New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1916-04-22

moist prOdigiOus and comprehcn
slvc reclamation projects tina
could well be conceived, or is pos
sibIc in this country, and if eve1
accomplished would add NOR,
wealth to the state of Louisiana
than she has received through hel
wonderful sulphur and salt de
posts and oil wells CONFINED
The value of this area once re
claimed and colonizcd would
double or triple that if standing in
virgin cypress forests, and we
'&av this with a full appreciation
of the "Wood Eternal"
The building Of levees on the
Mississippi and Atchafalaya riv-
ers partially rcclaims the lands
to which refer, and are, of
course, absolutely essential and
requisite to their drainage. The
United States Government is now
expanding millions Of dollars an
nually in the construction of these
lcvees, and the preston naturally
arises why should not the Gov
eminent acquire the lands. which
can be purchased at a mere nom
inal figure, and complete the
-ork Of reclamation by construct
ing the necessary internal canals
and levees, and erecting large
pumping plants for the removal
Of the water, and then open the
lands to settlers at the actual cost
# the work? The fact that the
United States Government Has
behind the project, and the knowl-
edge that it would be done right,
would lend confidence and sta
bilitv to the plan thai could be
lad in no other way, and settlers
would have no hcsitancy in pur-
chasing and occupying the lands
as fast as they we're opened. The
Of the work involved
in retaining the basin in qucs-
ton is so stupendous, ard is Of |
such a public character, is ancth-
er reason why it should be ac-
complished by the Government
rather than by private enterprise.
Precedence can be found for
this in the Reclamation Act, APP
proved by Congress June II, 1902,
aud amended August 13, 1914. un-
der which arid lands in the West
prn states are being irrigated.
The principles involved are also
in what is known as the
Newlands-Pror ssard River Regr-
alton and Flood Prevention Bill,
now pending in Congress.
Some people will contend that
here is no market for reclaimed
ands at this time, no matter how
they might be, and
hat the price obtainable would !
lot be sufficient to cover the cost !
# reclamation. This may be true
ust at this time, but it must be
that there has been
10 market for lands Of any kind
or several years until very re
emily. Conditions. however, are
hanging and changing rapidly,
nd the indications are this coun-
ry is now entering upon one Of
he most prosperous periods in it's
history, largely attributable pos
IDLY to conditions brought about
" the European war. Another
hing to be remembered that in
IL probability after the war is
YER there will be influx of I'M
migration to this country unpre-
edented in it's history, by inhab-
tants of Europe, fleeing from tax
ton and militarism. These i'm
Migrants will be largely agricul-
wrists, many Of whom are ia
,iliar wits the merits of reclaimed
ands, and they will locate where
he best lands can be found, and
here is little doubt but what the
emand this created will estab-
sh price far beyond the cost
f reclamation. In our opinion
is a matter worthy of most SER
MS consideration.