The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-21

Capital Already i'm Prospect to Operate
Under Carey Irrigation law.

I. s. Hewlett OF North yakiua. arid
land commissioner for WASHINGTON. said
yesterday that some. gentlemen wera now
on their way 70 this state to look at some
possible lines fer irrigation canals. whlcli.
II built. win be gigantic in proportion. and
that within the next twelve months he
hopes 20 have plans carried into effect that
viii materially increase the population of
this state.
The Yakima people were greatly dis
appointed over the poStponerent Of the
state fair" said Col Hewlett. hut Yak
ina county has raised an excellent crop
this year ard they are getting up fair Of
their own which promises 20 he success.
II VIII be held Immediately after hen-
picking, and there viii BE a feature made
OF Indian war dances etc. We expect To
have thousands of Indians there iron, the
Yakima reservation. the Columbia river
and Puget sound"
How about the dispatch from Wash
sngton City published in the Fest fntelli-
gencer this morning concerning some
changes IN tho regulations for the selec-
ton OF desert lands by interested states -
1T signifies that the secretary Of the
interior has been persuaded by arguments
from the arid land states 10 adopt a nfodf-
ffcation OF the regulations as fixed hy thu
commissioners OF the general land office.
This was done after the commissioners Of
Montana Idaho and Wyoming had person
ally conferred with the commissioner at
Washington City. and 7, though my COM
mission did not become operative until
three months after those OF the other
states. had by correspondence urged the
notifications granted. They were desir-
able to make the running OF preliminary
lines In the various states come within the
scope of the appropriation. II Is now pos
sihle 10 20 forward and make selections.
The time apparently lost in waiting for
els.A
times gained in the operations of the next
few years
1T is a mistake 20 suppose that the
state law centemplates the valuing Of any
lands already taken, although IL will be
possible under IL 10 give a value 20 many
thousands OF acres OF state lands al
ready selected which otherwise might
wait for generations before coming on the
market. or in any way being Of value 10
the state. This fact. which is sometimes
lost sight Of gives the state law Of Wash
ington a collateral Importance which
should not be forgotten.
The difficulties encountered hy certain
large irrigation schemes. considered to-
gether with the depression OF the money
market, serves to make Il difficult AZ this
time to successfully invite capital. though
parties arc now on their way 20 this state
TO look at some possible lines for irriga-
ton canals. which, II built, will be sieau-
nc tii RtbNDAEtB0- me Enumeration IN
prospect upon which the state must RELY
10 secure the whole part OF the i.oaa 600
acres given TO IL by the general govern
ment. must of necessity go into large fields
which have hitherto presented objections
to investment. However. with the inn
prorement of the times and some large SCI
lections of land. made as wisely as NAV be
under the circumstances. I hope within
tho next twelve months 10 proceed on lines
already planned that Will very consider
ably increase the population of the state
in its central and arid region. This is the
purpose of the bill and the commission
created by il, and | believe II will serve
It's purpose. II is my hope 10 he able 20
sell well-watered lands at price less
than they have heretofore been offered
for. What this price will be will denend
entirely upon the cost of irrigation, 10 he
determined by active competition when
opportunity shall be given for bidding on
the work.
I'm order TO work intelligently I'm this
matter Of state reclamation OF arid lands.
under the Federal statute donating them.
the four interested arid land states will
have a meeting. probably at my Office I'm
North Yakima. TO agree upon some plan
for successfully and tremendously secur-
ing all proper coGce ssionS from the land
department at Washington City In acquir-
ing these lands