Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-08-24

Inc approaching SESSION. VI the ma.
tional Irrigation congress which will
be held at Ogden, Utah, in September
is the second Utah congress, the first
one being held at Salt Lake in 1891.
The intervening sessions have been
held at Los Angeles, Denver, Albu-
querque. N. NJ, Phoenix, Lincoln,
Neb., Cheyenne. Wyo, Missoula,
Mont, Colorado Springs. Colo, and
Chicago 1t is likely that the session
Of 1904 will occur at St. Louis during
the exposition.
The first irrigation congress was at
tended by many distinguished men
from nearly all the western states and
territories. The second, held at Los
Angeles in 1893, was international in
character and included special rep
resentatives from Russia, France.
Great Britain, Canada, Mexico. Peru
and Australia. The subsequent ses-
sions varied considerably in interest
and attendance, but all have contri-
buted something to the growth Of the
movement.
The last dozen years have wrought
great change in public sentiment,
on the question.
In 1891, the problem of the public
domain was regarded as one peculiar
ly belonging to the people Of the
west. They had already assumed
charge Of the water supply, making
laws under which 1t was appropriated
for irrigation and, in two instances,
providing elaborate systems OF ad-
ministration to distribute 1t among
q multitude of users. But the public
lands were still administered from
Washington. 1t was felt that this dual
control of land and water was amoma-
lous and that no harmonious and or
derly scheme of development could
be planned until both elements of
production were placed under single
control -
Furthermore, it was generally
thought that the construction OF ir-
rigation works must be left wholly to
private or, at least, to local, enter
prise. Such was the feeling at the
time of the first Irrigation congress
and its conclusions were SHAPED in
acco dance with this view.
State cesslon OF Public Lands.
The convention unanimously adopt
ed resolution in favor OF the ces-
sion Of all public lands, except those
valuable for mineral, to the several
states and territories in which they
were located. Little oppositionj to
this policy was anticipated. It was
believed that the west w6uid be glad
to get the lands and the nation glad
to get rid Of them. But contrary to
expectations. there was wide dissent
from the proposition, even in the west.
It speedily appeared that the people
lacked confidence In their legisla-
lures and were unwilling to trust
them with the disposal Of areas which.
is most cases, constituted the larger
portion 81 ina states. The vigorous
expression Of this ssntimeai .ia!aysi
the presentation Of the plan Of ces.
sion at washingtoa. In the meantime
thinss happened wAich no one lad an.
ticipated and the whole question took
on I totally different aspect in conse.
qusnce. s
Large Private Enterprises not sve.
eeesful.
The fascinating speculation In
water, often aiming at . complete
monopoly Of the supply. proved . fail.
ure In many localities. Settlers were
afraid Of Il and would not locate on
lands valueless without water which
someone else owned. At least, they
would not come fast enough to salts.
fy the demands for dividends. This
was serious setback for those who
advocated private enterprise as Q
means Of reclaiming desert lands.
Congress. In 1894. passed the Carey
law rendering one million acres Of
Agricultural land TO each Of the arid
states. Most Of them declined or
neglected TO accept the grant, which
was another disappointment to the
friends Of local development.
Then q new view Of the whole sub