It shall be lawful for any corporation, whether such corporation is organized under the laws of the territory or state of Washington, the laws of any other state or territory, or the laws of the United States owning, leasing or operating any line or lines of railway within the state of Washington, or which may own, lease or operate in the future any such line or lines of railway within this state, to take, acquire, own, negotiate, sell and guarantee bonds and stocks of companies or corporations which are or may hereafter be organized for the purpose of irrigating and reclaiming lands within this state.