Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1901-09-26
HOW NEvADA'S DESERTS
NAY Be MADE GREEN
Senator Pettigrew Endorses
NeWIands' Plan For The Re-
clamati0n of the Great
Arid West.


United States Senator from South Da-
kota. Senator Pettigrew is repre-
sentative Western man and has made
in the Senate a record for ability our-
age and aggressiveness equaled BY
CIV The Senator was. here looking at
mining properties:
| Reno and its vicinity show in q
remarkable degree the result of irriga-
ton. What must have originally been
IN arid sagebrush plain has resolved
itself into a magnificent and fertile
valley, productive of wealth. support
ing large and comfortable popula-
ton and making of itself the site Of
the metropolis of the Great Basin d
city for which | prcsage a splendid
future.
"What has been done here can be
accomplished throughout the arid
west. A lesson to be learned from
the agricutursts of the Truckee
Meadows and it is but fitting that
resident of your valley should take
the initiative in national legislative
halls in bringing the government to
see the advantages that would ensue
rom LEGISLATION favoring water stor-
7ge and irrigation.
The largest landed proprietor in the
arid and scn1i-arid States is the Unit
ed States Government, which owns
not only the land, but the water
therefore the Federal Government
Should take the initiative with the dis
position Of the land and water under
is control.
Il think it has been demonstrated
by actu7l investigation that at leas.
Icc, 10000 acres that are now deser.
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 rs
~ 90 of people
= "This population would consume
| |
furnish greater market for our manu-
features than all the Orient
'To bring this about is more import
mt than any other question that nov
confronts the government, so far as its
, economic interests is concerned
5 "a bare statement of these facts is
sufficient before we seek assistance
,f from foreign outlets in distant lands
:. For Our productions. We shold de-
"e'oru this resource at home
"1t is my opinion that CONGRESS- is
; about ready to commence this work
and that LEGISLATION can be secured
within the rcxt two years which vii
? construction of STORAGE reservoirs, irr;
: oatior bitches and development of ir
s rieation projects.
"Many plans have been suggested
hit the ore that is most liable to re
give irnn,ediate and favorable COZ
~;Scration is the Dlan presented hv NJ
The sale of rrh';c lands to this rur
1850. Last winter much progress wa
made.
"Conpress-,,ar New1ards called
~eeting at his house of Senators an,
;. Co-cressmen from the arid and semi
< rid States, and after full and fro
I;scrcsio1 Of the whole question. M
& New1and's plan was endorsed. 1t w,
q unanimously agreed that an effor
. should be made to rrepare and nresen
IL IN amendment to the sundrv civil scr
zee annronriation bill to an,ronriat
for the reclamation of arid lands ~
~ross proceeds Of the sale Of publ
lands.
lc "Coneressnan Ncw1ards was mad
chairman Of a committee to Dreoar
'e the necessary bills ard amendments.
&c "He prepared and introduced
~ Hill for this purpose and also aDpearf
d Nefore the Senate Committee on Pu'
re Tic Lands and rroed favorable actio
which was secured by unanimous vo
Of the committee A report was mat
on the bill and it was reported tn
,ra the amendment be placed upon t
rd sundry civil appropriation bill.
=" "The bill and amendment were al
ly- reported favorably by the Commit
lot on Public Lands in the House and al
er- by the Committee on Irrigation
he Arid Lands.
rst "Mr. Newlands was the life of t
ia whole movement in both houses up
eft 1.-THE subject and there is no questi
le- but that success can be obtained if t
to advantage is followed up.
ro- "The advantage to Nevada is
op- great if not greater than to any 9th