The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1893-02-22


information on water supply in this
manner just rs rapidly as the boy would
get his wood sawed by pStitioning some
other boy to saw it for him. Should we
not profit by the example Of those states
which have made irrigation q success,
and for our first step do what they have
done: provide for competent engineer
Of our OUN to investigate the problems of
water supply, and the possibilities of
profitable extension Of the irrigating
system within our bordersP If thou
sandth part Of the west half Of the state
could bOprovided with water for crops
at ordinary prices Of water for such pur-
poses any reasonable appropriation for
the investigation would be insignificant
when compared with the benefits sccru-
ing to the state. What benefits the
west half Of the state benefits the whole.
Extension Of irrigation means influx of
immigration and capital, increase of val
uations and lighter rates Of taxation.
We endorse the sentiments of the fol-
lowing clippings, and believe they repre-
sent tho views Of the people all over the
state:
'In the western half Of Kansas are mil
lions of acres of the most productive land
in the United States, but il needs q sure
water supply. While California appoints
state engineer at q salary Of 5000,
and gives him an appropriation Of
100000 for Investigations and expenses of
his flrBt two years in Office, and while Colo
RADIO appoints state engineer at $4,000 a
year, TO whom water commissioners of each
district report HS TO water supply, economy
Of its use, etC, Kansas has 30 far been con-
tent to mOmoriSliES congress. Congress
viii help US more substantially when we
help ourselves, and we would like to see
both factions Of the Legislature unite on q
bill providing fora state engineer to in
vossiVatO and report upon the irrigation
problem Of western Kansas, and especially
upon the prospect of obtaining anything
like generally sufficient water supply. E.
8. Nsttleton, formerly state engineer of
Colorado, but now in charge of the gov
eminent irrigation and storage surveys, has
always been supporter Of the underhow
theory and, while works are in progress in
Ford county looking to the use ofthis under
current without drawing from the inter
state supply, WS are still without definite
information 40 10 whether an underAow can
be successfully tapped, and, if 80, whether
this source Of supply prevails over the
greater portion Of the western plains of
Kansas. A few thousand dollars judiciously
expended under the direction Of oompe-
tent state engineer would do for Kansas
what il has done for Colorado and Cali
fornia, and the resultant influx Of capital
and immigration would pay up back the
Smount expended many times over."-Gar-
den City Sentinel, January IA, 1893.
"We would like TO see something done by
the Legislature looking 10 the encourage
ment Of irrigation enterprises in western
Kansas. The question Of water supply is
an important and serious one. In Califor-
mia, Colorado and other irrigating states,
the head Of the irrigGting department il
state engineer who is competent to assist
in projects, advise as TO water supply, CON
trol methods Of water measurement and
economy, and who appoints water commits.
Eioners for each irrigsting district when
necessary. The government irrigation engi
neers passed our state By in their recent in
vestigAtOns, or 20 nearly so that they have
RivOn ~ NO intimation on the all-importani