The San Francisco call., 1899-11-16
AUCTION SALES.
RAIN AND WATER STORAGE.

NNE Of the Scotch cities is so situated that it is
| nearly always under mist a shower, and
us official seal is duck under umbrella
This design suggested by the water storage conven-
tion, meeting TO consider that wet subject just as
much OF the State is drenched and the skies are
threatening more lnsensbly to themselves many
delegates affected by the present moist condition OF
things not enthusiastic as they would be if the
baked earth were cracked open and crying through
us parched lips for rain The indications OF the first
day session Were uUI in tie direction OF CO.
operative Endorsement OF plans heretofore in rivalry
but Tor a compromise which may mean much, or
little, or less.
1t is evident that the irrigation feature OF the Fed
eral plan has been mpinged upon another policy The
great Western stockrasing interests which have long
occupied ranges the public lands from Western
Nebraska TO this coast, have enjoyed them in COM
mon, and by over-stockng have led them down until
their average capacity is about SIX steers to section
o; land The large owners OF herds have sought TO
secure advantages by fencing the lands they own
in Zee 10 nclose public land but this process is
outlaWed by an act OF Congress, and the stock
besiegng the Government 10 do what il
should have done long ago-preserve the permanencv
OF the ranges by leasing the lands to the cattle
men. This is enlightened imitation OF the pad
dock policy pursued in Australia which has been the
HE OF the wool industry there In order to strengthen
themselves the stocmen have succeeded in an alliance
with the irrgators by getting the Missonla conven-
ton to start propaganda for the conversion OF the
proceeds OF the leases into fund Tor the construction
OF reservoirs for storage Of flood waters to be used
in irrigation. To this there Is no objection. except
that the capital so made available is grossly over
estimated and rdiculousy in excess OF any price
which the stock interest can afford TO paw for lease
hold possession OF the ranges The stockmen have
been wise in their generation. They have taken I'D
and own the water in all the grazing region which is
absolutely necessary 60 carrying on their business 4
who owns no water cannot compete for the leases
OF the public grazing lands, and those who do own
il, therefore are the only who can bid for the
leases The ranges are now overied that years of
under-stocng viii be required 10 restore their fo-aoe
producing capacity what II was when the vast herds
FIRST occupied IT, The fact OF the gnawed-out condi-
ton OF these lands is factor in fixing the leasing
price which cannot be equitablv disreparded bv the
Government II Is plain. therefore that the stock in
terests gain more than they give in the alliance with
the irTgators but hope their plan for leasing will
succeed and will soon be in operation for it concerns
not only an important item in the domestic food sup
ply but important article profitable TO our export
trade.
What is desirable is that the irrgators shall not he
led into dependence upon the rent OF these lands %
speedily effect storlwater storage and be lulled into
a do-nothing policy where their own efforts MIGHT
produce speedy results. AS Mr. Mead has pointed
out California has capacities which give her greater
interest in the subject than any other State in ,he
Union. Wyoming is not much interested in rri-
gsion perched as she is on the cold summit Of the
Rocky Mountains. she is in the leasing Of the
stock ranges, that the buffalo, bunch and gramnq
grasses and the white sage may grow again to call
back the immense herds that made her greatest OF the
grazing States.
The same is largely true of Idaho Montana East
ern Oregon and Nevada, to all OF which we wish prea,
success and prosperity, which believe can be al
tanned without hurting CALIFORNIA; development as
il would be retarded by full commitment to policy
which is less in interest than it is for the benefit
Of those other States.