The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1902-07-26

behind the work Of the department.
Upon the request Of members Of the
exchange, Mr.. Newell explained his un-
derstanding Of the meaning OF the bill
concerning the diversion OF water and
other features
The railroad officers present included
Tranic Manager Wellington OF the Col
orado L Southern, +. ID. Hunter Of the
Colorado Midland, E. n. Griffin Of the
Union Pacific and C. 3. Wnntland Of
the same road. Other railroad officers
had been invited to attend. but were
unable to be there on account Of pre-
vious engagements. State Engineer
McCune, Deputy State Engineer Field
and Prof. L. G. Carpenter Of the Colo
RADIO Agricultural College were present,
also Vice President Meyer Friedman
and Secretary Williams Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce.
DR.. Newell met the irrigation commit
tess of the Commercial Club In the
forenoon, and spoke in a highly encOur-
aging way Of the work upon which he
Ia now entering. He urged the CO.
operation of the practical business men
In the movement. aud invited the club
to visit the sites that are pronounced
feasible and decide whether the claims
are rea sonable. II the work receives
the Endorsement of the best business
men, said he, Il cannot fail to prove
great success.
I'VE desire the people of this state
to tell US what they want and then we
will give the matter careful attention
and tell them Just what can be DONE"
said Mr.. Newell. I'VE will Investigate
thoroughly any matter pertaining to
Irrigation and inform the people just
what had best be done to promote irri-
CATION of their arid lands. Then we
will enter into contracts witt them for
the carrying out of their plans. upon n
business basis strictly. We do not build
reservoirs or appropriate money just
because a man Is good fellow or a
city good city. We do II for the gem
eral good of the land, and where there
Ia specific benefit to be derived It must
be paid for by the ones concerned. But
1t will be done In the best and most
economical way and under the advice
Of experts. and not for the making OF
profits. President Roosevelt and Sec
rotary Hitchcock OF the Interior De-
partment are greatly interested In this
irrigation problem.
"Civil service rules apply to the men
who are doing this work. and there 10
about &5OOO.OOO or $8OOO,000 Mt their
disposal. But the new law imposes b
new work-thnt OF finding land for irri-
cation which will repay the cost Of re-
claiming 1t. The money must ultimate
" be returned to,.the government.
Hence 1t Is necessary to enlist tine ac-
tive support of business men who
know the local conditions and who are
responsible partiey. They, and not the
government, must disentangle the
troublesome questions Of water rights
In the various Loot Titles.
I'VE are willing n look into the ply
slcal conditions. We will find out for
people where the water Gomez from,
where 1t goes, etc. Legal matters are
delicate. We do not care to- dGht
somebody's battles In the courts. Ultl-
mately, of course, these matters must
be adjusted, not according to priority
rights, but In accordance with tech
nical rights. We can't have farmer
getting more water than he ought to
have, just because his ancestors hap
pened to secure the right two months
before somebody else.
I'VE will ascertain exactly what the
conditions are everywhere. Then peo-
pie can see what they want to do.
Figures talk, and accurate information
Is convincing. and factories have been
erected around the country az result
of information furnished by US, II the
people want to know things, we Will
find out for them accurately. Land to
be irrigated by the government must
give promise Of being occupied within
a reasona BILE time. 1t can be taken up
In tracts Of 100 acres under homestead
entry, and may not be sold immediate
T.. In
prosperous and productive. Such II
the object of the appropriation. Actual
settlers are wanted. We shall be glad
to have this organization supplement
our work and stand behind us as the
Omaha. Los Angeles und other clubs
are doing"
Mr.. Newell finished his day among
Denver business men by appearing be-
fore the directors of the Chamber OF
Commerce at 4 O'Clock In the after
hoon. The distinguished irrigationist
was accompanied by Congressman w.
A. Reeder of the Sixth Kansas dis
trict, and A. L. Fellows, the resident
photographer for the national govern
mcnt. MIR. Reeder Is man of I'm
posing presence and marked oratOricAl
powers. He took leading part In the
fight to secure the passage Of the irri-
cation bill VI
"Reeder made 1t point to button
hole certain number Of congressman
each day." explained Mr.. Newell. 'sand
l really believe many Of them voted
for the bill simply to stop his i'm
portunities."
Mr.. Reeder laughed good naturedly
at this sally.
II am deeply interested in this irri.
CATION question:" said he. much OF
my district needs irrigation. but 1t will
not come for some time, as we are ~
far removed from the mountains.
am one Of the Kansans who are not
In sympathy with the suit which our
state has begun to restrain Colorado
from using the waters Of the Afkan-
sas. I would be satisfied II you used
every drop which flows through that
stream. The more you get into your