Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-01-12


| we borrow or import, that Will make us
independent. Notwithstanding evidences
are npparant OF an awakening IN This
respect, the industrial activity OF The
| Staio ia yet far from what Il should be-
1t ~ well understood that these three
great industries of The state, silver, lehu
and wool, are languishing because OF
hone of congressional legislation long
deferred. If yon should deem 1t appro-
pirate to memorialize Congress TO res ore
silver TO the coinage aud lead and wool
to the former tariff, it will be pleasure
o me to cooperate with you.
IRRIGATION.
The codo will be found to contain, I'M
dor tho head OF Irrigation and wafer
rights" provisions tina have been long
needed in this State and which especlal-
ly comm nd to our favor. The ever-in-
creusing amount Of litigation IN our
courts over water rights is sufficient
proof OF the need OF good laws to replace
our insufficient and antiqualed pro-
visions on that subject. Briefly recited,
the following arc some of thefmporlaht
points covered IN the cod0: For tho pres
ervation OF the rights OF original appro-
printors; for uniform system OF
measuring water; for the filing ana re-
cordling Of rights already acquired or
that may hereafter be acquired through
appropriation and use OF water; for tn
right OF way over state lands, and tn
condemnation of private lands; for til
construction Of canals, reservoirs, etc,
and for the adoption of tho California
..Wrlghtn irrigation district la@. so far
as the same is applicable to our condi-
lions. Also for the creation OF the office
OF State engineer, having general super
vision OF the State waters, and providing
that he shall inspect all tho plans and
specifications for the construction OF any
reservoir, enbanknent, or dam having
vertical height of more than eight feet,
and also for the inspection of the work
while In progress, with authority to con-
denim the same or any part thereof, and
for penalties in the event of the failure of
the owner to conform to such requires
ments. 1t IL conceded that Utah Is the
pioneer user Of water for irrigation in
the United STATES. Let us so legisa to
that our laws on this subjoc. will keep
pace with our reputation.
FOREST PREsERv WALTON.
Our native forests have never yet re-
ceived the attention and care their Inn
portance demands. The intimate relation
between extensive forests in tho noun
tain canyons and plateausahd abounteous
supply OF water for irr CATION in the
valley below, has been demonstrated so
often and with such emphas is
that the fact should BE- current in every
part of the S ate, while the amount OF
native timber has become so limited that
its preparation for market has ceased
to be legitimate and recognized indus
try. These are facts which should
awaken concern ton the condition, pres
orvation and production of timber IN the
State. Recognizing, as you must, the
close dependence the water supply for
farming and other esseut al Industries of
tho state has upon he exist 70 ~ noun
tain forests, your atomic. should be
directed first, perhaps, to what seems at
present an imperative precaution, tim
Der reservation in The Uintnh mountains,
about the headwaters OF ihc tour larges
rivers Of the STATE, the Bear, he Weber, tho
Provo aud the DuChesne. should the Vim
tahireservHtiUn be In own open to settle
meat without any restrictive provisions
against the lavish ana wanton destruction
OF the forests in thuse mountains, The
prosperous farms and villages that bor-
dor ~ east three Of these main rivers OF
tho state must suffer and perhaps go into
decay. AS these mountains with their
extensive bodies of timber lie chiefly
within the domain Of lands belonging 10
the general government, the hrs. and
most feasible, and 1t may be the only
step that can now be taken to secure the
preservation Of this timber, il that the
Legisla uro memorialiZe Cougr, IS
to survey and set aside this region
as n timber reservation. or at least
such portion of the mountain lands in
this region lying above 5000 feet above
SO level. Much OF the denuded tracts
of mountain land in other parts of the
State is rapidly being covered with
new growth OF trees which already, to
considerable extent, shades the ground
and preserves its porous character, and
which viii, in a few years, IL left unino-
Tested, largely restore the benefits of ;he
original forests. This condition exists
about the sources of nearly all the can
yons. Many Of these young and thrifty
trees, especially in side canyons in
proximity to the cities and villages, are
cut down and sold in the market, nota-
bly, about the winter holidays, las "Christ-
mas trees" II purpose for which some
subst ute could be made that would be
less inimical to he substantial interests
of the community now and hereafter,
This matter would suggest as doserv-
ing your attention. Among the most
distinctive agencies in forest spoliatiOn is
the flre-iend. 1t is believed its potency
for evil can be greatly lesseued by prop
err legislation. Forest legislation i'm n
state like ours should not only be direct
ed to tho preservation of forests and
timber, but TO the planting OF trees and
the covering OF much OF, or most Of the
valley lands now lying unused, with for
est growihs. This, 1t ia believed, can be-
done with an economical use OF waste
water without much expense and with
ultimate profit. To encourage efforts TO
this end, exemption or partial exemption
from taxation would probably be an i'm
mediate incentive to secure such an i'm
portant contamination.
TRANSPORTATION.
Tho Constitution OF our State ARTICLE
MI, Sec. 49, provides that 1.-THE Legisla-
ture shall pass laws establishing reason
able maximum rates OF charges for the
transportation OF passengers and freight.
Tor correcting abus and preventing
discrimination and extortion in rates OF
freight and passenger tariffs by tho differ
ent railroads and other common carriers
in the State, and shall enforce such laws
by adequate penalties" Article I, Sec.
ton 20, of the Constitution provides that
"Ihe provisions of this Constitution are
mandatory and prohlbitory unless by
express words they are declared TO be !
Otherwise" II is. therefore, unquestion- |
ably the imperative duty OF the Legisla- |
ture to pass laws on this important sub
Ject, ana mo code commission, realizing
TINS, mas prepared provision, though |
tho matter of liking the amount OF tho |
rates has not been attempted. IL is not |
my view that any measures be ndoptsd |
that VIII so attack transportation
revenues ~ to cause losses i'm operation
or investment, or that will initiate |