The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-04

The government should construct and
maintain these reservoirs as IL does other
public works. Where their purpose is TO
regulate the flow OF streams. the water
should be turned freely into the channels
IN the dry season TO take the same course
under the same laws the natural flow.
The reclamation Of the unsettled arid
public lands presents a different problem.
Here II IS not enough 70 regulate the flow
OF streams. The object OF the government
IS 10 dispose OF the land 20 settlers who
will build homes upon it. To accomplish
this obejct water must be brought within
their reach.
IRRIGATION WORKS.
The pioneer settlers on the arid public
domain chose their homes along streams
from which they could themselves divert
the water 10 reclaim their holdings. Such
opportunities are practically gone. There
remain, however vast areas OF public land
which can be made available for homestead
settlement but only by reservoirs and
mainline canals impracticable for private
enterprise. These irrigation works should
De built by the national government. The
lands reclaimed by them should be re-
served by the government for actual set
tiers and the cost or construction should
50 far as possible be repaid by the land
reclaimed. The distribution of the water,
the division OF the streams among irriga-
tors should be left to the settlers them
selves in conformity with State laws and
without interference with those laws or
with vested rights. The policy Of the ma
tional government should be to aid irriga-
ton in the several States and Territories
in such manner as viii enable the people in
the local communities TO help themselves,
and as viii stimulate needed reforms in
the States laws and regulations govern
ing irrigation.
The reclamation and settlement OF the
arid lands will enrich every portion of our
country, just as the settlement of the Ohio
and Mississippi valleys brought prosperity
70 the Atlantic States. The increased de-
mand for manufactured articles will
Ind al
home markets and the trade OF Asia Will
consume the larger food supplies and ef-
fectually prevent Western competition with
eastern agriculture. Indeed, the products
OF irrigation will be consumed chiefly I'm up
building local centers OF mining and other
industries. which would not come into
existence at all. Our people as a whole
will profit. for successful home-making is
but another name for the upbuilding Of the
CARE MUST BE TAKEN.
The necessary foundation has already
been laid for the inauguration of the policy
Just described. 1t would be unwise to begin
by doing too much, for a great deal will
doubtless be learned both as TO what can
and what cannot be safely attempted. by
the early efforts, which must OF necessity
be partly experimental in character. At the
very beginning the government should
make clear. beyond shadow Of doubt. its
intention 10 pursue this policy on lines of
the brOadest public interest No reservoir
or canal should ever be built TO satisfy
selfish personal or local interests: but only
II accordance with the advice of trained
experts, after long investigation has shown
the locality where all the conditions com
blne TO make the work most needed and
fraught with the greatest usefulness to the
community as a whole. There should be
no eXtraVagance. and the believers in the
need OF irrigation will most benefit their
cause by seeing TO IT that il is free from
the least faint Of excessive or reckless ex-
penditure Of the public moneys.
Whatever the Nation does for the ex-
tension OF irrigation should harmonic
with. and tend 10 improve. the condition OF
those now living on irrigated land. We are
not at the starting point OF this develop
ment. over two hundred millions OF private
capital has already been expended in the
construction of irrigation works and many
million acres OF arid land reclaimed. A
high degree of enterprise and ability has
been shown I'm the work itself: but as much
cannot be said in reference to the laws re-
latlng thereto. The security and value of
the homes created depend largely on the
stability OF titles to water; but the ma
1ority OF these rest on the uncertain foun-
cation or court decisions rendered In Ordi-
nary suits at law. With few credtable ex-
ceptiOns. the arid States have failed to
provide for the certain and just division of
streams In times Of scarcity. Lax and I'M
certain laws have made it possible to es-
tablish rights TO water in excess of actual
uses or necessities, and many streams have
already passed into private ownership, or
control equivalent to ownership.
LAWS REQUIRE CHANGE.
Whoever controls a stream practically
controls the land 1t renders productive
and the doctrine OF private ownership of
water apart from land cannot prevail with
out causing enduring wrong. The recognf-
ton Of such ownership. which has been per-
nnitted TO grow up I'm the arid regions
should give way to a more enlightened and
larger recognition OF the rights OF the pub
lie in the control and disposal Of the public
water supplies. Laws founded upon condi-
tons obtaining In humid regions, where
water Is too abundant TO Justify boarding
II, have no proper application in a dry
country.
In the arid states the only right TO water
which should be recognized is that Of use
In irrigation this right should attach to the
land reclaimed and be inseparable there
from. Granting perpetual water rights TO
others than users, without compensation
10 the public, is open to all the objections
which apply TO giving away perpetual fran
chises TO the public utilities Of cities A few
of the Western States have already recog-
nized this. and have Incorporated in their
constitutions the doctrine OF perpetual State
The benefits which have followed the un-
aided development of the past justify the
Nations aid and cooperation In the more
difficult and important work vet to be &C
cOmpliShed. Laws so vitality affecting
homes as those which control the water
supply will only be effective when they
can only be final and satisfactory when
they come through the enlightenment of the
people most concerned The larger develop
ment which national aid insures should,
however, awaken in every arid State the
determination 10 make its irrigation Sys-
tenn equal I'm justice and effectiveness that
OF any country in the civilized world Moth
Ing could be more unwise than for isolated
communities 10 continue TO learn every
thing eXperimentally, instead of profiting by
what IS already known elsewhere. We are
dealing with a new and mOmentous ques-
ton, In the pregnant years while institu-
tons are forming. and what we do will af-
feet not only the present but future gen
erations.
our aim should be not simply TO reclaim
the largest area OF land and provide homes
for the largest number OF people. but to
create for this new industry the best pos
sible social and industrial conditions; and
this requires that We not only understand
the existing situations. but avail ourselves
OF the best experience OF the time in the
solution Of its problems. \ careful study
should be made. both by the Nation and
the States, OF the irrigation laws and con-
Gltfons here and abroad. Ultimately IL
will probably be necessary for the Nation
20 cooperate with the several arid States
IN proportion as these States by their
legislation and administration show them
selves fit 10 receive it
NEW ISLAND POSSESSIONS.
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