The morning call., 1890-05-08
ARID LANDS.
Two Reports From the Senate
Irrigation Committee.
The Majority Considers a Typographical
Survey Entirely Unnecessary.
Major PCVell'S Course Upheld by the Nj
nority-PaTty Issues Likely 10 Be
Made Over the Matter.
Special by the California Associated Press.

completed by the Senate committee, and
General Vandever says the same thing will
likely happen in the House committee.
Senators Stewart, Plumb, Moody and Casey
to-day completed the Senate majority re-
pert. 1t censures Director of the Geological
Survey Powell for spending money appro-
priated for the survey in making tOpo-
graphical maps, and says it was a plain
violation of the statute, and q misapplica-
tiOn Of the money. The report says that
Typographical maps are unnecessary and
would take ten years to complete them.
The report favors some immediate action
by Congress as regards the irrigation of
arid lands. Senators Regan, German
and Jones of Arkansas, all Democrats,
make a minority report favOring PowelPs
plan for Typographical maps, and say the
Government need not construct irrigating
works, and that the solution of the prob
lem is very simple. 1t consists in organiz-
ing natural irrigation districts through the
agency of surveys by the general Govern
ment and the necessary legislation by States
and in turning over the problems of irriga-
ton to such districts. The minority pre-
sents bill one feature of which makes it
lawful for the States to provide Board of
Irrigation. The general effect of the bill is
To turn over the control Of irrigation to the
States and districts, therein commenting
upon tbs majority report, which recon-
mends Bureau of Irri rigation and Forestry.
The minority says this is unwise and un-
necessary, and wants the work con tinued
under the Geological Survey. The minority
also says its report is in the inter est Of the
farmers while the majority report is in the
interest Of companies
MAJORITY REPORT.
Following is synopsis of the Senate
majority report:
Before giving detailed account OF the inyesti-
gallon OF Ihe committee, some general obserya-
tions and suggestions as to what action should
be taken by the GoVeTnmentto TO enable the people
10 reclaim and settle upon the arid lands OF the
Uuited States are submitted. Over twO-ffths Of
the area of the United States. exclusive Of
ALASKA, requires irrigation TO insure regular
crops, and in at least four-fifths of the arid
region irrigation is a necessity for The lroduc-
lion thereof
TINS arid region comprises between 10000
and 10000 square miles being third larger
than that OF British India. and very similar 10 IL
IN ITS general characteristics The amount OF
land that may be brought under cultivation In
tie arid rrgion is variOusly estimated at from
75,ooo,00o 10 100, ,00o0 600 acres.
VAST TRACT.
II is safe 10 predict at least 100, 600 600 acres
viii ultimately be brought under cultivation by
irrigation. and that. too, by water III sighi,
which, when properly utilized, Will reclaim al
least 10 per cent OF the whole arid area
The question for consideration is: What
action should be taken by the Government TO
enable the people 10 reclaim these desert lands?
Their reclamation must be Initiated and exc
cuted by the people, and not by Ihe Government.
In India, and in fact ID all countries under
monaIehlc or despotic rule the work of irIiga-
tion has been carried on under Government con-
tIol, and largely with Government money The
Cove nment OF BRUSH India has already ex-
pended several hundred millions of dollars In
constructing trliga ION works, and is continuing
such expenditures on most magnificent scale.
PROFITABLE INVESTMENT.
Reports show that the investment has been
profitable TO the Government and OF the greatest
possible advantage to the people, but there is
necessity for the United States 10 engage in such
expenditures. II an opportunity is furnished 10
tbo peope oI ms county, they VIII reclaim
these desert lands, SO far as reclamation is
necessary. The most important aclion by The
Government in aid of the reclamation Of these
Der 2 1888, and OF March 2, 1889.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR SURVEYS.
By the first OF these acts 81 $4,000 was appro-
pildted Tor Topographic surveys and 100000
ior surveys pertaining 10 rrigaIiOn; sec, coo was
diverted by The director from that purpose ana
added 10 the appropriation for topographic
yeyS, making a sum of S259,0O0 ioT topography
and eaylag only $4,000 Tor irrigation.
