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Show C. J. BLANCKARD TALKS ON IRRIGATION IRRIGA-TION PROSPECTS! C. J. Blanchard, statistician in the U. S. Reclamation Service, stppped over in Provo on his way to Washington Washing-ton from Colorado, where he has" attended at-tended two irrigation project land openings. Mr. Blanchard left by way of Salt Lake for the East. In speaking speak-ing of the prospects for work to be ur.dr-rtaken by the reclamation commissions, com-missions, and the preparations under way for this work, Mr. Blanchard said: "Next to bringing the war to an early and successful conclusion, the most Important duty of the nation is to prepare for peace. The nations of war-stricken Europe, even with stress of battle pressing heavily ujion them, are not unmindful of this duty and ways and means are being discussed for providing employment and opportunities oppor-tunities for the returning soldiers. "Signs are not lacking in this country coun-try that the important question is receiving re-ceiving more and more attention from our statesmen and legislators. The task of assimilating again into our economic life, the hundreds of thousands thou-sands of young patriots who have offered themselves in the cause of democracy is not alone a national duty, It belongs equally to the states. Now is the time to take stock of our resources and to make plans for their utilization. j "The Reclamation Service by direction direc-tion of Secretary Lane is engaged in a broad survey of the public domain with a view of sunflnarizing the possibilities possi-bilities for development In many directions. direc-tions. The plans propose a study of the water supply, storage and Irrigable areas In the Western states. Special attention is being given to the areas within the drainage of the Colorado river. Investigations to date within the drainage basin of this state Justify the belief that the possibilities of extensive exten-sive irrigation and power development are Important and attractive. ''While no actual construction is proposed until after the war, the service serv-ice Is desirous of obtaining accurate data upon which plans may be formulated formu-lated and estimates of cost prepared to be presented for the consideration of the national lawmakers. If these plans meet with avorable action the service will be able then to Initiate construction, construc-tion, which will, naturally, provide for the employment of many engineers and a multitude of laborers. Now is the time to get together on the proposition and to coordinate all the forces available. When the preliminary prelim-inary work Is concluded the time will be ripe for a number of states to unite in a demand upon congress for adequate ade-quate funds for taking up construction. construc-tion. The investment required will be large, it is true, but unlike other investments in-vestments of funds from the treasury for public improvements, every dollar win be returned. The West will not ask that charity be doled out to It. but only that a loan be made, and it will pledge the rctvrn of every dollar advanced. "Speaking of the Strawberry Valley project and local conditions, Mr. Blanchard said: "A preliminary survey of the storage stor-age possibilities, water supply and irrigable ir-rigable areas is soon to be made of the Castle iPark project on the eastern side of the -Wasatch. The surplus water in the Strawberry reservoir may be utilized in connection with this project, pro-ject, provided of course, it is determined deter-mined that these waters are not going to be called for by the farmers In Utah Valley. While there is probably a sufficient acreage in this valley to utilize this surplus water it cannot be expected that the government will wait indefinitely for the land owners to apply for It. The investment of government gov-ernment funds , is returnable, the money Is needed for other work and the Utah Valley land owners should wake up and apply for it. Once diverted di-verted to other areas and their chance will be lost forever. The organization of drainage districts for the reclamation reclama-tion of large areas adjacent to Utah llAke should be prosecuted vigorously. U is to thso lands that the Mored water should go as without an assur-jnnce assur-jnnce of the water it would avail little to drain them. It is well to speak frankly about this, for the fact is well known that the present area subscribed subscrib-ed will not suffice to return the cost of the project. By the addition a large area at this time uvubucrlbed in the valley or by utilizing the surpljs for land, elsewhere, the revenues will suffice to clear off the lndobf(,.n. The question Is squarely before the land owners of Utah Valley to decide. Do they want the water or shall the government sell it elsewhere? |
