Mr. PAGE. Three and a half, on the average.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. And that means families working on the project? Mr. PAGE. Agricultural families only.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. That does not include the communities formed and the shopkeepers supported by those settlements, does it?.

Mr. PAGE. No. Their population is greater than the agricultural population.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. That is what I thought. So, in place of that figure being 200,000, it may be closer to a million, or more?

Mr. PAGE. It would exceed a million people, because the so-called urban population on our projects is greater than the agricultural population.

Mr. LEAVY. And that answer of yours does not take into consideration people at a distance, that are profiting from this development? Mr. PAGE. No. Those are the actual residents on the land.

ACREAGE BECOMING WORTHLESS THROUGH EROSION AND SOIL

DEPLETION

Mr. LEAVY. I want to get in the record at this point this fact, that it has been demonstrated here, particularly in the last 2 or 3 years, that through erosion, both of wind and water, together with soil depletion through the production of crops, there is an acreage far in excess of what we can bring in through reclamation that has actually become useless. Is that not a fact, Mr. Page?

Mr. PAGE. Yes; and I want to restate the fact that there is a relatively small acreage of land which can be irrigated, can ever be irrigated. The rivers to dam and the water to store and use are few and scanty. I further want to bring out this fact, that history shows that the only permanent agriculture is on irrigated areas. The only agricultural acreage which has existed through the centuries has been the irrigated acreage, because of the possibility of preventing the saturation of the soil from excess rainfall and because of the intensive soil-building methods which must be used to have satisfactory crops on irrigated lands.

That makes one think as to what the outcome of our agriculture. may eventually be in the United States, indicating eventually a great dependence on the irrigated area of the Western States for the food products of the United States.

Mr. LEAVY. This very year we are being asked to spend $500,000,000 for the purpose of conserving the soil, in order to meet the need for the things produced in this country.

Mr. SCRUGHAM. Do you wish to amplify your statement any further, Mr. Page?

EFFICACY OF IRRIGATION ON THE BELLE FOURCHE AND NORTH PLATTE IRRIGATION PROJECTS

Mr. PAGE. There is a statement which I would like to put in, which deals with the drought situation and the two projects which are particularly involved, being the Belle Fourche project in South Dakota and the North Platte in Nebraska. One of them is located near the Black Hills, and the other in the extreme western part of Nebraska in the midst of a tremendous area of grazing, in livestock country, and

the livestock and the other lands around it were entirely destitute this year.

I was particularly impressed during the tour of the President's Drought Committee by the fact that there were communities where less than 5 percent of the taxes were being paid. Some of the schools were closed. Many of the people had gone. They were trying to operate and maintain schools in some localities for two and three children. Yet in the midst of that, in the worst part of the drought area, here was a community on a Federal reclamation project in which taxes were being paid faithfully on an assessed value of more than $4,000,000, the Belle Fourche project in South Dakota.

The same thing applies to an even greater extent on the North Platte project. I won't bother to take that up and discuss that. except that I would like to put into the record, because I feel that it would be interesting to the Members of Congress, a statement Mr. SCRUGHAM. If there is no objection, it will be entered in the record.

(The statement referred to is as follows:)

PROJECTS MITIGATE DROUGHT CONDITIONS

There can be no question concerning the efficacy of irrigation, where it is practiceble, in solving the problems created by drought, not only of the acreag immediately under the canals, but also of a considerable area surrounding the watered land. The evidence presented by the Federal projects at Belle Fourche S. Dak., and on the North Platte River in Wyoming and Nebraska is conclusive in this respect. These areas prospered during both the drought of 1934 and that of 1936, although they were in the heart of the region hit the hardest. They bolstered the livestock industry in their localities by providing feed and a market for feeder stock. They supported urban communities and paid taxes in support of local governments and schools. They provided labor and had little or no relief requirements of their own. In addition, they supported such notable industries as sugar factories and the like, with consequent additional opportunities for employment.

