Wadsworth semi-weekly dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1900-01-26
National Park.
MERITS OF THE MEASURE.
Increase Water Power Influence on Rain FaD-Mak More
Land Possible for Irrigation Direct Benefits to
Western Nevada-A Heritage
to Posterty. bA

Tuesday we printed the full tex. of a bill introduced by United States SEN
ar VIM. M. Stewart
ITO set apart certain lands In the States Of California and Nevada as a public
park and forest reservation, to be known as the Lake Tahoe National
Park, and for other purposes" Is
We cannot conceive of any legislation that would be more valuable and BEN
ehcial to the people of entire Western Nevada. In one swoop it shows US how
to accomplish the object we have been aiming at for years. Should the prop
oshon be carried to fuihon it would give this section of the State a stability
that could not be otherwise acquired. BY this act alone Senator Stewart has
shown himself very mindful Of our interests and all legislation proposed by him
has ever borne the stamp of his great ability to do for US.
For progress in agriculture and manufactures in the United States during the
past twenty years the New South has easily distanced all other sections. The
development OF Its water systems and the Sc o. the water to- irrigation and
power purposes have caused the immense strides The installation Of the first
water power plant Of magnitude was oontemporaneous with the building of the
first large factory The success was immediate, as 1t deserved to be, and the
people saw. Seeing they acted. Every available wate-power site in the New
South not extravaganty expensive to develop was appropriated ten years ago
and put to use. The plants earned large sums of money and the people pros
pered and the country hourshed. Then began the construction Of very costly
dams, bitches and fumes. and the storage OF water. This has continued tor
ten years. Pick up any newspaper published in any fair-szed town along the
bank Of any stream that will furnish power and the hearty invitations to capital
and advertisement will astonish you-resdent of Nevada.
The New South is an empire but it has done we can do in proportion, If we
will. 1t takes Joint eHect-but we never pull together The great advantage
that the passage Of Senator Stewards measure would give TO Washoe County
cannot be truthhny questioned. Yet because it was introduced by Senator
Stewart the Gazette was the only newspaper in Reno to say a kindly word for it.
In this matter that is for public good the question is one Of measure. not men
We can never hope Or expect to see Washoe County or the State of Nevada
forge ahead SO long as petty individual prejudice controls the public press.
AS to the merits Of the Bill, we do not know a single landowner along the
stream and the territory waered by it who has not, particularly during the past
six years expressed the wish and hope and desire that something of the kind
be done to ensure a sufficient and steady supply of water for irrigation purposes
and who did not realize that Lake Tahoe Q Bonner Lake afforded the only true
solution. AS to a water supply for irrigation purposes the measure will and
does receive unanimous endorsement.
AS a matter Of revenue TO the people OF Reno, Carson and Tuckee, it is of
considerable Importance now. and in that relation will increase in importance
II regarded as small we would say the small makes the infinite, but those who
regard the revenue as small will be dislusioned by devng int. the statistics OF
travel The completion OF the railroad from Truckee to Lake Tahoe will large
b increase travel from Truckee to Lake Tahoe and Reno via Carson.
AS to scenery the Gem OF the Sienas' is the one Of Its kind and therefore
without a peer. Countless thousands can admire 1t and bask in the sunshine
Of its pleasures. AS such 1T is our nearest point and when the purse will not let
us go farther we can GO there. Our sanction of the project is a heritage We can
leave our children with the belief that in the years to come It will be priceless
To encourage the sinking Of arhIan wells the State offers a money consider
alton to the successful When the barnaceladen of our population are dead
md huiad ua will UkAwica ancauraoa ta nlontnO Soma fuantv vaayc oo
the decrease of precipitation of moisture in countries where the large forests
we're being destroyed became 20 alarming that not only was a halt called but
Governments offered money inducement to people to plant trees and enacted
further legklatan to protect their growth. This measure is in the line with
findings Of the forestry experts of the world. and stops further sponaton Of the
scenery by the lumber barons.
That which is for the undenabe good of the State should receive the support
of every loyal citizen of the State and the press. Storey County is concerned
inasmuch as power is sought for the Comstock mines. Ormsby County is con-
cened by reason Of travel by reasons of exchange of trade with Storey
Lyon Counts is concerned by being contiguous to Storey, sale Of agricultural
products. milling Of ores, and other relations. Washoe County is vitality con-
cerned for many reasons, and that a section Of the State hourshes influences
all other sections.