The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-27
IRRIGATION IN TEXAS.
Mr.. |. n. Kempner Believes II Is
Practical for Staple Crops.
HE IS BACKING us JUDGMENT
Has Invested In Bio Enterprise at
Wichita Fsls--condltlon Neces-
sary to Success.
IS BACKING MS JUDGMENT

A representative OF The Post had the
pleasure Of a railroad ride few days
ago With Mr.. l. H. Kcmpner OF Galveston,
who was returning from Wichita Falls,
where he Is interested In large Irrigation
plant which is not only attracting atten-
ton throughout all that section OF Texas,
but from the farmers of Colorado, where
the benefits OF Irrigation are better known
and the value OF irrigated lands more
thoroughly appreciated than in Texas.
Mr., Kempner Is chairman Of the committed
on finance, in the government Of Calves.
ton. and largely through his work the
financial credit OF the city was not only
saved, but 100000 added TO the available
fund for the erection OF its sea wall.
Mr., kempuer is the first among Texas
capitalists to place any large sum OF money
In the interior OF Texas In general ir-
rigation enterprise. His faith In Texas and
In IRRIGATION Is shown by his work.
II have for quite while" he said, been
a strong believer In irrigation 1T Texas,
but the two last seasons, which have been
distressingly dry, have emphasized the
! value of the artificial watering OF crops"
But, Is 1t not true, Mr., kempner, that
| Texas has suffered more than usual from
ufonths during the past two years.
Yes. very true, but have seldom known
! year when the cry has not Come at one
! time. or another from nearly very portion
/ OF Texas, that the crops were heing seri-
! ously injured by drouth / venture tho
/ statement that no man can recall many
| seasons In Texas when the watering of his
crops at some particular and needed time
/ during the year would not have largely
added 20 The Yield and quality OF the prod
uctA"
In what portions of Texas do you con.
slider irrigation benehclRlT
II might say In every portion Of Texas.
Even IN those portions Of the State where
| irrigation is not considered essential Tor the
| production of crops II would afford an as
surance TO the farmer and hortcuturist
against occasional drouth. Tho loss of
the corn crop on the hiAc- lands and river
bottoms Of the State of Texas by this
years drouth Will figure nj conservative
estimate twenty millions Of dollars which
would go long way In providing hy means
Of irrigation a permanent Insurance against
tho effects OF drouth"
What do you think about outside capita
going into such cnterpriSes|
In the course Of time. no doubt, money
can be obtained from ghrond for worthy
irrigation enterprises IN all parts Of Texas
Already much foreign capital has gone int,
rice irrigation in the coast country Doubt
less many enterprises will start wher,
: [ conditions are unfayorahe and these o
course win fail and whore failure doe
occur Il not only brings loss 10 the In
weston, hut works Il grcut injury and dam
age to the land owner who had expected
TO resp the benefits OF irrigation. Com
munites, therefore, which may be able Z
attract outside capital to the irrigation
enterprises should not hesitate to meet al
reasonable requirements and grant all neccs
sary concessions, Local interests will hay
as much 10 gain by the success Of tn
enterprise as the investors Of new capita
and in the interest of the common caus
4 all necessary precautions should be take
o NJ the start md all chances Of future ut
81 cation over the water supply aud ripnria
rights avoided"