The Belle Fourche project, while it suffered a shortage of water for irrigation due to the cumulative deficiency of the past several years, produced crops in 1930 of a value of $21 per acre and of a total value of $777,000. In 1935 a total of 46,081 acres was irrigated in the Belle Fourche project, producing crops valued at $1,026,675 or $24.11 per acre. The water shortage of 1936 forced a reduction in the acreage irrigated to 37,000 acres.

The valuation of the land of the Belle Fourche project for taxation purposes is $30 per acre. The valuation of the dry land surrounding this project for taxatio purposes is $4.50 per acre. The return from the irrigated land this year was $ in comparison with 10 cents per acre for the dry land. At their valuation on the tax rolls the 60,500 acres on the Belle Fourche project represent $1,815,000. I addition, irrigation here sustains livestock holdings valued at $1,100,000 and eity property and utilities valued at $941,000. Adding an item for personal propert estimated conservatively at $500,000 the Belle Fourche project sustains taxa property valued at $4,356,000. These values have been created by the projec as have those communities dependent upon them. That this is so is demonstrated by the fact that except for inland post offices there is no town nor settlement withi 120 miles north of the project, within 90 miles northeast of the project, and within 150 miles east of the project. This section is primarily a range country and the livestock industry within a range of 50 miles of the project is dependent to a larg extent upon the products of irrigation at the Belle Fourche project. No hay c consequence was cut on the dry land in 1936 and the livestock holdings wer reduced by 75 percent as a result of the drought and water shortage. The renisi ing 25 percent is being wintered on the project or on the hay and feed produced by irrigation of the project lands.

The North Platte project has made similar contributions.

The Goshen irrigation district, with headquarters at Torrington, Wyo., a part of the North Platte project, produced on 42,494 acres in 1935 crops valued at $1,288,419. In 1936 the acreage and the crop values were approximately the same despite drought conditions in surrounding areas. Lands of this district bac

an assessed valuation of $30 per acre while the nonirrigated farm lands surrounding have an assessed valuation of $2.35 per acre. During the past 5 years the value of crops on the surrounding nonirrigated land has averaged less than $3. The Goshen district has supplied both labor and food for its own population and that of the surrounding territory. In addition it has supported the livestock industry of the dry areas of Goshen County.

The Northport irrigation district at Northport, Nebr., also on the North Platte Federal reclamation project, contains 16,000 acres. The value of crops on lands of this district in 1934 was $176,143; in 1935, $130,761, and in 1936 about 70 percent of the 1935 total. The decrease here in 1936 was due largely to a severe and destructive hailstorm on June 8 and to a grasshopper infestation in midsummer. On dry lands in that area for 3 years there have been virtually no crops. About 1,500 head of cattle and 2,500 head of sheep are being fed on irrigated farms in the Northport district. This stock has been rescued from the surrounding ranges. Three towns are partially supported directly by the Northport district. The assessed value of lands in the Northport district is $353,910. Dry lands surrounding are valued for taxation purposes at less than one-fifth that of the value placed on irrigated lands.

The Gering and Fort Laramie irrigation district, Gering, Nebr., also a part of the North Platte project, had 53,105 acres in irrigation in 1935 and produced crops of a value of $1,678,275. The per-acre crop value in this district was $32.98 in 1934 and $31.60 in 1935. Indications are that the 1936 crop yields and values will compare favorably with those of 1934 and 1935, although final computations have not been made. This district has 27,326 acres of class 1 land assessed at $35 per acre; 16,314 acres of class 2 land assessed at $25 per acre; 5,311 acres of class 3 land assessed at $22.50 per acre; 2,507 acres of class 4 land assessed at $20 per acre; and 1,647 acres of class 5 land assessed at $12 per acre. The assessed valuation of unirrigated lands used for farming in that area is $6 per acre.

