The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-09

sales; and must then virtually accept what
permit them to take. Stock is fed on hay at
$40 per ton and corn at 81 per bankruptcies
which some are disposed to regard as exorbi-
tant when compared with ruling prices out
side the stockyards. A statement sent to this
office shows the following stockyard charges
for yardage In 1898:
1746,S2S cattle at 25 cents -$4S6707 90
194S.sT3 hogs at S cents. 155S69 81
569,517 sheep at cents ................ 1851 Sc
Total receipts for yardage $685., lbs 20
The commissions for selling cattle, etc,
about double the stockyard charges. which
double the above amount. Buyers and com
mission men are in combination so that one
is made. The stockmen are. therefore. at the
mercy of the company and in substance have
to take what is offered.
Apparently, the only way to secure fair
treatment for farmers and stock raiserS is to
yards, with all modern facilities, and thus es-
tablish a public market, under state control
for the principal products our people have to
power to do such needfuI things for ourselves
and not have the hands of the people tied on
every occasion demanding such action Is. per-
haps, the most urgent reason why we should
have a constitutional convention for 1t is
doubtful whether anything of the kind. no
mattsr how imperatively demanded, can be
done under the present condition
IRRIGATION.
The importance of Irrigation is too gener-
ally conceded to require its discussion here.
The only debatable question is what legisa-
tion should be enacted concerning this urgent
necessity of western farmers. Control of the
husbandman's water supply approaches in
control of the air he breathes. and
it would be scarcely less cruel in the former
case than in the latter, subject him to the
almost certain extortions and determinations
of private monopoly, Fortunately, this has
cussion so as to make men obstinate adher-
ents of any PARTICULAR plan; and none but
chandfse OF the very rains and dews of
heaven, will approach the consideration of
the subject with biased minds. What you do
at this session in this enterprise, you do not
fora day, but for many years to come Should
private corporations, our hands will have be-
come tied by the federal constitution. and no
matter how badly the experiment. may turn
out, nor how oppressive may be the conduct
of those who shall have been made the masters
of agriculture, we shall be utterly powerless
Tor years to remedy the error to free the peo-
pie from the grasp of the monster own
folly will have evoked. Nor could we avail
ourselves OF 1mpoved methods or new and
valuable discoveries or Inventions but must
suHer1n order to avoid interfering with vested
ri shts. If any elaborate scheme Of irrigation
is be undertaken at ALL it is so i'm pc ratively
undertake and conduct the enterprise. that
the very thought is startling that it might be
given over to private corporate control;
but the executive .efuses to believe the legis-
when the happiness of the people is SO dt-
rectly at stake, In the opinion Of the execu-
tive no elaborate scheme of irrigation is nee
essary. The public assistance first required
would, perhaps, be a proper survey to locate
tue uHQOTuOW, ana IN Jn1S connection you are
referred to the following recommendation of
the chancellor of the university which is
worthy of consideration:
The department of geology of this univer-
s1ty Is thoroughly competent to undertake
the geological work for the location of these
parts of the semi-arid region which are apa-
BILE of irrigation from Underground water.
Every dollar expended for this purpose sup
will accomplish better results than s. devoted
to the establishment of separate .airrigation
bureau, or commission, or with new force of
nd fold ami INN tic Tho
state should use the machinery it already has
especially as in this case it is of the most
modern and effective character"
While conducting such a survey, the state
could in the meantime, establish upon lands
Dodge City, the forestry station at WaKeeney,
and the experimental stations of the agricul-
could, at an early date. so far determine the
possibilities and the best practical method
of irrigation, that farmers might be spared
the personal expense of experimentation by
awaiting themselves of the knowledge thus
acquired and these stations could determine
also, by actual tests, in the cultivation, in
what kinds of products irrigation may be
probably employed. Such stations have, in
gents of the agricultural college, as appears
from the following extract from their report,
whIch is submitted for your information:
The station has recently. at the earnest
quest of interested persons in the western
part OF the state, undertaken experiments in
of the board made it necessary to confine
these experiments in extent and locality.
rigation from wells by wind power, with de-
signs to cover all questions of water supply,
aaJustlng TO various crops and effects OF va
nection with the study of climatic conditions.
One Of these, at Garden City, is in operation,
with f. w; Dunn In direct charge of expert
ments under dire ctiou of the state council
report Of details will be given in the annual
report of the station. The other, at Oberlin,
is being put in shape for early operation next
year Both are under lease TO the board of
regents for ten years il desired, the perm anent
Improvements to revert with the lands to the
owners at the expiration of the lease.
ments should be made as conclusive as posi-
bic, and the state may we'll devote means to
these special Investigations"
This plan is not ambitious it is true 1t
cOntemplateS no more than the location of the
underhow, and experimentation with it. But,
at present, the state cannot afford to do more
than TINS me state Itself must learn as it
progresses; and methods which contemplate
the cutting OF channels and the providing of
reservoirs. II not LETT for the general govern
ment to undertake should at least be left for
future consideration. after future develop
ment snail nave given greater knowledge.
This plan proposes no large appropriation, the
creation of no new board or bureau to begin the
whole work anew. 1t proposes the employ
ment of ample facilities already possessed by
the state, under the supervision of trained sci
en5ists and specialists already in the service.
Partisanship would be avoided BY this plan,
and omparatlvely small appropriation
would suffice Men eminently fitted for the
undertaking would be employed, and their
employment in such enterprise would not
only be an honorable recognition of them and
BILE opportunities for the practical instruction
of those committed to their charge.
LABOR
Your attention is called to pamphlet put
forth by the labor bureau on convict Labor 1t
is a most able and exhaustive discussion of a
subject of pressing importance, and no mere
brief Statement here of Its contents could do
justice to the mastery treatment of the theme
to be found in the report Itself.
The system of letting contracts for public
work has been largely abolished in England
the public authorities employing and supsrin-
tending their own labor and buying their own
materials In this way. the contractor and
his profits are eliminated; an eight hour work
day has been established; and experience has
demonstrated that superior workmanship
WIN 8e1eei ~ Ihls LesuAL Wltnoue IN,
the standing and principal demands of labor
in this country for twenty years; yet it seems
to I've secured a scant recogn ton. Per
haps this is due to the fact that labor organi-
cations eschew politics; but whatever the
course may be, the reform has never reached
tnis state. If the board of public works is to
be con tinued it should directly employ labor
for nd oil III IN