Present Policy of the United States Bureau of Reclamation Regarding Land Settlement

Twenty-three years ago, Congress passed an act for the reclamation of arid lands by irrigation. Since that time, about $200 000 000 has been spent in the construction, operation, and maintenance of canals and reservoirs, and the building of drains. This money has come principally from the proceeds of sales of public lands, leases of oil land, and repayment of construction, operation, and maintenance costs by settlers. For all practical purposes it has added another State to the Union. Homes have been made available for 130 000 people. The farms created out of land once worthless are valued at $300 000 000 at least, and the towns and cities have had a great increase in taxable wealth. The crops produced in 1924 are valued at $66 500 000 and this annual value will be increased when advancing technique in agriculture and further subdivision of land have persuaded the reformed cowboy that irrigation on horseback is out of date.