Graham guardian., 1902-04-25
IRRIGATION
<peca,l C RESP ,ndenc iii. Guar ian

III is Sald lhc pest government
upon earth, is the government that
gives employment and protects It's
humhlcst citizens, Keeping its pro
pie producing wealth to supply
themselves with the necessities
and comforts of life.
When we look abroad over Ari
zona ard see tons Of thousands of
acres Of rich land, II parchcd desert
while if The annual rainfall WAS
stored and properly used on these
lands, they would furnish homes
for millions Of happy, prosperous
people. Water is to the arid land
what blood is to the body, life
giving element.
AT one season our streams be-
come swollen torrents at another
season beds fparchcd sand mark
the course where water flowed.
We believe more water goes TO
waste on the ella and its tributar-
les than would 'irrigate all the
available land within its reach.
Yet, when you mention water
storage, you are met with the
answer that we must wait and
starvc until ca itaIist choose to in
vest Alas! our people have be
come such slaves To capitalists that
they fancy our very existence de
ponds upon tlcir favor
Did capitalists build our grcat
!" ir ad system, by no me n
Should you make it Il study, Y, 1
would find that the credit Of The
government built these roads and
paid the capitalists to accept then
us free gift, simply because he
government considered railroads /
public nee ssity.
Would ii not be as great a ne
ccssity to convert our tens # nj
lions Of acres Of arid land into
happy homes for our millions q
wander ny d sllntc that are filling
our almshouscs and prisons ant
threatening the safety Of the M
ton. Did not Lord hatam say
"Show me the laws of Il country
and | will tell YOU the conditions
of he people"
Now suppose the. Federal gov
crnment does not feel disposed t.
! iend lis credit, Why not ask The
tfalriinry To- frame II law aitcI
wsieii's bill Of Caiifarnia, where
n Ssrailgu county cnu'd max
storage reeervoles and 80 spcl
times as there is 4 snrpi2Ss n' wi
omploycd labor, open up thes,
" orks of lui ding resc vors G
lold the surplus water, and pay
the men with scr pit in drn"mina
tinmS of SIS, $40, S2u and 500, pay
able some in cne year, others il
two years etc, bearing II low rat'
of interest. his script would pas
as II circulating medium in ou
midst, being supported. 1t woul'
give employment to the unem
played, producing wealth; ii wonlC
lessen crime and produce pros
| p,rity; it would add millions t.
ihc taxable property Of our coun
ty, thus reducing the rate Of taxes
it would increase the value of land
Ii was by such Il method tina
the French paid off their German
war debt, in denominations Of pa
! per us low as five dollars.
The jersey Islanders built thci
court houses and other publ
buildings.
New Zealand and Switzcrlan'
have state works where the un
employed can find labor, an'
small wages nj all times.
We hope this matter may re
ceivc the attention it has received
in IL csc highly favored countric
mentioned, which can live withou
the c;plialIst and m ke all IN
internal improv, m 'nts they wan
and own and use them for tn
benefit of the people. As it is
our modern improvements ar
merely to enslave us to the rich.
Look at railroad rates. New
Zealand, l for riding 30 miles
Switzerland, SIG IL gives you iou
months riding.
We hope the time is comm
when the land and sources o
wealth will belong TO the pcopl
who use them and. not to gigantl
trusts that ensIave the people
J Il. BARKLEY,