8 

 i 



ultimate use and control of these streams will be jeopardised by the estab- 

 lishment of prior claims below us. The people of this State have expressed 

 a righteous indignation at the action of Colorado in diverting the Laramie 

 river to the injury of prior appropriate rs in this State, but there is little- 

 appreciation of the fact that so far as the Platte river is concerned the indi- 

 cations are now that the shoe will soon be on the other foot. 



In an article entitled "Wyoming, the Second Pennsylvania;" in 

 Harper's Magazine last year, the writer states the people of Wyoming 

 regard this State as a second Pennsylvania and are justified in their belief 

 that the stores of iron and coal which the State possesses have been the 

 foundation of great and prosperous commonwealths, bat gives as his own 

 conclusion, after a survey of the whole State; that the "State has a greater 

 and surer asset in Wyoming soil." It is because I believe that this is true,, 

 because I wish to see the lands of this State utilized as homes for the 

 present generation, because, being a citizen of the State, I wish to see it 

 grow and prosper, that I have called your attention to this matter and hope 

 that your aid and iEflueuce may be directed to securing this needed reform. 



THE REMEDY. 



It is one thing to locate the disease, but a far different matter to pre- 

 scribe the remedy. Especially is this true of the reclamation of the 

 arid lands. Differences in climatic conditions, differences in laws in 

 the several arid states, has given rise to diverse views as to the proper 

 course to be pursued. Nor are the people of any single state agreed. 

 The problem is new and complex. Comparatively few have had the time 

 or opportunity to give the necessary study and investigation to the sub- 

 ject. Because of this, there is a reluctance about endorsing any measure 

 of relief. 



In submitting my personal views it is not with any desire of insisting- 

 upon their being- accepted. Should the people of this state favor some 

 different plan which will reach the desired end, I am ready to accept and 

 advocate it. 



OUTLINE OF NEEDED REFORMS. 



What we want first is a change in the land laws which will either 

 require tbe present holder of the irrigable public land to reclaim it or 

 transfer it to some one who will. Thus far the United States has been 

 a failure as an arid land owner A landlord who pays no taxes and 

 makes no improvements. 



We want land laws which recognize the fact that all arid land is 

 not irrigable and which will provide for the management and disposal of 

 the grazing land in connection with the irrigable. 



We want land laws which provide for the preservation of the store 

 house of our water supply, the mountain forests. 



We need canals from our rivers but we also need them built under 

 conditions which will protect the rights and insure the prosperity of 

 those who are to use them. There is only one way to do this, the land 

 and water must go together; the owners of the land must also own the- 

 ditch which makes the land productive. 



We want no canal companies carrying water for hire.. 



