The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-02-12
REPORT MADE
ON IRRIGATION
-%
Federal Industrial Commission
Recommends Legislation.
FOR NATIONAL CONTROL
-A
MoRMoNS FIRST IN HISTORY OF
IRRIGATION.
FOR NATIONAL CONTROL
fsnecial to The Herald.l


Washington. Fec. 1.-THE federal in
dustrial commission has issued its final
report, including within the same rec
concentrations upon the question of IL
rigation adduced from testimony given
by various irrigation experts, among
them Professor ElWOOd Mead, irriga-
ton expert of the department Of agri-
culture, Dr. Whitney, chief Of the di-
vision OF soils, and Mr. F. II. Newell Of
the United States geological survey. 1t
is of interest to note that the commits
sion was averse to reporting recon-
mendatiOns upon the irrigation ques-
ticn. Representative Bell Of Colorado,
Mr.. Litchman Of New Jersey and Mr..
Kennedy of the District of Columbia,
three of the most influential members
OF the commission, spent five weeks
working with the commission, and
little by little brought the entire COM
mission around 10 their way of think
ing. This is attested by the recon-
riendatioas, which have a further
weight because of the fact that there
was no minority report on the subject
filed. II the time these gentlemen were
working with the commission they
brought to its attention the recon-
mendations and views of the president,
Inc secretary Of agriculture, secretary
of the interior. geological survey, and
demonstrated to them that this was a
question which had engaged the seri-
Gus attention of the president and Of
the authorities cited. and that the COM
mission could not afford 10 dismiss it
simply with the presentation of the
evidence taken.
History of Irrigation.
In giving the history and scope OF ir-
rigation. the commission says:
Testimony given before the indus
trial commission shows that irrigation
by English speaking people in the
United States began half a century
ago among the MormOns in Utah, and
at scattered points near the mining
districts in California. Twenty years
later il was adopted at separate places
in Colorado and adjacent states and
territories 1t is estimated that 40 per
cent OF the United States proper re-
quires irrigation for successfully pro-
ducing plants useful as food supply
for man and animals. In 1890 a little
over $500 coo acres were cropped by
irrigation. and in the succeeding ten
years this area has been doubled,
largely by the more careful use of
water and more complete tilling of
farms already partly irrigated. Since
1895 there have been comparatively
and development along this line may
be said 10 have nearly ceased. This
cessation Of activity in irrigation de-
VelOpment is not because there is no
longer water or fertile land, but be-
cause as before stated, the easily
available waters are already utilized
and it has not been found profitable
to store floods nor to construct large
works by private enterprise, any more
than it would be profitable for indi-
viduals to dre6Se harbors or build
light houses. Moreover, it must be
borne in mind not only is it important
that an ample supply of water for ir-
rigation shall be secured and con-
trolled, bGt also that it shall be stored
for use when most needed, and when
the most remuneratiye crops can be
obtained Sugar beets, potatoes, al
falfa and orchards all require irriga-
ton in August and September, which
is the season of least supply. These
crops require, as "A rule, but little
water, while yielding large returns"
Area of Arid lands.
OF the area to be reclaimed. the COM
mission recites that there IS a vide
range of estimate as to the probable
acreage, but briefly summarized, it
may be stated that the agricultural in
terests of sixteen states and territories
OF the west depend directly in part, at
least upon irrigation and irrigation
methods. These states and territories
are Arizona, California. Colorado.
Idaho. Kans~ s, Montana, Nebraska.
Nevada, New Mexico. North Dakota,
oklahoma. oregon, South Dakota,
Iuah. Washington and Wyoming. They
comprise an area of nearly 1.500,U00
square miles. almost one haH The area
of the United States proper, and sup
port population of about 100000 peo-
pie.
The Development of this arid land,
the commission says, depends upon the
promotion of a comprehensive and Ju-
dicious system for the conservation of
water and its utilization by irrigation.
Iron the wise solution of this prob
lem by congress will depend whether
the area embracing two-thirdS of the
western half of the United STATES shall
ever be made habitable, or shall remain
n desert waste-arid, desolate, unpro-
ductive and unnhabitaoie: or. as
stated by the department OF aSricui-
ture: ION the supply of water .Or irri-
cation and it's equitable distribution
depend the permanent existence of CIV
uized life in one-third of the area COW
cred by the forty-eight states and ter
ritories Of The Union"
For National Control.
The commission reports in favor OF
national control saying on this point:
There is no GOubt that any extern
sive ptan Cor the reclamation of arid
lands can be carried on TO much bet
ter advantage by the general govern
nept thar bv the states which have
such lands within their borders
Where the lands have been granted &C
the states they have been improvident-
1, disposcG of and private individuals
have ultimately acquired ownership OF
lsrpc tracts. as many as 1900 acres IN
ono instance. In every case where
work of reclamation was national en-
terprise it was a success, and only
when relegated TO the state has j
Urovcd ii failure. The national govern
ment. the original owner of the land
ana sim the Dossessor of the greater
mart of K. alone has the right and the
ability TO conserve the waters for th'
host interests of the several states anC
communities.
.sThe primary object in asking thai
action be taken By the federal gov
eminent is that land monopoly may b'
prevented. BY limiting holdings Il
eighty acres each as maximum. il
will be extremely difficult 70 create {
monopoly of ownership"
In conclusion. the commission makes
the following recommends tons:
recommendations
we recommend that the congres!
enact laws:
i. To provide for national control o
sources of water supply upon which
Two or more states may depend TO
irrigation.
To provide FOR further compre
bausfve surveys OF the arid lands o
r-.-s4oa Sto4oc apd for IN fn1rup