The herald., 1894-09-06
RECLAMATION OF ARID LANDS.
A Subject of Interest to the
West.
The National Irrigation Congress at
Denver.
Interesting Papers Read at Yestsrday's
session-The Delegates go to
Rocky Ford Where They
VIII Eat WAterm elons.
By the Associated Press.

DENVER, Colo., sept. D. In the lrrl-
CATION congress, today. Ex-Governor
Prince OF New Mexico, chairman of the
committee ON resolutions, announced
that the committee would be ready to
report tomorrow. w. w. Follett, a
civil engineer OF Denver. read q paper
on Underfow Waters OF the Great
Plains. He graphically described the
underfow of Colorado and Kansas, and
gave the opinion that it was not sup
piled by melting snow in the mountains.
80 much az from streams and rainfall.
Robert Hay, state geologist of Ksnsaa,
read paper on Waters of the Plains.
He described the irrigation system of
his state, and prophesied that before the
end of the next decade every acre in
Western Kansas woalG he under culti-
walton and the state have q population
of 2.000,0 ,000
Mrs. M. A. Hamm- -Fales, wife of the
American consul to Annoy, China. read
q paper on Ancient and Modern Irriga-
tion in China and Japan. The system
in those countries, she said, was over
5000 years old, but was very crude.
The congress elected the following ma
tional executive committee: William
E. Smythe OF California, chairman Fred
l.. Allies OF California, secretary Prof.
Edwin NJ. Boggs, Arizona; Alvin M.
West, California; M. B. Croft, Idaho; J.
W. Gregory, Ksnsas; J. E. Belt, Min
nesota; Samuel D. Robbins, Montana; /;
/. Ford, Nebraska: Elwood Mead,
Wyoming; Chas. E. Ford, Rhode
Island; Col. Max Frost, Nsw Mexico;
w. Fl. Taylor. Nevada; L. P. Baker,
North Dakota; John H. Fitzer, Okla
homa; A. H. Brigham, Oregon; 8. NJ.
Clark, Texas; Judge L. W. Shurtleff,
Utah; J. P. Graves, Washington j. e.
Cedding, Wisconsin; VIM. A. Pearce,
Canada; Don Ramon j. de Ybarrols,
Mexico; Thomas knight, Missouri; d.
A. Misner, South Dakota; A. i. Rel.
logg, Colorado.
Judge Emery OF California WAS con-
tinued as national lecturer.
The president OF the transmississippi
congress at the morning session invited
the congress- to appoint delegates to at
tend their meeting, to be held in st.
Louis the last of November. Comply
ing with this request, w. +. Smythe OF
Colorado, Judge Emery of California,
and Colonel Mead of Wyoming were ap-
pointed Immediately on the congress- re-
assem- bling for the afternoon session.
The first paper read after this was by
Capt. A. Glassford, U. s. A., on Mete-
geological Factors and Climatic Con-
atants of Arid America.
This was followed by paper by Nor
ris Byen of the United States land de.
partment on Right of Way for Canals
and Reservoirs for Irrigation Purposes.
He at some length gave an account of
what his department was doing toward
the reclamation of arid lands. He as
sured the delegates that the government
was heartily in sympathy with the OBJ
jeGts of this congress, and was disposed
to give any assistance possible to aid in
redeeming the desert lands, which he
believed. under a system OF irrigation,
would become the finest agricultural
lands in America.
f. H. Newell OF Arizona, connected
with the United States geological sur
vey, was introduced, and delivered q
most interesting address on The Pres
ent Condition of Public Lands, which
was illustrated with Typographical
charts.
Congressman b. H. Cofsen of Wyo-
ming addressed the congress on Ma
Lands versus Cession. He objected to
the introduction of foreign capital into
state for the purpose of securing large
landed estates. He favored the owner
ship of small farms, instead of land
syndicates securing posssssion of large
tracts and leasing to tho farmers. He
denounced the Carey act, as it would be
the means OF throwing into the hands of
syndicates the 10000 acres granted
each arid state and territory. The
states not having the money to develop
these lands will be compelled to turn
them over to corporations under certain
agreements TO develop them. This
would place the farmers in con dition
similar to the serfs OF Europe. He fa-
vored government reclamation, and, if
necessary to accomplish this purpose,
bonds or treasury notes should be is
sued which could be redeemed by the
sale of lands.
Senator J. M. Carey of Wyoming, the
author Of the Carey bill, replied to Con-
gressman Coffesn in defence of his meas
ure. He believed "the nearer you get
to an individual, the better you can do
business" and that the states can con-
struct and conduck these irrigation
canals cheaper and better than can tho
managers of the government who live
in Washington. Under the provision OF
the bill no state or territory Ia COM
PEELED to accept this grant of l,O00,000
acres of arid land. 1t is for these COM
mon wealths to settle this matter by
their Legislatures, accepting or rejecting
the conditions of the government. If
accepted. the state can dispose OF the
lands to individual settlers, companies
or corporations on such terms, guam
titles and conditions ss the people wish,
and syndicates need not be given control
unless it is thought best 20 do 80. Some
thing must be done with these lands,
aud while the measure is not all to be
desired, it is all the west can get at this
time, and the good 30 overbalances the
evil that it is a great advancement to.
ward the end desired. 1t is simply an
experiment. and if the states make good
use OF this donation, there is no doubt
that congress will make additional
grants OF these erid lands.
II trust this congress will endorse the
measure" said Senator Carey. land the
states will make a great effort to sue
cessfully reclaim these lands"
A recess was then taken until Z
O'Clock.
At the evening session Of the congress
the following cities were put in nomina-
ton as the place for holding the next
session: Ell Reno, o. t.; San Antonio,
Tex. Alhuoueroue N M. Spokane