Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1901-03-08
IRRIGATION ARGUMENTS.
MIR. NeWlands' Debate in the HOuse=Bat=
fling for the Development Of His State.

beNeIal OI lis cOntdbueS. II oIISlu-
ated with the reading Of the follow
ing provision in the appropriation
bill:
SFor gauging the streams and de.
termiusng the wafer supply OF the
United States. and fer tine invrstiga-
ton OF underground currents and ar
tesian wells, aud the preparation OF
reports upon the best methods OF
utilizing tho water Of said
sections, Sl00,UC0."
Mr.. Newiands.-Mr. Chairman, !
move to strike ont he last VOID. l
wish to make some inquiry regarding
this item. / would like to ask the
gentleman what was the estimate OF
the Department for that work!
Mr. Moody OF Massachusetts.-On-
hundred and seventy.three thousand
dollars.
Mr.. Newlands.-I would like to ask
whether the gentleman thinks thai
amount is i'll excess Of the require
meuts OF the Department for this par.
ticular work?
Mr. Moody.-Mr. Chairman, OF
course the department. will do just us
much work on this liue as we appro.
pirate money for. Gentlemen come
to the Department and desire surveys
made in different parts OF the couD-
try, aud baslng their estimate upon
the desire Of individual meMbers. |
have no doubt they could expend
slS0,00J il it was granted.
Nj. N-wiands.-But the gentleman
thinks 100000 sufficient.
Mr.. Muody.-PeBonally, l think it
Is more than sufficient,
Mr.. Newldnds.-Wil the gentleman
give his reasons?
Mr.. Moody.-The reasons which
have controlled me in coming 70 rha;
opinion are these: We have expended
altogether too much money upon ex-
p%erimenting with til. question OF the
reclamation of arid lands, and i
would personally he very glad Ia stop
here and consider the real question
which by and by We must face.
MIR. Newlands.-lhe real question
which tie gentleman refers to Gs
pressing for solution il the actual
construction OF storage works.
MIR. Moody.-Yes. but | do not
want the gentleman from Nevada to
misundersland me as indicating that
l have expressed an opinion III favor
OF that work, but it is time to stop
experimenting, throwing money away
Aon experiments.
Mr.. ~Newlands.-I understand the
gentleman's view to be this: Tliat
the work of investigation and expert.
ment should practically end, and that
this question nov should be consid
cred by the Congress i'll the United
States, first, as 10 whether or not il
proposes to enter upon the cOnstruc-
ton OF storage reservoirs and hy-
draulic works for the purpose OF re
claiming arid lands OF the West?
MIR. MISUNDERSTANDING FOR myself.
that Is my opinion.
Mr.. Newiands.-Can tI!e gentleman
state how much has been expended
on these experiments?
Mr. MuOdy.-One million, seven
hundred and itty-tlye thousand dol.
lars.
MIR. Newlands.-The gentleman is
in favor OF taking up Il conprehen-
sive plan OF irrigation, or at all events
the consideration OF it. Now. | will
ask the gentleman whether be has
framed his views regarding his own
plans?
Mr.. Moody have not; but | look
with great apprehension on the I'm
dertaking OF the reclamation OF the
arid lands, Before entering upon
that project | should like to know
with some degree Of cxuctness where
we are going to land.
Mr.. observation-disclosures the gentle.
man proceeds. | would like to ask
him n question or two. TIo says we
ought to proceed upon this work
with great care. II that is go, il
means more investigation instead OF
actual work. Now, | want to call the
gentlcmnD's attention to the follow.
ing plank in the platform Of tile Dem.
ocrntic party
Mr. Moody.-Let me say to the
gentleman that that is not going To
control my conscience.
Mr.. Newlands.-Very well; I will
read this fret, md then | will make
IN appeal. TO the R%entleman's con.
sciences. based upon the creed or
faith Of bis " party, Reads from
platform:
'Wc favor M intelligent system OF
improving tho arid lands Of the wcst.
storing tile waters for the purposes
OF irrigation, and the holding OF such
lands for actual seiilss."
Nov, 1 will give the gentleman the
declaration Of hie own party.
Mr. ;M6ody.-Did tho gentleman
himself draw that declaration OF the
platform which he has iusi reHdY
Mr.. Ncwlauds. shared in it. /
was Il member Of the committee on
the platform. / do not assume, how.
ever, that / forced fiat platform
upon an unwilling committee, or mn
unwilling convention.
AZ AI. It- ~ |