The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-15

REEDER IS HERE.
First Of the Congressional Dele
cation to Arrive.
Talks Plainly of Federal Judge
ship Contest.
HE is FOR N. III. LOOMI S
Believes That He Will Win,
Says the Congressman.
Talks About Irrigation in
Western Kansas.
HE is FOR N. H. LOOMI S

Nok7AAAe~AA
Topeka shortly before noon today. the
first of the incoming politicians who are
expected here this afternoon to consult
with Senator Long. The senator. ac-
corTanied by Governor Bailey, Morton
Albaugh. Justice Pollock. and probably
Congressman Murdoch. is expected on
late afternoon train.
1T takes me two days to get to Topeka
from my home at Logan now discov-
err said Mr.. Reeder, ''and 1 guess it
will take me two days to get back. The
Rock Island has taken off two of its
trains and it throws out the people from
my part of the state who have been
used to coming down to Clifton on the
Central Branch and then taking the
Rock Island. When I got TO Clifton I
found I couldn't get here soon on the
Rock Island, so 1 had to r''n on to
Kansas City and come up from there
today
Mr.. .Reeder's choice in the U. 5. dis
trict judgeship race is N. H. LOOMS.
He is the only congressman who has
yet endorsed Loomis. but Reeder came
out for Loomis when Mr.. LOOMS him
self was pushing Charles Blood Smith
for the place.
that Loomis is the logical candidate.
said Mr. Reeder today. Il endorsed him
at the start and l think he will pe the
man. I am for him anyway"
Congressman Reeder expects to h.
made chairman of the committee on ir-
rigation in the coming congress. Irri-
cation is his hobby more than anything
else.
Il am the ranking member of the ir-
rigation committee and 1 think l VIII
receive the craftsmanship" Mr.. Reeder
said when asked about the matter
HAbouti the only thing that is urged
against me is that / had a chairmanship
during my second term in congress
which is rather unusual. My other
craftsmanship doesn't amount to much
beyond giving me a good committee
room however SO 1 shall not want that
if get this other Craftsmanship.
You see" continued the Sixth dis
trict congressman facetiously, when
first went to congress it was reported
| that my specialtieS were wind, water
! and distance. So I was appointed on the
| committees of acoustics, irrigation and
mileage. None of them was an import
ant committee then. but now the irri-
/ CATION committee is very important
Irrigation is the most important
/ thing that the national government now
/ has on hand" continued Mr.. Reeder.
since the. passage of the national lrri-
cation law the subject has become
national question, and its proper man
agenIent is of great Importance. The
| stability of any nation depends upon the
large number OF small ldla IlOldi-AGS ~
it-that is, the distribution of the people
through the country on small farms
which they own. and that is what the
irrigation law will bring about IN the
west 1t will enable the poor people 10
take farms of from 20 to 40 acres. Tor
that is about all man wants TO Take
care of under irrigation.
1.-The irrigation fund already has ABOUT
nine million dollars in it. Tha1 oueht
to bring about the irrigation OF aoout q
million acres, and that WouIu lurlhSn
homes for lots of people" ~,
What will lido for western Kansas!
Mr.. Reeder was asked.
THAT has not been fully determined
vet he replied 1.-The government Is
now experimenting with the undefhoW,
and we win probably develop artesian
wells In fact we already have arteslan
wells. but it takes a good deal OF water
| from wells to grow crops, ana tnat Il
a thing which must be determined.
Il don't suppose the government car
do much about building storage reser-
voirs in Kansas. There are rev 100
where big reservoirs can be built unless
it is in southwestern Kansas. ana pc
: sides we have little except surface water
. To fill storage reservoirs Small reser-
, yoirs can probably be built to better ad-
vantage by townships and individuals
, than by the government, and such reser-
yoirs would be large enough TO hanole
; 1.-THE storage surface waters.
What do you expect TO 90 III lhs
next congress? ?"
There isn't much to do now that
r know of except make some changes II
, the land laws. / want to make sons
changes so that we can keep the pub
lie lands from falling into the hands o.
specuIators. The spectators are get
ting hold of the lands mighty fast jus
now. How they work it l don't know
but 1 suppose it is by having othe1
parties come in and take up home
steads. which they get possession OF II
some way We had that question up fol
discussion at the national irrigation
: convention at Ogden, but no action wa
taken there. Some of the DELEGATES
wanted the land laws left just as thel
are now, but 1 think there should b.
some changes We want 20 keep tn
' pubic land so that it can be home
' steaded by actual settlers who Will g
in and make their homes there and i'm
prove the country.
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