The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-11-23
the expenditure of more than the

the expenditure OI more UTAH the
amount contributed by those states to
the fund, while in others of them it
| to expend the amount contributed
without subjecting the government to
the charge of extravaganc and gross
favoritism.
1t has been the plan of the secretary
not to regard state lines too closely;
| but while keeping the requirements of
the law well in mind. to provide for
projects where the physical conditions
are the most inviting, and where, as a
result, the work will be done cheap
est, relatively to the number of acres
benefited. In this plan he has the
! hearty Endorsement of the reclamation
bureau, branch of the geological
survey, which is in direct charge of all
the work of investigating sites and
constructing works. The officers and
agents of this bureau are scientists
of approved reputation, and neither
they nor the secretary of the interior
have been controlled by political con-
mendations and decisions.
Politicians Not Pleased
1t is easy to understand why work
upon this high plane does not please
the politicians in some irrigation
states. The idea of having men who are
mere scientists, and know nothing
about politics and care less, distribute
a $23000,00O fund, is something the
politicians find themselves unable to
indorse.
In several states the agitation in
favor of turning the irrigation expert
ment of the government over to the
politicians has already begun. notable
in North Dakota, where it cropped out
during the recent campaign in stump
speeches made by republicans in all
parts of the state.
Each year millions of acres of pub
lie land are sold to settlers in the irri-
cation states, and the money received
from these sales is covered into the
irrigation fund. Before the irrigation
law was enacted this money was COW
cred into the general fund of the ma
tional treasury, and expended for bat
tleships, seacoast defenses the army.
salaries of public officials, river and
harbor improvements, ETC. Not a dol
lar Of this money was ever expended
| in the thinly public land states, except
in rare instances, when congress or
dered a public building erected in one
of their cities, or improved an army
| post or a navigable stream
The physical conditions in the irri-
cation states are very dissimilar
Some invite the construction of reser-
voirs and bitches, while others do not
The result is that in some states the
reclamation bureau, on orders from the
secretary of the Interior is preparing
! to eXpend considerably more than
these states have contributed to the ir
| r1gation fund, while in others the prO-
posed expenditure will, for the present
at least fall considerably below these
contributions.
The line of cleavage is thus plainly
| drawn. The states which are to re-
| celNe, IN the near future irrigation
works exceeding in cost the sums con-
| trlbuted by them to the irrigation
fund, are apparently well satisfied
with the law. while those which ar.
TO receive less are willing to change
| the law and turn the irrigation busi-
J ness over to the politicians. hoping
through the pull of senators and of
congressman, to secure greater recog-
milton than has thus far been accorded
! them.