THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



has kept abreast of all conditions associated with 

 irrigation, has aided in every way the development 

 of clean projects, and has, when its editor saw fit, 

 criticized without stint the short-comings of vari- 

 ous officials connected with the government control 

 of irrigation works. 



This criticism has., to a greater or less degree, 

 reacted at times, and we have felt that the paper has 

 lost business as a result of open criticism. This, 

 however, has not deterred us from speaking plainly 

 what we knew to be true, and it is our aim to con- 

 tinue this policy in the future. There are many 

 weak points connected with irrigation that must be 

 corrected, and corrected soon, or the entire develop- 

 ment along this line will, in time to come, feel its 

 effects. 



There are also many concerns doing business 

 throughout the West under the name of irrigation. 

 who are sendnig out misleading literature and whom 

 it is our intention to bring to light as soon as data 

 in- secured concerning these projects. 



This is unfortunately true in many localities 

 where conditions seem favorable for clean develop- 

 ment. The sharpers frequently secure small hold- 

 ings adjacent to well-developed and well-organized 

 projects and by sending out misleading litera- 

 ture secure money from gullible eastern and central 

 states people, who are apparently willing to 

 put up their money without first investigating 

 the property. This condition exists in as well 

 favored a section as the Payette Valley in Idaho. 

 There is no section in the United States that can 

 offer better inducements to the settler who is will- 

 ing to go out and investigate for himself. In that 

 valley there is at least one unscrupulous real estate 

 concern which has misled the public and whose 

 actions will be exposed later in the columns of the 

 IRRIGATION AGE. 



J'udging from the increase in business in our 

 advertising columns we estimate that business for 

 the forthcoming year will be equal if not greater 

 than that of any similar previous period in its his- 

 tory. 



We trust all of our readers may .understand that 

 our efforts will continue along the line of publish- 

 ing matter that will be of benefit to beginners in 

 irrigation as well as those who have practiced it for 

 longer periods. 



During a visit since election to man- 

 ufacturers throughout the western 

 ness Outlook anc i central states, a representative 

 Among Man- of the IRRIGATION AGE learns that 

 business conditions are very favor- 

 able, and manufacturers are all 



Fine Busi- 



ufacturers. 



buoyant and have no apprehension of the treatment 

 which will be accorded them by the new adminis- 

 tration. Heretofore there has been a feeling, en- 

 couraged; possibly by some of the larger institutions, 

 that times would slump during a Democratic ad- 

 ministration, but it is impossible to conceive of any 

 condition that will bring about even a mild slump 

 in business affairs at this time. 



There has never been a time when crops 

 throughout the country have equalled those of this 

 year, and this is particularly true of states west of 

 the Mississippi river and the irrigated areas of the 

 country. 



As stated in a previous issue, the railways will 

 find it difficult to move the crops from the irrigated 

 sections to the best markets and this may, in a way, 

 hamper some of the farmers who are remote from 

 the markets. 



Judging from the statements of manufacturers 

 and their buoyancy and hopefulness for the future, 

 we predict a wonderful era of good times for all of 

 those who are dealing either directly or indirectly 

 with the farmer, as it is the farmer after all who. in 

 a way, shapes the business destiny of the nation. 



Word reaches us of the good work 

 Good Work being performed by a representative 

 By of the Colorado Bankers' Associa- 



Bankers tion in bringing back to their proper 



Association. status the true value of irrigation 



bonds. Reports from other sections 

 of the west state that similar action will be taken 

 by the bankers' associations in states farther west 

 and this will result, no doubt, in materially better- 

 ing conditions along the line of irrigation develop- 

 ment. 



As mentioned in another editorial in this issue, 

 we have word of the re-establishment of work on 

 several good projects in Colorado, all of which will 

 benefit Colorado through the expenditure of large 

 sums of money. It will also prove good for those 

 who are investing in the bonds. 



Announcement is made by the Na- 

 National tional Rivers and Harbor Congress 



Waterways that the organization will issue the 

 Magazine first number of a monthly magazine 



Announced. to be known as National Water- 

 ways, which will be the first maga- 

 zine of its kind published. 



The magazine will have for its purpose the 

 pointing of a way to cheaper transportation through 

 a comprehensive development of our lakes, rivers, 



