Report on the Lands of the Arid Region of the United States

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. In view of the importance of rendering the vast extent of country referred to available for agricultural and grazing purposes, I have the honor to commend the views set forth by Major Powell and the bills submitted herewith to the consideration of Congress.<br><br>Very respectfully,<br><br>C. Schurz,<br>Secretary.<br><br>Hon. Samuel J. Randall,<br>Speaker of the House of Representatives.<br><br>Department of the Interior, General Land Office,<br><br>Washington, D. C., April 1, 1878.<br><br>Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith a report from Maj. J. W. Powell, in charge of the Geographical and Geological Survey of the Rocky Mountains, in regard to the Arid Region of the United States, and droughts of two bills, one entitled A bill to authorize the organization of pasturage districts by homestead settlements on the public lands which are of value for pasturage purposes only, and the other A bill to authorize the organization of irrigation districts by homestead settlements upon the public lands requiring irrigation for agricultural purposes.<br><br>Major Powell reviews at length the features of, and furnishes statistics relative to, the Arid Region of the United States, which is substantially the territory west of the one hundredth meridian and cast of the Cascade Range, and the bills named are intended, if passed, to carry into effect the views expressed in his report for the settlement and development of this region.