The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1918-03-13
LARGE CONCOURSf CREETS
ADVOCATES OF DRAINAGE
DIR. Mead, Vice Pres. Mccormick and
J. NJ. Fulton Impressively Urge
Drainage Organization

/ Ahoot PAOOA VI NiS
deep interest in the drainage ques-
ton on the part of the settlers of
the Truckee-Carson project was the
large gathering that greeted Profess
sor Elwood Mead, Vice Pres e. o.
Mccormick of the Southern Pacific
Co, and j. M. Fulton the well
known representative of the same
company at the Temple Theater
Monday night.
The assemblage completely filled
the theater and in spite of the low
temperature of the house the inter
est in the proceedings was keenly
alive throughout the evening.
DR.. Mead to whom any audience
is always indebted for a clear and
concise presentation of matters re-
lating to irrigation and the preser-
vation of land, made an earnest ap-
peal to those present to not delay
the formation of a drainage district,
the purpose of which meant nothing
| less than the salvation of their land.
He pointed out to them the char
acter of the land in this section, a
fat country and high water table,
that means inevitable deterioration
OF the soil without the relief afford
ed by suitable drainage.
The speaker said that he could
not emphasize too strongly the i'm
portance of immediate action, as to
! MS knowledge the government offers
more favorable terms to the settlers
on this project than to any other
under its supervision.
No other section he declared was
offered the terms on loans absolutely
without interest, a condition so fav-
orable and unusual that he seriously
doubted its continuance.
He based his opinion in this regard
upon the immense drain upon the
government by the demands of the
war; and further upon the belief
| that the financial interests of the
east that are contributing so gener-
9usiy to the great cause may insist
or urge upon the government the
need of receiving interest upon all
loans.
Among the chief benefits he add
ed resulting from an organized
drainage district was the increased
valuation of the land, as 1t is fact
now established that the Federal
Farm Loan banks will not advance
loans in districts lacking drainage.
Illustrating the vital importance
to the perpetuity of the soil of prop
er drainage the speaker referred to
the San Joaquin valley in California,
where land had sold for s125.00 per
acre and through the indifference of
the farmers to the necessity of drain
age that same land today was dear
at $500 per acre.
Earnestly forcing home upon his
hearers the fact that they were fac
ing a serious condition and not a
theory, he said that they could bet
ter If necessary pay six per cent in
terest on loans rather than post
pone for a day longer than needful
the formation of drainage district
He brought to the attention of the
gathering the government attitude
toward the Imperial Valley, Cali
fornia, where 100000 acres are un-
der irrigation and where the govern
ment exacts four per cent interest
on loans.
He closed by an invitation to any
present to ask questions relative to
the matter in hand, but these were
few, largely due to the exhaustive
manner in which he had placed the
subject before his audience.
Vice President e. o. Mccormick,
than whom no official of the s. r.
Co., has done more to bring about
cordial relations between the public
and the railroad since his coming to
the coast, introduced himself to the
audience as partner" explaining
this on the ground that his COM
pany's interests were closely linked
with those of the farmers of this
valley and was prepared to even do
a little more than its just share of
expense in connection with the for
nation of a drainage district,
Mr.. Mccormick, always happy
when he has a listening audience,
although suffering from the effects
of recent operation at the hands
of a dentist, whom he seemed to
class as not among his chosen
friends, was both humorous and SER
ious, and most impressively con-
firmed all that had been said by Dr..
Mead on the importance Of immedi-
ate action by the settlers on this
project.
]. M. Fulton who is always among
friends when in Fallon spoke most
optimistically of the possibilities of
this section, but warned the farmers
that their hope for an increase in
land values and in crops is depend
ant upon the suitable drainage of
their lands.
IL A1