New-York tribune., 1900-01-21

ton of a joint commission which shall meet at
state capitals and once or oftener year shall
act' with representatives of the general Govern
ment, for the purpose of considering mooted
matters of distribution and conservation also.
thus creating tendency to unity of service and
method of preventing and removing causes of
conflict.
This idea was broached several years ago by
Judge Gregory of Garden City Kan. 1t was not
then taken up seriously. Senators Plumb and
Stewart were early advocates of the river and
harbor theory of appropriations for this storage
purpose now practically championed by Senator
Warren 1t is at least gratifying to the present
writer that his own earnest and long continued
opposition to the policy of State transfer of pub
lie lands is becoming in fact, if not in his form
only, the settled view of all intelligent men in
terested in Western reclamation. Still more
profound is his qualification at the general ac-
ceptance of the commanding need of preserving
National control of intercontinental water
sources. That all of my scientific friends now
the significant value of the water sup
ply below the surface is a matter of at
least personal qualification to some who. like
Judge Gregory and myself, We're earliest in
bringing the subject up for inquiry and discus
sion. 1t is perhaps. immaterial that some who
then sneered obviously are now claiming credit
not due them, going to the extent of
vamping reports once published.
In drawing this paper to a close 1 con-
scious that much must be left out entirely. Yet
/ would like to suggest two or three points that
to me appear of Importance.
A RECLAMATION FUND.
First should like to the public lands
arable mineral and forest-placed. minus cost
of surveys, etc, in general reclamation fund,
which should thereafter be divided annually in
proportion to the progress of current settlement
therein, to each State and Territory affected
by aridity, for only in the construction of
irrigation storage and distributory works, or for
the purpose of guaranteeing interest State
bonds issued for such purposes, the cost to be
lien the lands reclaimed.
Secondhand to this end only would amend
the Homestead law to require hereafter
small payment per acre. varying little, per
haps, according TO latitude, and therefore in
cidental value of products, all Of which should
be placed in the reclamation fund.
Third would also segregate the pastoral
areas from other bodies, and provide by law for
the leasing of the at small annual rates
to those who now or may hereafter utilize them
for stock purposes. This rental should form
distinct section of the reclamation fund, to be
used under the Department of the Interior. in
the discovery, development and utilization or all
possible underground water supplies and In the
conservation and increase of isolated waters in
sight, within and on the pastoral areas. Al
least 350,000,O00 acres are now available. The
increase in small areas of irrigable and arabic
land which would arise would soon astonish
those interested.
Fourth-(And this is a matter of detail to be
referred to forestry experts) 1 would suggest
that all funds arising from the thinning out of
trees the sale of timber if any; the disposal of
tree and forest land, be also accumulated and
used for the betterment Of forest growth, espe-
cially in timber culture at scattered stream To-
cations where the same may serve the general
purpose of water conservation.
Fifth would also provide for some cooper
ative and associated homestead colony settle
ment.
CONTROL OF FLOOD AND STORM WATERS.
I have no space left for the consideration Of
highly important phase of this question Of Ma
tional water storage viz, that of possible and
practical control of flood and storm waters, so
as to affect benefcially both the navigable and
overflow conditions of the Mississippi basin and
its great rivers. Colonel Chittenden makes
valuable suggestions and gives important data
upon this significant subject.
Do not engineering science and skill
teach that there are enormous possibilities
within the power of man for the checking OF de-
nudation the changing of shores and the con-
stant eroding, when natural agencies alone work
the ruin of water course, seashores lake beds,
etc? 1t is possible to make by comprehensive
plans and expenditures for the vast Mississippi
basin alone process or storage Whlch WIN WIN
effect reclamation. drainage and all protective
works. These will add many billions TO the
general wealth. By a vast employment or Ia
Dor and other conditions it will cause great
increase in the equity of distribution thereof
It will so improve sanitation to make life
in that great region wholly worth living in
heathful freedom. 1t will restore hooded areas
and eroded sections, as well as utilize semi
sterility and bring frutfulness out of aridity.
But l cannot do more than suggest that there
is such way so to improve that FOR SI
expended $50 may be easily shown to be
in sight. More than that will be an estao-
lishment of the healthiest and most fertile con-
ditions now to be found on the globe
WHAT TWO INCHES WILL DO.
But leaving that vast (and speculative, per-
haps) concept alone let me say that the storage
of two cubic inches of yearly run off, within
the bounds of arid America will result within
a period comprehensive to the Imagination IN
one hundred million acres Of land that VIII pro-
duce under irrigation and controllable intensive
cultivation products equal to four times what
that area under ordinary agriculture IN hunlo
soils can produce.
1t will give us an assured area suf1cient TO
make ten States each as large as Indiana or
JVill homes
for one hundred million more inhabitants. 1t
will create new life; present new social at
fractions; make over our civilization by Great
ing cooperative forces which the community
ownership and controlling Of the mastering
agency-the waters-must produce. Thirty years
ago Horace Greeley saw this quite clearly:
The Tribune's advocacy made the Union Colony
a success The city of Greeley, in Colorado and
It's tributary area is the monument whlch MARKS
the foundation for America of modern trr1ga-
tion. RICHARD D. hin AOA''
Rrooklvn ian 7 1900