Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-03-08
REPLIESTOTHE NEBRASKANS
Congressman Mondell Tries to Answer
Critics of Irrigation Bill.
RELIES ON VAST MTEsAN SUPPLY
Expects subterranean Rivers and
Storage Basins 10 Produce Uniform
Flow in Surface Streams of
semi-Arid states.
(FrOm a Stan cOrrespOndent.)

WASHINGTON, March 7-(Special Tele-
gram .)-Representative Mondell today re-
ported favorably the bill for the reclama-
tioA Of arid lands, as introduced by Repre-
sentative Newlands. The report covers
twenty-five pages of typewriter matter and
Is exhaustive in character. OF the states
named in the bill, Kansas and Nebraska
according to the report. contain no lands
which strictly speaking, are arid, though
nearly one-third Of the western portion of
each state is semi-arid, and a considerable
portion OF the semi-arid lands is susceptible
to irrigation. The amount of land remain
ing in public ownership in these states Is
comparatively small, In Nebraska about one
tenth and in Kansas a considerable smaller
portion.
Mr.. Mondell says the American pioneer
has irrigated In the region included in the
bill. about 100000 acres Of land. and has
expended thereon a sum estimated at $780,
100000. The acreage under irrigation In
Nebraska is given at 1858; South Dakota,
4S,o1O; Wyoming, 6Os.s42.
No Longer an Experiment.
The report Of the irrigation committee
says that the territory affected by the bill
is nearly one-half the area of the United
States, and that in the sixteen arid land
states there are over 535, 900, 900 acres, or
more than one-slxteenth of the area of the
country, of public land subject to entry. OF
this vast tract only II, 100000 acres will
produce corps without irrigation, showing
the wide extent of the arid districts.
Mr.. Mondell points out that with such a
vast dominion no other than the govern
ment can deal adequately with the problem
Of irrigation. He also shows that irriga-
tion long ago passed the experimental, stage
and that its great advantages have been es-
tablished in this country and abroad. The
bill, he says, proposes no taxation to carry
out the irrigation project, the entire ex-
pense being derived from the sale of public
lands in the states to be irrigated.
seeks to Meet Objections.
In reply to the objections made against
the measure by the Nebraska representa-
tives in congress; that as the bill stood 1t
would have the effect, II passed, Of coHsid-
erably reducing the volume Of water in the
Platte river flowing through Nebraska, Mr..
Mondell says: THE bill provides for the
sinking Of artesian wells. II is hoped that
these test wells will demonstrate the exist
ence Of an extensive artesian basin through
out western Kansas and Nebraska, as we'll
as elsewhere In the region. The semi-arid
states which receive their waters from the
arid mountain states viii not only have the
benefit Of al the storage and the diversion
undertaken with & view OF reclaiming the
semi-arid lands within their borders, but
Will also be benefited by every storake and
diversion work undertaken and accomplished
at the headwaters and along upper courses
of the streams.
Relies ON storage Worka
''The storage work will hold back the
flood waters which would otherwise 70 to
waste or cause destruction, and these
waters, utilized in connection with the
larger proportion of the natural flow of
stream, could without food conservation
be utilized for the irrigation of large tracts
Of land and In a short time would convert
these tracts, now absolutely dry, into water
soaked areas, seepage from which, return
ing to the stream. would produce largely
increased and uniform flow in the lower
course Of the rivers, at a time when most
needed, and when under present conditions
the streams are lowest"
Senator Gamble today laid before the
senate petitions signed by over 150 citizens
Of South Dakota, praying for the passage
OF the Grout oleomargarine bill. The. Pc
titions came from the towns of Greenfield,
Armour and Alsen.
Mercer on Congregational Committee.
The republican members Of the Nebraska
delegation in congress have selected d. H.
Mercer to- represent Nebraska on the ma
tional congressional committee. Congress
man Burke of South Dakota will be selected
as a member OF the committee from that
state.
Representative Stark, who has been ac-
lively interested in having the State de-
partment look into the charges made by
s. A. Fowler, q son OF w. A Fowler of
Ashland, against the British government for
impressing him into the English army and
compelling him to fight against the Beers.
has received a letter from Assistant Sec
retary Adee The letter is as follows. ad-
dressed to w. A. Fowler, Ashland, Neb.;
l have to acknowledge receipt OF your
letter of the 18th ult., in regard to obtain
son, 8. A. Fowler. who after serving in the
British army, was discharged at Durham
In reply / have to, say that a copy OF
your letter has been sent to the consul
general at Capetown, with instructions to
endeavor to have the young man sent to
you.
Senator Clark OF Wyoming gave notice
today that he would propose an amend
ment to the postofnce appropriation bill
| when It comes before the senate, to pay
James Graham 5000 for carrying the daily
mail from Altamont 20 Aspen. On the
old line OF the Union Pacific.
Senator Gamble today reported favorably
his bill to ratify the agreement with the
Rosebud Indians. which cedes 10000 acres
OF land IN Gregory county, South Dakota
The bill appropriates s4s0.000 to carry the
agreement into effect. A section added
sets apart townships Is and SO for school
purposes
DivisiOn of Nebraska.
Senator McComas OF Maryland today made
favorable report from the committee Of
the judiciary, on the bill introduced BY
Senator Dietrich. providing for the division
Of the state OF Nebraska into two judicial
districts. making the Platte river the divi-
sional line.
Senator Blackburn. democratic member Of
the subcommittee In charge OF the bill
concurs with Mr. McComas. Senator Nc
Comas reports the bill without amendment
aud says: Nebraska is a very large state
| It's population Is rapidly increasing. II
appears from the annual report OF the at
torney general that there were pending II
the federal district July 1. $780, 2l2 criminal
| cases and 465 civil and other suits. In I
/ rapidly growing state the business Of ths
| federal courts will rapidly increase. II Il
l ttl~.I.r that fha aNafffouaI awunusa ..,...l