The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-06
THE iKaIaATIos coSoKxss.
DiscassieB of the Carey Biii, Granting
Arid Lands 10 the States

Arid Lands 10 the states
DEsvKR Sept. 6.--At the irrigation con-
gfess today Robert Hay, state geologist OF
Kansas. read . paper on "fhe Waters OF
tie Plains" lie described the irrigation
system Of his state aud prophesled that
before the end Of the next decade every
acre In Western Kansas would be under
cultivation and the state would have .
population OF 2,000, 600 The congress
elected the following national executive
committee; William r. smythe. OF Cali
fornia. chairman; Fred l.. Allies, OF Cali
fornia. secretary; Prof. Edwin NJ. Boegs,
Arizona: Alvin NJ. West, California; NJ.
b. Gof. idaho: J. w. Gregory. Kansas; J.
Il. Belt, Minnesota: Samuel ID. Robbins,
Montana; A. Ford, Nsbrasks; T. Mead,
Wyoming; Charles 4. Ford. Rhode
Island: Col. Max Frost. New Mexico; W..
III. Taylor, Nevada;L p. Baker. North
Dakota; John II. fitxsr. Oklahoma: +. s.
Brigham. Ore gon; &. NJ. Clark, Texas
Judge i. w. shurtlsH. Utah; J. r.
Graves. Washingtoni J. i. Godding. Wis
consin; William A. Pearos. Canada; Don
Ramon ]. de Barrola. Mexico; Thomas
Knight, Missouri ID. A. Misnsr. South
Dakota; A. L. Kellogg, Colorado. Judge
l. Emery, of California. was continued as
national lecturer.
Norris Byen, Of the United States land
department, spoke on the right-of-way
for canals and reservoirs for irrigation
purposes" lie gave an account AZ some
length OF what his dep artmsnt vas doing
toward the reclamation Of arid lands. He
assured the delegates that the government
was heartily in sympathy with the object
of this congress, and was disposed 10 give
any assistance possible 10 aid in redeem
ing the desert lands. which, he believed,
under q system OF irrigation. would be-
come the finest agricultural lands in
America.
Congressman II. II. cotseen. Of wyom-
ing. addressed the congress on National
Methods of Reclaim alton of Arid Lands
Versus Cession." He objected to the in
PRODUCTION OF forsiga capital into state
for the purpose Of securing landed
estates. He favored the ownership
OF small farms instead OF land
syndieates securing possession OF large
tracts and leasing TO the farmers. He de-
nounced the Carey act, as st would be the
means Of throwing into the hands Of syn
dicates the 1000, 900 acres granted each
arid state and territory. The states. not
having the money TO develop these lands.
are compelled % turn them over to cor
porations under certain agreements TO de-
velop them. This would place the farmers
In a condition similar 10 the serfs Of En-
rome. lie favored governments reeiama-
ton and. IL necessary 30 accomplish this
purpose, bonds or treasury notes should
hs issued which could be redeemed BY the
sale Of lands.
senator J. NJ. Carey. of Wyoming. the
author of the Carey bill, replied TO Cons
gresham Coffeen IN defense of his
measure. lie believed that ''ths nearer
Won get 10 en- individual the better you
can do business" and that the states can
construct and conduct these irrigation
canals better than can the managers OF
the government who live IN Wasa-
,ngton CITY. Under the provision 81
an. bill no state or territory Is
connected 10 accept this grant Of
I nsiooo acres OF ard land. IL Is
Tor those common wealtAs 20 settle this
matter hy their legislatures accepting or
ysieotiar the conditions Of the govern
nent. III accepted the states csa disposs
az the Ianas 10 individual settlers, CON-
nanieS or corporations on such terms,
quantities or conditions a. the people
wlsh. and syndicates need not be given
control unless IL Is thoaght 6sss 20 do 50.
something must be done wtth these lads.
.ra while the measure 10 not all that II ia
h. desired. II u asi thu West could Ees 81
,hi. ttne and The good evsrAalaaees the
evil 80 that il Is great advancement 10
w.ya me end desired. lt . simply an Ell
perlment. and II the states make good ase
~ thi. donation there il 40 aaass thAl
e.,-v~~.. viii make additional grants 81
800 arid lands. Il trust this congress
wil snaers~ the measure. sasa Senator
Carey, 'and the states vii maNe Astsss
ssg,rs 4, ,neceSsfalIy reclaim thess l3nda