Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1913-01-03

ored section. 1t seems more profit
able to consider some Ut the prob
lens which demand our attention
than to describe the richness and ex-
tent of our resources and possibilities.
1t is not wise to accept what the pres
ent offers without heed for the fu-
ture. That course has been followed
in the past, and u small population
scattered over large territory has
been the result.
This is n commercial age, and in
telligent effort is the price of success
in any undertaking. We may point
to the fact that for more than half y
century the west has poured Il STEADY
into the commercial centers of the
nation. This life blood of business
has built up great industries, stimu-
lated trade and done much to place
our country in the fore front in com
merce and wealth. This stream first
had its source in the mines, later in
the mines and ranges, and now the
mines, ranges and farms combine to
swell it's volume.
The miners were the pioneers of
western settlement, the stOckman
were the heralds of western develop
ment and the farmers are now be-
coming more permanent factor in
western commercial life. While the
mines and the ranges will continue
to contribute in ,ndiminished vol
ume, the harvests of our farmers will
in the future prove the greater source
of wealth.
Those dwelling beyond our borders
may not appreciate the benefits the
west has in the past conferred upon
them, and may not realize their in
terest in its further growth and de-
velopmpnt. Ii at any time there
should be Il break in the stream Of
western dollars flowing eastward,
business everywhere would suffer.
Far greater Will be the suffering in
pOpulOus centers a few years hence
if Il great quantity Of grain is not
produced in the west to feed the mil.
lions who call for bread.
During the past ten years the con-
sumption of food has increased 80 per
cent. The margin of difference is
each year becoming greater. Last
year the production of wheat in the
United States barely equaled home
consumption. and in this banner year
the home production has not been
largely in excess of domestic demand
The lands in the older settled states
have either become exhausted or too
valuable for the growing Of grain and
may not be relied upon for a larger
productions. 'Nhe fertile plains Of the
northwest, so vast in extent are cap
able Of becoming the graiary Of the
nation.
With it's many and superior advan-
tages the northwest should speedily
become thickly populated and fully
developed: bat the public land policy
of the government must be changed
before that ambition can he realized.
The title to more than two-tiirds
ol the lands OF the northwest is now
vested in the federal governm, ut,
less than one-third having passed in
tn private ownership. or this two
thirds about so per cent is subject to
entry under tn public land laws,
while the remaining 40 per cent has
been withdrawn from entry by the
government The condition gives to
the problem two important phases
One relating to the lands subject to
entry under the laws now in force or
which may hereafter be passed. and
the other. concerning the enactment
Of laws necessary for he sdministra
ton of lands withdrawn.
The laws governing the appropria-
tioi, of public lands subject To enlrv
hv settlers are reasonably SatiStac-
tory. The chief objection is to the
manner in which those laws have
: !'ren interpreted and administered.
3, For nearly half Il century it WAS the
INV PUN W WV IttVisl SoNfliI-
ment to hold its lands in trust for
the benefit of those who should claim
them according to law. nder that
+ policy title to the lands of She middle
=. west passed into private hands and
! that section developed from tenant
: less wastes into populous commune
! ties and cultivated fields. \ like pol
j ley would now produce similar re-
/ suits in the northwest.
+ \ few years ago the lone standing
policy WAS changed. the change being
! due. il is claimed to the discovery of
! the federal officials that title to lands
M:.. in some inst :lnInS Aeinn nlat u ned