The San Francisco call., 1901-12-04

compensation to the public, Is open to all the
objections which apply to giving away per
petual franchises to the public utilities OF
cities. A few of the Western States have al
ready recognized this and have Incorporated
in their constitutions the doctrine Of perpetual
State ownership of water.
The benefits which have followed the unaid-
ed development of the past justify the nations
a1d and cooperation in the more difficult and
important work yet to be accomplished. Laws
so vitality affecting homes as those which con-
troll the water supply will only be effective
when they have the sanction of the irrigators;
reforms can only be final and satisfactory when
they come through the enlightenment of the
people most concerned. The larger development
which national aid insures should, however,
awaken in every arid State the determination
to make its irrigation system equal in justice
and effectiveness that of any country in the
civilized world. Nothing could be more unwise
than for isolated communities to continue to
learn everything experimental1y instead Of
pronting by what is already known elsewhere.
we are dealing with a new and momentous
question In the pregnant years while institu-
tionS are forming and what we do will affect
not only the present but future generations
Our aim should be not simply to reclaim the
largest area of land and provide homes fer
the largest number of people, but to create
for this new industry the best possible social
and Industrial conditions and this requires that
We not only understand the existing situation,
but avail ourselves of the best experience Of
the time in the solution Of it's problems
careful study should be made, both by the
nation and the States of the irrigation laws
and conditions here and abroad. Ultimately il
will probably be necessary for the nation to
cooperate with the several arid States in pro-
portion as these States by their legislation and
administration show themselves fit to receive
IT.
In Hawaii our aim must be to develop the
Territory on the traditional American lines
We do not wish region OF large estates titled
by cheap labor; wish a healthy American
community of men who themselves till the
farms they own. All our legislation for the
Islands should be shaped with this end in view;
the well-being of the average home-nnaker
must afford the true test of the healthy de-
velopment of the islands The land policy
should as nearly as possible be modelled on our
homestead system.
1t is pleasure to say that it is hardly more
necessary to report to Porto Rico than as
10 any state or Territory within our continental
limits The island is thriving as never before
and 1t is being administered efficiently and
honestly. Its people now enjoying liberty
and order under the protection of the United
states and upon this fact we congratulate
them and ourselves Their material welfare
must be as carefully and jealously considered
as the welfare of any other portion of our
country. We have given them the great gift
OF free access for their products to the mar
kets of the United States. 1 ask the atten-
tion OF the Congress to the need of legislation
concerning the public lands of Porto Rico.