The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-09-05
THE IRRIGATION CONTENTION.

from several of the western and south
western states and territories will NEE
at Salt Lake City, Utah, for the purpos,
of considering the question of arid lane
irrigation. The convention will be com
posed of able men, Montana sending
about thirty gentlemen, representing it,
various industries and all occupyin.
prominent positions in their professions
or callings, intelligent. wide-awakc. en-
terprising men. The matter which vii.
doubtless primarily occupy the attention
of the convention is the means best
adapted to procure water for the rec
lamation of the arid lands of the west.
1t goes without saying that each del
egatc thoroughly understands the value
of the irrigabl" land of the state or ter
ritory he represents. and the Importance
of obtaining the necessary supply OF
water to make them productive. These
points being understood the question
occurs as to the means to make them
available at the least expense to the
general government or to the states and
territories in which such lands lie, the
matter Of time being taken into account.
Two distinct plans have been suggested.
Major Powell. whose position at the
head of an important bureau of one of
the departments. entities his opinions to
much respect, urges the prosecution of
the whole work by the general govern
ment. His plan contemplatcs a series of
surveys for the purpose of locating res
ervoirs. canals and lateral bitches, the
cost of the works to be met by annual
appropriations by congress. The objec-
ton to this plan lies in the uncertainty
as to the time in which available works
would be completed and in the general
government assuming control of enter
priscs which properly, for obvious rea-
sons, come within the province of state
or territory.
AS a project carried on by the general
government it would be quite possible
to nurse it for an indefinite term of years
in the interest of engineers, contractors,
and surveyors and at an enormous cost
While it may not be probable it would
be made a teat at which party favorites
would draw sustenance for a lifetime.
The simple fact that it is possible to be
thus utilized is sufficient to condemn
any plan involving the exclusive super
vision of the work by the general gov
eminent.
The other plan suggested contemplates
the ccding by the general government of
the arid or irrigable lands to the state or
territories in which such lands lie with
iron-clad provisions compelling the rec
lamation of a certain area or section of
such arid lands each year by such state
or territories, the general government to
carry on and complete the surveys al
ready initiated. This roughly outlined
plan seems to obtain favor everywhere.
If we mistake not Gov. Toole recon-
mended it in his last message to the leg
islative assembly, and more recently
Land Commissioner Carter suggested it
as a solution of the irrigation problem.
1t has much to recommend it which is
lacking in Maj. Powell's plan.
Take the state Of Montana, for in
1t has. altogether, about $1,000 {
900 acres of lands. Of which 45,OOO.OOO
acres are cultivable under a proper and
complete system Of irrigation. If these
lands were coded to the state, or in other
words given to it for reclamation there ,
is a possibility the present generation of
would reap some benefit from them.
the state would have a direct and
Immediate interest in their full develop
ment as Il producing factor. Whereas
should they be left under the control
and supervision Of the general govern
nent that same interest in the com
Of irrigation works could not be {
expected. |
The delegates to the irrigation con
doubtless will consider all these I
with others which may be sug- 7
,ested and embody the result of their l
deliberations in a series Of resolutions to ,
DC presented to congress. Whatever |
action may be taken by the convention l
will be dictated by a hearty desire upon '
the part Of all TO place the arid or irri- :
gable lands Of each state and territory I
the union at the disposal Of the thous- !
OF eastern homeseekers who are
directing their eyes westward for hearth {
stones they may call their own, but
which are denied them in the over !
communities in which they l
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