New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-05
ARID LANDS OF THE WEo1.
THE METHOD OF DIsPOsING OF THEM
NOW BEFORE CONGRESS.

THEIR CEssIoN OUTRIGHT TO THE STATES Ap-
vocArED-vAsT POSSIBILITIES OF TIE SOIL
WHEN RECLAIMED BY IRRIGATION
SENTIMENT IN THE NORTHWEST.
wash,ngton March An the matter OF the bill
for the cesson of the arid lands of the States west
Of the Mississippi Rivera question much s'ea
than appears upon the bare face OF H-'"e'e ~
been no significant action as yet 80 iai as ~
measure to grant to the arid-.and states '"' ~"
age at present unavailable to anybody is concerneu
there has not until within few days apPca'e'
any opposition. Now there shows speck no oisse'
than a mans hand, or little Cloud IN tue iai
West 1t is in opposition to any modifcauo" u '"e
Carey law Of August 49, 1894. which VIII NAME -
easier for the arid-land States TO acquire ana man
age the lands of the class involved i"e go"
within which these arid lands are situated are oy
no means subject to the same conditions 'nouen
all are alike interested In some there Is p'en'' "a
water for reclamation and in others there Is no''
There arrived in Washington yesterday the Ar'u
Land Commissioner OF the State OF "as"'"s''''
L. s. Hewlett. who has in charge Tor MS o."'e W
ACQUISITION OF the lands which may be hau "'
the Carey act OF 1894 He says that the scheme lot
watering these arid lands has passed beyohu d wa
venture In any neighborhood. and rises TO 'he I'M
pcrtance OF a great National question. In MS o'h'e
there are thousands OF acres of desert lahds anu
plenty of water with which 10 reclaim the'i anu
make them fruitful. While this is the fac'' l. 10
also the fact that the reclamation OF them Is no
longer an easy matter. The places whefe ''"'
can combine and take out irrgating ditches io'
mutual benefit have all been seized upon anu ~"
the arid lands lay in plains. given over 10 INC
primal sage brush and scanty growth OF o"'o"
grass. 1t is, however. rich soil OF Vo'cd"'' ~"
and sandy loam and when watercd prouuo' 90
abundantly that ten acres will support fanny ="
comfort =
Mr. Hewlett says that the Secretary OF the i'
terror has the right idea when he recommends "'
ne does in his annual report. the ceding OF THESE
arid lands outright to the States within which they
lie. The only opposition 10 this. he says co'"oS '
the sockmen who are always averse 10 sec'"t
fences built and farms made at the expense oil
their free ranges and land companies VINO rear
that cesslon to the States may cheaper Inc price
OF lands before they unload what they nave re-
claimed and put upon the market. the oues
ton fully. looks upon the opposition a. 700 hat'Vm
70 deserve serious attention re says M man for
the few. then the small farmer should nave cnSSe
land companies already operating IN irIisatel 'h
Ii is no part of the Governments business 20 loon
W sv.' ~ ~ ~ a,1 s,,.pss in dealing viii
such great questions. ana States have more i'm
vision than the General Government. .,.. ...
AS a matter of fact. desert land filings have
the great brush plains shall be left for irse
grazing for The benefit OF the cattle oarons or BE-
vision into small farms watered by vast irrlsatioh
systems In States the stockmen have sue
ceeded in raising the cry OF State ianIlOfiisu ~
though this were more be feared than National
land.ordism. And there has been an apparent rear
that cession to the States would wr"s, IRON 'he
public domain lands which would otherwise be
heritage 10 posterity. Those who have travelled
the continent. Mr.. Hewlett says know better
than TO place great value upon the sage brush CO.
main. The Nation gives II pccemeal 20 any one
have ceased under present regulations. The ques-
ton Is whether these lands shall remain ior the
free OF a few sockmen or be turned over 20 the
States TO be made homes for thousands under
wise system OF reclamation In which Siai'e and
counties are and always Will be more Interested
than the General Government.
Under the enabling acts bringing in the Territories
to Statehood certain lands have been granted
70 all the States outright. ana all grants must
be positive and without hamper!ng conditions TO Dee
OF any practical value 10 states or individuals The
homes;eads have all been taken and nowhere In all
the untaken public domain H. there left tract 81
100 acres where n scttl. and make a lven-
hood. The great expanse OF desert lands-gr'at
enough 10 feed millions upon millions must be lrf-
gated under some local supervision. Ike State IN
teres in order to furnish new homes for the ever
expanding growth Of population. II II were better
surely the States would know IL well the
General Government. and II j. a narrow policy 20
favor those who specializing IN Few choice
irrigation schemes. All the arid land States ask rs
an opportunity 10 make use % those lands now
useless and 10 be rid Of certain hampcr!ng condl-
tons contained In the Carey act This act looked 20
the desired end. but has been found faulty In some
respects-so faulty that operations under II are
dif4cult The desire Is 10 make II as beneficial a. II
was intended 10 be.
II is evident that MI Hewlett represents the senii
ment OF the entire Northwest