Show Irrigation of Western Arid Lands WASHINGTON Dec 10T F Oakes president of the Northern Pacific railway was in this city last week accompanied by General Solicitor McNaught and General Manager Hannaford to discuss with the western members of the Senate and House a plan t be laid before Congress at this session for the irrigation of the arid lands of the west Oakes proposes that Congress Con-gress give each of the westesn states the arid lands within its borders Tho North era Pacific will lend its aid to irrigation companies to be formed under authority of the individuel stats for the improvement of these lands The proposition to take the irrigation problem out of the hands of the general government is based on the claim that the proposition t appropriate the millions necessary t carry out the scheme of irrigation will meet with strong opposition in the east and also on the claim that Congress will take fifteen years to accomplish what the state legislatures might do in five I |