Albuquerque morning journal., 1914-12-21
Farmers Part in Irrigation Development Is
Explained in Paper Read by Department Chief

| striving to find a way to reclaim new
areas. II should at least convince
them of the necessity OF arriving OF
q fairly correct estimate OF the total
cost To the estimated cost OF the
water right should be added large
percentage to cover contingencies,
then to this building charge should
be added the cost of colonization as
well as that incurred by the farmer in
putting the land on producing ba-
sis. Thus. for example. II the esti-
mate of the engineer ON the cost Of
the works averages $40 per acre for
the lands to be supplied. past expert
ence shows that at least 30 per cent
should be added TO this cost to take
care of the extras which are certain
to arise. Then to this $50 per acre
should be added about $50 for colon
ization and an additional $50 per acre
Ito cover the farmers part in the work
OF reclamation. Thus, instead of
figuring on $40 an acre basis. those
who promote and finance such under
takings should mllow $124 per acre.
II is also just as important to inquire
into how and where the prospective
farmer is going TO get his part Of the
necessary capital, and what interest
he will have to pay, as il is to de-
termine how and where capital for
construction will be raised. In most
instances the farmer can not issue
and dispose Of long time bonds, neith-
er can he get capital at as low a rate
of interest as the promoter. Ample
time should also be allowed for set
tlement. If ten years are likely to
elapse before SO per cent of the lands
are settled and reclaimed, then the
first cost of the works must be in
creased to provide for interest and
other overhead charges during this
period of non-use.
An irrigation enterprise Is essen
tally a large manufacturing plant
The necessary facilities must first be
provided. Then out of the raw ma
terlals of water. soil, air. sunshine,
and heat the skilled artisan makes the
finished product. One branch mill
turns out alfalfa: q second, grain;
third, potatoes, and fourth, fruit
All large plants of this character, all
though made up of many parts should
be managed in such a way as to pro.
vide adequately for the needs and ac-
tivities of all. The manufacturer
who would erect costly building and
at the same time make no provision
Tor the purchase and installation OF
the necessary machinery would be re-
garded as fit subject for lunatic
asylum. Yet this has been the conn
mon procedure in reclamation work.
Millions of dollars have been expcnd-
ca on structures with little or no
thought as to the final outcome. Those
in charge knew in vague sort of way
lhat large number of operators
would be required to run the plant but
they were wholly at sea as to where
this help was coming from or what
quaaifieattons the men would possess
Wheh they did come. The operators
would likewise be called upon to pro-
vide all their equipment. expend the
savings of years and in general do
their part without any assistance or
suiuahee from those who built the
pant II disease DESTROYED their |
crops, II transportation companies ov-
ercnarged and sidetraclsed their ship
ments and If the markets became
sintted' SO much the worse for the
producers; but the effects of these
iahaleaps upon the UNDERTAKING. as I
a whole seldom received the consid- I
eration It's Importance demanded.
20 long as irrigation development
was IN the main dependent on indi- /
viduals, partnerships. ana co-onera-
W eoihpanies, 1t was evenly balanc-
eu' the farmers knew how much
money they could afford to spend on
.ne WORKS and they also realized that /
.he water of every new ditch had N
ne utilized at the earliest noss;hIo
tune II such new ventures w.re to ~
successful The conservative man.
her ~ which new works and imnrove-
,,rea, nsen, oi ora works was undertaken /
o,es'au,u a,.a. ei'ner over-construction or
o'rr-Vaiuation of water rights. +
n much of the development Of tbe
pas' ten or Fifteen years the farmer
~, nas peen to a great extent elin,inatsd
ne promoter, capitalist. engineer
na 'ana speculator and real estate deal. Il
scsa~ naee undertaken to reclaim the i
uoseft AS a result Of tbejr afforts
@ a.'.e systems have been planned and
Instructed but few are ON n so,,nd
.,''''he'ai - basis for the reason thai
s"e ueseiopment was one-sided Ma /.
auequate provision was made for ths
forra s, winch On the farmers were to per-
1oa'h. ",al This essential feature was Il
p.s"ef ignored or else misrepresentaa
a,n ,npossibie Yields and profits were r.
vo'he ,,, from the soil and the farmers 4
.'ne .' me magieians Of the story hooks
~s'e supposed to convert In Soma mn
into anea asa,.' way the worthless deserts
or", ,'o wealth. producing sardens ami i
! s'snafuf. s.' y Is so easy to become I
n,ss'. successful farmer on paper cre,t |
VI The multiplication tabls " pan, ass
''u winch the Spectator is willing to |