New-York tribune., 1901-01-24
TO IRRIGATE ARID LANDS.
PLANS OF PROMOTERS OF SCHEMES IN
CONGRESS SS-APPROPRIATION WILL
PROBABLY NOT BE MADE.
[Rr rrIsenAra 10 NE TnIBrNE.I ]

tcing mace hN me duNOAdlrS VI AlLc iili6oNAc'4
plans 10 secure recognition al this session OF
Congress. 1t is possible that if all efforts had
been concentrated upon the most plausible
measure ana no differences of opinion had eX-
lsted in the irrigation lobby some result might
have been achieved, but il seems unlikely that
Congress will at this session make an appropria-
ton for the reclamation OF arid lands by the
Federal Government
Early in the session extensive preparations
were made TO secure widespread and influ-
ential Endorsement for the idea. Government
and other irrigation experts and enthusiasts Ge-
livered addresses before many meetings OF va
red character. and members of Congress who
were favorable 10 the idea were supplied with all
The necessary ammunition. The first tangible
result OF this work was the introduction into the
River and Harbor bin as il appeared in the
House of clause appropriating SJOooo Tor
dams and reservoirs in Wyoming This clause
was eliminated in the discussion of the bill, not
vithstanding the efforts Of Representative Mon
dell. of Wyoming 10 secure its retention. Mr.
Mondell did not receive the unqualified support
of the irrigation forces for in his desire to make
political capital for himself he had seized upon
a measure affecting his own State and proVid-
ing for dams where there is an open question
as 20 their necessity as a Federal institution.
The support given him by the irrigation forces
WAS rather perfunctory and half hearted. for
they had already determined upon other loca-
lions for the initiatory work. which locations
they considered absolutely bombproof from at
tscks by the opposition. The defeat Of Mr.
MendelIs proposition was expected, and occa-
stoned no surprise. II was looked upon as not
pnly futile but an unfortunate attempt 10
force the issue at an unfavorahle time and in
On iniudicious manner calculated 10 arouse an
fagonisms which could have been avoided by
1rnsT anEli iny IF
matter.
TO REPORT on RESERVOIR SITES.
An attempt will be made in the Senate to in
-roduce clause into the River and Herbor bill
providing for an engineering commission to
make q survey Of ali available reservoir sites in
sixteen arid States and Territories: this COM
mission 10 body the results of its lebors in
detailed report for the use Of the next Congress.
which report shall present plans and specifca-
tions. details Of cost and results 70 he achieved
This proposed measure would also give 70 the
Secretary Of the Interior fun power 70 withdraw
from public entry all lands which would be
benefited by these proposed public works This
rlan is about on the lines Of q bill recently in
t~oduoed in the House by Representative Shat
roth. Of Colorado. but the irrigation experts on
q close examination Of Mr.. Shafroth's bill found
ft lacking in essential particulars, and II is now
being put into shape by the photographed De
partnent OF the Geological Survey.
Another attempt 70 secure an appropriation
FOR the reclamation Of arid lands is found in
clause OF the Indian bll Yet to be considered,
in which an appropriation Of 100000 is pro
posed TO Commences" the work OF building a
dam at San Carlos. on the ella River. in Arizona.
This is put in the Indian bill on the ground
that the storage OF water is necessary TO pre-
vent the Pima, Maricopa and Papago Indians
from starving TO death, owing TO their ability
70 raise any crops on their arid reservations.
an estimate OF the cost Of this San
Carlos dam is S1,00000o. The full amount IS
not asked for in the Indian bill, because IT is
feared that the size Of the appropriation which
will be needed before the work is completed. II
stated boldly, would insure its defeat While
the condition Of the Indians mentioned is a mat
Ter Of concern to the Indian Bureau. the Sc
curing of this appropriation for a dam across
the Gila River is of far greater concern 70 the
irrigationists, for not over 50 Per cent Of the
land which would be irrigated from the pro-
posed dam is Indian land. The purpose is 70
use the necessities Of the Indians. which are
undoubtedly genuine, TO secure the beginning Of
the proposed irrigation work by the Govern
nnent and thus demonstrate its feasibility.
ATTITUDE OF REPRESENTATIVE TONGUE
Irrigationists have been somewhat hampered
their efforts OF Representative Tongue, of Ore
Eon, the chairman Of the Irrigation Committee
in the House. Mr.. Tongue comes from a State
whose largest interests in the western. or
humid half, but he has nevertheless, large
constituency resident in the eastern arid, sec
non in which irrigation is as important fac
tor in It's development in any other arid
Stale east of the Rocky Mountains The indif-
ference shown by Mr. Tongue TO legislation Of
this character has caused considerable irrita-
tion among those who have devoted their time
and energies in urging the matter upon Con-
gress, and there is a general opinion among them
that some other and more aggressively arid
State should have this chairmanship.
II would appear, therefore, that the irrigation
forces have attacked Congress from several di-
reotions, and the end is not yet, for a number
Of other and similar bills are now being ground
OUT OF the hopper shortly to take their places
on the calendars of the House and the Senate.
There is sorre encouragement among the disin-
terested men who are really in earnest over this
matter al the compleXity of interests and legis-
lstion as matters now stand II has caused a
division of the forces and consequent lukewarm-
ness toward this or that measure, which counts
heavily in a case like this. where every reserve
is needed TO overcome the determined opposi-
ton Of a large number Of the members.
The Hydrographical Department is so much in
earnest over the work that II is willing 10 allow
the River and Harbor bill TO carry some pro-
vision for the reclamation Of arid lands, not
Withstandng that this would probably result in
the work being done under the Army engineers
instead Of By the engineers of the Geological
Survey. This is piece OF heroic self-sacrifce
rarely found in the departments Of the Govern
ment. for the 5ealousies between the different
corps are not at all intangible. II Congress
should adopt a measure looking TO the survey Of
these reservoir sites and final report upon the