The morning call., 1893-10-14

held that Government lands should be for
mining and stock raising, and not for irri-
CATION.
At this point storm of questions was
fred at the major as to the great waste of
water in Arizona, in Owens Valley and
the Rio Granie River. The major said
30, OO0, 900 or 60.000.000 acres year are
being disposed of, and il all the water
could be caught it would not be 5uficient
for the amount demanded.
Continuing his address, Major Powell
predicted that the acquisition Of more land
from the Government for irrigation was
simply piling up heritage OF conflict over
water rights.
"Then why do you admire the plat
form ?" inquired delegate.
Blowers of California also asked
what evaporation there would be from
Government reservoirs.
The answer was. 80 to 100 inches annu-
ally, according to temperature and humid
ity. At Yuma it am mounted to 100 inches.
Another Californian asked if water used
for irrigating in high attitudes would not
percolste below so that 1t can be used over
again several times before it reaches the
sea.
Major Powell answered that when just
the right quantity of water is used. say
about foot per acre, very little water es-
capes below. Most of the Government
lands are mountainous. and should pc sub
sdiary to the plains below. The people
in the valleys ought to own and control the
land and water, and the Government
should give settlers title tn the catcnment
area on which their lands depend.
Stephens of Southern California called
the major to order and said there were 200
other men who wanted to give some Views,
but the congress set down hard on the at
tempt to choke off the venerable head Of
Uncle Sans Geological Survey.
Judge Emory of Kansas City asked If
Major Powell believed in small homes from
more OF those homes. or whether they
must be obtained from private owners.
Major Powell replied that those owning
lands now should be protected in their
water rights. He said that was the main
point he wished to impress.
A Californian protested that all the peo-
pie should have the same right per acre as
the SPECTATORS. and he did not like Pow
elrs position at all.
The major retired at this point and
Colonel Hinton of New Mexico made a
rip-roaring talk, in which he gave the Gov
ernmenrs scientists a dig. He said the
knowledge of the world was not confined
to one smart man or set of smart men. The
platform now under consideration was at
variance with the report of the Geological !
Survey for years.
Sheldon also combated Powelps state
ments and claimed that not one-fifth of
the available water is yet utilized.
After a wrangle on the manner of voting
on the platform it was decided TO take it
up by paragraphs.
Then followed eross-ire of suggestions
and amendments that was bewidering.
W. E. Smythe said the statement of
Major Powell about not en- Rough water to
irrigate arabic lands was absolutely false
so far as Utah is concerned.
Merrill of Nevada and other delegates
also spoke in opposition to Powelps state
ment and all claimed there are mmen Sc
quantities of water running to waste in
various Western rivers.
Major Powell again arose and said he
wanted fair play and no misrepresenta-
tion. He said that 750. 600, 600 acres of pub
lie lands have passed from Government to
private ownership and there are millions
of acres more that can be irrigated, but
there is n OF the water to do it with.
Smythe of Utah said If he meant rail-
road lands they did not want to irrgate
them.
Hinton of New Mexico said Powell was
making conflicting statements, and called
for the official records.
Mulholland of California said Powelps
position was in favor of getting back large
grants OF lands to railroads in Government
hands. and devoting them to the use of the
people.
Hinton said Powell did not talk to this
effect. and again called for the official rec
ord. A dozen other delegates sprang to
their feet with motions calling for the
question, etc., and great confusion reigned
for several minutes.
''Sit down." called several at Colonel
Dick Hinton, but he hung on until he had
his say. 1t was good. natured "scrap."
and was much enjoyed by delegates and
spectators.
Governor Gosper of the Arizona delega-
tion presided at the evening session. The
various paragraphs of the report of the
committee on resolutions were considered
respectively and two or three minor
changes we're made. The platform was 80
modified as to recommend that none but
American citizens should be permitted to
take 10 Government lands. After akng
one or two lesser changes in the wording
of the platform, it was referred to the COM
mittee on resolutions to be again reported
ON Tomorrow at / 30 O'clock and thA con-