562 Presidential Addresses 



these reservoirs as it does other public works. 

 Where their purpose is to regulate the flow of 

 streams, the water should be turned freely into the 

 channels in the dry season to take the same course 

 under the same laws as the natural flow. 



The reclamation of the unsettled arid public lands 

 presents a different problem. Here it is not enough 

 to regulate the flow of streams. The object of the 

 government is to dispose of the land to settlers who 

 will build homes upon it. To accomplish this object 

 water must be brought within their reach. 



The pioneer settlers on the arid public domain 

 chose their homes along streams from which they 

 could themselves divert the water to reclaim their 

 holdings. Such opportunities are practically gone. 

 There remain, however, vast areas of public land 

 which can be made available for homestead settle- 

 ment, but only by reservoirs and main-line canals 

 impracticable for private enterprise. These irriga- 

 tion works should be built by the National Govern- 

 ment. The lands reclaimed by them should be re- 

 served by the Government for actual settlers, and the 

 cost of construction should so far as possible be re- 

 paid by the land reclaimed. The distribution of 

 the water, the division of the streams among irri- 

 gators, should be left to the settlers themselves in 

 conformity with State laws and without interference 

 with those laws or with vested rights. The policy 

 of the National Government should be to aid irri- 

 gation in the several States and Territories in such 

 manner as will enable the people in the local commu- 



