, 1922-10-22

Reclamation Legislation.
While Mr.. Mondeli was the newest
and youngest member OF the Commit
tee on Irrigation Of Arid Lands at the
time the National Reclamation Law
was under consideration by that CON-
mittee, he was, by u vote of the com
mittee. authorized to report the bin
n pilot IL through the House, which
he did, and President Roosevelt gave
him the pen with which the bill wus
signed. and 1t Is now preserved in the
archives OF the State Historical So
ciety at Cheyenne.
Shoshone Project.
In connection with the practical ap-
plication OF the Reclamation Law, Mr..
Mondell's knowledge OF the state en-
abled him to secure the benefit OF the
legislation for Wyoming. Before he
went TO Congress Mr.. MOndell WINS en-
gagged in development enterprises, and
while so engaged visited the Big Horn
Basin and helped survey out several
projects there, among others what
afterwards became the Shoshone Pro-
Ject. In the meantime, Colonel Cody
had become interested in development
on b Shoshone and largely through
Mr.. Mondell's influence he was per
suaded to turn over his rights to the
Reclamation Service; the result was
the great Shoshone Irrigation Pro
ject, on which nearly ST,5O0,O0O has
been expended, and on which work is
being vigorously prosecuted. When
fully developed by the construction of
the wildwood. h Highline and the
Oregon Basin units. this will be one OF
the largest compact irrigation projects
In the United States.
North Platte Project.
Through cooperation with his COL
leagues, Mr.. Mondell called attention
of the Reclamation Service to the pos
sibilities Of development on the North
Platte, and the Pathfinder dam and
the North Platte Project was under
taken. Nearly 100000 900 has been
expended for the Wyoming portion of
this project, and much additional work
is contemplated both by the extension
Of the irrigated area under the
Guernsey and Fort Laramie units, and,
in a very large way, In the construc-
ton OF the Casper Project.
Recently Congressman MondelI ar
ranged for Director Davis to visit the
Guernsey Project, and accompanied
lii in q personal inspection. AS a
result, immediate arrangements were
made to secur the flowage rights.
Later contracts were closed for the
purchase of most Of the lands to be
submerged. the other areas being in
process of sale. This was the final
step necessary before actual construc-
ton could begin.
Opening Wind River Reservation.
Very early In Mr.. MondeI's service
his attention was called to the neces-
sity Of legislation for the opening and
development of a portion of the Sho-
shone or Wind River Reservation In
Central Wyoming. He took hold of
the matter with Characteristic energy,
with the result that II treaty was OBJ
tanned n the cession of the great
area north of the Big Wind River was
secured. For quite a number of years
the state e~ndeavored to secure the
reclamation of the i~rrlgable portion OF
these lands, but only succeeded In Sc
curing q limited amount of develop
ment In the vicinity of Rivertou.
Riverton Irrigation Project.
During the campaign of 1914 Mr..
Mondell gay notice hat whoever was
elected governor, he would, unless the
state authorities promptly extended
the irrigation development, seek to
have the lands irrigated by the aid of
the Federal Government. A few
months later. no further state develop
ment having taken place, Mr.. Mondell
began the efforts which have finally
resulted in the adoption OF what is
known as the Riverton Project as a
National Reclamation Project. This
project is progressing favorably and
will, within n few years, add in the
vicinity of 100000 acres to the irrigat-
ed area of the state. Mr.. Mondell still
looks forward to the ultimate develop
ment of the lands under what is
known as the Fremont Canal or the
Riverton Project.
Further Irrigation Development.
Efforts of Mr.. Mondell and other
Western members in securing a large
portion of the rents and royalties IN
der the leasing act for irrigation I'M
der the national reclamation law will
rende possible more speedy develop
ment of projects under way, and the
taking up of new projects. Further
irrigation development is confidently
hoped for under the Soldier Settle
ment and other Reclamation Extension
bills. and Mr.. MondeH has expressed
confidence in the undertaking, in the
no distant future, as n result of the
enactment of Legislation above re-
ferred to, of several aaore projects in
the state now under consideration,
particularly the Casper Project, the
Pass Creek and Big Creek Projects on
the upper Platte, and the projects on
the upper Green River.
irrigation on Indian Reservation.
Early in his service Mr.. Mondell be-
came active in encouraging the Bu-
reau of Indian Affairs to develop the
irrigation possibilities of the Dimin-
ished Wind River Reservation and to
take out its water rights under state
law. He has been active in securing
nearly a million and a half of appro-
priations for the work. Later he be-
came active in the Encouragement of
THE sale of the lands of deceased In
dians. The reservation needed roads
and he became active in securing an
nual road appropriations.