The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-03
Vision for the Future
Devils Lake Journal)


Devils Lake JournaD
The pioneer era has passed in the
Dakotas and western Minnesota. It
was great, romantic development
story. In It's human aspect it is the
story Of true Giants in the Earth.
Today all the northwest faces a
new agricultural economy. It must
both be planned and developed. In
that economy the most important
factor is water.
When the covered wagons Of the
Giants in the Earth trekked across
the great prairie reaches of North
and South Dakota they camped at
night beside strong rivers, by beauti-
full prairie lakes In great prairie
game pasture, which was the finest
thing Of its kind In the world. Wild
game and waterfowl was everywhere.
Often under the old covered wagon
was swung the broad beam breaking
pillow. It was the instrument with
which restless civilization attacked
and conquered q beautiful prairie
wilderness-at q price.
A grass cover that was great ma
tural sponge for retaining moisture
was destroyed. Rich land was plowed
and made subject to the processes OF
erosion by sunshine and rain. Ma
tural balance was disturbed. There
was q definite penalty for this. To-
day we are paying the price.
In the two Dakotas thousands Of
prairie lakes have disappeared. The
rivers beside which the prairie Giants
in the Earth kindled their camp fires
at night are intermittent. A great.
rich, thirsty land cries for water. To-
day in the northwest water is white
gold: it is the most precious mineral
that comes from the earth, not ex-
cepting the gold production Of the
Black Hills.
Pioneer visior. had its limitations.
The pioneer was more resourceful
than far seeing. He toiled tremend-
ously. He knew no obstacles that
sheer might and Drawn would not con-
quer. Indians, grasshoppers, bitter
winters-these he faced confidently,
joyously.
Today we must be as resourceful as
were those splendid pioneers-those
Giants in the Earth. Today science
comes to us to help us solve our prob
lens. It has defined the greatest OF
them as conservation Of natural water
supplies.
The medium for this was an inciden-
tai development. It Is the great Mis-
souri, river diversion project. The
first study Of practical methods to re-
store the most beautiful lake in the
Dakotas had startling consequences
It defined q water conservation pro-
blem extending over q considerable
area in three states. It produced and
emphasized the facts concerning 1t.
Thus Missouri river diversion was
born. Today 1t Is not the dream OF
an isolated localized region. It Is the
outstanding need Of great area
which contributes great portion OF
the nations food supply processed
from grains.
It will maintain and restore ground
water levels. It will safeguard navi-
cation. II will produce hydro-ele electric
development making life better in q
wide area with billions In property in
veStments. It will increase land val
ues and aid production In an area
where low cost production has always
been = distinct advantage.
While 1t will affect q rural popula-
ton Of 900 In the area directly af-
fected and an urban population Of
900, it will likewise affect indus
tries in great cities. dependent upon
them. For these 1t Is equally life in.
surance Is 1t Is for the cultivated
areas in farms, and the towns and
cities IN the region where drouth il
the past few years has cost millions.
Two-thirds of the area Of Tripoli
IS desert because the Arabs were in.
dolent fatalists. The same is true Of
many other Of the worlds desert
areas.
We must not in the northwest be.
come indolent, fatalistic Arabs. We
must take inspiration In this economic
crisis from those Giants in the Earth
who cracked the whip over the backs
Of toiling oxen in the days when the
path Of Empire westward took it,
way, long years ago.
With the spirit Of those Giants II
the Earth, and added vision, we must
solve our own problems in this day q.
they did In their day. No citizen, NJ
interest in this great region can es-
cape that responsibility.
Missouri river diversion, the great
est true diversion project ever set VI
In the history Of national planning, 4
near realization. Behind It as dis.
tinct and worthwhile objective. WI
must fight until It Is realized.
For It, q the answer Of moderI
science to the threat Of the shadow O.
the desert, We must unite Intelligent.
II. thoughtfully, resourcefully, for tn,
Dakotas and western Minnesota mus
have water II they are 70 fulfill thei
manifest destiny In the national econ