New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-05
RAILROADS AND LANDLAW
Raised a Fund to Secure Passage of
IRRIGATION act.

Washington. April 4-Under rapid questioning
by the opponents OF the repeal OF the Desert Land
laws in the House Committee Irrigation to-day.
George H. Maxwell gave the information that the
Great Northern, the Northern Pacific the South
ern Pacific. the Santa Fe. the Union Pacific and
the Burlington railroads contributed 5000 year
each and the Rock Island 5000 year to fund
TO be used by the National Irrigation Association
and disbursed by Mr.. Maxwell in the interest of
that organization. Other contributions TO this fund
bring the amount up to $4,000 year. This money
has been collected in the last five years, and is
still being paid. 1t used to secure the passage
or the national irrigation act, "in a campaign of
education"
that the transcontinental railroads endeavor-
ing to secure the repeal OF the Desert Land laws
to increase the value Of their holdings and the
scrip they said to own. Mr.. Maxwell said he
was in position to knew all the interests behind
such a movement. end he knew OF no syndicate
Of land scrip holders formed for the purpose Of Sc
curing the passage Of the repeal bill.
within your knowledge" asked Chairman Mon
dell, rs 1t or is it not fact that the land grant
railroads have contributed to the support OF this
National Irrigation Association. which you repre-
scEt and to the maintenance of the journals which
YOU print7'
The transcontinental roads began mora than
four years ago TO contribute to the funds OF the
National Irrigation Association" replied Mr.. Max
well But they have no direction of its policy,
and II they have liked policy It is simply be-
cause they believed il would put population in the
West But the theory that they believed IL was
going to make their land valuable is abso-
lutely false"
The gentleman says" answered Mr.. Mondell
that they do support this movement for the repeal
but not with view OF increasing the value OF their
lands, Of which they great many million
acres, and the value of their scrip. OF which they
own about two and a half million acres In what
way does he read the minds OF these gentlemen TO
know that?'
Because know what the national organization
has been from the start to this moment and they
never have undertaken to shape that policy they
have simply followed g." answered Mr.. Maxwell
Explaining further, he declared that he did not
believe the repeal Of the Desert Land laws would
enhance the value OF the land owned by the rail-
roads or the value OF scrip. The repeal OF these
laws had been part of the irrigation project from
tho first, he said II thought better to post
pone action In this direction until after the Irrt-
Representative Hitchcock brought out the names
Of the railroads and the amounts each contributed.
The total Contributed annually by the raliroads ne
This money has been used for the expenses Of
rho National Irrigation Association. hs said, and
is only a part Of the fund that has been aVaiaole
years, and IS still continuing. / think the fund
amounts to $4,000 altogether"
question issue cOutroverted both sides quot
ing him as favorable to their aims,
before the Senate almost the entire day the early
debate was in relation to general land laws MT
bill for the repeal Of the Desert Land act and the
Communication clause Of the Homestead law were
proceeding at the iTsugatlon aid IN tis
land grant railroads. Mr.. GIBSON. aloed Dy NII.
Quarles OF Wisconsin, made light OF the charge
that lobby maintained in Washlngton 20 nsnSS
for the passage OF this bill MI HansoTousIi' OF
North Dakota. and Mr. Warren or Wyoming, TOOK
the other side OK the question. MI W.
drawing a princely salary for the work he ola