, 1922-01-22

rivers OF the west whose wat
desert areas in no less than tv
at a meeting held in Cheyenn
largely through the efforts of
Agreement was reached to form an
alliance OF western members for tho
promotion Of extensive irrigation de-
veiopment through federal aid OF
this meeting was later bort the ma
tional reclamation law. and h Wyo-
ming congressman was one Of b IT
senator's and congressman who drew
up and agreed upon h draft Of this
important act Although not a mem
Der OF the committee on arid lands 10
which the bill was referred. Mr.. Mon
dell because OF his knowledge OF the
subject and his activity In arranging
the preilminarfes was specially named
as G member OF this committee. and
n the honor CT reporting the bin In
the house as well as charge OF the
measure through that body. In recog-
milton OF his zeal for reclamation. he
was presented with the pen used by
President Roosevelt in signing the
bill. The pen Is now one OF the treas
ures IN tho state historical museum
Tho strategic position of Wyoming
in the galaxy of our arid state- is
recognized by all. but she has by nj
means made full utilization Of the gifts
which nature go bountifully has be-
slowed upon her. Signs arc not lack
sng, however. OF increased appreciation
of her magnificent of land
and water. and Of the many opportuni-
ties, in various parts OF the state. for
q tremendous expansion Of irrigation
development within her borders Hun
dreds of thousands of acres Of fertile
land still wait upon the genius of en-
gineers to harness the streams. and
for increased demand and lower con-
struction cost to make feasible many
additional projects. The future invest
ment of millions of dollars in these
projects will stimulate all Industries
and create prosperous communities in
regions now vacant Wyoming stu
has an abundance OF water for recla-
nation. with practical projectn already
proven In many sections OF TIM state.
Best Rscord For National Projects.
wyomlng's two older national rroj
Gets. although only partly completed.
already have brought to the state sew.
era; thousand intelligent and practical
farmers Their iLIcess has been of
such a character as to arouse wide.
spread interest. and to cause Wye
ming TO be pointed out rs the state
having the two most successful nd
ional projects. Indicating this In
terest is the fact that during h last
two years. when openings of land have
occurred on these two projects, with
$50 farm units available, more than
1000 applications were received.
It is but little more than IL years
since the first shovelfull of dirt was
move on these projects. Ccnstruc-
ton during the early period was re-
tarded by lack OF funds flowing into
the reclamation fund. yet notwith-
standing these delays more than 1900
have been added to the states popu-
lation and more han 100000 acres to
her productive area. since that time.
The taxable wealth of the state has
increased enormously as a result, and
now towns and enterprises have
sprung up to add to wyoming's sub
stantial wealth.
The soil IS the soundest and surest
source OF our national wealth. Latent
In Wyoming's rich soil are stores of in
exhaustible riches awaiting tho com
ih8 VI the INDUSTRIOUS ploWnan. on
her capacious breast still countless
thousands Of citizens will hulld and
perfect h home of their dreams
where patriotism VIII be fostered and
loyal cdntented Americans will be
reared For generations to come these
broad plains and mountain valleys will
continue to offer opportunity to the
land hungry. Her rich reservoirs of
oil and vast measures OF coal may be
exhausted. but under wise tillage her
fertile soil. blessed by the sunshine
of the desert and moistened by the
diverged waters OF her singing streams
will never cease to make a contented
and prosperous people.
Wyoming's Remarkable Increases
Wyoming-s forward march is evil
dencee ~ the census returns for the
last decade. From 1910 to 1926 the
number of Wyoming farms Increased
<.76o or IS per cent. and the acreage in
farms a.26s.344 or ss per sent. In the
sane period the increase In improved
land was s45 ,s45 acres or 81 per cent.
The total investment IN irrigation
works increased from 81, 200, $50 in
1910 to sa4.s2s.s2s in 1920 or % per
oent. The completion OF present fed