The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-08-26
The PRESS AND IRRIGATION.
The Press and Its Relation to the De
velopment of Agriculture in
the Arid Region.

the Arid Region.
La paper read before the Idaho Press Assocta-
ton. at Its annual meeting in Ketchum. Aug. "a,
1898. by R. W. Davis, of the Caldwell rribune.l
After some considerable investi-
cation, l have been unable to dis
cover any degree of consanguinlty
between the press and the develop
ment of agriculture. I have, though,
frequently noticed points of family
resemblance between the press and
the arid regions, and could, per-
haps, establish such similarity as
would lead up to, at least, strong
suspicious of cohabitation. How
ever, I take it that the executive
committee designed that this sub
iect should be discussed in broad
terms; and, therefore, shall con-
strue the text as suits me best, and
take the liberty to abandon it alto
gether if I find its dimensions too
confning.
At the outset, I am tempted to
say that l feel somewhat apprehen-
sive that my views on the subject
of development of agriculture in
the arid regions will not meet with
that degree of appreciation which
would give them any measure OF
authority. / have not yet had time
nor opportunity to give the subject
that amount of study which its I'M
portance demands, and am, there
fore, beset with doubts and fears.
In the discussion of this subject,
we may be assisted in arriving at
just solution by basing the argu-
ment upon a statement of known
and commonly accepted facts. AS,
first, agriculture is the foundation
of the permanent prosperity of the
commonwealth; second, its devel-
opment in the arid regions is a
question of land and water and
their proper distribution, and, third,
that community is most prosperous
where soil ownership is most equal
| ly divided. I think those state
| ments will be accepted as principles
of economic science, which permit
of no discussion, and that | will
not mistake the motive of this dis,
cussion by confining myself to the
question of proper distribution. 4
! / were able and so inclined, | should
consider an academic discussion al
this time very much out of place
What we aim to attain is some i'm
mediately practicable means which
will enhance the development of ag
riculture-the fabrication and har
monies of theory may be attended
to on a more leisurely occasion.
| Brushing aside premises, deduc
tions and logical sequences, | vii
endeavor at once to come to TIT
tissue.
In the arid regions the value 0
land and water depend absolutel,
upon each other; that is to say, tn
water has no value except such a
it acquires by being put upon tn
land, and the land is PRACTICAL.
valueless without the application
of water. 1t therefore follows tha
a monopoly of either element in
cludes absolute control of the other
and, consequently, any system @
distribution which encourages Q
tolerates separate ownership does
in my opinion, retard and interrup
development. / am aware that tn
view controverts established prae
tices and, perhaps, popular sent
ment, but submit it in candor an
modesty. To illustrate the prime
pie, we may suppose two consider
able tracts of land, each being equs
to the other in all respects an
! owned by the same individual
you please. The acreage of on
: tract is offered for rental at moo
crate price, but without hope 9
possibility in the tenant of ultima'
ownership. while the acreage OF th
other tract is offered at absolu'
sale. Now, / ask in all seriousness
which of those lands would be tlr'
taken, and upon which would tt
highest and best development o.
cur? I do not think that the que
ton would provoke a moment
debate.
Land and water depending solel
upon each other for their valu
where ownership of both does NJ
reside in the same individual owl
ership of either, implies tenantr
and operates as in the case cited
= discourage growth and develo
Y ment. / shall not weary you vii
| multiplicity of illustration ar
detail. / believe that the gentl
men here, if they adopt my view
are quite competent to furnish Il
argument. l believe there shou
be no recognition of separate pro
erty in land and water, and, lndee
am somewhat in doubt as
<. whether or not there is any leg
recognition when the question
applied to irrigation alone. III
leads US to a consideration OF c
nails. reservoirs and waterways
general. / am prepared to sta
that. in my opinion, water-wa
should be subject to the same ge
erol nr;ncinles as highways. If t