The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-14

Repert OF the ftatfsrm Committee
Hlntsn Insnlta Mai. reNell.


Los ANGLERS. Oct Is. lin the irrigation
convention this morning the platform
committee reported its platfoam to the
congress. which was read by ex.Gov.
Lionel sheldon. 1t Is in part as follows:
'.The scenes enacted recently In the
Cherokee strip are reminder that the
pressure Of surplus population still seeks
an outlet in the West and that settlement
in the portion Of the pubic domain
where the rainfall il sufficient 30
support agriculture has reached its
limit. The unsettled land nov be-
longing 80 tho United States is
mostly arid or semi-arid. We confidently
predict that these arid lands are destined
to become the seat OF the highest civilixa-
ton and the greatest average prosperity
yet developed on this continent. The de-
selopnient of these lands can only he
successfully attained by national legislA-
ton. The laws now governing waters
and lands in number OF states aud terri.
tories are inadequate and dangerous. We
declare that water in national channels
and beds Is not private property. and
that it can be neither bought nor s0!d
We claim that streams RISING in
oae state and lowing by natural courses
through enc or more other states must bc
conserved aud Sauitaaiy divided under
Federal authority. We ind0Yse the policy
mountain watersheds. II Is an act Of sim
pie justice TO ask tho government 20 de-
vote y portion OF the menev received from
the sale of lands ut for agriculture without
Irrigation - scientific investigation OF
means for reclamation from surface
streams. storm waters and underground
supplies. We earnestly urge xpeedy &C.
ston by congress ia this direction.
In regard io arid lands We recommend
that national executive committee COM
posed 81 eve competent gocn from each
state and territory ln the arid or sefa{.aFid
region, shall ~ once enter anon = careful
investigation Of the conditions existing in
each OF their states and territories and
then formulate plans looking TO the aaon-
ton 81 national policy, and upon these
renorts the declarations Of tAe eeof,ie Of
Western states may - based
Mai. Powell. director az the United
States geological survey. said be vas pru-
foundry impressed with She wisdom viror
Sna lucidity Of the report, but there were
questions therein that needed special dis
egszsan. His prime interes; was net in
railroads and other corporate enterprises
but that which wnald develop the creates,
number of cottage homes FOR the people
lis week Tor thirty years haa been In that
direction. aud he gave elaborate details
OF MS observations OF the eondi-
ten of the country and the la-
posianee Of irrigation. Statistics wcss
given of the proportion Of water
falling from the heavens that can be used
Ter irgisation. There was net enough ram
water 10 tFrjgate 81 tAe GrAbIe lands
oasy small part OF tae iFrigahle lands
could b trgirased wish the water avassa-
BE Tor lhat purpose. II the Lands belong
ing 20 private individuals in the ard re-
gters SrTe alone irrigated. 10 say nothing
~ the eovera mens lands. there would nos
be enough wa,er 70 tFyizate. only ore
tssisd 81 the iaa6a new ownei ~ private
individuals can he Irrigated hy sgs TIE u a.
tsF thar can bs stored, 80 thAs IL is not
aeesison OF getting lands from the govern.
meat iog Irrigation IL tie government