The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
THE STATE IRRIGATION BILL.

will consider the Works bill, prepared at the
l. instance of the Waters and Forests Society, is
so constituted to foreshadow compromise be-
tween the friends and the opponents of that measure
While the bill it stands represents great and pro-
longed labor and thorough examination of all the
practical and legal questions involved, and they are
myriad, it evidently not the expectation of its
| friends that it would be passed unscathed by the
Legislature. 1t proposes such changes in the RI
paran law will closely connect the riparian
ownership of water with its economic USE and the
grand and whole purpose of the measure is to Sc
cure the right all the water superior to its
mere riparian control, regardless of its use.
Southern California, where the water question is
more vital than north of the Tehachapi because in
the south the maximum of supply is below the
maximum necessity for its use, Immediately devel-
oped active and apparently unanimous opposition to
the bill. Lieutenant Governor Anderson in recog-
milton of the greater interests of the south in the
water question, has given that section majority
of the committee, but has made up the northern
minority Of the committee of very strong 1t
is expected that the bill will be amended so as to
effect compromise between the rival interests, if
that be possible.
The Waters and Forests Society will OF course
watch the amendment of the BILL and il it be mutt
fail rather than become law dedicated from the be
ginning to uselessness.
There are many reasons for hoping that this will
not be the result, but that there may be fair
promise Irrigation is of so much importance to
the whole State that it will be distinctly unfortunate
if irreconcilable difference appear between the
two sections Ii there be such difference and it be
founded in physical causes which are of course ire
movable, the prospect held will be very dscour
aging. In such event it will be we'll to study a
local option plan which will permit each section to
adapt its irrigation practices its physical condi
tons. The Wright law was, in effect, local option
measure but it created nternecine opposition within
the districts which it erected by levyng irrigation
tax upon all land whether capable of receiving bene
INT from irrigation or not. The result was much
paralyzing litigation, and finally the practical
pension OF all operations under the law.
future local option law if such be resorted to,
will at least have the benefit of the weak and the
strong features of the Wright law for a guide.
Back of all the features of the present situation
there is said to be the sentiment which favors the
division of the State The theory of natural boun-
daries, which has often figured in changes in the
political geography OF the world is said to be ea-
in the issue If il can be demonstrated that
there such irreconcilable physical differences be-
tween the two sections of the State the proponents
OF the natural boundary theory will insist that such
boundary exists where those differences meet Here
tofore the north has stoutly resisted all propositions
to divide the State The distinctly Californian
population, that is attached to old traditions and
feels pride in the expanse and of the State, is
in the north. Its aocretions by immigration have
been slower than in the SOUTH but it has
maintained numerical supremacy by having
had a larger population to start with The
population OF Southern California is distinctly
Eastern; it is new; it has grown rapidly; it
has not upon If the sentiment OF old tradition and
has remarkable local loyalty and active enter
prise. Il it desire separation from the rest of the
State what better force it bring to bear than ir
reconcilable opposition to the north the ques-
ton OF irrigation? That may be counted on as
a powerful inducement for the north to consent to
division
So it will be that the Senate Committee on
Irrigation promises to be the real center Of interest
for the session, for before will be tried out more
issues of great interest the State than will be in