Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-12
Xxx
Formers Speech at Spo-
kane Stiis lrrisa-
tion Congress. 81. /:
IS SHARPLY ATTACKED
Policy of Government Against
Hampering Private En-
terpriSe.

Spokane Aug. 12.-Secretary of the
Interior Ballinger I'm an address before
the National Irrigation congress today,
spoke, on the attitude of the admins
lands in the west. He said it was not
ahe policy of the government to him
der or interfere with the investment
of private capital in the construction
of irrigation work. but rather to lend
it encouragement. He said:
''The danger which the government
is undertaking to overcome is the es-
tablishment of small irrigation projects
in localities where, by such establish
ment, larger opportunities are destroy
ed, thus preventing enormous areas OF
lands from ever acquiring the use OF
water. For lack of funds the govern
ment is at present often required to
surrender possibilities in water appro-
priations, which means enormous loss
the future development of irrigation
works. l fear this is not fully appre-
ciated.
Try to DO Most Good.
1T is for this reason that at times
private enterprises are disposed to con-
tend that the government Is obstruct-
ing their interests, while from larger
view their interests are obstructing
greater possibilities for larger areas OF
irrigation land
Il may mention here what has fre-
quently occurred to me as a source of
advantage both to- the state and fed
eral government, that is, securing from
various states uniform legislation in
the matter of the appropriation of wa
ter and its beneficial use. and also.
legislation looking to control and con.
servation of available water power"
Echo of Contest Heard.
Spokane, Wash, Aug. 12.-The Bal
linger-Pinchot contest burst upon the
National Irrigation congress yesterday
afternoon. DR.. George C. Pardee,, for
per governor of California, attacked
the secretary of the interior, Ballingef.
and former Senator George Turner of,
Washington defended the secretary. s.
Ballinger entered the auditorium sur
rounded by the reception committee.
When he arose he was cheered several
minutes. He read his ideas on reclaim
alton, and contended that what was
done by the secretary of the ipterion.
was in accordance with. the law.
Ballinger, after his address, would
not be disturbed by questions There
TO ha inv r
ing delegates to ask questions and en-
ter into discussion with the speakers.
Ballinger was unaware of this.
Attacks BsIIinger.
Pardee, when he took the platform.
had no use for his manuscript. He de-
clared he was for Roosevelt and Roose-
velt's policies.
Roosevelt was the president who
did things first said he, land talked
about them afterward And that is the
kind of men we would like to see in
Office now"
Pardee told of the activities of for
mer Secretary Garfield, who, under
the instructions from Roosevelt, with
drew from public entry many tracts
under the belief that these lands
should be held for the people Now,
he said Ballinger has again put up for
entry these lands. and each tract has
in its boundaries water power site.
should BE Withdrawn.
The thing to do, said Pardee. is to
withdraw the water power sites as did
Roosevelt, and hold them for the peo-
pie
When" pleaded the speaker, ARE
We ever going to have chance for
the common Woodworking citizen?
Ballinger has said that irrigation Is
not proposition for the poor man.
| say it is particularly a poor mans
proposition. and if anyone is trying to
make it not so, let's find out about il. :.
Senator Turner replied: 'I think the
remarks of Governor Pardee, follow
ing those of the secretary of the In
terror. are in bad taste. Mr.. Balling-
er has done in his official capacity what
any man would do under oath. of Office
-he has obeyed the law, No man has
a right to act first and read the law
afterward