The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-08
LAWS THEY WANT.
Recommendations of Irrigation
Resolutions Committee
Ten Propositions They Wish
Made Into Laws.
THE POWER OF CHOICE
The States Are to Select Lands
for Reclamation.
But the Matter is to be Under
Government Control.

DENVER, Sept 8.-That portion OF the
majority reports Of the committee on
resolutions of the irrigation congress per
tanning to national legislation, which Is
under discussion todav, is as follows:
L he national executive committee Of
the irrigation congress is hereby instruct
ed to prepare a series of bills for presen-
tation to the congress of the United
States embodying the following propO-
sitions:
First-Repeal the desert land law.
Second-Withdraw from settlement,
all lands within the arid region not
found to be capable of Irrigation, all
such lands, except mineral lands, to be
held for catchment areas, pasturage and
timber.
Third-Leasing the pasturage lands,
giving preference to actual occupants.
and cultivators of adjoining irrigabis
lands and the sale of surplus tim Der. the
proceeds arising from such sources to be.
devoted to the development Of water
supply for irrigation, within the state
and when no longer required for Lch
purposes. to belong to the state.
Fourth-That states be permitted to
select lands, for reclamation aud make
them the basis of security for the con-
structiOn Of irrigation works, title to such
lands to remain in the federal govern
ment until it passes through the state to
the actual settler, no one Individual be-
ing permitted to acquire title to more
than forty acres of land, except in case
of lands so that local conditions necessi-
tate the enlargement of the home unit
because of the small value of the crops
produced. The money received from
such sources to be reserved for the pur-
pose of discharging obligations incurred
in tho work of reclaiming public lands.
This recommendation Is Independent OF
the Carey law and is not intended % con-
law.
Fisth-That when any state shall have
reclaimed land under the plan provided
in section 8, it shall form irrigation divi-'
sions according to photographic condi-
tions and when a sufficient number OF
settlers shall have actually located upon
the land within such division the state
cOnditionaIly turn over the local admin
istration to the authorities of said water
division
Sixth-That before any state can avail
itself of these provisions it shall have a
legally const ituted state irrigation de-
partment That there shall be appointed
u national irrigation OnmiSsion. vested
with the administration of government,
pastoral and forest lands, of such irriga-
ton works as may be undertaken under
federal authority, and be empowered
to consider aud authorize general
plans of reclamation submitted
by the irrigation dep artIaent
of any state. The national irrigation
commission shall also be charged with
the work of making an Immediate inves-
tigation of the problem of interstate
streams, and report to the congress of the
United States, as early as possible IA
measure providing means for the
speedy and final adjudication Of ques-
tions between states and plan for the
division of streams on basis of justice
and equity.
Seventh-That the several territories
be included in the provisions Of the Ca
rey law
Eighth-That an international com
mission be constituted, composed of the
Canada and Mexico, whose purpose
shall be to thoroughly examine
into and arbitrate questions arising be-
tween said nations, because of the waters
Of rivers partly IN each Of the two coun-
tries. or serving as a bOundrv between
two, and to settle upon a basis ana
method for the equitable division of the
waters of such streams when used for
irrigation.
Ninth-That sufficient appropriations
be secured for carrying on the work Of
gauging streams, selecting and segregat-
ing reservoir sites. and for prosecuting
surveys to determine the location of
lands susceptible of reclamation. and
such other work in the line of investiga-
ton aud experiment as may be legiti-
AudtCA1 bQCu appropriations
to be expended under the direction Of
the national irrigation commission.
Tenth-That reservoir sites, heretofore
reserved by the government which may
become necessary for the use of the
states under the operations of the Carey
law, shall be released and made avail
able upon application therefor by the
states or territories. The minority re-
port favors the cessi0n Of arid lands to
the state within whose territory it lies
and provides for conditions on which ces-
sion shall be made.
EldwOOd Mead of Wyoming. president
of the cOngrass. spoke in favor of the
majority report, which advocates the re-
cIamatiOn of arid lands nnder govern
ment control VIM. Hall of California,
advocating the minority report argued
that with the slow policy of the govern
ment in prosecuting public works. and
the necessary preliminaries to be gone
through with, the present generation
would be dead and forgotten before the
canals would be completed.
lie was opposed to the federal govern
ment having anything 10 say regarding
the reclamation Of arid lands except to
control and distribute the waters of inter
state and International streams
The time allowed for the discussion of
the resolution as a whole having expir-
ed, the minority report was voted down.
The majority report was then taken up