The morning call., 1894-09-09
ONLY BY STATES
Should Arid Lands Be
Reclaimed.
UNCLE SAM IS TOO SLOW.
Plans Adopted by the Irrigation
Congress.
JNCLE SAM IS TOO SLOW.
BRING IN ALL THE TERRITORIES
And Arrange for an Equitable Dis
tribution of the Surplus Water
of the West.

DENVER, Sept. Sine Nal10nal Irrlga-
ton Congress resumed consideration of the
report Of the committee on resolutions to-
day. Edwin Mead of Wyoming spoke in
favor Of the majority report, which advo-
Gates the reclamation of arid lands under
Government control. William Hall of
California advocated the minority report,
and argued that with the slow policy of
the Government in prosecuting public
works and making the necessary prelimi-
naries the present generation would be
dead aud forgotten before the canals were
completed. He was opposed to the Fed
eral Government having anything 10 say
regarding the reclamation of arid lands,
except the control and distribution of
waters in interstate and international
streams. The minority report was voted
down. The majority report was then
taken up for discussion, section by section.
The resolutions were amended and
changed to read as follows and unan-
imously adopted:
The national executive committee OF the Ir
rigation Congress is hereby instructed to pre-
pare a series of bills for presentation TO The
Congress Of the United States embodying the
following propositions:
First-Repeal The desert land law.
OcCOuu- VI ttEhEASs 1hC ot0ACS oiO oiiO"N9
vested with power under the Carey law 10
undertake the reclamation and settlement Of
100000 acres each, and whereas, there is
wide diversity OF opinion concerning the best
policy to pursue with relation to The remaining
irrigable lands, therefore be II
Resolved, That the proposition contained in
sections and OF the report OF the majority
OF the committee on resolutions Is reported
back 10 the several State Irrigation COmmIs-
sio CT RDdpqVOr n
to the fourth National Irrigation Congress a
n ore definite and satisfactory plan for the
reclamation OF arid public lands through the
cooperation OF national and State authorities.
Third-TnaU there shall be appointed a Ma
ilonal Irrigation Commission, vested with the
supervision of such irrigation works as may be
constructed by the Federal Government. The
National Irrigation Commission snail also be
charged with the work Of making an imme
dale Investigation of the problem Of interstate
streams aud report TO the Congress OF the
United States as early as possible measure
providing a means for the speedy and final
adjudication OF questions between States and
plan for the division of streams on basis Of
Justice and equity.
FOurth-That the several Territories be In
cluded in The provisions OF the Carey law ana
any other laws asked for to be provided for in
these resolutions.
Fiflh-That sufficient appropriation be Sc
cured from the General Government for carry
ing on the work of discovering waters, appn
cable 10 the reclamation OF arid lands, and for
the prose cutiOu of surveys necessary to deter
mine the location of lands susceptible OF. irri-
cation. and tie selection and segregation Of
reservoir sizes
Sixth-Tnat reservoir sites heretofore re-
served by The Government shall be released
aud made available upon application therefor
by States and territories.
The following were adopted as part Of
the rel OFT, but not referred to the national
executive committee:
ResOlUed, That it is the sense OF this congress
that the President Of the United States imme-
diate!y take such steps looking to the appoint
ment of international! commissions composed
OF representatives Of he United States, Canada
and Mexico, whose duties It shall be 10 thor
oughly examine into ana determine questions
arising between said nations because of the
waters Of rivers partly in each of these coun-
tries, or serving as boundary between two,
and 10 settle upon basis and method for the
equitable division and use of waters Of such
streams when required for irrigation.
The following memorial was adopted
for presentation 10 Congress at its meet
ing:
To the Honorable the Senate and II ouse OF
Representatives., in Congress assembled;
Your memoraist. the Third National Irriga-
tion Congress, in session at Denver. Colo. begs
to call your attention again to arid and sub
humid America, and 10 represent in relation
thereto, as follows:
That the subject Of irrigation cOmprehends a
most fruitful field Of national legislation in
behalf of home seekers.
That about twO-hiths OF the total area Of our
whole country is without a sufficient rainfall to
make il habitable, and therefore, If it is 10 con-
stltute the homes OF happy people of the pres
ent ana generations to come, it must be irri-
gated.
That the great work of discovery and distri-
button of our waters, which must precede the
intelligent location by Lhe home-seeker and the
actual work OF reclamation, is too great and
expensive TO be most comprehensively under
taken by individuals, and this congress, there
fore, most resp ctfully but urgently petitions
you TO make adequate appropriations for and
10 have conducted in the most comprehensive
and practical manner an irrigation survey in
charge OF experienced and competent irrigation
engineers. We also urge that as such work p II
crosses you enact such laws and repeal sucl
oher ones, IL any, as may be necessary TO NEE
the conditions found 30 exist as the result o.
such survey.
That portion of the report of the CON-
mittee referring to State legislation wa!
adopted. after which the congress ad.
journed sine die.