The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-06-27

tne proJect O. Government c0ntrOlof irrigation WORKS. ="
II the mattero o storage reservoirs the ae Is entirely different Their
purpose Is simply to enlarge and reinforce the natural resources of the
streams, leaving the use of their waters to be disposed of exactly as at pres
ent.unless indeed, an occasional exercise Of controlW were necessary yin times
but have an interstate character. The case is in every respect like that of
the Government control and preservation of forests to which attention has
already been called.
Another objection to Government construction which I have met with is
based upon the idea that no such work ought to be constructed unless 1t
will clearly pay a good return upon it's cost. and It Is urged that IN such case
private capital itself would take up the work. Two errors undGle tMs areu-
ment. In the first place. a work may be a justfable one from a public point
of View when 1t would not be 81 at all Is a private Investment AS already
explained, the benefits which q reservoir may give Use to are generally Q
the proposed South Platte Reservoir has already been cited. The water from
this reservoir a s 1t descends from the mountains, 6s4O feet above sea level,
may be used first for water power in that important industrial enter. II II
may also be used for municipal purposes in Denver INC other towns. It
will then be put on the fields below and be used IN Irrigation. !hat poruon
returning in seepage (about 80 per cent may be used ver again. In flood
time the flow Of the stream is held back and wNhdraWs 80 much OF Inc hgh
use to account but never all Of them: The Government would re me
benefit Of all, for it does not seek it's return in the form Of levy y tn. put
Judged. therefore, by the mere question Of dollars and cents, a work may be
entirely justlnable IS a public enterprise which would oe runous 8 a prlVate
investment.
The other error involves a fundamental misconcepion of the aim and
purpose of public works. 1t should be remembered het n WORKS herein
proposed are of the most substantial and enduring character. River NJ
provementsf ortifcatons. public buildings and the like are liable to destruc-
dam becomes a lasting a the hills which incose 1t. Constructed to endure
for III time, the benefits which flow from these WORKS n o p elpeuha ~ ~
that of an individual OF company, to limit Its expense rs an individual would
to the certainty of entire reimbursement within a few years When It I'm,
most thorough and nps Substantial HntimI Workmanship making the work final and
complete, being certain that the heavy first expense VIII be ulomate
economy.
The foregoing examination has led up to the following conclusions:
First A comprehensive reservoir system IN the ARID regions OF the
United States is absolutely essential to the future welfare OF this portion
of the national domain,
Second. i. is not possible to secure the best development of such n s.
TEN except through the agency Of the General Government
Thus far the question Of the "prachcalilH and desirabuuty" Of Govern
As to the questions Of public policy involved In such q step, it ID assumed
that their confederation was not intended q ~ embraced In this report.