The Elbert County tribune., 1902-11-27
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY UF The
INTERIOR REVIEWS THE RECLAMATION ACT

fund the cost OF tne WOrks NeitneI
sentimental theory nor political ex-
pediency has had any influence in out
lining the work to be performed un-
der the reclamation law. With the
corps of men selected for experience. II
T, is hoped 10 secure ultimately the con-
| fidence and appreciation of the people
of the entire country and to justify the
wisdom of the advocates of national
construction of irrigation works.
Immediately upon the passage OF
the law, and as soon as few OF these
larger matters had been determined.
various tracts OF land were temporar-
| lily withdrawn for examination and
survey. A description OF these lands
and OF the operations will be transmit
ted TO Congress in accordance with the
law at an early date. showing all OF
| the details of the work now in hand,
| There has been no attempt made TO
lay out in advance rules and reguln-
! tions, but It has been considered wise
TO start the work where the difilcul
| ties from an engineering and legal
standpoint appear to be least. Each
| obstacle is to be met as II arises Many
well-intentioned persons have raised
hypothetical questions and problems
which would seem 20 Indicate the i'm
possibility of accomplishing results un-
der the existing law, but. while there
| can be no question that difficulties will
be encountered. there is no doubt of
| ultimate success. In particular IL has
been urged that the state laws should
be revised. While It will undoubtedly
| be necessary for the persons interest
ed to secure improvements In local
laws and customs. yet there are many
| places where progress can be made
without involving radical changes. II
seems the part of wisdom TO continue
where progress is possible with least
friction, and not attempt to anticipate
remote contingencies.
The question most frequently asked
| is. When Will construction begin?
There is a desire on the part of all in
terested to see something actually ac-
complished. The friends of the move
ment wish to demonstrate that the law
is reality and not n theory. The
| people to be benefited through in
creased land values are anxious to see
this increase take place at once; but.
although the clamor for immediate
work is insistent. II comes from a COM
| paratively few persons. The great body
| of the people are anxious that the
work shall be done right and that the
public funds shall be used to the great
est possible advantage, even though
some delay may ensue.
In addition to the mere work of as
certaining facts. such as costs and
benefits, there is another class of op-
erations which is of almost equal i'm
portance. The people who already
have, or think they have vested rights
in water. or who may be benefited by
the operation of the law, must. in
many cases. concede some of these
rights or show their good by uniting
with the officers of the government
in making possible some of the more
important enterprises.
The process of education along this
line is one which must take place
slowly. AT first many people have the
impression that the Department of the
Interior is coming into the country to
spend money recklessly and give away
land It is a repetition of the old
story of the days following the Civil
War when many of our citizens
thought they were entitled to forty
acres and mule. Now the cry is for
| ty acres and an assured water supply.
But the law demands that while the
forty acres are given the settler must
live upon them for five years and the
assured water supply must be paid
for at Its actual cost without interest.
| Moreover, the water rights or privI-
/ leges which may be needed in the con-
fancy prices, but their actual value
will be paid, as nearly as this can be
ascertained. 1t is not proposed to go
into community. straighten out all
the legal difficulties, pay everyone
| what he wishes and then give away
the results. On the contrary, II there
are legal controversies which interfere
or complicate the operation OF works
to be built by the government, these
must be adjusted by the people them
selves. and there must be presented to
the government engineers conditions
so favorable that the work can be rec
commended as a possible and desirable
one. In short, as far as possible, the
people OF the communities within or
near which works are to be built are
/ expected to meet the officers of the
| government on n fair business basis
To do this may necessitate much hard
work on the part of public-spirited
men. but 1t is safe to say In advance
that no plans will be approved unless
the communities interested have made
every reasonable effort to insure the
success Of the enterprise.
This fact. the necessity of co-opera-
tion and mutual assistance. cannot be
too strongly dwelt upon, for In almost
every part of the country Individual
and corporate enterprise has already
begun work. in small way at least.
and in the planning of the largest and
best systems for developing the arid
land more or less private land must
be included or some interference be
had with the flow OF streams used by
individuals. Great care is being TAX
en- to guard all private vested rights,
and at the same time to see that the
interests Of the public are protected.
II, however 1t is apparent that undue
advantage is being attempted on the
part Of vested interests. there can be