Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-12-19
IRRIGATION MEASURES

VARIOUS STUMBLING BLOCKS IN
THE WAY OF AGREEMENT ON
IRRIGATION BILL.
Washington correspondence in Min
neapolis Journal: There is a radical
difference of opinion between members
of congress from the irrigation states
over the provisions of the general ir-
rigation bill which these members for
week have been trying to perfect
More than dozen irrigation schemes
have been outlined in pending bills,
and these differences must all be re-
moved and the west brought together
in favor of some one measure. Night
after night the members from western
states have been getting together for
discussion, and while they are making
some progress. it is evident that no bill
such as the Hansbrough bill, which has
been adopted by them as the basis for
argument, can meet with general west
ern approval. And yet the Hans
brough bill, with amendments, will fin
ally be presented as the bill which the
irrigation states want. 1t will be
adopted by a majority of the western
members, and the minority will either
oppose it openly or be lukewarm in it's
support.
The chief trouble is in Colorado and
Wyoming, which, in truth, are not
strongly in favor OF any form of gov
ernment irrigation, because it will give
the small farmers an opportunity to
acquire holdings along the rivers and
streams, which are now given over to
grazing. Both of these states are
range states, and since that business is
very profitable, there is no real desire
to Interfere with it, unless in some
way which will add directly to the ben7
eft of local interests.
The larger portion of the good farm
ing land in Montana, along the rivers,
was years ago gobbled up by the graz
ers, under the desert act, and it is pos
sible, in following the usual roads, to
drive for one or two days in that state
without getting off the property of a
single company. 1t is such a condi-
tion which the cattle interests of Colo
RADIO and Wyoming wish to see brought
about in those states, and since these
interests are very wealthy, they help
mold local public sentiment
At the meeting of western members
one night late last week the question
of whether the general government
should conduct and control the irriga-
tion plants. or whether they should be
turned over to the several states and
to the settlers, was argued for three
hours. The proposition to leave the
matter in the hands of the government
was finally carried by a large majority.
The members who opposed it were
the members who represent the graz
ing interests. The Hansbrough bill
provides that no settler on irrigated
government land can acquire more
than eighty acres; this will be sold to
him for $5 per acre, and he will have
five years in which to pay for it.
There is also a provision that while
the government, itself retaining the
title, may, in the discretion of the Sec
retary of the interior, turn the man
agement of the main bitches and lateral
connections over to the settlers, it
shall forever remain in full control and
active possession Of the reservoirs.
This laoter provision produced a most
lively debate, and was only carried
after the struggle had been carried far
into the night Certain members
from the range states wanted a pro-
vision in the bill that the reservoirs as
we'll as the bitches should be turned
over to the settlers. This contention
went straight to the heart of the chief
purpose of the government, namely, to
break the irrigated land up into small
holdings for the benefit OF actual set
tiers who may want to engage in agri-
culture. In no other way will it ever
be- possible to- thickly populate the
semi-arid regions. Il To give the con-
troll OF the reservoirs to the settlers
would open the way for the creation
OF a. monopoly in land holdings. and
mean that the irrigation policy of the
government would be established main
" for the benefit of the cattle barons.
SAYS SHE WAS TORTURED. .
II suffered such pain from corns
could hardly walk, :" writes II. Robin. !.