The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1903-02-25
A SUNNYSIDE CITIZEN
OPPOSES BLAINE'S BILL.
Sets Forth Some Common Sense
Arguments Against the Proposed
Measure.



bill No. al by Senator Sharp, in rela-
ton to reservoir sites, irrigation, etc.
| have talked with a considerable
number OF my neighbors and through
them sounded the sentiment fthe COM
mon people hereabouts to the effect that
the bill rodes evil to our people, and we
are earnestly opposed to it in it's
entirety.
Sugar coated and disguised as it may
be, its seems that its provisions SECTIONS
to inclusive) would in effect turn the
mountain reservoir sites over to large
corporations to own, control and convert
the free element water into chattels to
be acquired, absorbed and controlled by
monopoly; to be bought and sold per-
haps at rates of grievous extortion, only
limited by the sweet will of the absolute
master, and to withhold except to whom
he would especially favor. Is this what
they call Legislation in the interest of
the thrift of the country?" (That thrift
which is largely due to obnoxious class
law. Better have some legislation in
the interest of man as man, of common
human rights, and rights of common
people.
On the proper development, control
and use of these sites, the waterways
and use of water, depends not only the
value of the lands in millions of dollars,
but also the wealth, welfare and happi-
ness of the lis to be- dense population
of this vast inland empire, one of the
grand garden spots of earth. And we
want no giant corporation in position to
'levy all the tariff that the traffic will
bear" and even to withhold Except to
friends as special favor" in this way
to dwarf the country's development,
minimize it's values and Cypress and
degrade its people.
Let irrigation companies be as now of
law-common carriers for just and
reasonable compensation, and not abso-
lutte owners with right to sell as per
bill
National or state ownership and con-
troll, or that of organized district of
sufficient size to embrace the whole
water shed of lands of a given place, is
the only safe and reliable plan of action
in the matter.
We are informed that the state has
here under the high line some 200, 900
acres dependent on these storage sys-
TENS for water, and to the extent of
nearly all the value of the land. If this
land were watered it would sell readily
for $50 to $50 per acre-say fifty-and
would bring $40 900, 900. The engineering
estimates, it is said, show it would cost
less than 90 100000 to construct canals
and reservoir works for 100000 acres of
state land and 100000 acres of private
ownership. Thus one-half the expense
should be charged to persons and COM
panies if they would bear their share !;
or, if not, the state to stand whole cost
and sell water rights. Thus one-tenth
part OF the land would sell to pay the
money faster than it could be rightly
expended. If so, what is to hinder the
states taking the matter in charge?
The two penal provisions of the bill
No. al are scarcely less Objectionable
| (See sections and l0). Under section
persons are to be fined not less than
$50, nor more than $500 and imprison-
ment for acts of long established GUS
tom and universal practice, induced and
encouraged by the irrigating company,
viz, the handling and varying of the
use of water, waterways and water
appliances by any except especial favor
ties of the company. (Not quoting the
language, but the effect of workings of
the provision).
Section 10 provides for similar fines
and Imprisonment for acts of common
ordinary necessity and almost universal
practice and long established custom
and one of intrinsic right-an inestima-
BILE right which wrongs no one.
That We may the more clearly dis
Germ the occasion for the asking of these
measures ard the working effects, let us
refer to conditions and to an illustra-
ton of the working effect of the
measure.
The irrigation company's practice for
many years has been to allow and en-
courage their customers to care for and
handle the laterals, water gates and
water annliancas Tins savinn axnanse