The Bozeman courier., 1921-08-03
GOVERNOR ON IRRIGATION

0OfSAiOA OiAOll, III his suggestions
that this country should build more
dams and irrigation systems and
fewer battleships strikes a note that
will meet with enthusiastic and
unanimous support in Montana and
the west, and barring the shipbuild-
:ng industries of the east, should
command the Endorsement of all the
people Of the country. With all due
respect to the great possibilities of
intensive farming in localities adapt
able to such farming in Montana
here still remains some millions of
acres in the state cannot be sue
cessfuliy cultivated by that method,
5ut which water from irrigation ca
lal will make bloom and blossoms
Ike The rose in alfalfa, corn, wheat
md almost any other agricultural
product
Governor Dixon, in urging the
vest - solidly work for the compile
On o the reclamation projects and
he con- truction of additional irri-
2tion systems, proposes a policy of
h emcst vital moment to the state
T Montana. The tremendous posi-
Oilities of this state as an agricul-
tural center and world beater, un-
der the benign fertilizing influence
Of irrigation water, are almost be-
gond comprehension.
The several years Of drouth and
partial drouth in the state emphasize
the fact that, while dry land farm
;ng ghould and will be prosecuted by
the Industrious and enterprising peo-
Die Of the state to the limit, indus
trial wisdom of the highest order
dictates that in a semi-arid state
'uch as Montana, the very fullest ad
vantage should be taken Of its water
;ources by construction of reclama-
ton systems to the maximum degree
possible in the premises.
There is more than enough water
in the state to irrigate every arabic
acre, were it so situated that it could
be used, but while that is not the
@ase and there are AZ Mas not acces-
Sibie to irrigation, some millions OF
acres remain which may be brought
under reclamation by the creation Of
the necessary dams, reservoirs anC
litches. This construction is expen
,ive and the national government i:
the logical banker for it, as is al
ready recognized in the partly com
oleted projects.
At the recent meeting of western
Governors at Salt Lake, attended by
Governor Dixon the plan was pro
1osed for a S25O,000,00O revolving
fund to complete the works begun
and create other projects, and speak
ing upon the plan in an interview
| Gov crn0r Dixon said:
"We realize, of course, that tn
federal treasury is depleted and tina
we could not hope to secure the ful
amount at one time. The presen
tentative program calls for 100000
900 the first year, $30,000,000 tn
second years and $50,000,000 a yea
for the next four years, making
total of $250,0O0,000 during the com
ing six years.
whenever a unit is completed
where the land is in private owner
hip, the 20-year bonds VII be issue
and placed with the secretary of tn
treasury, who will in turn marke
them with the government guarante
70 rpayment, the money thus receive
to be turned into the revolving fun
for the completion of other projects
"The belief is that under this six
year appropriation plan the none,
can be turned three times in the 20
year per cd and in this way $750,000,
900 can be made available for neV
irrigation work during that time.
81 know that it is big program
but the possibilities Of western de
velopment are unlimited"
1t is plain that the plan propose
s entirely feasible, and the peopl
Of Montana and the other wester
states should make it part of thei
life program from this time till it
realized. It's realization would mea
tremendous prosperity, population an
wealth for this state.