The morning call., 1893-10-14

again 10 the people upon pIOutdplo tcIiuS
named only by themselves.
We declare that all streams rising In one
State and flowing by natural courses through
one or more other States must be conserved
and equltably divided under Federal authority.
To devise laws which will assist the work Of
reclamation and furnish proper safeguards
alike to public and private interests, while
reeognZ ing the rights OF the nation on one
hand and of the States on the other, is task
that may not be lightly undertaken. We shall
suggest means by which IL may be accom-
plished within reasonable period, but In the
meantime there are important things which
may be done by legislation.
Nothing must be allowed TO jeopardize inter-
state streams, and 1t is highly important that
the drainage areas OF these streams should be
promptly known and defined at once in way
sufficient for the purpose here In view and not
await the slow results OF a thorough technical
inquiry. which latter should follow in its train
and for Its needed purposes. The pastoral
lands especially within these drainage
areas should also in our judgment be
reserved for the present from sale
or permanent disposal. The net results.
for leasing the same for range purposes, should
be used for developing possible water supply,
TO the END that stock farms and homes may be
created thereon, instead Of catlle-ranges as at
present The whole subject of national legisla-
tion should be investigated by Federal au.
th0rity, and as a means 10 this end, we suggest
the appointment OF non. partisan national
commission. TO be named at once and instructed
TO report as soon as possible. The importance
of the development of wise local laws and the
control OF waters lying wholly within the ind-
ydual States. constitute reasons for the early
admission of the Territories into The Union.
We favor the Limitation Of the amount Of
and fl,or lNa ~
systems of irrigation 10 forty acres and pI edict
that In the future 1t will be found desirable to
reduce the amount still further. We favor the
restriction OF the taking I'D of public lands TO
the citizens of The United States. This has be.
come necessary with Increase of population and
Is also desirable as rendering more difficult the
requirement of lands for speculative purposes.
We call attention TO the growing Importance of
the storage problem and demand rigid national
and State supervision Of dams and other works
in order to protect life ana property.
We especially urge the Importance of an en-
lightened policy for the care and preservation
of the forests against wanton destruction by
fire and otherwise We indorse the policy Of
forest and storage reservation covering the
mountain watersheds of the West. The i'm
portaDce of due care and protection of these
watersheds to maintain.the perennial flow of
springs and streams and to prevent floods and
torrents demands the establishment of a wise
forestry system. Pending the establishment of
such 10 organization we favor the use OF de.
tachments Of the United States army 10 protect
all the Western mountain walershe dS from in.
juries detrimental to the highest use of the
valley lands. Sums amounting TO millions in
the aggregate have been paid to the Govern
ment for lands in the semi-arid region which
were understood TO be fit for agriculture with
out irrigation.
The experience OF years during which set
tiers and their families have suffered the sever
est bardships demonstrates that they can only
be made productive by the artificial application
of water. Ii is au acI of simple justice to ask
the Government to devote a portion of the
money received from the sale of these lands to
the practical means for their reela nation. from
surface streams storm waters or underground
supplies. We earnestly urge speedy action by
Congress in this direction.
The time has come when the work OF develop
ing an arid land policy on broad national and
State lines can no longer be delayed. The num-
Der of plans suggested for the solution OF the
problem are legion. Some of them have received
Endorsement from commercial and political con-
ventions. Believing that harmony of action is
vital, that wide discussion aud patient investi-
cation are indispensable in arriving at wise
conclusions, we earnestly favor the adoption of
By the national executive committee OF the Ir-
rlgation Congress a commission for each State
and Territory in the arid or semi-arid regions
consisting OF five members each, who shall be
competent and experienced men. These COM
missions shall at once enter upon ful in
yestigati0n OF the conditions existing in each OF
their States or Territories, and then formulate
plans looking TO the adoption of a national
policy to be supplemented by appropriate local
laws.
The results of the Investigations of these sew
eral commissions shall be submitted to the
next Irrigation Congress, to be held at a time
designated by the executive committee not
later than one year from this date. and upon
these reports the fnal and definite deelara-
lions OF tie people of the Western States and
Territories may be based. By these means we
hope within a reasonable time TO suggest
satisfactory irrigation policy to the nation and
to the States and Territories, and we hereby
declare our purpose 10 erect II upon broad
foundations of justice and equity, with due re-
gard for the rights both Of labor and OF capital.
We advise all States in the arid region to
make provision for departments of irrigation,
supervision and engineering and to vigorously
prosecute the work OF practical investigation.
To deal with the arid public domain is one OF
the mighty tasks of the future. 1t means not
only the conquest of a new agricultural empire
ana tremendous contribution to the national
wealth OF the future, but it involves the develop
ment of new forms Of civilization and will give
new life to popular institutions. Ii is a high
and sacred trust, and in so far As 1t may be-
come the peculiar concern of Western men
they Will be tue 10 is great obligations. But
they approach the matter iD no spirit OF petty
sectonaism. They invite The cooperation OF
all their countrymen, East as well as West.
uoiI min nd ire
kindred emplOyments are vastly important TO
the Western States, directly and Indirectly, the
irrigation industry / iapd must ever be their
supreme interest. Under just laws and proper
nalional encouragement IL will add new luster
to the American name.
THE PLATFORM DISCUSSED.
Major PoweIIs Statements Were