ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AP- 

 PROPRIATED BY CONGRESS. 



FRIENDS OF IRRIGATION MADE A STRONG 

 FIGHT IN CONGRESS. 



BY GUY E. MITCHELL. 



Always alert ID the interests of the arid West, Senator Carter 

 made an able defense of the item In the sundry civil bill of $250,000 

 for irrigation surveys and investigation by the geological survey, dur- 

 ing the closing days of Congress. Last year's appropriation for this 

 work was 50,000 and when it was proposed to increase this amount 

 this year, first to $100,000 and then to $250,000, it of course raised a 

 storm of objections from senators who fail to comprehend the vital 

 importance of irrigation to the great arid region. After strong urging 

 by western senators, the 8250,000 was voted by the senate, but unfor- 

 tunately this was cut down by the house to the original increase pro- 

 posed of *100,000, which amount will be extended by the survey, dur- 

 ing the coming year, on this much needed work. The action of the 

 house, however, shows the necessity for the West to stand together, 

 and present one solid front and be bold and aggressive in its demands 

 if it is desired to get rightful recognition from eastern congressmen 

 on these questions of supreme import to the arid region. 



"The question is," said Senator Carter, in the course of his re- 

 marks, "does this appropriation go the acquisition of information on 

 some subject of consequence to the people? Let us see. 



A THOUSAND MILLION ACRES. 



"There are seventeen states and territories in the arid and semi- 

 arid region of the United States. Those seventeen states and terri- 

 tories today have a population of about three million and a half. In 

 those states and territories there are 992.617,600 acres of land. Of 

 that acreage but 30 per cent, has passed into private ownership; the 

 government of the United States" is the owner of 70 per cent. The 

 extent to which these lands can be reclaimed is dependent upon the 

 water supply. The manner of reclamation is dependent upon a knowl- 

 edge of the volume of water available. No intelligent system of de- 

 velopment can be prosecuted until we know the water available for 

 irrigation purposes. The facts are of supreme importance to the 

 people living now and to live hereafter on two-fifths of the American 

 continent. 



SIXTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS- 



"Mr. President, while we are voting here $65,000,000 for various 



