The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-03-26
Alfred Defends
Kiger's Position
Continued from page one)

1t has been my pleasure and yer.
good fortune to become somewha
acquainted with almost every sec
ton of our State, and this acquaint
ance has firmly convinced me tina
the results of North Idaho's proper
agricultural development would il
much make her resources the en-
Wy of those who now swear by the
achievements of our arid plains de-
velopment under irrigation.
l do not believe there is a more
beautiful spot in America than thai
we have in North Idaho, and more
there is no part of this excellent
State where dairying and fruit grow
ing can be made more pleasant anC
profitable.
North Idaho will yet make any Of
uor sister States sit up and take
notice when it comes to comparing
results of retaining her lands and
the development of beautiful home
surroundings.
We are retarding the full realiza-
ton of this truth when we fail to
weigh the vast Importance Of this
stump question.
When the home builder settles on
those lands from which our great
forests have been cut his livelihood
and the reclamation of the sold de-
ponds almost wholly upon the length
of time required for him to remove
the stumps which now cucumber the
land, and the use of blasting, or
stump powder, is one of the chief
means by which these are removed.
Unorganized and alone these men
dig and blast at those stumps, while
we, we'll organized and financially
aided, dig and blast in the construc-
ton of our canals, each looking for
ward to the overcoming of these
great obstacles for life and happi-
ness. 1t requires an expenditure of
from fifty to one hundred dollars per
acre to clear those lands and place
them in shape for cultivation. About
the same sum is required here to
place our lands under irrigation; but
we have long been aided by Federal
and State appropriations in the de-
velopment of our chief irrigation sys-
TENS, and long periods of time are
are frequently provided in which we
may met the obligations thus in
Cured. Not so with the home build
ers who undertake the development
of our stump lands.
How often do we hear of Federal
or State appropriations being made
for the scientific and organized clear
ing of those stump lands? Seldom.
On the other hand, those home build
ers must advance all the money for
this development and at the same
time wrest living from the encum-
bered soil.
Because of the lack of ready means
and the lack of interest manifest by
our government in their struggle,
these men are often forced to buy
this indispensable material, stump |
powder, in small lots and at exhorbi-
tant retail prices. This stump pow
Ter should be declared public util-
ty and its sale and manufacture con-
rolled for the good of our people
Just as other utilities are controlled.
If means were provided for the
luick development of some of our
)est stump lands and the home build
Or given years in which to meet the
expense while his land was produc-
ng abundant crops, North Idaho
would soon put to shame some re-
suits we boast under our irrigation
ystem.
We are certain to hear much good
rom North Idaho little dreamed of
low. That section of our State is
untitled to far greater consideration
han it has ever received from the
state at large, and one thing they
re entitled to is a governor resi-
lent of that section who can better
her crying needs; but he
hould, of course, be Democrat.
Yours for Idaho,
HARVEY ALFRED.