The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-20

l
sufficient to furnish homes and farms Tor
more than 100000 OF people; and,
| Whereas. These arid lands can only be
comprehensively reclaimed by far-reach-
ing. thorough and scientific systems OF ir-
rigation that recognize the contour OF the
lands IN relation to the water supply for
the great watersheds OF these western
regions and.
Whereas, Such systems OF Arigatlon can
conduct the water supply upon said lands
at far greater economy In the use aud
distribution OF the water supply and at far
! less expense In proportion TO the areas
covered In the matter of construction as
well as annual repairs than any other
methods OF irrigation; and,
Whereas, The said extensive areas OF
most productive lands as rapidly as re-
claimed can be utilized by the home
seeking settlers from all portions OF the
United States who viii gladly repay TO
the government In small annual payments
every dollar OF the cost OF said irrigation
works, together with reasonable interest
thereon; therefore
| Resolved. That the congress OF the
United States should without further de-
1 lay enter upon the work Of thorough sur
yeys estimates and construction OF reser-
yolrs irrigation canals and all other works
necessary for rapid reclamation OF TIM
irrigable lands OF the Trnnsmisslssippi
states ana territories anu open Tue Same
as fast as reclaimed to the occupancy and
settlement OF the people from all portions
OF our common country
Referred to committee on resolutions
The following resolutions were introduced
upon the same subject, being referred to
| the committee on resolutions without de-
bate;
| Resolutions unanimously passed by the
/ Fresno CAL chamber OF commerce at their
meeting held on April II, 1900
/ Whereas. II is highly important that
| the Federal government should adopt
permanent policy for the reclamation OF
| the arid lands of the country by providing
/ a general system OF dams, reservoirs, ca
mails. bitches. etc, for the lmpounding ami
distribution OF the vast amount OF waters,
which under the present circumstances
20 to waste annually, creating great dam
age to the country and causing the gov
ernment enormous and constant expense
to protect by levee work the overllows
from the Mississippi. its tributaries and
other streams: and.
Whereas l3y the adoption ~ such plans
the food waters could be held back until
such time as they may be utilized by the
settlers in lrrgating these vast arid dis
tricts millions OF acres OF which ara
owned by the National government ami
are producing no revenue, either from
rental or sale, on account OF their present
arid conditions; and.
Whereas BY the construction OF ths
above mentioned dams, reservoirs. canals
etc. and the consequent storage and dis
tribution OF the waste waters, a very large
per cent OF the arid lands would become
desirable for settlement. 10 the immediate
financial gain OF the government and per
manent enrichment and welfare of the en-
tire country; and,
Whereas, Owing to to, direct financial
concern Of the government In the recla
nation of these arid lands, and to the
, great magnitude OF the reclamation enter
, prise, aud 10 the fact that for economy
, of distribution and the covering OF the
greatest possible terrtork. one great sys
tomato plan should be carried out, whlcl
only the government can accomplish; 1t l
eminently desirable and reasonable tina
the general government should undertake
and control the work permanently; there
tore DO II
, Resolved. That VIC urge upon the Nn
, tional government a policy of storing tn
waste waters in tho West and utilizin!
them in the Irrigation OF the arid land
by the construction OF dams, reservoirs
canals and bitches on one general plai
and under permanent government control
Resolved, That we ask the government
to retain and re-acquire control OF TIL
, mountain forest regions and re-fores
those which have been denuded, for tn
preservation aud increase OF the waite
, supply
d Resolved That we urge the necessity o
the general government retaining tile I
g government lands for the reclamation an
sale to actual settlers only, In small tracts
8 Resolved That we respectfully an
= earnestly ask congress to make al tn
0 present session an appropriation Of no
los f1xa.
h, ing surveys. maps, plans and estimate
Il OF cost OF the work above recommends
= and for sinking arteslan wells.
n Resolved further, That we heartily in
dorse the work and objects OF the Nationa
Irrigation association and give to that as
ISOLATION our cordial operation as IA
as lies In our power
Resolved, That a copy OF The above res
) olutions be sent to the National Irrigatio
0 association, Chicago, H.. the Transmits
/, sissippi Commercial Congress, Houston
tTeXas, and to our senators and represen
tatiyes in congress, W. B. bennett,
d Secretary,
!, Resolved, That the development OF irr
- cation has created complex and importal
problems which are new and strange
5 the people Of the United States, Amor
d these the distribution OF water on III
L principle OF beneficial use, the nature
water ownership and the Interstate div
y sion of streams are becoming OF INN,
e dlate Importance We, therefore, con
mend the action OF congress In appropria
: ing money for the Investigation Of the
o questions by the United States depart
y ment OF agriculture and to determine II
: available water supply by the departme
y of the interior.
h Public Lands.
i, The following resolution as to publ
a lands was offered by J II. Churchill
= Dodge City, Kan:
STATE CEssIoN.
"a J. Whereas, All OF the public lands e
s. cept those in the arid and sem-ard r
y slcns are disposed OF, we favor the ce
l. sion OF the remaining non mineral publ
lands OF the Nation to the respecti
al States and Territories upon conditions
l. strict that they VIII ensure the settl
al ment by actual settlers In small trac
Mt OF such OF these lands as can be lrrigate
d and prevent their absorption in large b
D. dies under private ownership without "a
compensation to the respective states al
n Territories whore they lie
a, LEASING OF GRAZING LANDS.
=, ?. Whereas, Vast areas of the publ
a. la