Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-05
CAUCUS ON IRRIGATION
Senators and Congressman Of
the West Preparing to Push
Irrigation Bill.
Caucus Held and Outline of the
Bill Gone Over..Commit.
tee Appointed.
A Bill will Be Framed and In.
troduced at an Early
Day.

Washington, Dec. 5.-The effect OF a
caucus held in the committee room of
Senator Warren, between the members
and senators interested in irrigation
Legislation, is believed to have been ben
ef1cial. A long step has been taken
toward a definite line of action. While
It has been freely predicted that the ir-
rigation people would not be able to
reach any line of agreement, it was
found that there was not the divergence
| of. opinion that it is generally believed
existed. The Newlands bill, which pro-
vides for the use of the funds received
by the government from the sale of pub
! lie lands, was made the basis for all dis
cussion.
The definite outcome of the caucus
| was the selection of committee repre-
senting the different states interested in
irrigation projects. This committee will
shape a bill and make recommends
| tons at a further caucus. which is to be
held next Thursday. The states repre-
scented in the caucus included Oregon,
Washington, Utah, Nevada. Wyoming.
South Dakota, Idaho, Kansas, Nebras-
ka. Colorado. New Mexico and Montana.
The caucus was the direct outgrowtt
of the sentiment which developed at the
irrigation meeting held at Cheyenne last
summer. The committee appointed to
draft bill is composed Of Senators
Butron, of Kansas; Bard, OF California:
Kearns, OF Utah: Gibson, of Montana;
Warren. OF Wyoming; DIETRICH, of Ne
braska; Hansbrough, OF North Dakota
Dubious, Of Idaho, and congressman
Jones. Of Oregon; Newlands. Of Nevada:
Tongue. OF Washington; Shafroth, OF
Colorado; Martin, Of South Dakota:
Mondell, OF Wyoming, and Delegates
Flynn. Of Oklahoma; Rodey. Of New
Mexico, and Smith, OF Arizona
In advance OF their framing the bill
their statements as to what will be the
final caucus action are guarded. 1t is
believed, however. that the bill, when
framed. will be one providing for sur
vey, with view to the Inauguration OF
en- extensive system of Irrigation, which
will eventually contemplate the expend-
iture OF more than $500. 000,0 900. It Is not
the intention to ask for legislation look
ing to any such expenditure by the ma
ticnal government. Instead a survey
will be asked. Later the government
Will be asked to construct reservoirs at
the headwaters OF the different streams.
After the construction work is COM
pleted the bill to be framed will con-
template state control OF the distrIbu-
ton OF water, Some provision will be
made for handling the necessary inter-
state questions. Tie feature Of the
NewIands bill which provides for the
creation Of a fund for irrigation pur-
poses from the sale Of public lands. will
be embodied in the new measure. The
receipts from this source are now about
81, 100000 per annum. Public land funds
will be diverted and expended for the
building OF reservoirs, and the cost OF
surveying and supervisory engineering.
The conclusions indicated at last nights
caucus are in direct line with the rec.
concentrations of the presidents mes
sage Just made public