Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-16
controversies over water rights.

| controversies over water rights.
| THE APPEARANCE AND REsoURC-
Es OF THE ARID RAGION.
The climate of the western half of the
United States takes its chef charac-
teristic from its aridity, or dryness. The
heat Of It's southern summers and the
| cold OF its northern winters are alike
tempered and mitigated by lack OF
humidity. Neither the humid heat
which prostrstes nor the humid cold
which penetrates to the marrow is
known In the arid region. The vest
ern mountains and valleys are recog-
nized natural sanitarium where thou
sands Of invalids are sent each year
by physicians to regain their health.
The dominant feature In the physical
appearance Of the arid regions Is its
mountain topography On every hand
a rugged horizon meets the view. From
north TO SOUTH from Canada to Mexi-
co, the Rocky Mountain range makes
the backbone OF the continent. Along
the Pacific coast the Sierra Nevada
and Cascade ranges lift their barriers
to intercept the moisture and condense
Il into snow Between these two prin-
cipal chains. with their connecting
ranges and outlying spurs. are many
minor systems, so that the whole coun-
try Is succession OF mountains and
valleys, OF forests and deserts, OF rag
ing torrents and slnuous rivers winding
TO their sinks upon the plains or maxi
ing their difficult way 10 the distant
ocean. The far west is thus land of
the greatest scenic beauties. and widely
celebrated as such.
The cultlvable lands lie in the val
leys, rising with gradual slope on
either side OF the streams to meet the
foothills. Narrowing 10 the noun
tains these valleys widen as the river
loses grade and approaches the sea or
its confluence with a larger stream.
There are valleys which will accommo-
date hundreds, others thousands or tens
OF thousands. and few, like the Sac
ramento, in California, where millions
may dwell
In the eastern portion Of the arid re-
gion. and In high attitudes farther
west, the land is covered with nutri-
tious natural grasses, which furnish
ideal range for livestock. But the
characteristic badge OF the region Is
the sagebrush. This brave plant OF
the desert is commonly held in der-
sion by those who behold II for the
first time, and until they learn 10
know II as the shelter and dependence
OF range live stock when the terrible
blizzard sweeps from the north and IA
the sure idication OF good soil and the
humble prophet OF the field, orchard.
and garden. Thus. II happens that 10
the casual traveller the appearance OF
the region Is forbidding II is only in
localities where the work OF reclama-
tion has been In progress long enough
10 permit the growth OF trees, with
farms and homes, that the value OF the
soil and climate can be appreciated.
There are such instances In all the sew
enteen .oates ard territories Of the far
west. One Of the most striking Is the
Salt River Valley Of Arizona. Here
the traveller. after a long and tiresome
Journey through waste places. finds
himself suddenly confronted with
homes rivaling in taste and luxury
those OF eatern states and with or.
chards and gardens which resemble
more the century-old garasns ~
France and Italy than a creation OF
the last twenty years.
The writer then next describes the
mineral wealth OF the arid region and
its other sources OF permanent pros
perity. the present and future OF irrl-
CATION, the growth Of irrigation and
need OF better laws, the need OF re-
form IN the management Of arid pub
lie land; shows that the homestead law
Is not adapted 10 secure the settlement
Of the arid regions and that the desert
land law was devised 10 promote the
investment OF capital. rather than 10
encourage settlement. Other topics are
the Carey act, which gives 20 each
state the right 10 segregate 100000
acres Of land and 20 control both its
reclamation and disposal 10 settlers;
the influence Of range industries: the
uncertainty as 70 state and federal
Jurisdiction In the control Of streams
and complications from lack Of Uniform
laws
The ayst TO watsr which should b