hundreds of thousands Of
home-builders who desire better
means of transportation from farm
to market and who will be willing as
soon as they see a practical demon
stration, to tax themselves literally
for the purpose of providing the
same
AS you will remember, irrigation
was carried on with varied results
until the government took hand,
when it became recognized essential
to the arid and semi-arid states.
Millions of dollars were provided for
building government projects and
other millions of private capital flow
ed into the West to construct Carey,
District and other irrigation systems.
This, for time, kept everyone busy,
but this development caused increas-
ed production and now We have the
problem of finding a means of plac-
ing our fruit and other products on
the market quickly and without dam
age.
The desirablity of the government
building, owning and maintaining
certain trunk lines of highways in
the various states is a question for
future consideration, but we are ready
at this time to ask the government
for aid to build highways in the West
and we come with precedent we'll
established. By legislative acts pub
lie lands have been granted to states,
to cities, to corporations and to in
dividuals, and there should be no
trouble in securing a reasonable grant
of land to each of the public land
states for this purpose.
| desire at this time to call your
attention to sketch map of the
states that still contain a considerable
amount of public land, and which
might be included in a group and
thereby strengthen our request. You
will find thereon total areas, unsur-
veyed areas, highest and lowest alti-
tude and a colored line showing a
system of highways for illustrative
purposes, which will be taken up
later.
On account of our sparsely settled
territory, the large areas withdrawn
from entry for various purposes, the
lack of taxable property, and other
conditions we believe we are justified
at this time in asking for aid, and
insamuch as during the period of
time between 1850 and 1910 congress
has made land concessions to states
and corporations for railroad and mil
itary wagon road purposes, to the
following grand total of 1926, 900
arces, we can appear before them
with little fear of our position.
| l would recommend that each of
the 1 states shown on the may send
representative to Washington to
jointly present this matter to the
proper committee in congress, asking
for a grant of 100000 acres of
land, apportioned to the several states
in proportion to the remaining amount
of public lands within their borders;
that the expense of these representa-
tives be paid by the state they repre-
sent; that good roads commission
consisting of one commissioner from
each of the above. mentioned states
be named and authorized by congress
to select and dispose of any or all
of the lands included in this grant,
and that they jointly view and cut and
select the site for lines of highway
in the several states; that they Sc
cure the services Of a competent road
engineer for each state and under his
advice determine the proper plan and
materials for their purpose; that they
be authorized to employ the necessary
clerical and skilled assistants and be
held under bond for the faithful per-
Torrance of their duties, receiving a
reasonable salary therefor; that in the
granting of lands a certain portion
of the grant in each state should be
taken from the forest reserve and af-
ter the commissioners sell the timber.