Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-11-23
PROBLEM OF
THE ARID LANDS.
important Papers Read at the lrri-
cation Congress-
CAPT. CHITTENDEN'S VIEWS
How Best TO store waste Water
GOV. Roosevelt Relieves it Is vital
and Outlines a scheme,

Chicago, Nov. 22.--Vice President
elect Roosevelt, In IA letter read tonight
before the National Irrigation congress,
placed himself on record as heartily in
sympathy with the aims Of the organi-
cation. His letter contained his prac-
teal promise OF assistance In the effort
which viii be made from now on FOR
government aid for irrigation, and his
appeals 10 "all far-sghted citizens to
interest themselves in movement
which will benefit the entire nation.
A letter from Lieutenant General
Miles was enthusiastic toward the same
end.
The congress believes that It IS as
much the duty OF the government to
take measures to prevent droughts as
TO prevent the filling up Of harbors. It
believes It Is just as real a duty for
the government TO open up vast areas
Of arid lands as To provide new courses
for shipping. IL believes further that
the time Tor action Is ripe. that the
ground has been well prepared and
that all efforts should be concentrated
during the coming session OF Congress
to secure satisfactory legislation,
SENATOR DUBOIS.
Ex-senator Dubois OF Idaho made a
brief address In which he said:
"A great statesman Of Russia once
told me that the future home Of the
white race would be between the Pa
cinc ocean and the Missouri river and
in British Columbia on the north. To
me, this seems true. Within these
boundaries are 100. 900 900 acres OF land
that can be reclaimed at cost OF
$3.50. 900 900. The government should
have the power 20 take charge OF the
work Of reclamation, which should be
begun without delay"
HON. FRANK NEwLANDs.
Congressman Frank C. Newlands of
Nevada, told how the waters OF four
rivers In his State were lost In sinks Of
the desert instead OF being used to
irrigate the thousands OF acres Of fer
tile land, which needed only the water
TO change II from desert TO prosper
Gus agricultural country.
Captain Hryum NJ. Crittenden OF the
United States engineer corps spoke on
Relations Of the General Government
10 Reservoir Construction
CAPTAIN CHITTENDENs AID
DRESS.
Captain Chittenden said IN part:
1.-THE storage Of the waste flow Of Its
streams becomes an indispensable con-
dition TO the highest development 90
the western country. There Is only one
agent broad enough and powerful
enough to handle so large a proposition
In the way It should be handled The
junction clearly pertains TO the gem
eral government-that sovereignty
which covers all the country and EN-
braces the streams from their sources
TO the sea.
"As to the burden involved. II the
work be limited strictly 20 reservoirs,
II will be comparatively light one-a
mere bagatelle compared with the cost
Of other river works now being carried
on. one million dollars a year will
carry on the work as fast as II will
ever be needed, and after the work Is
well under way, its benefits VIII prac-
tically pay for what remains TO be done
t'hbAfont We may rest dSSuItut VIII
never reject a mertorious project so
long as II involves no greater burden
than that
1T Is evident that Congress Is not
unfavOrably disposed towards he gov
eminent construction OF reservoirs, but
Will be absolutely opposed TO going into
the irrigation business. Here, then. Is
one rock which we should try to avoid
lest Is cause us shipwreck. The reser-
voir question must be divorced from
the irrigation question so far as active
aid from the general government Is
concerned
THE purpose OF the reservoir Is TO
give the streams more water al GER
tain seasons than they had before-to
enlarge the resources OF nature. IL II
not In any way incumbent upon the
government TO regulate the use Of this
water after II leaves the reservoir. The
laws, regulations and administration
which were good enough for the stream
In It's natural condition viii be good
enough for II in its enlarged condition.
These two principles should be given
corporate form IN the resolutions which
this association mhy present to Con-
gress In asking for government aid in
the construction OF storage reservoirs:
"(Q) That the water so stored shall
be for the free use of the people, sub
ject only TO such laws and regulations
as may be In force in the States
through which they fow and,
"t2) That, In thus advocating the
conservation OF reservoirs by the fed
eral government 10 conserve the waste
waters OF the arid regions. this assoc
citation discaims any purpose of draw
Ing the government into a policy OF
constructing irrigation works, or OF en-
acting legislation for the control OF the
waters used In irrigation. as In its
judgment such matters should be left
exclusively TO the States al present.
And IN proposing a law for the APP
preparation OF money 20 build any res
ervolr particularly the first which may
be built II should contain the follow
ing provisions
20 That the water so stored shall
be for the free use Of the people and
shall be released under regulations 10
be established by the secretary Of war
Tor interior, as the case may be-.
"(2) That the waters so released
shall, after flowing of the government
reservoir property become part OF
the stream IN SIS natural condition and
be subject 20 the laws ard regulations
OF the State or States through which
they flow.
"(3) That the construction OF this
reservoir. or OF any other that may
hereafter be built. shall not in any way
commit the government % a policy OF
constructing irrigation works, nor Of
controlling the distribution OF the
water which flow from such reser-
VOrs
81 strongly hope that a definite step
IN this work may be taken by Congress
at IT'S approaching session. one good
reservoir built will be worth years Of
argument. / hope that In going before
Congress for an appropriation. o site
may be agreed upon which will most
completely satisfy the requirements for
Initiating the work. Select at typical
site Of less than average cost. and Of
more than average benefits. Concen-
trate your influence IN getting Congress
10 undertake the work. Get money
enough at the start 10 complete r.
Then let Il be pushed 10 quick and sue
oesful completion, so that the blight
OF Indefinite DELAY may not smite the
rtofact IN Ia infancy Remember that