East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1912-12-26

Portland, Ore, Dec. 26.-Modifica-
tion of the strict regulations govern
ing settlement of government lands
1t Is believed. would soon transform
the great area Of the Umatilla irri-
cation project into cultivated and
richly productive lands. Under ex-
listing conditions, settlement Is iisap.
pointingly slow as compared with the
merits Of the projects. -
Such modification will be suggested
Eas the Oregon Irrigation congress, to
be held In this city, January 8, 10 and
IL, and In view of the splendid sue
cess of the congress here last year,
It Is believed that the various dele
cations will get together in such har-
will be prevailed upon to bring about
notifications that may be suggested.
| Under existing conditions. a person
taking up or purchasing land under
the irrigation project has to comply
with regulations practically compelling
continuous residence on the land
from the time his application Is filed.
This Is irrespective Of the tract con-
tanning or 40 acres. Thus the home
builder is prevented from earning a
living in other work, as most of
them find necessary. The result is
said to be that thousands of acres
are still lying waste whereas under
more encouraging regulations they
would be wealth producing.
C. P. Chamberlain. special agent
for the O.-W. r. & n. Co., is very
much interested in this matter. for
the development of the Umatilla lands
means increased traffic and more
commerce for Portland. He has trav-
eled through the Umatilla country
several times studying conditions. and
with others acquainted with the con-
ditions, has come to the conclusion
that the proper method to pursue in
getting these lands promptly settled
is to modify the regulations so that
person living in the city can take up
Ia piece of land, place 1t under culti-
walton and prepare It for a future
home.
"As the regulations are now. a man
must have considerable money to
take up or purchase piece of land
under the irrigation projects up
there" said Mr.. Chamberlain today.
'In the first place, he must have
some money to pay down on the land
then he must have enough to build
a house, buy tools and put in stock.
Then 1t will take at least one year
before he gets any kind of a crop.
This means that unless a man has
considerable money it is simply i'm
possible to get start
Now there Is no finer proposition
than up there for man to build a
home for himself and family, were
the regulations such that he could
build II up gradually. In my opinion.
and Secretary of the Interior Fisher
has indicated the same opinion, the
regulations should be modified SO as
to demand cultivation only.
This would make It inviting for
q person to secure a tract of land.
engage help to have II cultivated and
eventually he would have II paid for.
Then he would be in position to make
his home there. 1t Is not an easy
matter to take raw land and make II
pay for itself from the start. In fact.
IL should not be expected.
such regulations would also pro-
vide abundance of work for those who
live on the land, for they would earn
money cultivating land for others. In
my opinion. il would mean a very
rapid development of these lands,
which are not only highly productive.
we'll watered and splendidly located,
but also directly tributary to Portland.
Portland Is deeply interested in the
success of the cultivation and settle
ment Of these lands"