The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1901-09-26
WNevada'SDeS
erts r1ay Be Made
Green.
Senator Pettigrew Endorses Congress
man NewIands' Irrigation Plan.

terview from Hon. L. f. Pittigrew, Uni
ted States Senator from South Dakota.
Senator Pettigrew is a representative
Western man and has made in the Sem
ate record for ability, courage and ag-
gressivcness equaled by few. The Sena-
tor was here looking at mining proper
ties:
"Reno and its vicinity show in a re-
markable degree the result of irrigation.
What must have originally been an arid
sagebrush plain has resolved itself into
magnificent and fertile valley, produc-
tive of wealth, supporting large and
comfortable population and making of it.
self the site Of the metropolis of the
treat Basin, city for which presage
splendid future.
what has been done here can be ac-
complished throughout the arid west.
A lesson is to be learned from the agricul-
turists of the Truckee Meadows and it is
but fitting that resident of your valley
should take the initiative in national leg
islative halls in bringing the government
to see the advantages that would ensue
fiom legislation favoring water storage
and irrigation. aaesrm
"The largest landed proprietor in the
arid and semi-arid States is the United
States Government, which owns not only
the land, but the water, therefore the
Federal Government should take the in
itiative with the disposition of the land
and water under its control.
II think it has been demonstrated by
actual investigation that at least 10O,-
100000 acres that are now desert can be
properly and economically changed to
productive soil by using the available
water within these States.
"The reclamation OF this vast area
would furnish homes for at least 25, ,000,-
600 of people.
This population would consume more
OF the American products and furnish a
greater market for our manufacturers
then all the Orient.
ITO bring this about is more import
ant than any other question that now
.confronts the government, 80 far as its
economic interests are concerned.
"a bare statement of these facts is suf-
ficient before We seek assistance from
foreign outlets in distant lands Tor our
productions. We should develop this
resource at home.
1T is my opinion that Congress is
a bout ready to commence this work aud
that legislation can be secured within
the next two years which will furnish
many millions Of dollars for construction
of storage reservoirs, irrigation bitches,
and development Of irrigation projects.
"Many plans have been sugges ed, but
the one that is most liable to receive i'm
mediate and favorable consideration is
the plan presented by Mr.. Newlands to
devote the proceeds of the sale of public
lands to this purpose. Last Winter
much progress was made.
Congressman Newlands called a meet
ing at his house of Senators and Con-
gressman from the arid and semi-arid
States, and after full and free discus
sion OF the whole question, Mr.. Newlands'
plan was endorsed. 1t was unanimously
agreed that an effort should be made to
prepare and present an amendment to
the sundry civil service appropriation
bill to appropriate for the reclamation of
arid lands the gross proceeds of the sale
Of public lands
a Congressman Newlands was made
chairman of committee to prepare the
necessary bills and amendments.
He prepared and introduced bill
for this purpose and also appeared be-
fore the Senate Committee on
Public Lands and urged favorable ac-
ton, which was secured by unanimous
vote of the committee. A report was
made on the bill and it was reported that
the amendment be placed upon the SUM-
dry civil appropriation bill.
"The bill and amendment were also re-
ported favorably by the committee on
Public Lands in the House and and also
by the committee on Irrigation of Arid
Lands
Mr. Newlands was the life of the
whole movement in both Houses upon
the subject and there is no question but
that success can be obtained il the ad-
vantage is followed up.
1.-The advantage to Nevada is as great
IL not greater than to any other State in
the Union, in that it will secure an in-
crease in population and wealth many
fold.
During the food season in the spring
the mountain streams Of Nevada lose
more water than enough to reclaim an
area many times greater than what is
now irrigated during the low water