146 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



by the American Agriculturist for the best and 

 largest yield of potatoes in the United States was 

 awarded to Wyoming for a yield of 975 bushels off 

 one measured acre. There is also on record a yield 

 of oats of 131 bushels per acre, and a crop of wheat 

 that threshed out 67 bushels to the acre. Such yields 

 are exceptional of course, but there is no reason 

 why the same care that brought them about once 

 should not be equally as successful again. Wyoming 

 gained the first premium for wheat at the World's 

 Fair in competition with the whole world. 



In area Wyoming is an empire, larger than the 

 whole of New England, containing boundless re- 

 sources. In agricultural lands she has homes for 

 millions, and in minerals of all kinds no State in the 

 Union is her superior. 



"MY BROTHER'S KEEPER." 



To the Editor of THE IRRIGATION AGE : 

 THE stand taken by THE AGE in the June issue, 

 wherein it states that " hereafter THE AGE will 

 expose doubtful enterprises," is a grand step in the 

 right direction and deserves the praise and practical 

 support of all persons interested in the cause of irri- 

 gation. Herewith find $2 for a year's subscription. 



The position of THE AGE is doubtless taken after 

 due consideration and the public need fear no " back- 

 sliding." The step should make THE AGE the most 

 influential journal and best advertising medium for 

 legitimate ventures in its line in America. 



THE WRIGHT LAW. 



The writer is a most enthusiastic believer in the cause 

 of irrigation, and willing to do everything possible 

 to advance its true interests, but has had the honor 

 of being hung in effigy for opposing gross misman- 

 agement, safely ensconced under the wings of the 

 "Wright law'' of California. Theoretically the 

 " Wright law " is good, and in the line of cooperation 

 by communities, practically it admits of fraud and 

 manipulation in the interests of " promoters." I be- 

 lieve it is the duty of every good citizen to cooperate 

 with THE AGE in exposing these defects and causing 

 them to be remedied. 



Two years ago I had written THE AGE calling at- 

 tention to these matters, but was advised by those 

 consulted that it would be useless to send it, as any- 

 thing written against the management of an irrigation 

 district would be construed as prejudicial to the cause 

 of irrigation and would be suppressed. Your present 

 attitude gives me hope a little judicious criticism will 

 not be taken amiss, and that other districts may be 

 protected against the snares into which this district 

 has fallen. 



THE AGE mentions " one district where schemers 

 and manipulators have imperiled the fortunes of a 

 community of honest, hard-working men." I suspect 



you mean the Ferris irrigation district, knowing its 

 relations to the Bear Valley company and its dis- 

 sensions of two years ago. It is to be sincerely hoped 

 that no other community has been duped as this has 

 been, but fortunately Ferris irrigation district can and 

 will survive its misfortunes, as its resources are great, 

 its location desirable, and its advantages unsurpassed; 

 besides, the bad management was exposed before 

 many investors had bought at high prices, and the 

 land which, under proper management, would be 

 selling for $150 and upward^ per acre is now being 

 sold at from $40 to $60 per acre. 



The locators and early settlers, who had borne the 

 strain of pioneer life and who should have been ben- 

 efited by the formation of the district and the intro- 

 duction of Bear Valley water, are the sufferers and are 

 now selling their land for a merely nominal sum to 

 get money to meet taxes, buy water, and get started 

 under the new regime. This state of things has been 

 brought about by plausible persuasions before the dis- 

 trict was formed and urtwise management thereafter. 

 The district is now being carefully, honestly and 

 economically managed and has a good future to look 

 forward to. 



The object of this article is not to expose or denounce 

 anyone, but to try to interest THE AGE in bringing 

 about such legislation as shall prevent the abuses 

 legally possible under the "Wright law" and other 

 similar State laws. 



THE AGE will certainly merit the best wishes of its 

 constituents if it can succeed in protecting the honest 

 home seeker, and the safe-investment seeker of small 

 means, from the " velvet fingers of cunning." 



The method which appears most feasible and 

 direct to the writer is to have the next Irrigation 

 Congress pass a resolution embodying the following 

 ideas. 



Resolved: That the legislature of each State be 

 urged to establish a Commission (or have added to 

 the duties of some Commission already formed, as 

 the State Bank Commissioners) whose duty it shall be 

 to annually investigate and report to the Attorney- 

 General of the State, the legal, financial and industrial 

 status of each irrigation district already formed, or 

 which has taken steps -toward such formation, and 

 that said report be made public, and that no irrigation 

 district be permitted to organize and issue bonds until 

 their plans and possibilities are investigated and ap- 

 proved by said Irrigation Commission and the Attor- 

 ney-General and Surveyor-General of the State. Said 

 legislation being intended to equally protect from 

 fraud the bond buyer and home seeker. 



Hoping to interest in a just cause abler minds than 

 mine, I leave the matter with THE AGE and its co- 

 workers. ORA OAK, 



Ferris, Riverside Co., Cal. 



