The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-02
Ne WELL ON STORAGE
Of Irrigation Water for the
Arid Regions
BY GOVERN MENT AID
Address in Full Delivers Be-
fore the Congress,

F. II. Newell, photographer of the
| United States geological survey. made the
| following address:
The most important problem that can
come to any body of public men, CONNER
cial or otherwise, in the west, is that of
| the increased utilization and development
Of the 'vacane lands both in public and
private ownership. Before this question,
most of the other matters sink into COM
parative insignifcarce, for without an in
| crease in population and productive capac-
ity the west cannot continue to furnish
market for the manufacture or field of
operation for the varied industries Of the
country. The utilization Of the vast ex-
tent OF vacant land is not something
which should be left TO the farmer; it is
pre-eminently matter for the business
man, whether concerned in manufactur-
ing, transportation or in handling the pro-
ducts Of others. In fact the farmer, as
such, has least concern with the develop
ment of the varied resources of the vast
west. As long as he has a market for his
produce, timakes little difference TO him
whether the vacant lands of an adjacent
county or state are populated. To the
mershant, however, the matter is entirely
different. Continued stagnation or retard-
ed development must inevitably operate to
reduce his chances Of financial success.
The development of the agricultural re-
sources Of the western half Of the United
States has practically come to a standstiu.
at least is going on only at the average
rate Of the whole United States. There
are, of course local exceptions, but in COM
parison with the conditions existing ten
years ago, it appears as though develop
ment had stagnated. The reason Of this is
not difficult to give. The greater part of
the lands are arid or semi-arid and al
though among the richest in the world
will not produce crops except by the appli-
cation of water. Irrigation has been intro
duced and carried forward in favored To-
calities all over the west and where the
bitches have been built by the land owners
the profits or increased land values have
been enormous. The opportunities for
continuing developments in this line have
nearly ceased because of the fact that
these choice spots have been taken. There
sttH remain great areas to which water
can be brought from rivers Of notable size
but before this can be done, large sums
of money must be invested in the con-
struction Of expensive works. The expert
ence of the last ten years has shown that
these large irrigation works do not pay,
and probably cannot as a rule. be made
to pay a fair interest on the investment.
While It has been demonstrated that r.
rigation investments on a large scale do
not return a fair interest to the persons
who furnish the money, yet, on the other
hand, there is no doubt that taking the
community as whole the benefits are far
beyond the first cost; but, unfortunately.
these benefits do not rebound to the ad-
vantage of the men who have furnished
the capital and have taken all the risks
and trouble of managing a large enter
prise. These facts, although recognized
for some years, have been so unpalatab,e
to the promoters of the country that the
men who have had the courage to state
them have been continually assailed and
the correctness of their statements called
into account. The truth, however much
we dislike to admit it, is so generally rec
ognized that it is worse than useless to
attempt to conceal the actual conditions
Many instances can be cited where merit |
orious projects now under consideration
are awaiting defnate action because It is |
impossible TO show to the investors a
single example of profitable investment Of
this character. Millions Of dollars could
be had for the construction Of irrigation
works, If it could be demonstrated to i'm |
partial and critical experts that similar !
investments were now returning fair in |
terest on the original capital employed.
hov T,a al
ing of great enterprises of state or nation |
al Importance languishing for need Of cap
ital. At the same time it is admitted that |
these enterprises will benefit the commun- |
ity to a far greater extent than the first |
cost. On the other hand are millions OF !
dollars awaiting an investment, but de- |
tered from the fact that il cannot be |
shown that these enterprises will prove !
profitable to the investors. although IN |
questionably Welding returns far in excess |
OF their cost. Putting these things togeth- /
er the question arse-what shall be done7 |
And the answer must be that the com !
munity benefited, whether state or nation. |
must in some way either furnish the capi- |
tai for building these great works. or Sc !
cure to the men who take the risk. a fair /
earning on their investment. How this Is /
to be done Is a matter Of detail and can |
not be worked out until general recogni-
ton can be had Of the condition just des |
oribed
The utilization Of the vacant lands now
comprising q third Of the whole United |
States, and the consequent Increase Of !
population and OF al industries. is to a
large extent dependent upon securing
more water. It IS not possible, taking the (
year as q whole, 70 secure greater
amount than now exists. but # is possible /
70 Increase the available supply many fold /
by saving that portion which now goes 10 /
waste In order 70 increase the available
suppIy two methods are especially pronnfn-
e1t. The first Is that OF storage of the 1
floods CT winter waters. and the second IS
by pumping water from underground. or
from streams from which II cannot be
taken by gravity. Pumping is essentially
the problem for the great plains region.
and 70 a less extent, for many parts 81
BECOMING A MOTHER.