The Colorado statesman., 1915-01-16

So long as Colorado is able to make
a beneficial use Of the water of
and flowing into adjoining states she
is entitled to do so. This right has
been questioned in the courts, by cer--
and citizens of adjoining states. If the
final decision is adverse to Colorado.
widespread ruin will follow in those
by this litigation and which depend
upon irrigation to grow their crops. II
would be a gross miscarriage of JUS
tice and violation and abridgement of
this states rights if the ruinous the
ory of those who oppose Colorado's
contentious is allowed to prevail. The
public Importance of these cases makes
1t vitally necessary that nothing be
left undone to establish Colorado's
rights bs II the cases now pending
provided an appropriation to assure
proper defense, This Assembly should
funds are needed to continue the work,
and. If SO, sufficient appropriation
should be made.
Agricultural College Land Fund.
The land grant fund of the Agricul-
tural College. according to the federal
act creating the same, must be invest
ed at five per cent interest. This fund
vested in part in state warrants and
bonds paying but three or four per
cent interest. Provision must be made
to meet the requirements of the fed
eral act or the entire fund may be lost.
Fraudulent Irrigation Securities.
1t is recommended that the laws re-
specting IRRIGATION districts be investi-
gated and revised. Great injury has
been done outside investors and the
state through the sale of valueless irri-
cation securities. The wording of the
present laws on the subject leaves
opening for INSCRIPTIONS promoters to
sell worthless irrigation securities by
for are expended under the direction of
the county treasurers in the counties
included in the particular district. 1t
is unconscionable for the state to per-
init longer the use of it's name in aid
of fraudulent stock-selling schemes.
Many of the districts of the state
water supply. This often results in ruin
great injury to the credit of the state
and much loss to the investor Irri-
CATION is of prime Importance to the
kept a safe field for capital to enter,
The wrongs done already are of such
magnitude as to menace seriously fur
state. and we cannot afford to permit
the continuance of this condition The
state should provide an effective su-
pervision over the issuance of irriga-
ton securities so that all stocks and
bonds issued represent bona fide and
sufficient water supply.
Land Loan Act.
Colorado adopted land loan act in
1905 which provides that our school
fund should be loaned to farmers at
six per cent interest. This law has
has been alleged that it is unconsti-
tutional, in two particulars: first, it
takes from the state treasurer the con-
troll Of funds entrusted to him by the
constitutions; second, it provides that
any county in which loan is made
must reimburse the state for any loss
from such loan, by making a tax levy
for the purpose.
1t is unnecessary to point out that
n a N Ia e..
per cent interest would be of great as
sistance to them. and hence. aid in the
more rapid development of the state.
IL is, therefore, recommended that this
law be amended, or new law passed
which will overcome the legal objec-
tions raised.
1t has been charged that the school
fund has not been invested in loans to
farmers because the bondsmen of the
this charge be true, it points out a Sc
rious defect in the present method of
bonding this officer. and Immediate ac-
furnish his bond and thus make him
free to carry out the laws.
Drainage. -lt sT5JE
The federal government has offered
to cooperate with this state in drain
ing several thousand acres of water
logged lands in the Grand and I'm
ffSSmipa9gre fSia nffsr valleys In order to accent
district drainage law be so amend
ed as to permit of contracts with the
L.
ment is to be entered into. it is advis-
able that the necessary amendment be
enacted at an early date.
instruction to Settlers.
The irrigation and particularly the
dry farming problems of Colorado.
make make demands for experience and
from the East needs help and di-
Gth GTeetiom during his first years here;
MS capital and earnings are unneces-
sary experiments. The Agricultural
along this line and should be encour-
aged and given financial support to
continue and extend what has been
our higher educational institutions
are furnishing efficient plants for the
training of our youth. They are doing
more than this, They are extending
their influepce beyond the confines of
their campuses and are playing an in
creaslngly prominent part in the So
cial civic and industrial welfare of the
people. The Agricultural College is
The sociological department of the
University is conducting through its
extension department a course of pub
iic lectures given in different parts of
the state dealing with vital civic prob
lens. The School of Mines is propos-
rRss lng a short , course for the prospector.
rurther as public service departments
and should be given generous financial
diu Dy lnlS Legislature.
While on this subject 1t is not amiss
TO say that our schools should give
more serious attention to the develop
ment of the sense of civic obligation
They should instill into every student
the !l CONVICTION that his or her first duty
is loyalty to the state.
The strong individualist is not only
OF no value to the state but he is a
man OF arrested and contracted deyel-
opment. The sense of loyalty to the
staste should be developed until ii be-
comes like the devotion to family This
Is true education: With such a founda-
tlon nation will endure. If Colorado's
people learn Colorado's history and
take pride in it; If all native or adopt-
ed sons and daughters of the Centen-
MAI state viii have riveted in their
minds the consciousness. and in their
hearts the ever-present sentiment that
they are mutually related to one great
re !, living and throbbing entityEtheir
state-which they are ready to serve
and willing to defend. then Internal
dissension will be impossible, and
peace, goodwill and Justice viii be-
II the schools of this state do their