The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-16
FOES OF BARRENNESS
National Irrigation Congress
Meets at Albuquerque.
Delegates Present from Kansas
Texas and Other States.
VINE. SMYTHE SPEAKS.
Reviews the History Of the Ir-
rigation Movement.
Many States Have Taken hold
of the Work.
VINE. SMYTHE SPEAKS.

ALBUQUERQUE, N. NJ, Sept. l6.-The
fourth national irrigation congress
opened here today with large attend
ance-Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Okla
homa, Colorado, Utah, California and
Arizona being represented. Delegates
are also present from Mexico and
Canada
William E. Smythe, chairman of the
national executive. committee, addressed
the convention as follows:
"In spite of its recent origin the time
has already come when we may speak of
the irrigation cause as great in the ardu-
Gus greatness of things done
"Since we last Assem- bled the irrigation
movements of Kansas and Nebraska and
of Texas have triumphed in effective
legislation. By legal enactment the men
of the plains have recognized that irri-
cation west of the Tooth meridian is fun
damental to d great prosperity. No man
can over estimate the significance of that
recognition. 1t means new Kansas; a
new Nebraska; a new Texas. 1t means
sure crops and Industrial independence,
small farms and social opportunities
"Of the remaining states of the plains
South Dakota has preceded her sisters in
the provision of irrigation laws, while
North Dakota and Oklahoma have each
we'll organized public sentiment, look
ing to similar results
The passage by congress in August,
1894, of the law granting one million
acres of arid public lands to each of the
desert states calls for enactment of sup
Elementary legislation and furnished the
occasion for vigorous campaign before
the legislatures of eight states. Wyo-
ming, Colorado. Idaho, Montana. Wash
ington and Nevada accepted the grant of
one million acres each, and all except
Nevada provided appropriations and an
administrative machinery to render the
grant Immediately operative.
"In Oregon a vigorous effort was
made to the same end, bu: was defeated
narrowly in the closing hours of the
Legislative session. The laws enacted in
accepting the Carey grant mark new
era in our western craftsmanship. With.
out exception they recognize the right
and duty of the state to supervise and
control the reclamation of public lands
and the use of public waters. Without
exception they fix the maximum prices
at which such lands and attaching water
rights shall be sold. and without excep-
tion they provide for the ultimate own
ership by the people of irrigation works
that are built in connection with those
lands.
"The enunciation of these vital prin-
ciples in the laws of five different states
is another event which renders the past
year remarkable in the history of the
irrigation movement. But in spite of all
that has been accomplished difficulties
have arisen in the practical application
of the Carey law. While it was evidently
the desire Of congress to have these
lands reclaimed and settled under state
mir fho Ioxrr a.
10 confer the necessary power upon the
states
The most conspicuous irrigation
statute in the United States is the dis
trict law of California. In connection
with this law there has recently occurred
an event of far reaching importance tc
both the economies and the practice oil
irrigation. l refer to the decision u
Judge Ross in the United States distric
court of Los Angeles, to the effec
that the Wright law is unconstitu-
tional and that the millions upon mill
ions of securities which have been issuec
In compliance with its provisions are in
valid. If this decision be accepted in it
full force and meaning, it is a calamity 0
the largest proportions
"It would destroy in breath the use
fulness of great systems of canals which
have been wholly or partially construct
ed; would plunge into chaos the indus
trial machinery of large and thickly set
lied districts and would give t
irrigation in general ba,
repute in financial circles, scarcel
to be outlived in a generation. 1t re
mains to be seen whether the Unite
States supreme court will confirm tn
astounding decision of Judge Ross. Tn
best legal opinion apparently believes
will
81 believe express the sentiment nc
only of this congress but of the men @
arid America throughout its length an
breadth when say that the holders @
the aforesaid securities need not fear tn
loss OF their investment whatever tht
final legal status of the case.
"One year ago the promise was mad
that it would be the policy of the nation
al committee to begin the conquest @
public sentiment in behalf of arid Amer
lea IN the populous east. Everywher
we have found four of the most potentis
elements in eastern life ready to CO opeI
ate with US in the relief the pressur
upon great cities in the east and the ey
pansion of national greatness in the ives
These four elements are: First. the press
second. the clergy; third, the college, an
fourth, organized labor.
"The time is ripe for a vast movemen
OF population from crowded eenter
throughout the world. Colonization i
the watchward of the hour, not only her
but everywhere. Colonization from oil
countries to new is the price of domesti
tranquility and national expansion.
SIN the United States this moyemeu
will flow either to the south or to tn
arid regions of the west. We cannot dis
guise the fact that the south toda
ss our aggressive competitor in th