The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-09-16
LET US BE PRACTICAL

Can1pdlSH W pIUHlOIc IIlc 1OIildIlol VI
irrigation districts, has said that no
one in Montana knows how to irri-
gate; that in Gallatin valley where
the college of agriculture is located,
irrigation is done ign~orantly.
When we consider that DR.. Newall
has for 80 years, according to his WI
statement, put in his time holding Of
flee, the value of this assertion is dis
counted. Just where does the gen.
tleman get all the knowledge regard
ing irrigation, that he is attempting
to impress upon the minds of the peo-
pie of Montana? Is what he says
about irrigation in Montana more val
liable than the experience of Mr. Pen
we'll, who has irrigated in the Gala
tin valley his large holdings, for so
years, and made a success of irrigated
farming?
DR.. Newall circulated a mimeo-
graphed document at the Malta meet
ing, in which certain statements are
made that it is difficult to reconcile
with the experience of people on the
Milk River project. He says that ir-
rigation should be confined to the
economic limit of 80 acres. This idea
has been exploded by the department
which has established the unit at 100
acres. Beside this, the project is now
almost old enough to vote, and where
is there an example of a man who has
made an so acre farm pay?. What
market is there in Montana for pro-
duce that can be raised in m
cial quantities on so acres in the Milk
River Valley?
The Doctor is probably correct, from
an academic standpoint, but not from
experience, gained through years of
want and trouble by those who have
tried irrigation under government di-
rection on this project. What may be
true in theory is not true in practice;
the rule applied to Colorado will not
apply in northern Montana.
The naive statements OF the Doc
tor must be attributed to a lack of
experience. His intention, as gathered
from some of his somewhat conflict
ing statements, is worthy support,
but his practical application of the
ideas suggested shows a woeful lack
of business foresight. For instance he
urges that all land be listed for $15
to $25 per acre, or with water at about
$50. He thinks some large land hold
ers want too high prices, and that
this will keep settlers out. High prices
will keep settlers out; such prices
have kept them out of this end of the
project. But these prices have beer
the prohibitive rate the water ma!
cost, and not the price of the land. l
land near Glasgow, the water right
may cost him nearly 500 an acre, a
advised from other than government
sources, which are not open. Will tn
Doctor elucidate and tell us what tn
governemnt is going to do about
cheap water rate before he accuse
certain of US of being spectators. !
the Milk River will attract men o
only limited means, as he says, the
unless the government sells the pro
ject for far less than cost, the Ian
will offer no inducement for settlers
Following DR.. Newall's plan, as
is incompletely outlined at this date
would bring poor men to settle on 8
acres of land costing more than $40
an acre, and expecting them to max
a living and pay for the land out Q
products of the soil, for which Their
is comparatively no local market.
The propaganda of DR.. Newall ma
do good, in that it shows condition
to the people; shows the project, STRIP
ped of all practically; shows tha
something must be done with it b
practical men, or that it had bette
be strapped, and the land returned
the cattle and sheep that one flou.
ished upon it. Perhaps and probabl
the solution lies in the formation
irrigation districts as proposed.
order however hat an irrigation di
trict can handle the land the enormo,
cost of the project, which is now
lien on the land, must be cancelled
the government, and the way tn,
opened to pass the land OF to the Sc
tier at a reasonable price.
1t must be remembered that in o,
sense, the actual cost to date is in
material. That it is immaterial if Il
government adheres to its origin
published estimate under which LAM
on the project were taken up, vi
S25 per acre for the completed pr
iect. In a recent case the u. S. Di
trict court for Idaho decided that Il
estimate of cost provided by sectiC
a of the act of June II, 1902, must
estimated and apportioned before co
struction of a project, and in case
settlement under such conditions Il
price could not be later increase
though the published estimate we
insufficient to cover the actual cost
In y;ou, IF +hic deciSio0 the order