Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-10
THE IRRIGATION PROBLEM.
Senator Stewart on the Reclama-
tion of Arid Lands.
THE BOYS HAVING A GOOD TIME.
Nebraska Knights Tcmpiar viii Keep
Open House I'LL Friday-Giving Up
the Remaining Hours TO
Enjoyment.
WASHINGTON BUREAU THE OMAHA BEE,
5l3 FOURTEENTH STREET,
WAsHINGToN, ID. C., Oct. Q.

tnc dTlu pldlUS VI ILC WtSI uuGIuWCsb tuu
southwest the past summer with the senate
committee, and who is expected to lead in
the debates on this subject when it comes be-
fore congress, gives some points in tnis con-
nection which are of direct interest to BEE
readers. He says;
"The problem on the plains is one of sup
plementing the rainfall A permanent ad
justment will not be effected by wells how
ever numerous They must, however, be the
source OF most of the small storage with
which the Dakota and other farmers on the
plains will meet the present deficiency of
yearly rainfall Well water is not always
applicable to irrigation purposes, and Major
Powell advises that it always should be
allowed to stand in small ponds,
gathering the correcting and enrich
ing qualities (for land use) which
the mcrobe and other microscopic life always
breeds. Everywhere, too, on the plains, in
the Dakotas as elsewhere the farmer can
construct small PONDS and basins. One acre
OF water ten feet deep Will supply the de-
hciency i'll rainfall fer most years on 100
acres. Percoation or seepage may largely
be prevented when necessary by filtering
gypsum spar or some clays broken into
powder through the water until they settle
and coat the bottom. Again, an ordinary
ditch. according to the nature of the soils,
will subirrigate by seepage from 500 to 1000
feet on either side of itself. What will an
acre reservoir DO then
~ advise our Dakota friends 10 combine
If the farmers where flowing waters are OBJ
tainable, or even whore waters are in
sufficient quantity to rise nearly TO the sur
face, would unite together, say those of one
section, and would made suitable choice of a
location for well and basin, they could
by thus combining their means sink a we'll
large-t lough in capacity and by its overflow
to ill a reservoir IN size amply sufficient for
their own needs. 1t seems to be well under
stood that congress should consider the
proprlety of appropriating reasonable sum
for the examination of water supplies in the
plains region above and below ground, and
perhaps also it should bore limited number
of experimental wells on public land for the
purpose of definitely determining the cost of
said wells, and the extent, if possible, of the
arteSian ebo and tlOw.o
Senator Stewards plan of irrigation is the
only permanent system to supply the great
plains from 81 degrees 30 minutes to 10f de-
grees, or tho base of the Rockies. 1T will be
"a great scheme of hydrograph engineering,
which will seek on the one side so to store
the waoers of the upper Missouri and the
sources of the Mississippi as to Regulate and
thereby prevent the disastrous Hoods
of the lower basin region, and
will at the same time afford abundant supply
for the feeding of one more great canals
with their appropriate reservoir system by
which not only irrigation will be effected for
the great plains area 800 miles.east sand west
by 800 miles north and south, but manufac-
turing power and navlgable capacity will
also be secured.
81 see no reason why there should not
eventually be navigable canal from the
upper Mississippi to the gulf of Mexico, one,
too, that will irrigate 50,0OO,O00 acres of fer
tile land now largely Idle or given over to
to the use of the broad horned steer, at the
rate Of twenty acres per steer" continued
the senator. "Such land is not worth to-day
over 81 per acre. BY the expenditure of the
same amount per acre of S50,000,000 it may
readily be made worth $40 per acre, or $780,
100000 IN all. l have no idea OF proposing
such measures in congress. Our good friends
of the east and centre would roar too much
for that, but may be allowed to think that
under due restrictions, and covering rea-
sonable period of time, it would prove a wise
expenditure of money"
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
Although nearly all of the state headquar-
ters of the knights Templar will disband at
10 or II o'clock Thursday night and most of
the knights and their ladies will start for
their homes, the Nebraskans intend to keep
open house until Friday night, when they
will wind up the festivities of the week
with grand reception
Part OF the Nebraska delegation will start
for their homes, while majority will pro-
ceed to New York ana other points in the
east.
This has been free foral day with all of
the knights and the visiting ladies. No pro-
k
patrons went to Mount Vernon for the pur-
pose of looking upon the weeping. Willows
and the graves of George and Martina Wash
ington, but there was blockade of boats on
the river and they were unable TO land ;
others went to the Schuetzen park, where "a
barbecue took place and Il few witnessed the
charity drill at the base ball park.
All OF the Nebraska and Iowa people at
tended the reception given by President and
Mrs. Harrison at the white house tonight
About five thousand members of the Mys-
tic Shrine paraded this afternoon and their
blood-red fe2 caps made the great thorough
fares of the national capital look Turkish.
The streets have been swarming with
masuuerading and paradlng knights gener-
ally. Early in the evening the state com
manderies formed into line and the knights
and their ladies, and men and women who
were not members of the order visited head
quarters and had good time generally.
The Knights Templar conclave proper will
close tomorrow afternoon, although the
grand encampment may remain in business
session during the week, They snent nearly
all of to-day in nearing arguments in the
Iowa contest. 1t is believed that Iowa Will
be reprimanded.
Sir knight @. n. Detz and Victor White,
of Omaha pad a visit to The BEE bureau
this AFTERNOON and expressed themselves as
being much pleased with their stay in Wash
ingtOn. The BEE bureau is indebted to
hundreds OF Nebraskans for friendly calls
and gracious compliments during the con-
claye, THE REE correspondent is especially
under obligations to Sir Knight c. B. Horton
Tor courteses and information which have
enabled THE BEE 10 make the fullest possible
report of the doings of the Nebraska visitors
Sir Knight Horton has made many friends
by his kindness while at the national capital.
Headnuarters for the four new states are
located at 3lS Eighth street during the week,
and they present a scene of "bustlingn
known only 20 the far west
NEBRASKA AND IOWA PosTMAsTERs.
Nebraska-Eagle, Cass county, A. o. Tay-
lor.
Iowa-Soldier, Monona county, Richard
Palmer; Doom, Lyon county, w, S. Kauf-
man; Gear, Madison county, w. n. Bow
man; Maple Grove, Madison county, jamie
Grosscup Oxford Johnson county, William
H. Pool; Swan Marion county, Odin w.
Ronze; Whiting, Monoua county, Charles A,
Thomas,
STEELE CoNFERs WITH HARRISON.
Ex xCongressman George w. Steele, of In.
diana was Gt the white house foI some time
this morning in conference with President
Harrison in reference to the commissioners
snip OF pensions; later he was cioseted with
Secretary Noble at the interior department.
A short time after leaving the latter place
and going 70 the white house President Har-
rison summoned Secretary Noble 10 the ex-
ecutiye mansioa by telegraph. Major Steele's
friends are confident he will be Tanners
successor.
MISCELLANEOUS.