The morning call., 1890-05-29
IRRIGATION.
The Problem Assuming an In
teTeSting Phase.
Major Powell Denies That He MisuSed
Money for Topographic Surveys.
YandeVeT Introduces Bill In Accordance
With The Officers YleWS-Sena-
for Stewart Talks.
Special by the California Associated Press

WASHINGTON, May 2S.-The irrigation
problem is beginning TO assume an interest
ing phase. The majority and minority of
the committee are at swords points on the
matter, and Senator Stewart and Major
Powell are having regular little war,
Stewart having charged that Powell misap
piled money appropriated for irrigation
surveys. The latter has a long interview in
the Star tonight in which he says:
81 am fighting against spectators, to
prevent moneyed sharks from gobbling up
irrigable lands. These sharks have misled
certain honestly disposed Senators"
He denies that he used money for topo-
graphic surveys which should have been
applied to irrigation matters. But Senator
Stewart thinks differently and is anxious
to see how Teller viii answer a resolution
asking for light on this issue
Vandeyer, Chairman of the House Com
mittee on Arid Lands, to-day introduced
bill, which is Totally at variance with his
former views on irrigation" according to
Senator Stewart. The California Asso-
ciated Press agent showed the Senator a
copy uI 0uu6F6ES Dill ana lie SAID.
why, this is nothing more than the bill
prepared by Powell l am surprised at Mr..
Vandever's action. Heretofore his views
have very nearly accorded with mine and
he has expressed himself in favor of
transferring Irrigation matters to the
Agricultural Department, but Vaudever
has gone over to the Powell crowd. The
result of the controversy and contention
will be this; There will be no irrigation
legislation passed this session, but at any
rate am anxious to see what answer Sec
retary Noble viii make to my Senate reso-
luton"
Vandeyer's bill viii be favorably report
ed by the House Committee Ii prOVides
Tor the continuance of the irrigation survey
under Powell, the segregation OF iTrgaOle
districts, etc. Districts are to be compact
whenever prctiCable and each will include
the entire catchment area upon which it
depends for Its supply The States anu
Territories must enact laws 10 carry out the
purposes for which the districts are organ
lied.
Districts are to elect five Irrigation Com
mlsSIoners each, as well as court and
SuperlntenGents of Forestry, Pasturage and
Irrigation. individuals can acquire only
forty acres of irriGable land under the
homestead law, but the coal, mineral and
toWn-slte laws apply as heretofore IN the
arid region.
Users of water must pay their proper
share Of the cost of constructing irrigation
works. All dams, reservoirs and canal
sites VIII remain in possession Of the gen.
eral Government Irrigation works can be
constructed, however, under regulations
and laws established by the Commissioners
in accordance with the laws of the State or
Territory in which the district is located, if
not IN conflict with this act. All timber
water and pasturage within the limits of
an irrigation district is to he set,apart for
the benefit of the district and can only be
used under the rules and regulations afore-
said
ApTopos of the irrigation matter, Stewart
to-day offered a resolution, which was
agreed TO. calling on the Secretary of Agri-
culture for information as to the use of
artesIan well and other water supplies from
subterTanean sources in irrigation.