Our dear
experience ought sufficiently to urge the speedy enactment of measures
of legislation which will confine the future disposition of our
remaining agricultural lands to the uses of actual husbandry and genuine
homes.
Nor should our vast tracts of so-called desert lands be yielded up to
the monopoly of corporations or grasping individuals, as appears to be
much the tendency under the existing statute. These lands require but
the supply of water to become fertile and productive. It is a problem of
great moment how most wisely for the public good that factor shall be
furnished. I can not but think it perilous to suffer either these lands
or the sources of their irrigation to fall into the hands of monopolies,
which by such means may exercise lordship over the areas dependent on
their treatment for productiveness. Already steps have been taken to
secure accurate and scientific information of the conditions, which is
the prime basis of intelligent action. Until this shall be gained the
course of wisdom appears clearly to lie in a suspension of further
disposal, which only promises to create rights antagonistic to the
common interest. No harm can follow this cautionary conduct. The land
will remain, and the public good presents no demand for hasty
dispossession of national ownership and control.
I commend also the recommendations that appropriate measures be taken to
complete the adjustment of the various grants made to the States for
internal improvements and of swamp and overflowed lands, as well as to
adjudicate and finally determine the validity and extent of the numerous
private land claims.
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