The Pathfinder irrigation district, of Mitchell, Nebr., a part of the North Platte project, irrigates about 193,000 acres in Scotts Bluff County, which has a total of 432,000 acres. Of the remainder about one-fifth is dry-farmed and the balance used for pasture. Irrigation in this county began in 1910. In 1930 the county had a population of 28,644. The assessed valuation of Scotts Bluff County, including all types of property, in 1909 was $1,459,555. The assessed valuation in 1931 was $34,000,000, but this valuation has been reduced by the county commissioners during the depression until this year it is $23,936,605. Irrigated lands are assessed at from $5 to $80 per acre. Nonirrigated farm lands are assessed at from $4.50 to $9 per acre and pasture lands at from $1.80 to $3.60 per acre. At least 80 percent of the population of the county derives its income directly or indirectly from irrigation farming. The only manufacturing is that of locally grown products. Five sugar-beet factories, dependent upon products from irrigated land, represent an expenditure of at least $5,000,000 and employ 1,500 men during the season they operate. In 1936, 25,000 head of cattle and 400,000 head of sheep were fattened on lands of the Pathfinder district. This stock was obtained from the hard-pressed stockmen of ranges in Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. In addition, more than 9,000 cars of potatoes were shipped from the district in 1936. The Pathfinder district irrigates 100,000 acres of land, which produced $1,642,722 of farm products in 1935. The 1936 crop

value probably will exceed that of last year. For comparison purposes an investigation has been made in Box Butte County adjacent to Scotts Bluff County and with an area of 50 percent greater. In Box Butte County only 1.5 percent of the land is irrigated, the balance being dry-farmed or in pasture. The population of Box Butte County in 1930 was 11,861. The assessed valuation of the county in 1915 was $1,126,500 and in 1936, $11,663,425. There the assessed valuation of unirrigated farm lands ranges from $8.50 to $12.50 per acre and of pasture lands from $3 to $8 per acre. Box Butte County produces as its major crop certified seed of dry-land potatoes. Under ordinary conditions the yield averages about 100 bushels per acre. Ordinarily the association marketing these seed potatoes ships from 1,500 to 3,000 cars. In 1936 the association will not ship more than 10 cars, since the crop was a total failure and most growers did not even get back their seed. The livestock industry of Box Butte County is now practically extinct, most of the stock having been shipped out and sold.

As a further illustration of the benefits in this area the lower Yellowstone project at Sidney, Mont., is cited. Mr. Axel Persson, project manager of the board of control of the lower Yellowstone project, the operating agent, says:

"The lower Yellowstone irrigation project I feel has benefited all the dry land area within a radius of 200 miles to the extent of furnishing a market for feeder

cattle and sheep which are raised on dry lands as well as furnishing commodities such as vegetables and some surplus feed for cattle which are being wintered either on the dry land area or are being brought in on the project lands for winter feeding.

"The towns and industries within the areas of this project have greatly benefited by this irrigation project. The towns within the irrigated area have been on a steady increase in population and prosperity whereas the towns in dry land territories are gradually on the downhill grade.”

The value of crops of this project will slightly exceed their value in 1935 of $1,500,000. In 1935 the per acre value of crops was $38.20 as compared with a dry-land crop value of 50 cents. The assessed valuation of irrigated lands averages $28.87, as compared with $8.40 per acre for dry land.

FEASIBILITY OF IRRIGATION IN DROUGHT AREAS

Mr. O'NEAL. Is the dust bowl area subject to irrigation projects? Mr. PAGE. To a very limited extent. The rivers which traverse the dust bowl area are with very few exceptions small streams which originate in the low country, do not come from the high hills where the snow lies heavy in the winter, and as a result, whenever there is a drought and irrigation is most needed, the streams, too, dry up. There are a few exceptions to that, and there can probably be developed some irrigation which will bolster that territory.

Irrigation in the drought area must forever remain limited in extent. The water available is scanty and much of that which remains unused occurs as occasional run-off, thus necessitating construction of expensive reservoirs of large carry-over capacity in order to provide a reliable supply for even a comparatively small area. Not only must carry-over capacity be provided to meet seasonal deficiencies, but preparations must be made against a series of years of deficient precipitation.

