The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-14
AN IRRIGATION PRECEDENT.

+ dorsement of the policy of providing irriga-
ton for the arid regions of the country,
wherever such irrigation can be economically main
taned has had the effect of bringing the issue into
the domain of practical politics 1t has been under
discussion long time and several tentative meas
ures have been enacted by Congress for dealing
with it. The prospects that it may now be soon
taken up in comprehensive way and scientific
plan devised for redeeming millions of barren or
semi-barren acres.
Senator Bard is quoted as saying that at present
the chief difficulty in the way of providing for irr
CATION is difference of opinion on matters of detail
among those who favor the policy on general prin-
ciples. That of course might have been foreseen
The discussion up to this time has been almost
wholly academic, and every interested in it has
felt at liberty to devise his scheme for carrying
out the project. Now that the time for action is at
hand is necessarily difficult to harmonic conflicting
views. Among practical statesmen, however, that
difficulty will not be insuperabe. In fact, it ought
to be possible for the rrigatonists of Congress to
get together on some bill at this session and press
it to vote SO that the people may understand who
are for it and who are against it,
If any precedent were needed to demonstrate anew
the value of irrigation carried out on large scale
it would be found in what has been accomplished by
the British in Egypt In recent report on the sub
ec Lord Cromer states that since 1885 the govern
ment of Egypt has expended over $35ooo,ooo on pub
lie works connected with the Nile. That is an enor-
nous outlay for country so poor as Egypt but
the results prove it to have been one of the most sue
cessful achievements of British rule 1t has had the
effect of doubling the cotton crop and adding up
ward of $25ooo,ooo annually to the income of the
people
Basing conclusions upon the results thus obtained
by improved irrigation facilities in Lower Egypt the
British are sangune that larger proportional
benefit will be derived from comprehensive irrigation
along the Upper Nile. 1t is proposed dam one of
the lakes which form the sources of the Nile and so
create a huge reservoir to draw upon at need
Sir William Garstn, who has charge of the en-
cheering problems involved in the scheme states in
recent report that series of dams aud canals can
be constructed that the completed work will not
only provide irrigation for millions of arid acres but
will also drain extensive swamps, and, finally i'm
prove the navigation OF the Upper Nile as we'll The
accomplishment of three such important benefits by
single scheme of Improvement will certainly rank
among the best things the white man has yet per-
formed in the task of improving the condition of in
feror races
What Great Britain is doing for the poor people
Of Egypt the United States can certainly undertake
to do for the benefit of its own people Modern,
engineering is quite equal to any task the policy will
impose upon it. We cannot afford to let Egypt beat
us in the work of turning the desert into garden
| The immigration Restriction League is busy en-
gagged in the task of educating Congress up to the
point of adopting thorough educational standard as
requisite for admission of immigrants and as pub
lie opinion avors the idea is quite possible we may
have such standard provided at this session of Con-
gress.
It is fairly certain that none of Kasson's re-
cprocty treaties will be ratified by the Senate, but
the Commissioner can find consolation in the fact
that he held high position, did good deal of din
ing with the august diplomats of Europe and will get
a good salary for having had high time
The automobile that the endurance race from
New York to Buffalo last September has been re-
Gently used to open up snow-flled road and the
farmers along the way have now a respect for the
machine that is said to be something immense.
1t is now reported that Bryan is willing to become
a candidate for the Governorship OF Nebraska and
should he fail to get the nomination he is willing to
run for Congress. In fact, he seems willing to do
anything that will give him chance to talk.
When Lord Kitchener sent Miss Hobhouse back
to England he doubtless thought he had got rid of
her, but he mistaken She is going to sue him
for damages, and he will have to follow Boer tactics
and keep out of the way.
1t is said to be much easier TO select an apnronrat
present for than for man, and perhaps that
is the why the course of Christmas pivino,
runs mainly in the direction of the ladies'
With every wise woman the motto Of the season is,
| sShop early and avoid the rush"