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Show GOVERNORS PROCLAIM POLICY ' OF THE WEST Outline Views With Regard to Country's Resources Re-sources and Public Lands and Suggest Legislation. Following is an epitome of the resolutions adopted by the western governors in conference at Denver. We believe in conservation in sano conservation. Wo beliovo that tho all-wiso Creator placod the vust resources of this nation here for tho uso and benefit of all tho pcoplo generations past, present and future and while wo believe duo consideration and protection pro-tection should be given to tho rights of those who come hereafter, hereaft-er, wo insist that thc pcoplo of this day and ago should be given evcry reasonablo opportunity to dovolop our wonderful resources and put thorn to a beneficial use. That it is tho duty of each and every stato to adopt such laws as will make for true conservation of our resources, prevent monopoly and render the greatest good to the greatest number, and that aa rapidly as the states prepare themselves them-selves to carry out such a policy oi conservation thc federal government govern-ment should withdraw its supervision supervi-sion and turn tho work over to tho states. Rapid Settlement of Lands Advocated. Believing that those who control the soil control tho nation, and that tho most blessed nations are those where tho ownership of lands is in many hands, wo insist that in tho management and salo of our public lands both tho fodoral gov-ornmont gov-ornmont and the stato should maintain main-tain such a policy as will make for the rapid settlement of all vacant agricultural lands. Bciiolved, That this convention recommend to congress amendments amend-ments of tho following naturo to the desert land act: (1) That tho entryman'a proof of citizenship in tho stato wherein ho makes a desert land filing bo changed from tho time of filing to tho timo of proving up. Deny Federal Riglit to Control "Water. (2) That tho requirements of reclamation be enlarged to embrace em-brace tho alternative proof of cultivation cul-tivation by tho actual growing of crops by dry farm methods on doublo the acreage required if by irrigation. Wo approve the plan now bo-fore bo-fore congress to permit homestead entries by persons over 18 years of age. 'Wihcreas, congress has declared "tho water of all lakes, rivers and other sources of water supply, upon thc public lands and not navigable, shall remain and be held free for tho appropriation aud use of the public for irrigation, irriga-tion, mining and manufacturing purposes, " we insist tho fodoral government has no lawful authority authori-ty to exercise control over the water of a state through ownership owner-ship of public lands. Waters of State Belong to People of State. Wo maintain tho wators of a stato belong to tho people of tho state and that tho states should be left freo to dovelop water power possibilities and should rcccivo fully the revenues and other benefits bene-fits dorived from such development. develop-ment. Wo roitorato our expression contained con-tained in article 10 of tho 1013 resolutions, referring to the reopening re-opening of mineral land, and In addition, would ur;:e that tho rov-enues rov-enues derived from the salo of such lands should be used for tho reclamation of ' tho arid lands of tho west. Weboliovo grazing JandB should be disposed of through an enlarged en-larged homestead act giving tho settler sufficient ground to enable him ou a livestock basis to support a family Favor Homeatead Act for Summer Homes. Wo favor the passago of a pum-mer pum-mer homestead or preemption law, permitting land not vnluablo for timber, minerals or agriculturo, but suitable for summer homes, to bo acquired in not to exceed forty-acre forty-acre tracts for summer homes. Tho entryman should not bo required re-quired to bo a resident of tho stato in which tho land is situated, situ-ated, and suitable improvements of tho valuo of $300 and three years' summor rcsidenco should bo necessary to secure patent. We reiterate that 5 per cent of tho public landB in the sevoral states should bo granted to tho Baid Etates to aid in the construction construc-tion of pormanont roads. Urge Elimination of tne Red 1 ape. We bolievo ono of tho gTeatst blessings tho officials at Washington Washing-ton could bestow upon tho west would bo tho elimination of all red tape and tho taking of prompt action upon all matters ponding before the departments and in which wostern states aro interested, inter-ested, and wo aro pleased to note that efforts aTe already being made in that direction. TTe aro pleased at tho thought-fnlness thought-fnlness of tho Becrotary of the interior in-terior in sending so many o fhis representatives to tho irrigation conferenco now in session in this city. Wo oxpreBS our appreciation of hiB intention to adopt a moro liboral policy toward the settlement settle-ment and development of tho west, and assuro him of our hqarty cooperation co-operation in this direction. Governor Spry s Plan la Indorsed. Wo recommend that 10 per cont of all vacant and unappropriated public lands in each of tho arid states be donated to such states, and each of them as shall so ro-quest, ro-quest, said lauds to bo sold by such states as other stato lands aro disposed dis-posed of, and tho proceeds of such sales to form a reservoir fund to bo used under tho direction of tho state for irrigation reclamation puruoscs. Wo urgently recommend that tho U ni tod States reclamation projects now under procosB of construction be completed at tho earliest practicable prac-ticable moment and turnod over to the settlers thereunder as soon as can be. Want U. S. no Probe and Aid Carey Projects. Wo urgently recommend that tho United States reclamation sorvico immediately investigate any and nil Caroy land, irrigation districts or like projects commenced or under un-der construction in tho arid stntos and ronder such projects all financial fi-nancial nnd other assistance possible, pos-sible, to tho end that they may bo immediately completed and tho settlors thereunder protected and ussiBtod, and thc persons holding bonds issued against paid projects be compensated as far as practicable. practica-ble. . Wo reaffirm tho action taken bv tho governors' conferenco in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1913. The resolution adopted at tho 1913 conference then followed. |