New-York tribune., 1901-03-31
ARID LAND IRRIGATION.
FRIENDS OF THE PROJECT PREPARING
TO RENEW THE FIGHT IN CON
GRESS NEXT WINTER.
ley TELEGRAPH TO rue rRInuSEl

N-sbt,gton March S0-Notwf thstanding the de-
feat of an legislation proposed for the reclamation
OF arid lands the last Congress the iITigahohsls
feel considerably elated over the discussion "hieh
their movement aroused and the progress the! De-
,,evN they have made. George a. Maxwell presl-
aent of the National Irrigation Association VINO
,os ,n washington all winter In the interest or ms
organization is now travelling In the west In the
effort 10 soidify sentiment and dispose lhe Atlsa-
ton forces to good advantage Tor the uatte winch
& 10 be fought to finish in Congress next winter.
There was considerable complaint al the last ses-
sion over the selections for chaiTmen OF the NIIsa
tion committees in Senate ana House. bo'h oi
tt,ese chafrmanships were given to oregon, al
though for what reason one seems able TO say
The larger part of Oregon is humid and nine
tents of the material interests of that State are
iudependent of artificial water supply. senator
simon who takes little interest In the subject was
placed at the head Of the Irrigation committee at
his end Of the Capitol and Representative Iongue'
a worthy but timid member. was made chairman
of the Irrigation Committee of the House senator
Simon did little nothing for the cause "Ilch he
uresumab bly, represented, Senators carter NoIcoIl
and others leading the irrigation forces. The prin-
cInaI ambition of Representative Tongue seemed TO
be to avoid offending the Speaker. When his COM
mittee decided to report faVorably an irrigation
measure Mr.. Tongue at first refused 10 report IL
as chairman and other members of the committee
finally persuaded rather bullied. him into carry
ing out the will of the committee. The real leader
OF the irrigation movement In the Senate Is senator
Uansbrough and in the House il Is Representative
Newlands.
PROVISIONS OF THE NEWLANDs BILL.
Mr. Newlauds introduced bill which. with some
slight notifications. will be the measure which
the rrgationists will combine next winter to force
"a n s,ccessful issue At the last session twenty
five irrigation bills introduced in the House
and almost an equal number in the Senate, to say
nothing of other measures which carried irrigation
work indirectly among their provisions The New
lulnGf Ike he
introduced in both House and Senate. and will be
considered as representing the of opinion
among those favorng the reclamation of arid lands
by the government, and it will also be adopted as
the official bill OF the National Irrigation Associa-
ton TO supported by all the vast interests rep
resented therein. The provisions of this bill are
simple, but the principles involved of immense
Importance. Briefly summarized they as fol-
lows:
That all moneys received from the sale of public
lands in Arizona, California, Colorado Idaho Kan
sas Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico,
North Dakota. oklahoma. Oregon. South Dakota.
money as is already aside by law for education
al purposes shall be deposited as special fund In
lion fund This fund is be expended for the
nation survey and construction of reservoirs and
other irrigation works for the storage, diversion
and development of waters, that the same may
be available for distribution 20 settlers and farmers
FOR the reclamation of arid lands.
The Secretary OF the Interior is instructed and
empowered TO continue surveys and examinations
10 determine the best places for storage reservoirs
and other irrigation works, To sink test wells, 10
detepmine the bity OF diverting rivers by
means OF tunnels or other works; He is also in
structed in his discretion TO withdraw from public
entry all lands required for these irrigation works
and agricultural lands which II is proposed 10
irrigate except as such land may be taken under
the Homestead act, though all land thus taken by
settlers is made subject 10 all the charges, terms
and conditions of the proposed irrigation law The
Secretary is empowered 10 let contracts Tor the
oniains @ aiiowed 70 make entries on the land TO be
improved. In tracts not exceeding eishty acres All