The daily sentinel., 1910-09-27
BATTLE OF STATES RIGHTS
AS AGAINST NATIONALS
Pueblo Irrigation Congress Promises Sensational
Features Strong Addresses Made
at Today's Session

uhs uid"lhs UT an! pan OIL adNef-
Using such land sales through the
mails, such as many of us have
known Of in this and other>-western
states"
Colorado, Conquest and Conserva-
tfon was the subject of an address
delivered here today by Ex-Governor
Alva' Adams of Colorado. He de-
clared himself in favor of state con-
troll of irrigation projects. which
would place the development and con-
servation of national resources close
10 the people. This, he said. would
insure tranquility, promote the dig
nifty of the states. harm no one.
strengthen the nation and advance
the welfare of all the people,
He said, in part:
"The economic malady of the age
is waste, The prodigal son was al
most thrifty compared with the riot
GUS prodigality of the American peo-
pie In the use of the virgin estate
which God bequeathed to them. A
material wealth unknown in history.
resources beyond human computation
have alone kept the nation solvent
For hundred years we have plowed
and Dug. cut and robbed. sawed and
bdlnt--like the fool In fairy stories,
we have chopped down the tree that
generation has grown that we may
easier pluck the fruit of season,
Just when We neared the point of
spoilation and danger, the voice of
Deity or some beneficent influence
startled the nation and touched the
mind OF president and statesman,
law-maker and people. and the cause
of conservation was born.
The time has come when the nat
lonal government should go out OF
the land business. The administra
ton of the widely scattered public
domain and the proper care of the
natural resources Herewith related
VIII, If not now, soon be an embar-
RAISING and expensive burden. Some
OF the figures given in the press of
the cost and income from national re-
serves indicate that this time of bur-
den has arrived. The ceding of this
domain and all resources therein to
the respective states will relieve the
general government, bean act of JUS
tice to the states and place the land
ahairs OF the country in the hands of
those directly interested in their eff
nclent management. 1t will end a
growing bureaucracy which, in am
bittious hands, might become a dan
gerous political machine.
In the western semi-arid states
the public lands are an unjust cross
lhey represent an important percent
age OF the state area. 1t is an alien
and independent estate; yet the state
must police them. They prevent the
continuity of settlement, add to the
cost Of local government: yet pay no
taxes, build no roads, help no local
enterprises, contribute to no school,
church or beneficent institution, nay
for no improvements; and, when sold,
the returns go to Washington. Such
a change Of control gives each state
home rule over its entire territory.
There will be an end to the conflict
of divided authority.
In all the gospel of conservation
there Is nothing as important as the
saving and use of the waters of the
semi-arid region. Irrigation lands do
not wear out. The lands plowed by
the Pharaohs are today as fertile and
productive as they were 1000 years
ago.
When the seven lean years come
TO our country the irrigated fields
VIII prove the granaries of the ma
ton: develop them and the future |
historian may write as did the pro-
phet of Egypt
In all the land of America there
was bread"