Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-10-01

lnat the present national irrigation law
has been largely patterned after the
Utah plan is no discredlt to the state.
Utah has been the pioneer I'm many
matters relating to irrigation and will
no doubt continue to lead In the path
OF progress.
AS a result of this development all Of
the water of the state known as the
normal flow has been appropriated At
a conservative estimate this approprl-
ated water constitutes about one half
of the total supply OF the state. so that
there Is as much or more water still
running to waste In Utah as there has
been already appropriated. large pro-
portion, perhaps 40 per cent OF the wat
er diverted and appropriated, Is lost
through absorption in conducting 1t
from the natural streams to the places
of use The prevention OF this loss and
the utilization of the unappropriated
or Hood and winter waters, are the
problems which at present confront US,
and It Is safe to say that there are no
people who are more fully awake to
the needs and opportunities of the hour
or who are more capable OF dealing
with these and similar questions than
are the people Of Utah.
Progression however, Is never free
from complications, and of these Utah
has had her share. With the extens on
OF Irrigation and the fuller utilization
OF the water supply there arose the
question OF right TO torment and try
the people. AS In other matters requir-
ing patience and good Judgment, Utah
watched and waited until the course
seemed clear and then adopted code
which experts have pronounced a very
model Of Irrigation Jurisprudence and
under which II Is confidently expected
that the question of rights as we'll as
OF subsequent administration Will be
early, equltably and permanently set
tied.
Utah Is not only the home Of local
Irrigation, which she has nursed and
nourished until it has grown beyond her
borders, but In due time she also gave
to the country the National Irrigation
Congress, which, though feeble at first
and threatened afterwards with direst
death, has grown to be a mighty power
of which Utah is pardonably proud and
especially since. after a prolonged alb
sence, its first homecoming is the
cause Of this magnificent gathering.
STORY OF IRRIGATION.
This, briefly though inadequately
told Is the story of irrigation In Utah,
but II must not be presumed that there
Is nothing more to be said or done. II
Is in fact a story not half told of work
not yet half performed. We are really
Mt the beginning of a new and more
important era of progress. All that
has been achieved is but the beginning
Of that which yet remains TO be done.
Born of obscurity and despised as a
no, L.
of the rapidly developing west and by
virtue OF its power to bless and happI-
fy mankind 1t has compelled the re-
spect and admiration Of all. Its prom-
Use is potent and its progress sure,
over that obscure spot In the heart
of lone and limltless land where ir-
rigation was born. there appeared a
star the light of which dispelled the
drearlness and solitude that for ages
reigned supreme along the silent shores
of the great salt inland sea, and then II
grew in lustre and power until II pene-
trated the primeval gloom of all the
region round and became the beacon
light OF half continent Wise men
from the east desired its glory and came
to offer tribute to its cause,
And II came to pass that Theodore, a
mighty hunter whose surname was
Roosevelt and who was the chief clti-
zen of a great nation, even the great
est among all the mighty nations OF
the earth, espoused the cause of irriga'
ton and warned all the people of its
worth, Whereupon this greatest OF al
nations caused its Congress to enact
law to aid in advancing the great
work, to the end that II might encom'
pass and redeem all the waste places
and so help to unity and glorlfy the
great nation and add to the happiness
OF its people throughout all the land Of
| liberty.