The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-08-21
IS RECLAMATION
FAILURE IN WEST7
By II. G. Tyson, Jr.)


clamation, probably due in part to a
jealous eye on the expanding fund in
the hands OF the interior department,
appears TO be largely responsible for
an attempt to impose an interest
charge on deferred payments upon the
settlers. The attempt was defeated,
but the feeling underlying it remains.
with its possible menacing effect up
on legislation relating to reclama-
ton in the future.
The money appropriated for recla-
nation, it is said, is a loan to the
settlers. If it will not bear an inter
est charge it is an Improbable in
vestment. The test should be applied,
and upon failure it should be discon-
tinued. SaMR
Now, because reclamation is ex-
pensive, fixed policy of development
with ample funds, not only for de-
cades, but for centuries, is the more
important. The tide of population is
steadily rising, and the cost of liv-
ing as steadily outreaching the aver
age income. The rainwashed strip
between the mountains and the Paci-
nc, with vast stretches of forest that
will not be brought under cultivation
Tor decades, soon to come into vital
touch with the markets of Europe
and eastern America, will at no dis
tant day draw large population, and,
as the Atlantic states depend upon
their inland neighbors, so they will
draw for sustenance upon the vast
stretch of desert, whose soil scarcely
equaled in fertility the world over.
must lie forever dormant, or each
farm must be developed at high cost
paid for by the toll and sweat of 20
years, and enrich for all time the mar
kets of the world. Millions appro-
priated now for revolving fund
means millions saved hereafter, other
wise invested under stress of de-
mand for more rapid development
Let the critic of the work of recla-
nation because the investment has
not paid interest from the outset, and
who hold it good public policy and in
line with square dealing to impose
an interest charge upon the home
steader, thus in creasing out of all
reason the cost of his ranch, and Grip
ping him in its costly development,
refer to the story and struggles and
prlvations OF the pioneers of the great
PLAINS. Because these settlers could
not have paid either principle or in
terest on an amount equal to the con-
structlon charge of irrigation works
were their efforts in founding these
states a failure?
The elements of success which are
generally lacking in the early stages
OF any such movement are:
l.-Humus in the soil, which is sun.
piled by cultivation.
acknowledge and experience
which are obtained from contact with
the conditions.
3.-Markets, which develop with thu
development of the country,
The infant is the most helpless o.
all creatures, but he has in him tn,
making of man.
With the increase of population
and more abundant railroad facili
ties, the consequent lowering of rate.
and the establishing of markets to
gethcr with the high price and opera
ting cost of the irrigated ranch, tn,
farm will be broken into smaller unit,
bringing the era of intensive farming
and with the two-fold price, so severe
ly criticised two or three-fold pro
fit.
The work of reclamation and it
Importance to the upbuilding of tn,
west so great that it will require
fund in proportion to the needs of
steadily devel Looping country If, il
addition to the aVails acruing from
the sale of western lands. double tn,
amount required to complete the pro
Jects now under way were appropriate
ed, something apProximating the ulti
mate results are indicated in the fol
lowing table, in about Is or 80 years
Families on approximately s.
100000 acres $50 acre units)
thus far undertaken ... 81, so
Families on projects construct
ed from money received from
the sale of water-rights from
tue ABOVE .,,,,......,, 81 ,SO
Families on projects construc-
ted from the sale of the pub
lie domain, sold after the
completion OF projects now
under construction $50. 1000
Families on projects construct
ed from proposed additional
appropriation .....,,lSO 90
(This would be invested twice,
once Immediately, and once in
about Is years..
Total number of families .24s,OO
The receipts from payments on wa
ter rights are reinveSted as fast a
paid in. The resulting difference is al
lowed for possible increase in cost a
the more expensive undertakings ar
reached,
This number would be gradual
largely augmented by the dividin
OF the unit undoubtedly into abou
three parts. making about $500
families, which would mean an in
crease TO the rural landed population
from the work of the reclamation ser
vice alone, of about 3,67S.000, carry
ing with it an increase to the entir
population of at least 100000, an
with the present population added,
total close to 20000,000.
What would then result. as decade