RECLAIMING THE LANDS. 



REPORT OF THE STATE ARID LAND COMMISSION 



ON THE WORK NOW IN PROGRESS 



NEAR BILLINGS, MONT. 



The state arid land commission has filed 

 its report with the governor. It is signed 

 by Vice-President Donald Bradford, and 

 goes at length into the possibilities of irri- 

 gation as well as the work outlined by the 

 board during the year. The report is as 



follows : 



Your commission respectfully makes re- 

 port, as required by law, of its work cov- 

 ering the period beginning April 7 and 

 ending Dec. 1, 1897, and in so doing un- 

 dertakes to give information concerning 

 district No. 1 that may aid materially to 

 develop it. As each district is advanced 

 its advantages will be officially mentioned 

 to enable intending occupants of our lands 

 to come prepared for actual conditions. To 

 this end all reference to other locations is 

 made in the general report herewith. 



District No. 1 comprises 10,632 acres of 

 land, with a canal in contemplation, to be 

 constructed by this commission under au- 

 thority of law. This canal will convey an 

 additional quantity of water, sufficient to 

 supply about 12,000 acres of railroad lands 

 and about 5,000 acres of private lands, ag- 

 gregating about 28,000 acres. 



The general purpose of the Carey act 

 and our resultant state law is to develop 

 dormant lands by building canals and res- 

 ervoirs, and selling the lands with a water- 

 right at practically the cost of water-ways 

 and incidental expenses attendant. And 

 after completion to operate and maintain 

 them for the settlers at actual cost. With 

 this end intended the work herein describ- 

 ed was undertaken with the belief that on- 

 ly the greatest success will result, for the 

 good reason that the fruits of the farm will 



to a much lesser degree, take flight as blood 

 money to the profit of the promoter and 

 the distended bond monger. To aid those 

 whom we invite to partake with us of the 

 best gifts from our maker, to partially lea- 

 lize what is offered, we deem it quite es- 

 sential that that which follows be told. 



When a Montanian wishes to impress 

 himself as well as his auditors, with a real- 

 izing sense of the immensity of his beloved 

 state he may possibly say: ''Just imagine 

 Montana an island in the broad ocean, with 

 inlets and bays, with gulfs, with adjacent 

 isles and splendid harbors; then draw for 

 your mind's eye the picture of a majestic 

 river, our own river, the muddy waters of 

 the mountains, leaving the brine of the sea 

 to wind itself into the heart of nature and 

 the hearts of men; spreading its arms to 

 embrace the hills, and lay at the feet of 

 humanity power to grind and power to dig. 

 Then see before you the veins of gold, sil- 

 ver, copper, lead, of coal; see the great for- 

 ests and the great plains covered by the 

 flocks and herds; the valleys flecked with 

 homes and hamlets; delicious fruits and 

 melons, every variety of vegetable, of for- 

 age and of grain. See the great mountains 

 in staid combat with the clouds; great cen- 

 ters of industry creating comforts and lux- 

 uries for the people; then see the ships of 

 commerce conveying to the lauds without 

 our surplus of good things, and you will 

 only have a faint conception of the wealth 

 God has placed at our command to enjoy 

 as we will." 



And then the Montanian will not have 

 told the half of it. While we have not the 

 sea to lap in rage or love the feet of our 



