Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-06-28

streams. just south Of the border, a considerable percentage of its flow.
There have been complaints in Utah over appropriation by the State
OF Wyoming of the waters of Bear River, already claimed by Utah Iri-
gators. That more of these questions have not already arisen is only be-
cause the natural flow of the streams has not yet been all used up. 80
long as there is water enough, of course there will be no serious COM
plant.
In the case of reservoirs it not inheouently happens that some Of the
very best sites are to be found close to State lines, where the waters so
stored will flow Immediately into ~neighborng States. In these extreme
cases the States where they are located could not, of course, be expected
TO construct reservoirs, and the States to be benefited would not be likely
to go outside their own borders to do so. The function clearly pertains
to that sovereignty which covers all the country and embraces the streams
from their sources to the sea. 1t alone can store these waters and be
sure that 1t is reapng the full benefit.
The policy of the Government in the matter of the preservation of the
forests of the country is a case directly in point. There seems to be a
well nigh universal consensus of opinion that the preservation of the
forests OF the arid regions is distinctly a Government duty. Considerable
appropriations have been made for the surveys of proposed reservations,
and ways and means for their preservation are being considered. Now
one of the great arguments always advanced in favor of forest preserya-
ton is the influence which forests re supposed to have in conserving the
flow OF streams. Inasmuch as the commercial value of these forests is
practically insignificant, except for furnishing fuel and rough timber, the
water question is really the more important one. If it is properly a Gov
eminent function to preserve the forests in order to conserve the flow
Of the streams, surely it can not be less a Government function to execute
works which will conserve that flow even more positively and directly.
Granting all that can be said of forests in this connection, they certainly
can never prevent the June rise, and it is precisely this waste flow which
reservoirs will help to save. The forests ought unqueshonably to be
preserved, and the Government is the proper agency to do it, but the
principal arguments therefor apply with accentuated force to the con-
struction of reservoirs.
Another reason why the Government should have an interest in this
work is that it is the largest landowner in the arid west. In Wyoming,
over 80 per cent of the soil belongs to the Government, and its holdings
throughout the West include millions of acres which can be reclaimed
from their present desert condition and made productive lands. In this
respect, Government assistance in providing water for irrigation is a
simple business proposition for the enhancement of its own property.
In the matter Of resources, we at once encounter an insuperabe
obstacle to extensive public works on the part of most of the States.
Their revenues will not permit it. In some States taxation is limited
by the constitution to certain percentage of valuation. The State in
such a case, If without sufficient revenue, is absolutely forestaLed from
carrying on works which might enhance the value of property in the
State and lead to increased revenue. There is no dscoverable method
by which adequate means can be obtained for State works of any magni-
tude at this stage of their development unless, as urged by some, it be
through a gift to the States of the public lands within their borders. Al
this SO matter of vital importance, not only to the future development of
the West, but to the particular question with which we re here con-
cerned, a brief reference to it will be given.
In order to facilitate the development of the country under the rapid
ly changing industrial conditions of the West, and particularly to pro-
vide the States with an increased revenue, it is being strongly urged in
various quarters that the public lands be ceded to the States. 1t is then
proposed to use the nonlrrlga al ssI lands s1 which B. are Ess only it Hta ar g g5nHiggo an
thereto, and that the grazing lands of the West may be 81 divided that
every portion shall have access to water somewhere. The free-range in
dustry is practically a thing of the past, and is, by its very nature, incom-
patibe with the permanent settlement of the country. Since the latter
is bound to come about sooner or later, a division of the grazing lands
would seem to be a necessity of the near future, and the public land laws
will have to be modified to secure this end. 1t is argued that if the
lands are coded to the States under proper restriction they can be leased
at a small rental Il cent per annum per acre has been suggested and
the States can thus derive enough revenue to enable them to undertake
the works in question.
nu,1 In s tss Ss9se 10 of fp my in aE's sgs,n%sn / nS IN f ee to a ws'taish Of qq anse q%.
pOrtant works. Such adverse opinions niMmna IS , have -, encountered s"n1ter o have been
Government "n control % l of irrigation mS works S.a;n,I This hs do Sm mot understand nniuod,t to be be he
whole moles sGeem ne The t nrSs wns some n"sd fifteen sE Or twenty arsyH years ago f2 when WI %s the On.
% "a%'a Of IRRIGATION 81 : IN 'Ss asis regions sSass might 81 IT have Sssn productive :! Z q q much a$s
ema tse a TaG aSm sinister ed p boy s sait o %R %nae' T Tse1s a is " Tesson to- think Sg s tnaf
matters of this sort which, in foreign countries, rs India, France, Canada.
etc. is occupied by the Government A corps of trained engineers has grown
up in the West is fully qualified in every respect for their work a S the pro
fession affords. The works themselves are strictly local. confined to the
people Of the State, and only very rare instances concerning any others.
So far as distributing systems, waterri rights, etc, are concerned, 1t is In every
way better in fact indispensable, to have these matters entirely in the hands
of the States. The results of my Investigations have shown nothing else
nore clearly, and this report must not be construed as in any way. mdorsing
the project of Government control of irrigation works.
In the matter of storage reservoirs the case is entirely different fner
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 control were necessary n unes
of flood or other emergency. The works aren ot solely Of local Importance.
but have a in interstate character The ease is in every respect like that oil
the Government control and preservation of forests, to which attention has
already been called. =,
Another objection to Government construction which 1 IA met WIN Is
based upon the idea that n such work ought to be constructed uness II
will clearly pay a good return upon its cost and 1t is urged TN In sue case
private capital itself would take up the work. Two errors underle TINS argu-
ment. In the first place, n work may be n justhabe ont iron a pubic pom s
of view when it would not be so at all as a private investment As already
capable of such control as will give a revenue from then. n example vi
the proposed South Platte Reservoir has already been cited ne wafer iIn,
this reservoir, Al it descends from the mountains, 6s4o Get above sen ie'gt
NAV be used first for water power in that important mdustrlal enter !.
may also be used for municipal purposes in Denver ana othe T,o 1W nnr.,,n N
will then be put O. the fields below and be used In irrigation nat Pru"n
returning in seepage mbout 30 per cent? may be used over again In HOOD
time the flow of the stream is held back and withdraws % much OF TIT mgr
water of the lower rivers. Now, Il private company might turn some Oh THESE
uses to account. but never all of them. The Government wouo reap me
benefit of all. for it does not seek its return in the form OF levy or Dill, , DH
in the general enrichment of the people and increase of national wealth..
Judged therefore by the mere question of dollars N cents, a Work may "