The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-05-12
A MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

The irrigation question is of the ut
most Importance to Utah. 1t always
has been of great moment, but just
now comes forward as vitality so.
Changes are about to take place which
will advance Utah materially. The
transaction will not only be political
but industrial and agricultural.
Irrigation is, in this region, necessar-
lily associated with agriculture. connec-
ted with which are horticulture, for
estry and the raising of horses, cattle
and sheep. Heretofore the ranges
have been the chief home Of the stock
interests, and hand feeding has been
the exception. It will have to become
the rule.
By the scientific and economical
storage and utilization of our water
supplies, vast areas now untitled will
be subdued and made to produce grain
and grass and fruit. through the mois-
ture conveyed by artificial means.
Reservoirs, canals, fumes and conduits
will be built and foods of water now
running to waste will be preserved and
distributed to advantage. This will
eventually abolish to a very great ex-
tent the range system of stock-raising
and compel the home feeding of ami
mails raised for the market. That will
prove more profitable in every way
when once fully established. More
land will be cultivated to it's full ca
pacity. More tame feed will be pro-
duced. Stock raised and fattened in
that way will command a higher price.
The farmer and the breeder will mu-
tually profit by the improvement. And
the state will greatly increase its
wealth.
The waters of the state will Rave to
be controlled in such way that the
best possible results will be secured
from all sources of supply. The legis-
lature will have to enact laws to reg
ulate irrigation. No existing water
rights should be infringed or impaired
They should, however, be defined and
every owner of a right to the use of
water for irrigation, whether an indi-
vidual or an organized company,
should hold legal proof of title to such
right. There should also be COM
petent court or body recognized and
this matter in the public interest and
the preservation of private rights.
Too much water is now allowed to
run to waste. The land in many places
is flooded till it is spoiled. In other
places too little is available by ordi-
nary means to redeem the sterile
soil. The whole subject requires sys-
tematic investigation and regulation.
There is great ignorance on the mat
ter in spite of the experiences of the
past. That must be dissipated by the
light of reason and practical common
sense.
That irrigation affairs in Utah may
receive the attention which IS their
due, the Irrigation Commission for
Utah. under the auspices of the Ma
tional Irrigation Congress, has been
actively engaged in bringing Utah ir-
rigation affairs into such a shape that
the whole state will be benefited An
organization has been effected which
it is believed will be the means of ad-
vancing the cause of scientific and
practical irrigation throughout Utah.
1t is called the State Irrigation Asso-
citation. The officers and various par
ticulars connected with it may be
learned from the account in another
column of a meeting held on Saturday.
1t should be understood that the pur-
pose of the Association is not to pro-
mote any scheme, foster any corpora
toin, interfere with any vested rights
or to assume control of any other or
ganization or interest. 1t is educa-
tional advisory and beneficial in its
character. and seeks only the public
welfare in the direction indicated by
it's title.
1t is desirable that meetings shall
be held in every important town in
the territory, to take steps for the
of branch associations.