Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-06-10
IDAHO A LEADER
IN RECLAMATION

mems Clubs.
To earnest students Of reclamation
in Idaho, one of the most serious
questions confronting us at this par
ticilar time is that OF providing ways
and means of continuing the work Of
our state organization the Idaho
Reclama tfon Association, whose in
fluence during the two short years of
its organization has been most far
reaching. Not only did the Idaho
Reclamation Association originate the
plan organizing the Western States
Reclamation Association and furnish
the funds that first made possible that
organization, but our Association has
also supplied a great number Of the
soundest ideas adopted as the working
program of the Western States Rec
lamation Association.
The choice of our Governor, Hon. d.
w Davis as presidene Of the Wes-
tern states Reclamation Association,
bears evidence Of IdahO's recognized
position in the vanguard Of reclama-
ti0n movements. Can we afford to
lose this proud position by careless
ness or Indifference?
The latest news from Washington
is that the western men interested in
IRRIGATION have adopted a plan to
bring the L. S Congress on trip
through the West next Fall. so thar
their own eyes may see the truth
about reclamation and what it means
TO the whole country. This plan,
which was conceived by Major Fred
r. Reed, and first revieyed publicly
through the Idaho Reclamation AS
socia ton nearly a year ago, has be-
come today the slogan of all the
western states: and so it has been
with many other plans originated by
our Idaho organization.
Unless each state interested keeps
up its own reclamation morale, main
tains it's own organization, and sup
ports that organization both morally
and financially, there Will be no source
from which to draw talent, labor, and
funds to back the Western States Rec
lamation Associate which without
that backing would soon become power
less. There os work for all to do to
lend strength to the efforts Of our
governor and our delega ton in con-
gress.
If we of Idaho alone allow our state
organization 10 fall by the wayside,
how long can we expect TO cope with
the we'll organized and more powerful I
states like California. Washington,
and Oregon. wh.n the time comes to
share governmental funds that may /
become available?
Again. of we allow this statewide /
association to fail, how can we hope (
to restrain selfish personal interests
within our own ate--interests that /
work for projects. not principles -
that look to private gain rather than
to state good? There is practically
enough water for ALL if scientific plans
for irrigation are followed in one great
system. holding strictly to the Prin-
ciple of working for the greatest good
TO the greatest number.
Are we alive to those question of
DEVELOPMENT which mean so much,
not only to our state but to our coun-
try?.
we are proud to welcome to our
state Mrs. Thomas G. Winter, of Min
neapolis. whose broadmind vision and
loving service have made her the
chosen leader of the two million fed
Grated club women of America The
message our noble president is bring
ing us is that we have no strictly
home" problems no local problems,
but that all are part of one great ma
tional consciousness.
In expressing that sentiment. she
voices the very soul of Idaho, for well
we know that ours is a national as wen
as a local problem. We reach our our
hands and hearts to the alder. richer
states for help and understanding in
these great pioneering problems
weherein are wrapped up the very
life of our state. We plead, for the
sake of the nation. that we be given
help. not hindrance. in the progress
that will mean so much toward salts
fvinG the unrest in the hearts of the
homeless and unemployed. The i'm
mediate beginning of there great con-
struction works and the future tillage
Of these valleys are one great answer
toward relieving the present industria
situation in the United States.
In the name of Idaho. would plead
20 our great President that she carry
back TO our sisters in the East the un-
that we are builders not, ]
that we would enhance,
not destroy, the beauties of our coun-
try. II we ask O few acres or mos
1uito pasture in the very corner or
Y Yellowstone Park. and below the cas-
,ades we are falsely accused of wish |
ing to destroy. We are willing to give /;
back from Idaho more beautiful and :
acreage of prospective park |
and. besides guaranteeing to create
With the waters we ask TO conserve m /
Fail River Meadow reservoir. another |
irrigation empire almost comparable
in usefulness and beauty with the I
Boise Valley. What blessing and ,
What a joy 1t would be to our tourist {
friends to find such continuous ap-
,roach on this side OF the Park. in
,tead of endless miles Of desert. \
II we ask appropriations from Con-
,ress for the building OF great ressr- |
yoirs and other reclamation work TOO c
to be trusted to private t
,ontrol or private capital. we do not
six these appropriations on terms or I
lift. We do not ask them on the terms
" which billions have and viii con- =