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THE IKRIGATION AGE. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 



Newell, S. Dak.. March 21, 1914. 



Editor of THE IRRIGATION AGE: 



I have just read the March issue of the AGE, and believe 

 that I express the sentiments of a vast majority of the Fed- 

 eral Water Users when I say that its editorial columns, as 

 well as the department devoted to the interests of the Water 

 Users by Mr. Scharshug, present to Congress the most patri- 

 otic appeal ever made in behalf of a down-trodden constit- 

 uency. 



Not since December, 1911, when a number of the Federal 

 Water Users' Associations met in Chicago and organized the 

 "Federated Water Users' Association," from which has cul- 

 minated the "National Federation of Water Users' Associa- 

 tions," have I felt so encouraged. Of course there are many 

 rocks ahead, but certainly the Congress and Secretary Lane 

 cannot help but recognize the rights of the Water Users and 

 must realize that the success of the Government's reclama- 

 tion policy is dependent upon the success and prosperity of 

 the Federal Water Users. 



From the homes of these Water Users and settlers 

 emanate words of the highest praise and commendation for 

 you and your able assistant, Mr. Scharschug. Theirs is a 

 just and most deserving cause, and your fearless champion- 

 ship of their appeal for relief is strengthening them for 

 another year's toil. May the April issue bring us some glad 

 tidings from Congress is the hope that is uppermost in their 

 minds. If a little encouragement is offered and confidence in 

 their Government restored, these irrigated farms will bloom 

 this coming year as never before, and the entire nation will 

 benefit thereby. This is not a cause of section or faction ; it 

 is America's cause. Citizens from every state in the Union 

 are settled on these projects. They are the gardens of these 

 entire United States. The gardeners stand ready with the 

 plow, the hoe and the shovel, waiting the offer as to their 

 portion of the fruits of their labors. Will the Government 

 take it all and a mortgage on their posterity, or will it leave 

 them a winter's supply and the wherewith to begin another 

 season's toil and hope? Spring is here. We are ready for 

 the question. Congress can answer. 



O. E. FARNHAM. 



Orman, S. D., March 20th, 1914. 



Editor of THE IRRIGATION AGE: 



Have just finished reading the March issue of the AGE 

 with greatest of interest and certainly appreciate your efforts 

 in behalf of the Federal Water Users. I am a farmer, but as 

 we are having blustery weather I have written a short article 

 to contribute to your pages. 



Hoping that you may see your way clear to publish same 

 and wishing you success, I remain yours for the right, 



C. L. GRISWELL. 



Mr. Griswell's article reached THE AGE office too late for publica- 

 tion this month. 



Phoenix, Ariz., March 20, 1914. 

 Editor of THE IRRIGATION AGE: 



The March issue of the AGE is fine and reads good from 

 a Water User's standpoint. I gave my copy to I. D. O'Don- 

 nell, government supervisor of irrigation. Please send me a 

 half dozen more copies. 



SAM BARRETT. 



Phoenix, Ariz., March 20. 1914. 

 Editor of THE IRRIGATION AGE : 



The March number of THE IRRIGATION AGE looks O. K. 

 to me. Some hot stuff all right. We are under the impression 

 here that the Reclamation Service will give almost anything 

 we ask rather than have Congress investigate. 



Yours very truly, 



H. A. BUSTRIN. 



Orland. Cal., Feb. 88, 1914. 



Editor of THE IRRIGATION AGE : 



The sample copy of IRRIGATION AGE at hand and am well 

 pleased with its make-up. I am in hearty accord with you, 

 in regard to your attitude on the Federal irrigation situation. 



I think the average settler needs assistance from some 

 source, as it seems there is always a graft in everything. 



There has been little complaint so far in this project in regard 

 to the water supply, but there are several thousand acres to 

 be improved yet. 



I am well aware that it is a hard problem to keep every 

 one pleased and satisfied, but it seems to me that if Secretary 

 Lane really tries tc do as he says he should have the support 

 of every Water User in the land. 



M. N. WILCOX. 



Fallen, Nevada, March 3, 1914. 

 Editor of THE IRRIGATION AGE: 



Enclosed find $1.00 for a year's subscription to your pub- 

 lication. I wish to read the people's side of the question as 

 well as the Government's (The Reclamation Record), and 

 oblige. 



F. M. MURCHISON. 



Somerton, Yuma County, Ariz., March 20, 1914. 

 Editor of THE IRRIGATION AGE: 



The March issue just received and carefully read. It is the 

 signal of war to the finish until this confiscation business 

 ceases, and sane government of the Service prevails instead 

 of bureaucratic methods. 



The March issue is going to create a furor; that you 

 can depend on. You may expect a back fire from many 

 sources, but the most dangerous sources will be from Water 

 Users' associations whom the Service has got under their 

 control, and the business interests in the towns who care 

 nothing for the business interests of the farmers and know 

 less about our interests. Commercial clubs will be organized 

 against you as they have been organized against me. Do not 

 mistake the power of the opposition that will show itself. 

 This you must prepare for. Wise councils should prevail. 



The Executive Committee of the Federation should have 

 a meeting in Chicago to carefully lay before you many things 

 that have not yet been touched upon, such as individual suffer- 

 ings caused by the methods of the Service. These we have 

 had to refrain from bringing out in the past as we believed 

 we would succeed by a discussion of general principles. In 

 this we have failed, and perhaps it is the individual condi- 

 tions that will speak louder than general principles. 



Our homesteaders are now slinking back into their holes 

 discouraged, preparing for the reduction of their lands under 

 Section 13 of the new bill, and they have not a dollar to 

 spare, and they are unable to express themselves through their 

 association for the reason that the Service and the commer- 

 cial interests of the town have carried the election against 

 the farmers by means of the large holdings of speculative 

 lands held by the commercial men of the town. 



EARL B. SMITH, 



Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National 

 Federation of Water Users' Associations. 



ARTESIAN WELLS IN NEVADA 

 Many artesian wells are being drilled in Nevada 

 for the irrigation of lands. Under a recent state 

 law, each county is permitted to appropriate $5,000 

 a year for the purchase of well drilling machinery 

 and testing for water. The drilling machinery can 

 he loaned or leased by the counties to ranchers 

 who want to put down wells. Several wells, drilled 

 in the Smith valley in Douglas county, produced 

 big flows. One of these is giving a flow of 240 to 

 250 gallons of water per minute from a depth of 296 

 feet. The discovery of the artesian belt is resulting 

 in rapid settlement of the districts. 



REORGANIZE CHELAN PROJECT 



A reorganization of the Chelan-Howard Flat 

 irrigation project near Chelan, Wash., is under 

 way. It is proposed to form a district, embracing 

 these lands, for the purpose of bonding and in- 

 stalling a pumping plant and pipe line to deliver 

 water from Lake Chelan for the irrigation of land 

 within the district. The new district includes 

 about 2,000 acres, much of which was included 

 within the former proposed district. 



