The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-08

just what he is ''at'' and If dire con-
fusion does not fall upon the plottars
against the peace and integrity Of the
Republic there is nothing in signs and
omens. It is clear that the masterful
statesman who is at the head of the
Government has matters well in hand.
and should the man on horseback"
make his appearance in Paris it is not
likely to be healthful for the man.
THE VALUE OF WATER.
Santa Rosa Republican: Just at this
time one of the most important ques-
lions relating to the Industrial develop
ment Of California is receiving special
consideration. 1t has been discussed in
several recent conferences in San Fran
cisco and will claim the attention of a
State convention in the near future.
Men are trying to ascertain the loss
to the State and its people of the
waters that are continually going to
waste. They are inquiring how these
waters may be stored until required in
the production of crops and what the
value of this action in dollars and cents
would be.
1t is a big question. 1t is the big
gest industrial problem that any
American State has ever attempted to
solve. AS yet there is much specula-
ton in regard to the matter. Some
figures have been made as to the con-
tinual loss that comes from waste
waters that might be utilized. They
are stupendous. They soon run into
hundreds of millions of dollars. And
it is probable that they are not as
large as they should be.
An intelligent people will not permit
this loss to continue indefinitely. A
patriotic people will endeavor to
make the most of their country True
Californians, wherever they may have
been born, will do all in their power
to promote the highest permanent
prosperity of the commonwealth. It
is not enough that farms be opened
and titled, that orchards be planted
and cared for, that mines be developed
and kept in operation, that rivers and
harbors be improved-if there is con-
tinual waste there must be arrested
development and unsatisfactory
progress. If the figures that have
been presented in regard to this mat
ter are correct, even if they approx
innate correctness, to stop this loss and
to utilize these waste waters will be
to multiply the productive capacity
of the State several times over. 1t is
the solution of this problem that is to
be urged upon the intelligence and
patriotism of all Californians.
Preliminary in this work must be a
careful and thorough survey of the
State. Engineers must select sites for
great numbers Of storage reser-
vo1rs in which the waters that now
find their way to the sea unused may
be stored until they are needed in the
production Of crops. This survey will
cost something. 1t will require the
expenditure of a few thousand dollars,
but it wiz be worth many times its
cost. AS good and progressive citi-
zens we should all desire to learn the
possibilities of our State along all
lines and how development may be
promoted. Every one should be will
ing to contribute his share toward the
prosecution of such a work.
Then will come the counting of the
cost and the arranging of details. Diff
ficulties will be encountered but they
will not be insurmountable. The
brain and the Drawn of the State will
overcome them. 1t is too great a
task to be one of years, possibly of
many years, but it has been deter
mined on by a few progressive spirits
as necessity, men who knew no such
word as fail, and in due time it will
surely be pushed to completion AS
a business and economic proposition
the waste waters of the common
wealth must be utilized