The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-28
COMMISSIONER HOLCOMB PRE-
SENTS SOME FIGURES.
OF the 100000 Acres Of Arid Lands
in the state, Ut Least 100000
Can He Probably IrriEated-Dam
Special Dispatch to the poss-In,eaigencer.

Special Dispatch TO the P0st-InteIigerrs-
OLYMPIA. New s7-O r Holconb.
commissioner OF arid lands, IN his report 10
ire governor and legislature of 1899. under
the head o, General Remarks" claims
ina; the department Of irrigation and arid
lands - second 10 none In the state.
IL Is estimated that there are about 3,fs.,
tss acres OF arid lands In the state. and q
these at least Lon. GO acres can be profit
ably irrigated As the demand for land
and the products of ths irrigated lands In
crease. an additional million acres may
afterwards be economically irrigated. Elk
peTience has demonstrated that irrigation.
under control ~ the state. is most econon-
zeal and satisfactory 10 the farmers, and
that when properly controlled, irrigated
farms are the most profitable as well as
yielding the greatest returns. l. IS there
/ fore suggested in the report that the state
take control OF all Irrigation development
as in done In Wyoming and other Western
states, 10 the extent OF regulating the use
anc d!strioution Of the streams and bodies
OF water, keeping IN View vested rights and
the rights OF prior appropriations.
II the department Of irrigation or some
other department Of the state were charged
with the duty OF administering equitable
aud wholesome laws IN relation TO these
matters. il is believed that irrigation de-
yeloprnent would rapidly increase and take
large proportions as well as adding TO the
consequently 10 the profit OF the farmer
In support 81 the plea for spending more
money ana attention 70 be devoted TO irri-
CATION in the state. California IS cited as
having spent millions Of dollars N the
development OF her irrigation enterprises
and the reclamation OF prairie lands More
money has been spent In that state for one
dam and storage system than is required
10 run the entire state government in this
state in two years. That il is profitable
10 spend money for irrigation purposes
there can be no question. One acre re-
claimed and pat into cultivation under irri-
CATION viii produce more than three acres,
on an average, IN the regions where irriga
ton Is not absolute necessity.
Construction Of works under a co-opera-
tive method Is an excellent thing. il II can
be done. but when materials such as ium-
Der. iron. machinery, etc, are required 10
go into the commercial world. and one
must then have the cash It is therefore
hoped that irrigation development VIII be
assisted by Necessary appropriations asked
The expenses OF the department Of arid
lands from November l. 1886 to November
!. 1898 including commissioners salary
and incidental expenses. are So.036.sl. Ow-
ing 10 the uncertainty as 10 the status Of
the commissioner of arid lands from the
passage OF the act OF 1897. approved March
49, 1897. relating 10 arid lands. no work was
conducted by the office until the decision
Of the supreme court determining the
status OF the commissioner. A change was
thereafter made by the appointment Of the
present incumbent March -, iS96. and fur
Their litigation 10 determine the legality of
the appointment was undergone before any
further work could be commenced The
last litigation was ended in May, 1893.