The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1923-07-19

The 100000 acres in the foul
states, to which reference has beer
made, would produce 100000 so.
acre farms, with a farming popula-
ton of over 100000, with $3.50, 000,-
600 of new values and base Of not
less than $3O0,000,0O0, together
with bigger and better towns, fac
tories and, above all, those rugged
stones in the foundation of an en-
during American civilization
homes!
These are not mere pictures. The
figures are based on actualities brot
about under more difficult circum-
stances than may ever be experienced
on future projects.'
| Aids to Dovelopmeat.
The speaker declared that patient
persistency and practical propa-
| ganda" should be the prime ingred-
| tents In the western reclamation
campaign.
These great detectives cannot be
reached in q short time" he con-
| tinued. I'VE will meet opposition
As honest as our advocacy. We must
patiently break 1t down with the
forces of legitimate argument, vital
lied and visualixed facts and west
ern unity.
I'VE ought to start with the lat
ter. II Montana is nghting Wash
| ington, and II Utah in fghting Idaho
and so on, we are like a lot of de-
tached fagots, easily broken by a
united opposition. Remember, the
other fellow is all together.
1T is also our duty to present con-
structive, as contrasted with carping
and impractical, suggestions and
criticism. We should not say to
congress, which must provide the
funds, that our irrigation projects
are productive of everything but
enough money to repay the govern
ment. Relief Of agriculture on re-
clamation projects should be, gen.
orally speaking in line with necessary
relief for agriculture everywhere,
taking into consideration the new
ness of the project lands. Demand
for almost amending project relief,
coupled with exaggerated reports OF
woaful conditions on these projects
that have been sent to Washington,
d. c., hardly constitute the best ar
gument for additional appropria-
tions.
1--WE should cooperate closely and
unitedly with all agencies undertake
ing to work out the problems OF
reclamation. Speculation on govern
ment projects should be minimized
during the period of federal control.
The farm units should be held to a
maximum consistent with successful
operation by the average farmer and
his family. Long time payments,
with low rate of interest, should
be provided, but there should be firm
support on our part of these author
tiles who insist that, under such
liberal conditions, the settlers pay
the government and not stand 1t on
because it is the government. With
government projects under t h e
slightest suspicion of attempted re-
pudiation, reclamation is accented on
the wreck
Markets and Transportation
Marketing and transportation are
subjects to which we should give
thoughtful consideration.
More transportation and lower |
freight rates on agricultural pro-
ducts are needed; and we should en-
courage all legitimate efforts to Sc
cure them. But are we doing SO?
Is it not true that we are giving sup
port to men whose vaulting ambition
and deathless pursuit of votes have
led them into a Socialistic attitude
with relation to our carriers? III
our transportation systems are to
give us the service we require, they
must make money. Indeed, an i'm
poverished transportation system is
about the worst curse that could be
inflicted upon any section.
These carriers face serious prob
ems, associated with a control out
side and constant agitation inimical
20 fair returns. / have. talked
with several heads of transportation
and l have failed to find
)ne who was not earnestly trying to
BRING about freight rate reductions .
or agriculture for his territory, har-
nonious with reasonably profitable
In this they meet the
objections of connecting lines and of
hipping interests adverse to agri-
cultural reductions because OF fear I
he difference might be laid upon {
heir business. II
eve should aid those men to solve ,
hese vital problems instead OF sup
orting those who are placing STUN
ling blocks in their pathway. We
an do so by getting around the table 9
Nth them. c
at is within the knowledge OF t
ny number of people that one great
company, serving a
arge portion of the northwest, is
egotiating with connecting lines and
nth other than agricultural shippers !.
D bring about adjustments that will !,
ermit voluntary agricultural rate
eductions applicable to the present Il
rowing crops.
"At the same time politicians are n
rging a costly organized procedure q
efOre the interstate commerce COM
lission which would operate to
.op concession and negotiation and
lrow our farming shippers into an
conflict of legal ma :.
Ire with, principally, connecting y
mes and adverse shipping interests. q
1.-THE course of direct action, it l.
Gems, is the most effective, although
course, far less dramatic. You