330 THE IRR1 GA 11 ON A GE. 



cannot be expected in a time that will make it a profitable investment. 

 Where systems can be built by settlers they have been built. The 

 Carey land act is a failure because the people of the West do not see 

 how it is possible to reclaim the lands by it. The law to make irriga- 

 tion districts and issue bonds on uncultivated land has been tried and 

 has failed. There is no recourse or resource except the national treas- 

 ury. If anyone brings up an objection to the national proposition, ask 

 them to present a better. 



"Draw a line through the center of the United States and the 

 whole country west of it, excepting only a narrow strip along the 

 Pacific coast, is an arid region where irrigation is needed. Denver is 

 the hub of this wheel. It is the center of the region, which has one- 

 tenth or less of the population of the United States. If the national 

 irrigation policy is carried out this territory would have more popula- 

 tion than all the United States has now. We can double the popula- 

 tion of the West in five years, and the East would never miss a man, 

 woman or child. " 



Mr. Maxwell urged unity of action, stating that there could be 

 nothing done unless there was absolute harmony and unity. No 

 national law, he said, would ever interfere with the present manner 

 of distributing water under the laws of the State or with any existing 

 water rights. There was no sentiment in the East, he added, against 

 any equitable manner of storing and distributing water. There was 

 objection to any plan that would place the stored water in the hands 

 of large companies and not in those of actual settlers. It might be 

 neeessary in some districts for the Government to store water and 

 assist in the construction of the canals to carry it to places where it 

 could be placed in the hands of actual settlers. 



"This is what we are asking for," said Mr. Maxwell. "First, an 

 appropriation of $250,000 every year for surveying and laying out the 

 work, selection of sites and preparations for giving water to actual 

 settlers. Second, a direct appropriation in the river and harbor bill 

 to build reservoirs, just as they have been built on the headwaters of 

 the Mississippi. Third, that where the government builds these res- 

 ervoirs they shall not conflict with any vested rights/' 



'Mr. Maxwell paid his compliments to Representative Mondell of 

 Wyoming, claiming that the gentleman had opposed every effort made 

 to reserve public lands for actual settlers. The only bill that was put 

 through Congress was, Mr. Maxwell stated, pushed through by east- 

 ern men on the House committee. They saw that it would benefit the 

 country, and ior that reason they were in its favor. In conclusion, 

 the speaker assured the gentlemen present that, if they should adopt 

 a plan favoring settlers and not large cattle and other companies, the 

 eastern Congressmen would aid them in every way possible. 



