The vast possibilities of our
great future will become realities only if we make ourselves, in a
sense, responsible for that future. The planned and orderly development
and conservation of our natural resources is the first duty of the
United States. It is the only form of insurance that will certainly
protect us against the disasters that lack of foresight has in the past
repeatedly brought down on nations since passed away.
CHAPTER II
HOME-BUILDING FOR THE NATION
The most valuable citizen of this or any other country is the man who
owns the land from which he makes his living. No other man has such a
stake in the country. No other man lends such steadiness and stability
to our national life. Therefore no other question concerns us more
intimately than the question of homes. Permanent homes for ourselves,
our children, and our Nation--this is a central problem. The policy of
national irrigation is of value to the United States in very many ways,
but the greatest of all is this, that national irrigation multiplies the
men who own the land from which they make their living. The old saying,
"Who ever heard of a man shouldering his gun to fight for his boarding
house?" reflects this great truth, that no man is so ready to defend his
country, not only with arms, but with his vote and his contribution to
public opinion, as the man with a permanent stake in it, as the man who
owns the land from which he makes his living.
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