The Detroit times., 1914-01-08
RAYMOND w. PULLMAN.
Times Washington bureau. No. 30
Metropolitan Bank Building.

Times Washington bureau. No. 70i
Metropolitan Bank Building
WASHINGTON. d. C.. Jan. S.-The
longest step yet made IN the back-to-
theland NOV e.
Irrigation ment will he posi-.
Bond Issue. 49, Bile IL congress O.
ks the plan 70
provide sl00, 900 GOO. throush an issue
OF bonds. for the extension OF the
governments irrigation policies in
the west Secretary Franklin X.
Lane. OF the department OF the Interior
has reported 10 the president that the
western farmers can use this large
amount probably during the next ten
years In the further development OF
the section OF the country which was
once known as the Great American
Desert"
Not only does Secretary Lane be-
lieye that this sum OF money used
proftably and wisely will establish
many people in agriculture who other
wise would be helping to longest the
cities. but he believes that the corps
from the many new farms which will
DO established Will do more to help In
crease the food supply or the country
and TO check the rise in tho cost OF
living than anything else which the
government can do IN this direction
J during the same period of time.
Secretary Lane has talked with mem
bers of congress and also with Prest
dent Wilson about his plan for has.
tening the further development OF
western agricultural lands through
irrigation. and all who have heard
him have been impressed with the
constructive program which he has
worked out. The governments action
In the reservation OF radium deposits
and the completion OF the plans for
the development and conservation OF
the resources OF Alaska are two sub
jects, however. which for while
have oyershadowed In importance the
plans which the secretary has made
for the extension Of the western irri-
CATION work. and up TO the present
time little has been said about the
manner In which the large amount
or money which has been requested
viii be used. and why So much is
needed
In the first place, interior depart
ment officials point out, II the sum
OF 500, 900 Is placed at the dis.
lposal OF the interior department dur
ing the next ten years. the govern
ment will be able TO Increase the
period OF time in which settlers are
given 10 make the payments for the
land on which they establish their
farms. AT the present time lands set
tied on the government projects must
be paid for within ten years. In the
opinion OF Secretary Lane, this time
Is far too little. and should be doub'
led. Secretary Lane and the officers
! or the reclamation service also be
lieye that 1t would prove wise to give
a free period OF two or three years
: before the farmers have 70 make any
payments whatsoever, so that they
. shall have q chance TO establish them
selves. and make investments In farm
stock and machinery, SO as TO provide
for larger profits In later years.
J II the bond Issue Is provided for by
: congress, the interior department offl
Gals say that II VIII also be possible
to increase the area OF reclaimed de
; sert land In cultivation from 100000
acres now on the government pro
Ijecrs to more than 100000 acres
which Is the total amount which the
reclamation service engineers have