It is doubtful whether all the water available, if conserved for use in irrigation, would irrigate 1 percent of the area critically affected by drought in 1934 and 1936. With costs of projects limited, as they are limited under the reclamation law, to that which can be repaid by lands directly benefited, the possible irrigation developments must be sharply curtailed. Perhaps more liberal financial arrangements, in consideration of grave population and social readjustments which must otherwise be made, might be in order in this region. However, even under these circumstances, irrigation can only assist in the solution of the problems of the drought area.

At the present time too little data is in hand to provide a basis for specific delineations of the possibilities for expansion of irrigation in the drought area. Only general conclusions can be safely drawn. The primary need now is for a comprehensive survey of the water resources of the area and a determination of the feasibility of projects. Undoubtedly there exist opportunities for development of some areas, probably small, by irrigation.

Mr. FITZEATRICK. Do they sink any wells in those territories?

Mr. PAGE. There are a few localities in that section where well water is reliable, but generally irrigation from wells is subject to the hazard of overdraft underground. When this occurs the whole community suffers. Underground reservoirs are just as definitely limited as the surface reservoirs, but the people do not see the water going down until it is too late.

Mr. RICH. In an irrigation project, you do not recommend any wells?

Mr. PAGE. We deal only with the surface waters except that on a project which is principally served by surface waters sometimes a bination of drainage and the reuse of drainage water by pumping from wells is feasible.

Mr. RICH. Have you irrigated any lands or started to irrigate them 4 found out that your water supply was insufficient to take care of your needs?

Mr. PAGE. The available water supply is exhaustively studied, but we have had projects on which an additional water supply was needed ting this last dry cycle, however. This is due to two unpredictable -velopments. First, we have had a long and unprecedented cycle deficient rainfall, and, second, a new type of farming has developed these areas, a type entirely different from that in vogue when the oject was started. On the Belle Fourche project, for example, and the North Platte project and others, too, the original crops were Lay and corn and wheat, which were irrigated for perhaps 2 months the year-three or four irrigations being ample. Failing to make a profit on that type of agriculture, the settlers changed to sugar beets d alfalfa and other crops, which require irrigation through perhaps 7 months, and very heavy irrigation. Because of the increased deand for irrigation water thus developed, the water supply has been and to be inadequate in times of drought on two or three projects Le Belle Fourche.

RAISING OF SUGAR BEETS ON RECLAMATION PROJECTS

Mr. LEAVY. Are sugar beets a competitive crop, as it has been ferred to? That is, are we an exporting Nation, and do we have a us of sugar beets?

Mr. PAGE. No. There are large imports of sugar. The sugar-beet stry cannot possibly supply the local demand for sugar.

Mr. RICH. Do you advocate the putting of more land under cultivafor sugar, and stopping the importation of the sugar that we are tanging in now?

Mr. PAGE. I advocate putting in more land for cultivation where it s needed, to provide homes for satisfied people. If sugar crops work as a good rotation crop in a farmer's program I would not advocate ibiting him from growing sugar beets.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. You would not want sugar beets raised under the itions that they are now raising them throughout the country, on arvation wages that they are giving to little children and to the le that work at that industry. It is a disgrace.

Mr. RICH. Would it not be in the best interest of the irrigated 4 in this country if we permitted the sugar-beet industry to 25, and be able to put satisfied farmers on lands in this country,

se not only the sugar beets, but the cane in Florida, or the cane Hawaii, or the cane in Puerto Rico, in order to develop our own zar-beet industry, rather than to have to depend on foreign tries?

Mr. BURLEW. I would like to say this for the record, that there is 1+partmental policy involved there. We feel that Hawaii and Perto Rico are part of the States, and the sugar-beet industry there grows about a million and a half tons out of a 6-million-ton ption.

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