The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-21
DID YOU KNOW1T?
Fifteen Thousand Dollars a Year
Has Been Drawn
By a Man Named Irish at Wash
ingtOn
TO TELL IRRIGATORS
Out West What They Ought
When They Wanted to Irrigate
Their Land.
MORTON CUT 1T OFF
Because, He Said, the Money was
Wasted.
Why Chester I. Long Had It Re
stored.
MORTON CUT 1T OFF
Because, He Said, the Money was
Wasted.
Why Chester /. Long Had 1t Re
stored.

From the State Journals Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-The amend
ment which Congressman Long secured
to the agricultural appropriation bill
putting back the $4,000 which was ex-
pended last year for the office of irriga-
ton inquiry is of considerable interest
TO Kansas and especially to the counties
in the Seventh and Sixth districts.
This appropriation of $15,O0O was left
out this year by the agricultural COM
nittee because Secretary Morton asked
that it be dropped
Congressman Broderick made an earn
est speech in favor of the amendment
and SO did Congressman Blue.
In speaking to the JOURNAL CORES
pondent of the value of the office OF irri-
cation inquiry which is under the di-
rection of the secretary of agriculture
but in immediate charge of c. w. Irish,
Mr. Long said:
This bureau is one that most of our
people do not know anything About but
been of great service to many farm
ers in western Kansas. It deals with
the practical side of irrigation and
farmers who have written to
MIR Irish for information and
suggestions have been greatly benefited.
The Information has been readily given
and what is better has been intelligent
and useful MIR. Irish is thoroughly in
formed on the subject, having become
acquainted with the practical part
of 1t in Arizona and he has givrn farmers
who have corresponded with him infor-
nation about wind mills, pumps, bitches
and their use, which was just what they
needed to know.
THE farmer in western Kansas does
Il L.
rigation. What he wants to know is how
can set up and operate a small irrigat-
ing plant, how much will it cost and what
are the things needed to do ii.
"The farmers want specific directions
regarding the practical operation of ir-
rigation and this is the sort of informa-
ton Mr.. Irish, as the head of the Office of
Irrigation Inquiry, has given to any who
applied to him for it.
E'rhe committee on agriculture left out
the appropriation for the office this year
because Secretary Morton said he didn't
want to do the work, that it wasn't any
use and didn't result in any good. | do
not know why the secretary should make
such suggestion unless 1t is because he
is never in favor of anything practical
The office is doing a great deal of good
and will do more as soon il
is generally known that information of
the kind l have described be OBJ
tanned from it.
Congressman Long says he is now sat-
isfied the appropriation could have been
increased to $4,000 but not knowing g
the temper of the house and knowing
how hard it is as a rule to override d
committee objection, he made the stand
simply for the reinstatement of the for
mer appropriation.
Mr. Long says many persons in his
district and the Sixth have been greatly
aided in constructing small irrigating
plants by applying to the Office of irriga-
ton inquiry of which Mr.. Irish is the
chief