Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-08
Constructive Legislation.

Constructive Legislation.
Among the numerous achievements
to which the Republican party can
Justly point with pride is the enact
ment Of the reclamation law, passed
in 1909 by q Republican Congress and
signed by a Republican President
Under the provisions Of that law re-
'clamation projects have been con-
structed affording water supply suf-
dcient for 100000 acres Of land. Dur
ing 1918. the crop production on land
already supplied with water exceeded
dn value $15,70o.000.
This production was from an area Of
only 100000 acres then under cultiva-
Ition. The last annual report Of the
Reclamation Service shows that with
relatively small additional expense. the
total acreage supplied with water can
be increased to 100000 acres.
Considering the immense amount OF
work to be done in the construction OF
reclamation projects on a plan de-
signed to be permanent, it is remark
able what rapid progress has been
made. The first considerable amount
of irrigation on government projects
was reached in 1906. when $4,000
acres of arid land was supplied with
water. In 1913, which is the latest
date for which statistics are available,
the total Of 100000 acres was reached.
The reclamation Of arid land under
government projects is still in its in
fancy, and has necessarily been slow
because both the government officials
and the farmers have been compelled
to learn by experience what methods
are most successful and satisfactory.
Development will be far more rapid in
future. Vast areas of land that was
previously abandoned to sage brush,
jack rabbits, and coyotes, will. for all
time to come. make pleasant homes
for thrifty American farmers. produce
food for residents Of American cities
and add enormously to the total
wealth of the nation.
These irrigation farmers are raising
alfalfa, fruit, grain. vegetables-prac-
tically every farm product that can be
grown anywhere. The alfalfa supplies
feed for live stock. The live stock
furnishes raw material for the pack
ing houses. The laborers in the
packing houses are buyers Of all kinds
Of food and clothing, and other ne
cessaries Of life. The s15,00o,000 of
products on irrigated land in 1913,
was but the beginning Of a chain Of
business that furnished profitable en-
ployment for thousands Of men and
women.
The trainers Of the reclamation act
anticipated that development must be
slow, and. therefore. they provided for
settlement Of homeseekers under a
plan Of payment of installments COW
ering ten year period, which period
Congress has since extended to 20
years. The purpose Of the act was to
provide more farm homes and extend
the area Of productive lands. While
the act was a departure from accepted
ideas as to the proper scope Of gov
eminent, experience has proven the
wisdom Of government initiative in an
undertaking so large that private en-
terprise could not be expected to in
vest unless given concessions that
might ultimately be found against the
interests Of homeseekers.
Although President Wilson has de-
clared that the Republican party has
not had a new idea in thirty years, the
Reclamation act stands upon the
statute books alongside the pure food
law, the postal savings bank law and
the parcel post law as a mute but per-
manent evidence Of the constructive
policies of that party