The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-02-27

best settlers on the project, who are
always liable to be the victims of debt
crises, or other causes mentioned I'M
der the head of "forfeitures', and who
have, in many cases by unfortunate
experiment, contributed largely to the
fund of information SO essential to
make this project success.
'We consider it extremely unwise
to allow the power to regulate our
own business affairs to pass out of
hands, to be vested in the department
5000 miles away, who would hold us
responsible for its mistakes and those
OF its subordinates, and whose man
agement or mismanagement under
various administrations might involve
our ruin.
"If the department believes our
fears in this matter to be groundless
we would direct its attention to the
fact that no one dreamed before the
present time that an attempt would be
made to take advantage of the ex-
tremity of the homesteader to force
him into new contract, limiting his
title to the land he had fully earned,
and creating virtual despotism on
government projects in the midst Of
republic.
This cultivation might become a
handle by which all INSCRIPTIONS ad
ministration, in connection with land
sharks, might force the water user in
a given section into an extremity, re-
duce land values, forcing large num-
bers to sacrifice their holdings. We
do not believe the present administra-
ton would be guilty of such an Of
tense. But it would be a shame for
Congress to withdraw our legal safe
guards. We cannot throw too much
are responsible for our inalienable
rights (Which are directly or indirect
ly involved) to God and ourselves
only, and we decline to lay them down
at the feet OF any administration.
1--WE believe that if this effort is
successful, it will be impossible for
the government in future to secure the
class of settlers so essential to make
reclamation a success.
~. The average American farmer
needs no coersion to impel him to
bring ever available acre under cul-
tivation The homesteader of
this project is not behind the best of
them in intelligence, industry and am
bition, but they lack resources.
-. The acreage to be proftably
cultivated can only be determined by
the men on the place, because the f.
nanciaI resources of the farmer, the
number, ability and endurance of
males and horses and amount of ma
chinery available differ widely. Such
law would only coerce the settler
of limited means to cultivate beyond
his means, and hold him responsible
for the pernicious consequences.
"a. 1t is shown that The time re-
quired for irrigation differs as widely
as the difference in soil texture and
slope of the various farms.
49, There is a wide difference in
the time and attention required for
various crops"
e. The case of the settlers with
small herds of dairy stock, which re-
quire several hours daily, and the i'm
possibility of the department discreet
ly alloting his time to be devoted to
his respective duties, how on account
of the lack of favorable patent law
he is unable to borrow money 10
make payment on the stock when the
increase would wipe out the debt, and
allow him to devote part of the re-
ceipt to employing adequate help, is
discussed in two terse paragraphs.
7. and 8. The heavily involved set
tier, who is unable to renew his loans,
will be pushed to the wall.
| "When the settler secuerd patent
under the old regulations he had paid
for his land several times over. For
several years after entry he could nei-
Their sell nor mortgage, and was con-
stantly subject to red tape entangle-
ments. The market value of land
with such conditions attached would
be low. Yet the average homesteader
has probably spent more in time and
money on his land than it would bring
if put on the market at the present
time.
Rural Credit.
1--WE would respectfully suggest
that provision be made as soon as
possible for rural credit, applicable &c
lproved-up homesteads, loans to be
made on the acreage under cultiva
ton when say IS or 20 acres are
properly cultivated, and not to be
made to any one farmer on more thar
~ acres.
"This would supply the incentive
and the means, as distinguished from
coertion of the settler to develope be
yond his means, and would encourage
and assist him TO dispose OF his sur
plus land. We believe that no singl,
piece of legislation would contribut,
more to the advancement and pros
perity of the west, and more to TIL
security of the money invested il
government projects.
Fines.
I'VE cannot too stronly emphasiz
the fact that the fines provided for il
the bill, except the amount necessar.
to cover expenses in collecting from
delinquents, would aggravate the evi
it seeks 70 allay. The bulk of thu
homesteaders who become delinquen
(and this practically mans all delin