By The act OF March 2, 1889, 100000 was aD-
propriated for Topographic surveys, and $780,
OOO ioT Irrigation surveys. OF the sum appropri-
ated for Irrigation surveys $4,000 was diverted
from that purpose by the Director and added to
The 100000 for topographic surveys making
on aggregate OF s320,oOO for Topographic, and
leaving Ouly $3.50, 900 for irrigation surveys and
oTiice ana other expenses incidental thereto.
VIOLATION OF THE STATUTE.
Your committee regards This as a plain viola
tioD OF the statute and "A transportation of
money IL has been represented BY the Director
tbat general Topographic map Of the arid re-
gion Is necessary for an irrigation survey, and
tnat unless It is made the cost of that survey will
be increased manifold. This statement II Is i'm
possible To comprehend.
IL Is, of course, easy to that such a map
would of
kind aud would be convenient for many
MINOR MINOR PURPOSES Purposes' but me engineers
voice that its usefulness gees no further; that
such map is not at all necessary In any impera-.
poTtant amount Of labor or expense; that the en-
gneering surveys would be Of tie same ebarac-
ter aud cost The same whether they have maps or
not, and that no use has been made Of any topO-
graphy by any OF the engineers engaged in the
Irrigation survey except as a general map OF the
country.
GREAT HARDSHIP.
pro vision was Inserted In the act OF October
2, 1888, which Is working a great hardship TO
the people of all tue arid States and Territories.
Ii was necessary 10 reserve all Tie lands which
may hereafter be designated or selected by such
UnlIed States surveys for sizes for reservoirs
and ditches or canals for Irrigation purposes.
As matters now stand, no entries can be made
or titles perfected TO any public lands OF the
Onteo States requiring irrigation Attention is
called 10 his fact To show tile importance of
action on Senate Bill 2104, as reported from this
committee.
The bill reserves the unappropriated waters OF
lakes aud rivers on public lands for such bene-
hcial purposes as shall be determined by the
States aud Territories where such waters ars
situated, subject only TO the paramount authority
OF the Uuiled States.
Ii reserves the right OF way for ditches canal. |
and other hydraulic works for Irrigation pur- |
poSes and allows the flowing to De diverted |
from their natural beds upon tile arid areas
Ii also reserves TO the United States the |
adjudication oil all questions that NAV arise in |
relation to storage conservation, flowing aud dis
Id
boundary of States or Territories 1t repeaIs ali |
laws ior the sale OF lands where Irrigation is |
necessary. except the mineral aud homesleadng |
laws.
IRRIGATED LANDS.
The bill also confers The power upon the Com
missioner OF Irrigation to regulate the amount OF
land which may be taken In given locality by
homestead settlers, not exceeding 160 acres. II
further provides that wDen reservoirs canals
aud olber hydraulic works shall have been COM
pleted so as 10 r'gate all lhe land In given DIS
irci, patents may be issued to claimants OF pub
with the laws in force at lie time the |
claims were made. And also provides |
mat when an irrigation district Is formed in any
S.a,e or Territory. and the laws OF such State |
oI lefitoiy permit, legal voters residing IN such
ulslllct may tax the land Of tie State aud OF /
PilFate individuals for the purpose OF construct |
ing Sueb hydia aulic works are for the common |
benefit Of all irIigabe lands in such district.
ALL LANDS MAY BE TAXED.
United States lands therein shall bear the same |
burdens as are imposed on State lands and |
the lands OF private persons, and homestead
settlers VINO take such lands with irrigation
works constructed for their reclamation shall
take Them subject 10 the paymen of he same
cnarges as have been paid by private parties for
tne same purpose; provided, thai The amount of |
sueh taxes shall be approved by the COmmIs- |
siOnei Oi irrigation, and that tile United States
shall not IN any case be liable fOr auy Of such |
charges.
IL further provides that the people of a district
situated ln two OF more States or in a State aud I
territory may have the benefits OF this act by |
The joint action of all the States aud Territories
10 which any portion OF such district is situated
or Ia case any OF he States Territories re- |
iuf % Join, Then Tie Stale or Territory in which