The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-11-19
A STATE IgaIG ALTON COMMISSION

TO the Editor Of the Eagle
l trust that all Kansans interested in
the subject of irrigation have read. Oh
| will read, the address to the People Of
the United States" formulated by the
irrigation congress recently held at Los
Angeles, Cal You published 1t in full.
One paragraph wish so quote. 1t is as
follows:
There shall be appointed by the national
executive committee Of the irrigation con-
gress commission for each state and ter
ritory in the arid or spmi-arid regions.
consisting of five mem bers each. who shall
be competent aud experienced men. These
commissions shall at once enter upon "A
careful Investigation Of the conditions ex-
listing III each of their states anu IerTItor-
les and then formulate plans locking 20 the
adoption Of A national policy To be supple
mented by appropriate local laws. The re-
suits of the Investigations shall De Sc bmit-
ted to the next irrigation congress, at II time
To be designated to the executive committee
not exceeding one year hence, and upon
these reports the final and definite deciara-
tiopS of the western states and terrific ories
may be based. By this means we hope,
within reasonable time, to suggest Il
satisfactory irrigation policy to the
nation and 20 the states and territories,
and hereby declare our purpose to erect 1t
upon broad foundations OF justice and
equity. with due regard for the rights OF
both labor and capital.
Inasmuch as the irrigation problem,
when broadly considered, involves many
and divers. questions and interests,
effecting a very large proportion, if not
all, of the area of the United States, and
as the various plans brought forward for
its solution have been more or less crude
and most of them more or less sectional
in scope and effect, the above plan was
adopted of referring the whole to COM
missions of five members each, in the
seventeen states and territories directly
interested in the subject. Such COM
missions will consider the local bearings
and features of the subject fully and
also the national aspect OF the whole
from local standpoint, and should lie
able to condense the opinions and ideas
of the section represented. In
this way it is expected to
secure the fullest and most
thorough discussion, the most careful
attention and the best thought in and of
all sections concerned, as each state and
territorial commission is expected to
gestions, plans and ideas of all persons
aud organizations interested in the SUBJ
ject. They will also be in constant
communication with all the other COM
missions, throughout their deliberations,
SO that each shall have the benefit of the
matters presented to all the rest. In due
course, plans, or policies, OF state ana
national administration Of irrigation
affairs will be formulated by the various
state and territorial commissions, TO be
presented to the next session of the ma
tiOnal irrigation congress, which will be
called to meet at some central point, as
soon as the various commissions are
ready to report. At this congress the
several plans presented by the commits
sions will be carefully considered and
from them it is hoped to formulate ma
tional irrigation policy which will he
clear. comprehensive and just to all con-
cerned, and in support OF which all the
friends of irrigation throughout the
United States may unite.
By virtue of the action of the irrigation
congress and of its executive committee,
it becomes my duty to nominate four
persons to act with me as the irrigation
commission of this state. Before pro-
ceeding to make such nominations
(Which will be acted upon by the nation
al executive COMMITTEES, wish to receive
all such suggestions as may be offered by
those interested in irrigation throughout
the state. 1t is desired to have as
members of the commission such men as
have knowledge of the needs of Kansas
as regards irrigation matters and also
know something of the situation as re-
CARDS other states: who will be willing
to devote time and careful thought and,
If need be, some expense, to the work
of the commission, and who will attend |
the session of the national irrigation |
congress which is to take under consid |
Grafton the conclusions OF the state and |
territorial commissions.
With these points in view / ask for
suggestions both as to the membership |
of the commission and of matters for its |
and request the news |
papers, especially in the western portion |
Of the state, to lay these facts before |
their readers. Very respectfully.
j. ". GREGORY,
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