The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1901-12-03

been cpnCiuniVely shown - DC an
undertaking too vast for private e.
fort Nor can II be best accomplish
"a by the individual state acting /
alone. Far-reaebinR interstate prob /
lens are involved. and the resources 1
OF single states would often be in |
adequate. u In properly national
function, nt least IN some 81 its Tea ]
tureh N ~ A. right for the national I
government % make the streams ara 1
rivers Of the arid region useful b.
engineering works for water storage
M % make useful the rivers and bar-
boris ~ the humid region by en-
RinserinR works Of another Kind. The
storing Of the foods IN reservoirs ~
the hendwafers ~ our rivers IL but
an enlargement ~ our present policy
OF river control. under which ieyees
are built on the lower reaches Of the
same streams.
The government should construct
nud maintain these reservoirs an u
does other public works, Where their
purpose ~ 20 regulate the fiow ~
streams. the water should be turn
ed freely into the channels IN The
dry season 10 take the farne course
under the same laws AZ the natural
flow.
The reciama ton OF the unsettled
problem. Here II " not enough 20
regulate the now 81 streams. The
object OF the government 81 IL dis
pose Of the land 20 settlers who will
build homes upon u. To accomplish
this object water must be brought
within their reach
The pioneer settlers on the arid
public domain chose their homes
along streams from which they could
themselves eiveft the water to re-
claim their holdings. Such emporium
tiles are practically gone. There re-
mains. however. vast areas of public
land which can be made available
for homestead settlement. but only
by reservoirs and mainline canals
iuprncticabie for private enterprise. 1
Work for the Government.
These irrigation works should be (.
built By the national government 4
The LANDS reclaimed by them should I
be reserved BY the government for 4
actual settlers. and the cost Of con-
atructlon should 10 FAR as possible I
b. repaid b. the land reclaimed. The 1
distribution OF the water. the divis-
ion Of the streams among irriGatorA. I
should be left 20 the settlers them
selves In conformity with state laws /
taws or with vested rights. The 4
policy OF the national government
should be 10 aid irrigation In the sew
eral states and territories In such I
manner as wili enable the people In
the local communities to help them
selves. and as will stimulate needed
reforms in the state laws and regula-
lions governing irrigation.
The reclamation and settlement OF
the arid lands will enrich every por-
ton OF our country. just as the set
tlement Of the Ohio and Mississippi /
valleys brought prosperity 20 the At
iantlo states. The increased demand
for manufactured articles will slim
uiats Industrial production. while
wider HON. markets and the trade
OF Asia will consume the larger food I
supplies and efrecfualiy prevent
western competition with Eastern 4
agriculture. Indeed. the products OF
Irrigation will b. consumed chiefly
In upbuilding local centsrs OF MIN
ing and other Industries which would
otherwise not come into exisience AT /
all. Our people ~ q whole VIII
profit. for successful horne-making II
but another name fer the upbuiiding
OF the nation.
The necessary foundation has AL
ready bern laid for the tnauguration
OF the policy Just described II
would be unwfAe TO begin by doing /
too much. for a great deal win /
doubtless be learned. both as 20 what
can and what cannot be safely at
tempted. by the early Efforts. which 4
must OF necessity he partly expert
mental IN character. At the very I
beginning the government should
make clear. beyond shadow OF doubt. /
It's intention 20 pursue this policy
on lines OF the brosdest public IN
Against Private Schemes.
tercst. No reservoir or canal should
ever be built 10 satisfy selfish per
sonal OF local interests: but only In
accordance with the advice OF trained
experts. after long investigation has
shown the locality where all the con-
dltions combine 10 make the work
most needed and fraught with the
greatest usefulness to the cornmun-
| fly "a whole. There should be no
extravagance. and the believers In
the need OF irrigation Will most BEN
eft their cause by seeing 20 II that
II Is free from the least faint OF
excessive or reckless expenditure OF
the public moneys.
whatever the nation does for the
extension OF Irrigation should har-
monlxe with. and tend TO improve.
the condition OF those now living on
/ irrigated land. We are not at the
starting point Of this development.
over two hundred millions of private
capital has already been expended In
the construction OF irrigation works.
and many million acres OF arid land
reclaimed. A high degree OF enter
prise and ability has been shown In
4 - n 81 -
not be said in reference 10 the laws
relating thereto. The security and
value OF the homes created depend
largely on the uncertain foundation
OF court decisions rendered In ordln-
ary suits Mt law. With n few cred
liable exceptions. the arid states
have failed 10 provide for the certain
and Just division OF streams in times
OF scarcity. Lax and uncertain laws
have made II possible 10 establish
rights TO water In excess OF actual
uses or necessities and many streams
have already passed into private
ownership or n control equivalent to
ownership.
Ownership OF Water.
whoever controls a stream practic-
/ ally controls the land II renders pro-
ductive. and the doctrine of private
ownership OF water apart from iHhu I
cannot prevail without causing en-
during wrong. The recognition OF
such ownership. which has peeh per
nltted 10 grow up In the arid regions, |
shoutd give way 10 a more enlight- !
ened and larger recognition OF the |
rights OF the public IN the control /
and disposal OF the public water sup
plies. Laws founded upon conditions |
obtaining in humid regious. where
water Is too abundant TO Justify |
boarding Il. have no proper applica-
ton In a dry country.
In the arid states the only right |
TO water which should be recognize |
"a a. that of use. In irrigation this !
right should attach to the land re- |
claimed and be inseparable there |
] e,ora Granting perpetual water !