The record-union., 1892-03-11
special to the REcoRp-uxrox.

SpeciaI 10 the 1tECORD-ONION-
WASHINGTON, March 10.-Mr. Lam
ham of Texas presented to the House his
irrigation bill. This bill is regarded by
members of Congress as one of the most
important measures before Congress. In
presenting his bill with favorable re-
port Mr.. Lanham said: SIN view of the
far reaching importance of the bill just
reported and to the end that full oppor-
tunity may be afforded for an eXamina-
ton of its provisions, 1 ask unanimous
consent that the report OF the committee
and the views of the minority may be
printed in the Congressional Record" )"
There being no objection, it was ordered
accordingly.
The report and views of the majority
are as follows: Sundry bills, resolutions,
memorials and petitions have been re-
ferred to this committee during the pres
ent Congress relating to the subject of
irrigation and the proper disposition OF
arid lands, the general trend of which has
been favorable TO the proposition Of rele-
eating these lands and the problems in
volved to State and Territorial control
and administration. The greater num-
ber of them has been of general charac-
ter, while others have been of local ap-
plication, but all have been marked with
the same distinct feature and uniform
object, discovering a noticeable concur
renee OF opinion upon subject matter of
vast importance.
VACANT PUBLIC DOMAIN.
The vacant public domain of the
United States, exclusive of Alaska, the
Cherokee Strip mot yet opened to settle
ment) and certain other lands now
claimed by Indians, Is estimated by the
report of the Co. missioner of the Cen
eral Land Office at 57S, ,664, ,6S4 acres, sur
veyed and unsurveyed, in approximately
equal proportions. The principal amount
of this land is situated within what is
known as the arid region, embracing a
greater portion of territory west OF the
97th meridian of longitude and contained
chiefly within the boundaries of the States
and Territories named III the bill, to
which, respectively, it is proposed that
cession shall be made by the United States.
THE AREA OF THE ARID REGION.
According to the estimates of the Gov
ernment officials, the arid region, includ
ing semi-arid plains, embraces ,340, ,000
square miles. OF this about one-fourth
lies in the great plains region east of the
Rocky Mountains, which is principally
arable land. Another fourth is embraced
in the Rocky Mountain belt, not more
than one-third of which is arabic; three
eghths lie in the great basin and plateau
of the Rio Grande, between the Rocky
Mountains and Sierra Nevada, about one
half of which is arabic; while the remain
ing one-eighth is embraced in the ranges
Of the Sierras and is III the main rocky
and unsusceptible of cultivation. 1t is
estimated that about one-fourth of the arid
region is composed of rocky or mount
ainous or non-arable land.
WHAT CAN BE REDEEMED.
Major Powell, Director of the Geologi-
cal Survey, has expressed the opinion
that 0,0O0,000 acres OF this arid region can
be redeemed by irrigation, through the
utilization of stream waters. Mr.. Newell,
as shown in a census bulletin, estimates
that 10000 acres of land are now irrigated
in sefni-arid plains regions and that about
100000 acres are irrigated in the arid re-
gion proper. 1t cannot be stated with ac-
curacy what amount of irIigable lands
yet remain unreclaimed.
The greater portion OF land proposed by
the bill to be ceded is in its present con-
dItion of little practical value, but is ca
pable of being appreciated beyond COM
putation by the process of irrigation. But
10 accomplish its reclamation and sue
cessful development ii Will require long
time of careful treatment and a great eX
penditure OF money.
DEMAND FOR HOMES.
It is now comparatively an arid waste.
fOrbidding to the homeSeeker though
1aught with untold possibilities of our
mighty civilization. The demand of our
large and constantly increasing popuIa-
ton Tor homes and the necessary devel-
opment of its latent though incalculable
resources, cries out for the redemption
from its now Improbable condition. 1t
is not in keeping with the progress of the
age, the growth and dignity of our coun-
try and the wants OF our people that it
should remain in its present unproduct-
i've condition. 1t must be rendered hab-
liable. 1t cannot and ought not to re-
main perpetual wilderness aud destitute
of useful results. Either the United
States must sooner or later accomplish its
reclamation by direct appropriations from
the Federal Treasury, by the construc-
ton of irrigation works and the opera
ton of manifold agencies for its develop
nlent, or failing SO To do, it must leave the
States and Territories within which il is
embraced in their own way to work out
that salvation which is possible.
THE GREAT COST.
If the Federal Government is to do this
work, it may well take notice that the
ultimate demands upon its treasury will
be enormous. far beyond any present ac-
curate calculation, but certainly at an ex-
pense greater than it has ever encoun-
tered yet for any specified object for in
Iernational Improvement, reaching even
billions of dollars. Nor can the point be
overlooked and ignored that if the Ma
tional Government shall undertake the
execution of this immense enterprise il
must perform that function in an impair
tial and comprehensive manner. 1t can
not afford to lavish its expenditures on
any favored locality, but it will be con-
strained in all fairness and propriety 70
treat distinct special and local problems
OF reclamation in a suitable way where
they may arise as well in one State or
Territory as in another. To do all that
will be expected of it, and that the exi-
gencieS will require. will be simply inn
possible of accomplishment, nor is it be-
remote from the arid region viii be in
duced to consent TO the outlay necessary
for such purposes.
GREATNESS OF THE WORK.
When the magnitude and far-reachinc
consequences of such proposition are
considered and understood in all their
phases. il is reasonable TO assume that
thoughtful, prudent and economic men
will conclude that the General Govern
ment essaying that object has work
upon its hands from which it may well
pray deliverance; and If that deliverance
can be made in a manner consistent with
sound public policy, Just 10 the whole
people advantageous TO the people most
directly concerned, and upon their volun-
tary acceptance of the burden and as
sumption of the responsibility involved
why should the Government desire tc
longer retain proprietorship of this arid
region? Why, for that flatter, should il
now have a vast domain of unappropri-
ated public land? 1t only holds lands as
a trustee and until they can be suitably
settled and occupied, and it is presumpt
lively interested only 10 the extent tha
actual bona tide settlers may be accom-
modated. 1t is not supposed that ii want.
10 reIain them in order that they may hs