New-York tribune., 1921-05-19
Western Governors
Would Make Desert
Bloom for Soldiers
Thirteen States Interested
i'm Plan to- Convert Into
Farms 20, 900, 900 Acres
of Arid District Land

A scheme which would entail the
conversion OF 2o,oOo,eo0 acres of arid
lands In the thirteen ester1 states
to we'll cultivated soil for the use of
ex-soldiers, was outlined yesterday be-
fore Mayor Hylan and at meeting
held in the orpheum Theater, Brook
lyn, by Visitors from the West.
Governors D. W. Davis of Idaho,
Charles r. Mabey, of Utah, end Louis
F. Hart of Washington, representing
the Western States Reclamation AS
sociation, projected plans for the de-
velopment of arid lands by extensive
irrigation. They will tour the East TO
secure the interest and support neces-
sary for successful consummation of
their theories. 1t it their intention
TO seek Congressional aid at Washing
ton.
The reclamation plan, as outlined by
the Western governors, provides that
the government should take over the
arid land at small figure and irrigate
it. Individual states offer to equip
the settler with farm implements and
years supply Of food. They esti-
mate that he will be self-supporting
at the end of that period. The gov.
ernment will be asked to regulate the
water supply and the land will be
Surned over to the settler free OF
charge.
1t is estimated that 100000 families
could settle on the land now available
Soldiers and sailors will be en-
couraged to take advantage of the
scheme. The commercial interests Of
ha ~&.
hind it.
In receiving the delegation at City
Hall, Mayor Hylan confided to them his
troubles with mandatory legislation at
Albany. He appealed for the sympathy
of the West and told them to encourage
their fellow townsmen to come East
and look New York over. 1t was as
free from crime as any city in the
world in proportion to its population,
said His Honor, and 8 boosters club
was soon to be formed which would
counteract the influence of the knock
ers.
"The legislators who pass mandatorv
laws at Albany, placing a great burden
on our taxpayers, are now about to in
vestigate us to determine whether we
are extravagant;" he said. "Every one
IN the city knows that the legislative
Investigation Is merely a probe for
political purposes and nothing else.
Those who are loudest in their protest
against the high. city tax rate are the
people who advocate mandatory legisla-
tion increasing it. However, the people
OF this city are wide-awake. They see
through the whole scheme"
Following the Orpheum Theater
meeting the Western governors, &C.
companied by DELPHI E. Carpenter, rep
resenting the Governor Of Colorado:
Sims Ely, chairman of the Arizona Re.
sources Board; C. L. Babcock. State
Treasurer of Washington; Frank W.
Brown, secretary to Governor Davis,
and Colonel F. W. Galbraith. COM
mander of the American Legion, pro
ceeded TO the Brooklyn Chamber of
Commerce for luncheon. From there
they motored to the navy yard and
on 90 the police air station, on the
Shore Road They dined at Coney ISL
and and ended the day at Steeplechasa
Park.
The states taking part in the reclaim
alton conference are California, Ore
gon, Washington, Arizona, New Mex
leo, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Colo
rado, Utah, Nebraska, Nevada and
Oklahoma.