THE IRRIGATION AGE. 235 



think it ought to be condemned as a crime, and the people of the East 

 do not think so either. I will ask also to insert in my remarks com- 

 ments and papers on the subject of irrigation from every section of 

 the country. 



[The editorial extracts on the national irrigation policy have 

 already been published in THE AGE.] 



I should like to have Senators read those views and see to what 

 extent the country is being educated. Fault is found because an asso- 

 ciation of people are in favor of this great enterprise, and we have 

 objections about irrigation associations. There are a great many asso- 

 ciations. There are mercantile associations, and there are associa- 

 tions in favor of the improvement of rivers and harbors. I remember 

 when I was a boy there were meetings held in favor of internal im- 

 provements, and they were addressed by orators from all parts of the 

 country. 



It was an issue whether there should be any internal improvements 

 at all or not. That policy has been established, and see what it has 

 done for commerce. There was the organization of associations every- 

 where to promote internal improvements which we now have as a set- 

 tled policy, and it should be no crime now to advocate the improvement 

 of this vast section, two-fifths of the whole area, which is known to be 

 fertile. That should be agitated. It should be discussed in the news- 

 papers, as the question of internal improvements was thirty, forty, or 

 fifty years ago. It is not a matter of reproach. It is legitimate Amer- 

 ican enterprise; it is legitimate American thought, and it ought to be 

 heeded. 



I have not introduced bills to make special appropriations for 

 dams, reservoirs, etc., because the country was not prepared for it. 

 It takes time for the country to wake up to it. The first bills that 

 were introduced to improve rivers and harbors were beaten in Con- 

 gress. But the necessity for it grew as commerce grew, and the neces- 

 sity for utilizing this vast heritage of two- fifths of the whole area of 

 the United States for the coming population will grow stronger and 

 stronger. Whatever may be said, something will be done, and it will 

 be honorably done. There is no indirection about this proposition. 

 This proposition comes straight to investigate a matter where it is 

 necessary for the Indians, and in that investigation and in those sur- 

 veys there may be an incidental benefit to the whites if it is carried 

 out. 



I am certain that it will be carried out. It will nearly double the 

 population of Arizona. It will be a great object lesson. If the Gov- 

 ernment is not disposed to carry it out somebody will. If the lands 

 can be used and protected and the opportunity is given, why should we 



