Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-28
FEDERAL AID TO IRRIGATION.
Discussed in the Senate During De-
bate on the Indian Bill.

Discussed in the Senate During De-
bate the Indian Bill.
The subject Of irrigation of Indian lands
was discussed in the Senate Saturday after
noon while the Indian appropriation bill
was under consideration.
Mr.. Quarles CWis) discussed the general
irrigation proposition, indorsing it, but de-
ploring what he called the guerrilla tactics
which attempted to secure legislation upon
appropriation bills rather than by bringing
forward q bill contemplating the whole
scheme of watering the arid regions He
said that what he opposed was the method
and not the scheme; that should the govern
ment be committed to this. all that would
be necessary would be to locate an Indian
reservation a few hundred miles away
and make it the terminus Of ditch whose
surplus water could be used on the public
domain.
The bill authorizing the construction OF
dam and bridge across Twelve-mile bayou,
Louisiana. was passed.
Mr.. Thurston, chairman Of the Indian
committee, resented the imputation that
the committee was moving by indirection or
was endeaVoring to secure by unfair means
any advantage to the irrigation advocates.
The amendment, he said was considered in
open session of the committee, and there
had been no attempt to commit the gov
eminent to any general plan. He insisted
that since the water had been diverted the
Indians must be supplied by this means.
Mr. IhurSton went over the legal phases
of the storage of water by such dam as
is proposed. Then, taking up the general
features, he said the site for the proposed
dam was the most favorable that might
be chosen for an irrigation experiment. He
protested that there was always objection
when small appropriation was asked for
the west, While western men were ready to
vote for coast improvements He contend
No haan
periments to justify general irrigation
law and that this one should be made.
Mr.. Chandler caustically replied to strtc-
lures on New England by Mr.. Thurston
He reviewed the history OF irrigation legis-
lation, and said he favored a comprehensive
plan OF irrigation, and hoped some such
scheme would be reported.
Mr.. Thurston, referring to the east, said
moss seemed to grow not only upon the
houses, but upon some of the citizens.
Against this expression Mr.. Platt Comm
put himself on record, as against any CLASH
fioation OF the east as against the west. or
any other section. He had always, he said,
eEdeavored to faithfully represent the en-
tire country, and he was favorable to an
irrigation scheme when carefully prepared.
He asserted that there is lobby in interest
OF irrigation, and declared that feeling had
been worked up without any reference to
the cost of the work j.
Amendments were agreed to appropriate
ing $ll 900 for light heat and water sup
plies at klamath agency, Oregon; permit
ing the Secretary of the Interior to ex-
pend not more than S15O,OOe for purchase
of water rights for the southern Utes; ap-
propriating $4,000 for the purpose of in
vestigating the mineral character of lands
IN Indian reservations and to withhold
from such reservation all mineral lands;
providing for an investigation as to whether
or not personal tax may be levied in the
Indian territory to maintain a free school
system in the Indian territory; permitting
the sale of 2O,OO0,0O0 feet of lumber, from
the Jicarillo Apache Indian reservation.
Then after brief executive session the
Senate, at $50 pm, adjourned with the ir-
rigation amendment still pending.