The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-09-18
BITTER fight EXPECTED
OVER Land Law REPEAL
lcontInued from 20 -

be waged on the desert land and the
timber and stone acts in the irrigation
congress was fired by George Maxwell
of Chicago In one of the greatest
speeches. OF the present congress. It
was delivered at the beginning Of the
evening session. Mr.. Maxwell is recog-
nized as one Of the foremost authorities
on irrigation in the country, and his
speech was a marvel OF rhetorical foEce.
His heart was in the subject and he
fairly swept the congress of its feet
with his elOqUenre, and his splendid
perOration was followed by storm of
wild applause that made the building
fairly shake
Congressman Mondell Of Wyoming
was singled out by Mr.. Maxwell and
the arguments made by the Wyoming
congressman yesterday were picked to
pieces by the Illinois delegate 1t was
with establishment. Mr.. Maxwell said,
that he had listened to the arguments
offered by MI MOndell yesterday. He
vas glad, ne continued, 10 hear Mr..
MondelIs explanation that he had been
to the celebration the night before, as
that might tend to explain discrepan-
Cies in the figures the Wyoming man
had cited. Mr. MOndeN had stated,
said Mr. Maxwell. that there were 60.
100000 acres OF government land unpat-
that the greater part Of this land was
in the mountain peaks where IL could
not possibly be utilized for cultivation.
Mondell's Figures Wrong.
Mr. Mondeu had claimed, continued
Mr.. Maxwell, that there were 100000
acres of government land taken up last
year. but Mr.. Maxwell said the fact
really is that 25.000.000 acres had been
located under the various land laws.
Mr.. Mondelps statement that it would
require $50 years to use up all the avail
able lands at the present ratio Of lOca-
ton was ridiculous. Mr.. Maxwell
stated that ne figured It would require
less than six years TO utilize all the
lands at present available for agricul-
tural purposes at the ratio of the past
year. If Mr.. MondelPs figures are cor
rect. said Mr.. Maxwell 1000, 900 900
acres, or more than the total area OF
the United States, are still unpatented.
In closing, Mr.. Maxwell in most inn
pressiVe and eloquent manner appealed
70 the delegates to consider not them
selves but the future generations in
their actions concerning these ques-
tons When he urged that the men
who left their bloody footprints IN the
snow at Valley Forge were not think
ing of the present so much as the fu-
ture. he aroused the delegates to the
highest pitch. It is regarded as likely
that Mr. Maxwell viii lead the fight
that is expected tomorrow against the
two measures.
William Z. Smythe Of San Diego
Cal. aften referred to as The Father
OF Irrigation" made a stirring speech
paying a fine tribute TO the Mormon
pioneers for the methods they employed
90 guard the water rights Of individ-
uals. Mr.. Smythe said, in part:
parnatr1afa American Ideal
William Z. Smythe Of San Diego,
Cal. spoke on The Influence of Irriga-
ton on the American Ideal" After
paying a tribute to Utah as the cradle
OF American irrigation and the birth
place Of the national organization, he
said.
There is one thought which is to me,
at least. inspiring. which, if it be true,
is lofty enough to sustain us in all the
trials and labors Of the future. And
the thought is this: The influences
born of the first fierce struggle for eX-
istence i'm these valleys Of Utah, sup
plemented by the influences which have
grown from the first national irriga-
ton congress at Salt Lake twelve years
ago, viii do more than any other fac
tor 60 save and perpetUate the Ameri-
can ideal Of democracy. ] believe the
battle for genuine economic indepen-
dence on the part of the masses Of men
is To be won in these far valleys, under
the benedictiOrf of the western sun. And
with all reverence / utter the cOnvic-
tion that into our hands. for the time.
God has given the very ark of the COW
euant. that we may bear il before our
cOuntrymen to the promised land"
IN support Of his claim for this lofty
mission Of the movement. Mr.. Smythe
analysed the influence of irrigation and
the environment Of the arid region on
social, industrial and political institu-
tiOns. THE endless battle with the
desert makes a strong and indOmita bic
race. The diversion and distribution
of the stream from its natural channels
absolutely COmpels cooperation among
men and a high order Of Industrial or
ganization. Irrigation favors small
farms. and these imply dense pOpula-
ton and extraordinary social advan-
tages."
But the most important Of all. In
the fierce contest for the possession OF
the water supply. public ownership has
triumphed over private and corporal e
enterprise. The nation reaches its hand
into the desert and commands the
floods TO stand back. the streams 90
flow out upon the land the forests "a
live and TO multiply upon the mountain
sides. and thus prepares the way for
new population. equal to the present
total OF the United States. to realize
complete economic independence i'm
what is now all but a vOiceless wilder
ness
This assertion OF national power in
the creation and management Of pub
lie utilties-this expenditure Of nation
al capital for the direct and lasting
benefit Of the masses-is the most mo-
mentous step in our social history
since the abolition OF negro slavery
We are applying new principles 70 the
problems OF our new century. Carried
TO their logical conclusion they NEAR
new birth Of institutions built on the
recognition Of the nations right and
the nations duty TO do for its people
whatever shall be necessary to theil
greatest happiness and their truest vel
fare. In the hour OF peril IL win Do
the derided desert which shall save III,
republic by keeping it true 10 it's prim
Tive ideals, set TO the music Of a new
time"
Frederick w. Taylor. chief Of the de
partment Of agriculture Of the St Loui,
exposition. warned Utah exhibitors no
10 send any fruits attacked by insect,
10 the fair as, he said. the pOmologist,
would be certain % throw them out
AR Taylor evidently had the experi
ence OF the Utah exhibitors I'm the cur
contest I'm his mind when he issued tn,
follows:
Frederick W. Taylor.
Frederick w Taylor, chief Of the de.
partment of agriculture OF the Louisi-
ana Purchase exposition, spoke OF CTR.
rigation at the St Louis worlds fair d
He said. in part.
of we try To look into tb- r.,.- q.