The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-04-05
He TOLD SOME FACTS
Geo. H. Maxwell Explains the
/. irrigation Plans
RAILROADS GAVE MONEY
They Believed 1t Would Send
Settlers West.

Washington, April 4.-Under rapid ques-
tioning by the opponents of the repeal of
the desert land law in the house commit
tee on irrigation today. George H. Max
well detailed the information that the
Great Northern. the Northern Pacific. the
Southern Pacific, the Santa Fe, the Union
Pacific and the Burlington roads each
contribute 5000 year and the Rock
Island 5000 a year towards a fund to be
used by the National Irrigation associ-
alton and disbursed by Mr. Maxwell in
the interest of that organization. Other
contributions too this fund bring the
amount up to $50, 600 year. This money
years and is still being paid. 1t was
used in a campaign of education TO Sc
cure the passage of the national irriga-
ton act.
The information was the result of an
assertion that the transcontinental rail-
roads were endeavoring to secure the re-
peal of the desert land laws to increase
the value of their land holdings and the
land scrips which they are said to own.
Mr.. Maxwell replied that he was in a po-
sit1on TO know all the interests behind
such movement and knew of no syndi-
cate Of land scrip holders formed for the
purpose of securing the passage of the
repeal bill.
Within your knowledge" asked Chair
iS ic
that the land grant railroads have con-
tributed to the support of the National
Irrigation association, which you repre-
sent, and to the maintenance of journals
which you print?'
The transcontinental roads began
more than four years ago to contribute
to the funds of the National Irrigation
association replied Mr.. Maxwell, but
they have no direction Of the policy, and
if they have liked our policy it is simply
because they believed it would put popu-
lation in the west. But the theory that
they believed it was going to make their
lands more valuable is absolutely false"
Mr.. Mondell: The. gentleman says
that they. do support this movement for
Inc repeal, but not with a view of in
creasing the value of their lands of which
they own a 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 l know what the national or
ganization has been from the start to
this moment, and they never nave I'M
dertaken TO shape that policy; they have
SHINY followed it," answered Mr.. Max
well
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 railroads, or the value
of the land scrip. The repeal of these
laws had been part of the irrigation
project from the first, he said but it was
thought better to postpone action in this
direction until after the irrigation act
had been secured.
Representative Hitchcock brought out
the names of the railroads and the
amount Of each contribution. The total
contributed annually by railroads, he
said, was Sc. 1000
This money has been used for the ex-
penses of the National Irrigation associ-
alton" he said, and is only part Of
educational campaign for the last five
years. and is still continuing. l think the
fund amounts to $4,000 altogether"
The exact position OF President Roose-
Welt on the question at issue was contro-
verted, both sides quoting the president
as favorable to their aims.