Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-03-30
Hon. r. S. Richards Puts Forth
Some Splendid Reasons in
It's Behalf,
IT MEANS MANY MILLIONS.
In Language Of Government Expert It
VIII Convert Several Counties
Into a Perfect Paradise"

Readers OF the News" are aware
that Hon. +. s. Richards went to Wash
ington some time ago In behalf OF the
Utah arid land commission. to lay be-
fore the proper authorities the great
plan that had been devised to secure an
ample water supply for this entire re.
gion. The details Of tn measure have
already been explained in the Deseret
News. MIR. Richards was received with
the utmost interest and cordially and
the plans that he presented were
viewed as both feasible and worthy Of
governmental support, Since his re-
turn the News has endenvored to ob.
tain from him some expressions OF his
opinion concerning the project which
is OF the utmost importance to this sec
ton OF the countrv' but the gentleman
has been so busy with his professional
affairs that We have been unable until
now TO obtain an interview, The
News reporter asked Mr. Richards
for some particulars In relation to the
prospects for practical results IN the
naturalization OF the great measure
proposed by the Utah arid land COM
mission as formulated by him and State
Engineer Doremus, TO which Mr.. Rich
ards replied
REAssURING NEWS.
During my last visit to Washington
/ had interviews with the officers Of
the interior department whose favor
able consideration and action are neces-
sary TO the success Of our irrigation
enterprise, and was assured by them
that, so far as the government was
concerned, there was no occasion for
delay In the prosecution OF the work
and that the whole matter depended
upon the people OF Utah who would be
benefited by the project, This state
ment has since been verified by the let
ter from Mr., WalCott, director OF the
United States geological survey which
was published In your issue of the 2bth
inst, in which he practically endorses
the statement Of the arid land COM
mission, that, no more worthy place
or people can be found than Is here af-
forded for the successful application
and operation OF the reclamation law
and says that, 1t is proposed to UNDER
take field work on the project referred
to and ascertain all OF the physical
features; at the same time II is UNDER
stood that the people interested are
getting together In order to cooperate
with the reclamation service In maxi
ing the undertaking great success
FIVE COUNTIES IN IT.
1T seems TO me that the people resid-
ing :" is counties of Cache, Boxelder,
Weber, Salt Lake and Utah do not
fully appreciate the Importance OF this
great enterprise and the benefits which
would result to them and the state at
large by reason Of It's consumn1ation.
II Is we'll knowa that only about one
third, little over 100000 acres of the
lands lying within these counties
which are susceptible of irrigation and
cultivation, have water right, and yet
all the available water has been utilized.
TO secure right for the remaining
100000 acres will require the expendi-
ture Of large sums of money, and II
would be exceedingly difficult, II not
impossible, TO obtain the necessary
means from the parties inter-
ested to prosecute such a pre-.
limlnaTy examination as would
demonstrate the feasibility Of any pro-
ject, When II is remembered that the
government Is willing TO do all this
work without the advancement Of
dollar by the people or the state, until
the feasibility Of the project has been
determined and the people have had an
opportunity OF deciding for themselves
whether or hot they desire the water
upon such terms as will reimburse the
government, its magnanlmity Is appar-
ent, and | do not see why anyone
should hesitate about having the pre-
liminary work done inasmuch as It en-
tails no responsibility or expense upon
them.
MANY PROJECTS.
"The people should remember that a
great many projects are being present
ed from all parts OF the arid region,
for consideration under the reclamation
law, and that the fund Is not sufficient
TO meet one-half Of the demands which
are made upon IT, Although Utah has
the advantage Of other states In having
preliminary work already commenced
on her project, the success OF the en-.
terprise depends entirely upon the IN.
terest which Is manifested by the PEG.
pie and the action which they may take
to meet the requirements Of the law
and enable the government to make
success OF the undertaking. Under the
circumstances IL would seem that ev-
cry citizen desiring the welfare and
development Of the state, should use
his influence TO forward this great en-.
terprlse, which would. In the language
of one Of the government officials. con.