, 1924-04-03
LEGISLATION TO
ENCOURAGE MORE
NEW PROJECTS

Proposed legislation. designed to
encourage the undertaking of new
n feasible reclamation projects I'M
der conditions which will A. nearly
as possible secure their success. was
submitted to Congress BY Secretary
OF the Interior today in the form OF
a drafted bill.
The new plan provides that before
attempting the construction OF q new
irrigation project or tho extension of
an existing project In b future. the
Secretary of the Interior shall first
obtain a detailed report concerning
water supply. engineering features.
cost OF construction. land prices and
probable acre cost Of development. In
addition. n report shall be secured
through the Secretary OF Agriculture
with relation to the climate. soil,
kinds of crop Tor which the project
Is adapted and probable production
and also a report through the Secre-
tary OF Commerce with respect to
transportation facilities. markets. and
other economic factors affecting the
proposed project.
The proposed measure has the ap-
proval of the Committee of Special
Advisors who have been conducting
an exhaustive study OF the policy
and methods OF Government reclama-
ton during the last five months. In
a communication forwarded today to
the chairman OF the Committees IN
Irrigation and Reclamation OF the
senate and House OF Representatives,
the Secretary said:
- inclose herewith draft OF meas
ure designed to encourage the under
taking Of new and feasible rcclama-
ss.., $3.50 L.. 20 ,,OAAr ~4rAls Iowa vshA.h
will. "a nearly az possible. insure
their success.
Lack OF proper study along var
ious lines, particularly those of eli.
mate. soil. crops, and economic prob
tems, coupled with underestimate =
20 cost OF construction. hsSe con-
&ributed to diIYiculties On BoIne pro-
jectS already built or under construc.
ton.
II am very much In favor OF under
taking Immediately some new and
feasible irrigation projects. but only
after careful selection.
Tho plan embodied In the propos.
ed hill has the approval OF tho Com
mittee of Special Advisors on Recla.
nRtion. and will be vet forth In its
forthcoming report and recommenda-
lions. but in order TO save thine and
SNptdttc the UNDERTAKING OF HG"e nc"
reclamation projects In the West. I
am transmitting the draft OF measure
ut this time. with the suggestion that.
II II meet with your approval. II he
promptly introduced and enacted"
Tho draft OF tho proposed lcSisla-
ton reads ~ follows:
''Bc IL enacted by the Senate and
tIousc of Representatives OF tn"
United Sfatsc OF America In Congress
assembled. That hereafter no irrign-
ton project proposed for construction
under tn. act Of June II. 1909 tTh'r-
ty-second Statutes at Large. page
$3.50. aud acts amendatory thereof or
supplementary thereto. and no cx-
tension Of nm existing project shall he
approved or undertaken until infoF.
untion, In detail. has been secured
CONCERNING It's feasibility: Its adapt
ability for actual settlement and farm
homea. and ths probable return OF
the cost thereof 10 the United States.
TO this end. Il 10 hereby directed that
In each proposed project. before ap-
provai or undertaking Of such project
r. extension Of an existinE project ~
ne Secretary Of ths Interior. report
hall be secured by him. In detail.
,oncerpinG water supply. eaSinses'se
eaturcs. cost Of contraction. Ian
,ricss, and probable acre rost OF de-