New-York tribune., 1910-09-06

!, OF tie United States with which to con-
sUuct works for storing great bodies OF
water q proper attitudes, from which, 10y a
suitable system OF canals and bitches, the
water IS 70 be distributed over the arid and
Sui,ltid lands OF the government, 10 oe sold
10 settlers at price Sufnclent 10 pay 1oF
Inc improvements. Primarily, the projects
are and must be tor the Improvement OF
public lands. Incidentally, where private
supply, The furnishing at cost or profit Of
this water % private owners by the gov
6rumeaL Is ue!d by the federal Court OF
Appeals ;lot TO be usurpation OF power.
But certainly this ought not TO be done
except from surplus water, not neeued iof
government Land. About thirty projects
have been set on foot. distributed through
the public land states in accord with the
statute, by which the a1lotments from the
reclamation fund are required TO pe as
near as practicable in proportion TO the
proceeds from the sale OF the pubhc lands
il the respective states. The total sum
already accumulated in the reclamation
fund is uU2I5. .25S ~. and OF that an put
So 59l $50 "a has been expended. II became
very clear to Congress al ITS last session,
from the statements made by experts, ln3t
these thirty projects could not be promptly
completed with the balance remaining on
hand or with the funds likely 70 accrue III
the near future. 1t was 1ounG' moreover
that there are many settlers who nave heen
led into taking up lands with the nope ana
understanding of having water furnSneu
in A short time who are left in a most dis
treSsing situation. l recommended 10 Con
2TeSs that authority be given 10 the Secfe-
ticipation of the assured earnings by the
projects. SO that the projects, worthy ana
feasible, might be promptly competed ana
rho settlers might be relieved from their
present Inconvenience and hardship In
authorizing the issue Of these DonQS con-
gress limited the application or tnelr pro
ceeds to those projects which board or
army engineers. 10 be appointed by the
President should examine and determine
10 he feasible and worthy Of completion
The board has been appointed ana soon
viii make its report.
Suggestions have been mace lnat lne
Tinted States ought 10 aid in the drainage
Of swamp lands belonging 10 the states or
r,Tiyate owners because If drained, they
would he exceedingly valuable for agricult-
ure and contribute to the general welfare
by extending the area O. culuNatlon. l
deprecate the agitation IN favor OF sucH
legislation 1t is inviting the general gov
prnment into contribution from its Treas
11l-v toward enterprises that should be con-
Quoted either by private capital or at the
instance Of the state. In these days there
is a disnosition to look too much to the
federal government for everything / am
liberal IN the construction of the Consntu-
tion with reference to federal power. but /
am firmly convinced that the only safe
course for US TO pursue Is TO hold last 10
The limitations Of the Constitution and 10
regard as sacred the powers OF the states
We have made wonderful progress and at
the same time have preserved with judicial
eXacrnesS the restrictions of the ConStltu-
4i0n There is an easy way in which the
Constitution can he violated by Congress
without judicial Inhibition. TO wit. by ap-
1,ropriafioDS from the National Treasury
Tor Unconstitutional purposes. It Will be a
sorry day for this country II the time ever
comes when our fundamental compact shall
he habitually disregarded in this manner.
4 7yods