The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-19
FIGHTING A
MONOPOLY.
Settlers in Kern River Valley
Building a Canal.
They Propose Hereafter to IFTigata Their
Land Without the Aid Of the
Water Company.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

BAKERSFIELD, July 1S.-Parties here
owners have been for several months en-
gagged in working out the problem of how
10 gain control of a portion uf the waters of
the Kern River to irrigate their lands. 1t is
now believed that they have solved it per-
fectly, and last night mass-meeting Of
those concerned was held, and all the per-
fected plans OF the projectors of the enter
prise laid before them and approved. Old
q water rights in Kern River covering large
flow of water have been obtained, and an
appropriation has been granted by the
Board of Supervisors in addition to the
claims upon water thus obtained. The de-
eisions of the court and the law are relied
upon to secure it in possession when APP
piled to beneficial and reasonable use upon
riparian lands. This caual course has been
carefully surveyed and will conduct water
on about 100, 600 acres of lana, the best in
the valley, most of which is in thermal
belt. 1t will be at a much higher elevation
than any of the old canals, tho head of the
canal reaching to the canyon of the river.
Many of the landowners, who Will pay a
pro rata toward the construction either in
money or secured on their land, are wealthy
men, and are interesting themselves enthu-
sastically in the undertaking as it prom ises
great results Among these gentlemen is
i. j. Baldwin, who owns several tracts of
land that will come under the canal. He
spent a few days here this week lnveSti-
eating this enterprise and went away we'll
pleased. La addition to paying what will
devolve upon him as landowner, he said
that he would cheerlully give any extra
assistance in his power, and would give the
use Of 100 work-horSes gratis for the time
lie canal was under construction. The
great land and water monopoli5ts of this
valley own none of the land proposed 10 be
irrigated, and for that reason never eX-
tended their irritating system over it, and
that, it so happens, is very fortunate cir
cumstauce, as they have thus far used the
water they have striyen to monopolize
in a way to benefit rs little
as possible, and TO repel instead
of attracting home-seekers, although they
profess desire to attract them and to sell
their land in small tracts. During the past
season they have run an ocean of water TO
waste while refusing 10 sell water to land
owners along their canals, who, if they IT.
rigated, were compelled to use pumps A
more odIOus monopoly than thai OF the
water OF Kern County never existed, and
this canal, which the people are about to
build, is the first move in the direction Of
determined revolt against it. Other projects
are on foot, and will soon be perfected, that
will irrigate perhaps as much more land not
in the hands Of existing and impracticable
mOnopoists. The impression that all the
lands in this vicinity are in the hands of
monopoly of this kind is a mistake. There
are more than 100000 acres, including part
Of the lands of General Beale, that are not,
that are unOccupied, and yet to be irrigated.
Business men and prnperty-owners are jubi-
LIANT over the prospects.