The herald., 1896-12-27
n iRBelI|el!SIS WORK
Eovlev Of TIE Lite Convention
at Phoenix
MANY VALUABLE RESUL is
SfSsjf Accrue 70 the Deilbafallosi oi
Delegates kaEsn
Daftor Maxwell Reports Progress and
ahe Probability Of the Solution Of
~ Desert Reclamation


nz6rnie Advocate, who was one of the
delegates at the late national irrigation
congress, was interviewed by a Herald
gepyooentative on his return from Phoe-
mix. Mr.. Maxwell said:
think the work ofsthe convention will
prove to have been valuable; 1t united
the irrigation movement upon leading
principles, and all who are interested
In the development of arid America and
the promotion of rural settlement can
unite on commonground.
One Of the most important things to
be borne in mind is to continue work
upon these broad, general lines so that /
no IDEAS shall be endorsed so radical or
experimental in their nature as to arouse
the antagonism of any polite al party or
class of thinkers upon social OF economic
problems. 1 believe the best policy to
be that which will draw to it's support all
political parties and all business inter-
ests.
THE FIRST STEP
AS to national legislation 1 think the
first and most important congressional
action should be the creation OF an irrl-
cation commission on the lines proposed
by the irrigation congress, and that i'm
mediate steps be taken for the preser-
walton of our national forests wherever
they are a source or water supply lor
reservoirs or streams.
In states where a water system mas
been adopted like that of Wyoming, un-
der which private ownership OF water
cannot exist except as appurtenant To
specific tracts of land, and title to land
carries with it the right to so much water
as the state has apportioned to it for its
irrigation l can see no objection to the
cession of arid lands to- the state
by laws which will insure the sub
division and settlement of the land by
actual settlers.
I think one great question to be con-
sidered in determining whether or not
federal lands should be ceded to state,
is that of the financial strength and abil-
ity of the state to obtain the necessary
capital and rate OF interest sufficient
by law to enableeworks to be promptly
constructed.
TfTEREsP POLICY
I believe the best policy for the dispo
sition of government domain would be
for the government itself to construct
storage reservoirs wherever by such con-
struction a large area of government
land could be brought, under irrigation
and made Immediately available for set
tlenlent.
Take, for instance, Arizona. The gov
ernor of Arizona referred to one section
of that territory where by the construc-
tion of a storage reservoir 500 600 acres
of land now owned by the federal gov
ernment could be brought under irri-
cation and reclaimed from the desert.
l believe thatif the government would
take up this one proposition and with
draw from sale, until surveys and esti-
mates had been made, all the lands cap
able of irriga ton from this reservoir,
and then proceed with it's construction
as rapidly as possible, and as soon as
the reservoir was completed with the
entire federal system of irrigation for
this particular section, SO that the lands
would be open for settlement by actual
settlers in 20-acre tracts, such an inter-
est would be aroused by the notorety
which could be given it that there would
be a stampede for locations rivaling any
thing we have ever seen in opening res
ervations for settlement
SOLVE PROBLEMS
believe that the public interest which
would result would start the people out
of cities on those cheap government
lands in such numbers that it would
solve many problems which now con-
front us in the growth of our cities, and
turn the tide of immigration, composed
of 1aboring men and factory operatives,
to these lands, thereby ensuring their
speedy settlement by a class who are
now unable to raise sufficient means to
transplant themselves from city to coun-
try and build homes
Cheap lands in small tracts, with alb
solute security of water supply, is the
one thing which vii. solve this question,
and l doubt If it can ever be done in any
other way than by the federal govern
ment itself constructing the necessary
irrigation works for reclaming and set
Ting its own lands.
I think the Recommendation unani-
mously agreed to by the California dele
cation and unanimously passed by the
Irrigation congress is the only way out
of this complication and difficulties
which have arisen under the district
law.
If an irrigation commission is created
1t can thoroughly investigate the con-
ditions in all California districts, and it
Is only by such Investigations that
sufficiently broad comprehension of all
difficulties can be gained to enable law
makers to remerdy these evils.
WHAT is NEEDED
can see no necessity for any action
by the next legislature except the crea-
tion of a commission. None of the bonds
will mature within two years, and re-
funding bill, If deemed advisable, will be
in ample time if passed two years from
now. Within this period districts now in
litigation can reach conclusion and
probably be reorganized upon coserva-
tive lines If the courts of California will
give to the provisions of the law such
construction as will afford just pro-
lection to land owners from evasions of
the present statutes, as they have al
ready done in the Glendora, Fallbrook
and Turlock cases.
l think there is no doubt that within
two years. without any legislation what
eoever, the whole situation will have
cleared, fraudulent bonds will have been
declared illegal, districts Illegally or
ganized will be eliminated, and this will
strengthen such districts as may be le-
galized and not over-bonded so that at
the end of two years we can approach
this subject with much clearer under
standing of what Is necessary to be done
and put the district system upon firm
and enduring basis which will give alb
solute protection both to Individual land
owners and to investors as well.
The rights of both must be equally
guarded If the district system is to be
4 success.