164 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



tion affairs, serving its constituents in matters of 

 legislation and such other negotiations as may be 

 essential to the welfare of irrigation work. 



It is the wish of the editor that the IRRIGATION 

 AGE may become the mouthpiece for. the water 

 users associations and that its pages may aid in the 

 discussion of all those problems incident to the 

 future organization and evolution of irrigation. 



Water 

 Users 

 Should. 

 Organize 



When President Wilson, in his 

 memorable note to Pope Benedict, 

 laid down the broad principle that 

 government must hereafter be re- 

 sponsible to its people to enjoy the 

 confidence and respect of other na- 

 tions, he uttered a truth that may well find applica- 

 tion in the internal, the economic affairs of our own 

 country. 



As we watch the course of events in Europe,, 

 hoping for that time when oligarchies shall tremble 

 under the commanding voices of their peoples and 

 peace shall have been brought to the war-sick world 

 let us turn a contemplative eye upon our own gov- 

 ernment, that we may cast out those irresponsive 

 and unreliable factors in our own body politic. And 

 even as the peoples of Europe must plan their 

 emancipation by revising, reassembling and recon- 

 structing their governments, so should we devise 

 means to rebuild or reorganize governmental func- 

 tions along lines that shall bring to us the fruits of 

 real democracy. 



The history of reclamation work as handled by 

 our federal bureau has been a history of arrogance, 

 incompetency and futility. Born of vast conception 

 and mighty potency, the reclamation service be- 

 came a slough for high-handed bureaucracy, arbi- 

 trary in its decisions and strutful in its bearing. 

 Its directing minds became so conscious of authority 

 that they became unconscious of its objects. 



The early record of our reclamation work finds 

 a direct parallel in the militarism of Europe : its own 

 avarice and glorification overshadowed the reasons 

 of its being. It victimized those whom it aimed to 

 benefit. 



Happily, the arrogance and inefficiency that 

 characterized federal irrigation work in this country 

 are passing into a deserved oblivion. Indeed, the 

 more recent utterances and acts of those officials 

 who are charged with the responsibility for this 

 work exhibit a clarity of vision and an earnestness 

 of purpose that augurs well for the future. 



Nevertheless this regeneration in the depart- 

 ment depends upon the continuance in office of those 

 officials who were instrumental in abolishing the 

 bureaucratic tendencies of former days. If we were 

 assured that Secretarv Lane would hold office in- 



definitely, we might well lay aside all fears for the 

 future conduct of the reclamation service. Without 

 that assurance we must prepare to fortify the pres- 

 ent situation against prospective political changes. 



Obviously, the solution of the future problem 

 lies in organization. Water users, those who are 

 most vitally interested in irrigation work, whether 

 it be Federal, Carey Act, or individual enterprise, 

 must band together for the protection of their 

 rights. Not only should each local association be- 

 come stronger in its membership, but the confedera- 

 tion of water users should combine all in one power- 

 ful and effective organization. 



Under the present management of the reclama- 

 tion service the plaint or protest of a few water 

 users may receive just and honest consideration. 

 But will these gracious times continue? 



Strength of organization and a unity of purpose 

 that shall combine the voices of tens of thousands, 

 are the surest means to prevent abuses in the recla- 

 mation service. Let the people rule. Let those who 

 have invested their time and their labor and their 

 money in irrigated tracts demand their rights in a 

 form that shall sound like votes to a recalcitrant 

 Washington. There need then be no fear of a re- 

 turn to feudalism in the reclamation service. 



Peace will come: then what? How 

 Europe's will Europe feed its people? Can 



Farms they turn, in a flash, from the mus- 



Badly ket to the plow at the moment hos- 



Depleted tilities cease? Will they be able to 



compete in the world's markets 

 against the American farmer? 



.Millions of men are scattered along the battle 

 lines thousands of miles from their homes and oc- 

 cupations. Cities, towns and villages have been 

 leveled to the ground. Millions of acres of the 

 rich, arable lands of Europe have been bled white 

 during the three years of war. Crops, heavy crops, 

 and still heavier crops, have been the battle slo- 

 gans. 



Every possible ounce of vitalizing power has 

 been drawn from the soil, while little, if any, 

 nourishment has been returned. The export of 

 chemical manures ceased months ago. because 

 stocks were low in Europe. The land has suffered 

 from deterioration. Depletion has proceeded with 

 relentless vigor. 



Europe's farm land must be regerminated and 

 revivified before it can again produce even ordinary 

 crops. Chemical farm foods must be again spread 

 plentifully over the continent or the lands- will be- 

 come as arid as the Gobi desert. It must rest, and 

 while resting must regenerate the pro-creative 

 energy and growing force of the soil. Years must 



