Arizona republican., 1900-12-12
For the Reclamation of
 the Thirsty West
SOMETHING TO BE DONE
Almost Certainly By the Coming Con- gress For Both Sides by Their National Platforms are Commit ted in Favor of Irrigation.-A Talk by Hon. Francis G. Newlands ofNsvada.

Although the president made but reference to the subject of the irrigation of the arid lands of the west in his message to congress, that subject is destined to receive a great deal of at tention in the near future. IL will be remembered that both of the great na- tional parties in their platforms adopt ed at Philadelphia and Kansas City heartily endorsed the policy of recla i'm ing the arid lands by national action. so that 1t may be said that the Fifty seventh congress is 'irrevocably com mitted to irrigation legislation. Not only is the so-called arid portion of the west interested in the subect of a prop CT water supply in order that crops may be assured. but some of the prairie states. notably South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas, are also de pendent for an artificial supply of water to a very large extent.
 The twelfth census just published shows a still further falling off in the population in the state of Nevada. Congressman Francis G. Newlands, who has represented that state in the house for many years, in speaking of the effect of irrigation upon Nevada's population and prosperity today, said: We have traversing our state four rivers which in the spring time bring down enormous quantities of water caused by the melting snows which flow into large lakes in the sink of the desert. from which it is impossible to divert the waters as the lands to be reclaimed lie above them.
 There is at present no way of storing these waters and making them avail able for agricultural purposes on ;he plains below The state is unable 10 build the necessary dams and reser- vOirs, even if it would be right that they should do so. Nevada is still paying interest on a debt of SS00,000 contracted during the civil war for the purpose of equipping troops which aid ed in the preservation of the union. Congress has ignored that claim which is d just and honorable one year after year. If the general government would settle the obligation and pay over to the state the money due it, it would undoubtedly be used for the
 
 purposes.
 But it must be remembered that the lands which could be made fruitful through irrigation are owned by the general government. We of the west think that inasmuch as the general government takes care of the navigable rivers by river and harbor improve ments, it should also take care of the -frr., tion and so conserve them as to pro- mote the general good. The use of water either for navigation or irriga- tion is a public use, and both require governmental protection and regula- tion.
 By the expenditure of a million of dollars in the state of Nevada reser- voirs could be created which would without doubt add enormously to the welfare of the state, and would un- doubtedly result in inducing thousands of people to take up the lands now useless, and build up valu- able interests in what now is but a desert. It would be inn possible to overestimate the advantages that would accrue to the country in general through the proper expenditure or money LOT the proper storage ana distribution of the enormous quantities of water which now go to waste every spring. Our great rivers which are torrents when the snows melt are but thin threads of moisture during the hot weather when water is necessary for the growing crops, and every dollar that may be expended may be returned d thousandfold.
 Tt is out of the question:" continued MT. Newlands, flor any private indivi- dual or corporation to attempt reclam- ation on a large scale. Nor is it right that they should do so. The government ought to augment the sup ply of water in the streams both be- cause 1t is it's duty in the promotion of the general welfare, and because it is to its interest. as the owner of the lands to be benefited, which in their present condition are unfitted for set clement. I am firmly convinced that congress will see the wisdom of such a policy. and that We shall within very short period see the general govern ment take hold of the water supply of the arid regions just as it today pro- notes the effective use of the navig- able rivers of the country"