The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-02-19
THE GOOD OLD WAY.

The people of Utah are not only re
cognized as pioneers in the irrigation
of the arid regions for agricultural
purposes, but as establishing a practi-
cal irrigation system without the aid
of capital That is a very important
consideration.
In early times in this territory, men
without money co-operated for mutual
benefit ana made large 1rrigating
bitches and canals by unity of labor.
They obtained rights to the use of
water in proportion to the amount Of
work done in constructing the needful
canals and bitches.
The value was estimated in dollars
and cents without the expenditure of
dollar in actual money. 50 much
| labor by man and team was worth a
given Sum in cash; so much water was
also worth a, stated amount. Thus the
labor without other capital accom-
phshed wonders.
This effected a double good It made
irrigation possible without the expendi-
ture of money which was rarity,
bringing under cultivation large areas
that otherwise would have remained
unproductive, and It retained control
of the sources of water supply in the
hands of the cultivators of the soil, in
stead Of VeSting it in corporations en-
gagged in speculation
Therein is the difference between the
early Utah plan and the method
adopted in many other places. The
latter is in the interest of capital, the
former in the interest Of labor. But
latteTly. capital seeking fields for
profitable investment. has invaded
Utah ana by the construction of canals
and reservoirs, and renting out the
water conveyed, the outside method
begins to prevail here.
We do not wish to intimate that this
is not a legitimate use Of money.
Corporations may be lawfully organ
lied for irrigating purposes. They
| may gain possession Of rights to the
reasonable use of water, by construct
ing canals and building reservoirs, and
may then rent out water rights to
farmers for 50 much per acre and wax
wealthy on the increment.
But that might just as we'll be done
by the farmers themselves If they
have energy and unity enough. By
cooperation on the old plan, with such
improvements as experience and obser-
walton suggests, they may save to
[ themselves much valuable property
and many profitable privileges.
Why should rich outside CORPORA
tons obtain control Of water powers
and rights which the bona fide resi-
dents of Utah might just as Well &C
quire and retain? Why should the sys-
tenn of buying or renting irrigating
rights take the place of the cheaper,
better and more independent method
/ of water distribution which distin-
guished early Utah times and which
still prevails in a great many places?
| The necessity for organized investf-
cation and management of the irriga-
| ton question presses upon the atten-
| ton Of intelligent farmers more and
more. as the agricultural and horti.
| cultural requirements Of the future
are perceived. The Herald urges this
matter upon the bucolic mind, and be-
lieVes that the time has arrived when
the question of water rights and water
distribution must become one of the
most prominent subjects before the
people, because the entrance of the
new state into the Union will open Ill
possibilities which heretofore have. not
presented themselves. Farmers, gel
! this matter "on the brain"