Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1902-02-02
MR.. HEARD's IDEAS
One of the Water Storage Commission
ers Hopes for Government Aid.

i1ranhlN why DeleNe IN the general
principles of government aid for irri-
cation and why l particularly believe
that properly directed efforts will bring
reasonable government aid for this
community in its efforts to obtain the
much needed storage of the flood
waters of the Salt river.
| The general principle of government
aid for irrigation, as advocated by the
National Irrigation association, which
l have the honor to represent locally.
is one which should have the support
of every friend OF the development of
the west and. indeed. the policy advo-
Gated by this association is today being
| largely supported by thoughtful men
who wish to see the irrigation re-
sources of the west properly developed.
| President Roosevelt, in his recent
splendid message. has shown a remark
able grasp of the irrigation situation.
and u determinat ton to use his per-
sonal influence toward assisting the
arid west In all Legitimate efforts to-
ward national aid.
| The honorable secretary of the in
terror has also expressed himself
strongly and favorably on this sub
ject.
As a matter of fact there has been
! 4 wonderful change, in public senti-
ment in the east on the subject of irIi-
CATION within the last three years. In
1899 irrigation was but little known
and practically local western question
| today it has become a great national
question. as is clearly shown by the
| Importance given the subject in the
| recent message of the president.
Three years ago irrigation articles
were rarity in the nwspaprs and
/ the subject was an unknown one to
: the average eastern citizen: today the
/ development of the irrigation resources
Of the west. through national aid, is
| being constantly discussed. The east
ern congressman have practically
! agreed that something should be done
by congress at this session along the
, lines of national aid. Many of the
most important papers of the east are
today giving irrigation much space and
are advocates of government construc-
ton of storage works; while the lead
ing magazines. which must necessarily
feel the public pulse, frequently pub
lish articles on this subject.
| While there is practically unani-
nous idea on the part of the eastern
! congressman that some step. more or
less experimental. should be taken by
the government toward the construc-
ton of storage works. the western con-
Sressmeu have been unable to unite on
any definite project. In view of the
present situation in congress. be-
1eNe that . reasonable and properly
supported plan. presented at this time
to aid this county in constructing the
necessary storage works would meet
with strong support. especially as the
geological survey. on which the gov
crnrent relies for its expert advice.
reports that the conditions for storing
the food waters OF the Salt river are
exceptionally favorable and that the
, demand and need already existing for
the stored water is unequalled by any
other storage project under consider
alton.
The ideas OF the National Irrigation
! association are supposed 40 he out
I lined in bill which has recently been
: drafted BY =. committee of seventeen
/ congressman as a substitute for the
much discussed Newlands bill While
the passage Of this new bill would I'M
! doubtedly be benecfial to the cause OF
I irrigation. it provides particularly for
the reclamation Of public lands and. in
my opinion. would be of no advantage
to the lands row settled and in pri-
| Vate ownership in the Salt River val
| ley Unfortunately the seventeen con-
] grcssmen have not followed out the
! excellent idea outlined in that portion
! of President Roosevclt's message on ir-
rigation in which he clearly states that
he believes it to be the duty OF the
/
, to regulate the flow of streams whose
water is now used for irrigation pur-
| poses on Settled lands
| That the position of the president on
this subject may be clearly understood
II refer to the following extracts from
his message:
1T is as right for the national gov
eminent to make the streams and riv-
ers of the arid region useful by en-
gineering works for water storage as
! TO make useful the rivers and harbors
! of the humid region by engineering
/ works of another kind. The storing
| of floods in reservoirs at the head
waters of our rivers is but an enlarge
ment of our present policy of river con-
troll. under which levees are built on
! the lower reaches of the same streams.
| The government should construct
and maintain these reservoirs as it
does other public works. Where their
! purpose is to regulate the flow of
streams, the water should be turned
| freely into the channels in the dry sea-
son to make the course under the
same laws as the natural flow.
| The reclamation Of the unsettled
arid public lands prezeuts = different
problem. Here il is not enough to reg
ulate the flow of streams. The object
of the government is to dispose of the
| land to settlers who will build homes
upon it. To accomplish this object
water must be brought within their
reach"
| Further he says: Whatever the ma
ton does for the extension of irrlga-
ton should harmonic with. and tend
to improve the condition of those now
living on irrigated land
| And later in his message, in speaking
of how storage works should be built.
! he states that such works should be
| built only in accordance with the adj
vice OF trained experts. after long in
VcstiGation has shown the locality
where all the conditions combine to
| he reoIad