Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1902-01-10
GREAT WEALTH IN
The ARID LANDS
OF II WEST.
Cause Of Irrigation by the Govern.
ment is Given a Really Big
Boom.


was given a really big boom tonight
as a result OF the speeches aud cor
tagious enthusiasm Mt n banquet in
the new willard hotel. Represeu.
tative Francis G. Newlnnds WIS the
host and the three score Of guests in
cluded most OF the conspicuous MEM
ber Of Congress, rs well as several
OF the leading officers Of the executive
branch of the Government.
MI. Newlands opened the eperch-
making by q short talk admirable US
n tactful, strong. condensed state
ment Of the importance Of reclaim
ing the arid and SEN arid lands be.
yond the Mississippi and OF the God
points Of the bill agreed upon b, the
Congressional Committee represent
tRtive Of the vast region most direct
ly concerned.
He urged that n scientific con serva-
ton Of the torrential waters al the
snow tracts Of the far west would
miuimiZe .he need for providing
against overilows i'll wet Seasons and
dredging in dry times, IN the case Of
the Missouri, the Mississippi and
other streams; and that such con
servation need not be Mt all q burden
to the east and the south, III that the
approved bill called for roniining ir-
rigatiop outlay to the income derived
by the Federal Government from the
eale Of the lnudo in the States lying
within the arid and semi arid region.
The Secretary Of Agriculture. who
followed the Nevadau, made one OF
the most earnest speeches he has
ever delivered; and it seemed to carry
conviction TO most OF the distinguish.
ed men around the board.
Mr.. Wilson spoke for n broad.
prompt, energetic Governmental policy
in tho interest OF such de velopment
Of the west ns would increase the
greatness Of the nation and extend
our home market.
~The United States have in the
arid and hnlt.arid States md territor.
RES" said he, "immerse areus OF lands
chemically capable OF yielding meal.
culable wealth il irrigated; and we
have in the same regions tremend
ons quantities OF water now going
a. ;ha 'na without having done my
COOL - ian.
IL IS beyond the range Of indivi.
dual enterprise to wei these dry lands
with these waste waters: but to do
this great work is II legitimate func.
ton Of the Government.
~The work is no dream. Tho Ag.
ricultural Department of the United
States has investigated with utmost
caro- and so has the geological survey
and the results Of these Investigations
chow co~nclusively that we can easily
reclaim enormous tracts Of now
valueless land the other side of the
father OF waters reclaim them in
such a way TINT they will support
millions Of settlers and add to the
greatness ind glory OF the nation.
"Eyery acre OF the land reclaimed
by irrigation Will extend the douies
tic market of this country; md il 10
my most sincere judgment That the
largest concern Of the American
Congress is to do these tlinge which
will enlarge that market rather than
to spend go much OF its energy in
worrying abont foreign markets.
Tho homo market In tho greatest
market on earth, and 10 make il
larger and Tor important is II great
deal easier and a great deal more pa.
ttiotic and national than to be look.
ing longmRly abroad"
DR.. Charles -. .WOlcoii, bend of
the geological survey, spoke strongly
and ably liz favor Of national en-
c~onragement Of II systematic irriga.
ton OF tue arid aud semi arid di~stricta
affected by tho bin under discussion
and gave scientific reasons in support
Of his advice.
After him came Clifford D.nchot,
Forester and Chief of tho Bureau Of
Forestry, in u convincing defense OF
tile proposition that forest preserya.
ton in tho Far West ia a branch OF
ofTecting irrigation, and in the most
earnest plea for Government action
along the lines urged by Mr.. New.
lands, the Interior Department aud
the Secretary Of Agriculture.
George Max we'll, Of San FrnncIaco,
President Of the National Irrigation
Association, then addressed the ne.
seTblage, making n stirring appeal
for prompt legislation.
MI. Nowlands concluded the dis.
cussion by answering u suggestion
that perhaps tho proposed Legislation
would prove to DO unconstit utional.
%fho United States owns the great
areas In the Statcs mentioned IN our
biD,' said he, "and by virtue Of that
ownership has an uDGssaiiabl1 right
70 do whatever addresses itself TO
Congress az proper 70 maze that land