Graham guardian., 1896-07-17

huShpioi oau iOPi OoohpoI'O oOoiSo
identified with the development of
the West. The time has now come
when a definite policy should be
adopted by this Congress in regard
to the reclamation of the arid lands
of the West through the assistance
Of the general Governments
policy in support of which every
"arid land" State and Territory
will unite.
To bring the subject definitely
before the Congress the following
bill has been prepared In the hope
that the Irrigation Congress will
endorse and assist in the passage
Of the same.
AN ACT
To Proride for the Irrigation and
Reclamation of the Arid Land belong
ing to the Public Domain.
SECTION BE it enacted by the
Senate and House of Representa-
tives Of the United States of Amer
lea in Congress assembled: That
for the purpose of this act all pub
lie lands west of the ninety.fifth
meridian of longitude west from
Greenwich, belonging to the pub
lie domain, are divided, in addi-
tion to the classifications now ex-
isting into
O. Desert lands, by which
shall be understood all lands chief
ly valuable for agricultural pur-
poses, but which cannot be made
productive except by the construc-
tion of reservoirs, dams, canals or
other hydraulic works for the pur-
pose Of irrgating the same;
(2). Non-irrigable lands, by
which shall be understood all
lands which can be cultivated with
out irrigation, or which are valu-
able for purposes other than agrl-
culture.
SEC. 2-That any State or Ter
ritory wherein are located desert
land, as hereinbefore described,
may, by joint resolution of both
branches of its Legislature, declare
It's intention to avail itself of the
benefits of this act, and when the
Governor of any such State or Ter
ritory shall have submitted to the
President of the United States
such joint resolution, then such
State or Territory shall have the
right to divide the desert lands be-
longing to the public domain with
in its limits into irrigation districts
said irrigation districts to be Great
ed with regard to
(D. The most available and
efficient water supply, whether
from running streams or to be
secured by the construction of
storage reservoirs; and
(2). The most efficient and pro-
ftable application of water to the
largest areas and most productive
lands,
Sec. 3.--That whenever any
State or Territory wherein sucn
districts have been created shall
file with the Secretary of the In
terror detailed plan for the ir-
rigation and reclamation of the
desert lands in any district so
created, showing, by proper sur
veys, maps, reports and estimates
(D. The area Of desert lands
that can be irrigated;
(2). The available water sup
Ply;
(S). The cost and character in
detail of such works,
1t shall be the duty of the Secre-
tary of the Interior to refer the
same to the General Land Office
for immediate examination and re-
port thereon.
SEC, 4.-That if after such ex-
animation the statement filed by
any State or Territory under this
law is verified, the same shall be
approved, and the lands proposed
to be irrigated, together with all
other public lands required for the
construction of dams, reservoirs,
canals OF other hydraulic works
shall be withdrawn from public
entry, to be disposed of as herein
after provided.
Sec. 5.--That on the approval of
the plans for the construction of
the necessary reservoirs, dams,
canals or other hydraulic works
for the irrigation of the desert
lands of any duly organized If
rigation district, the State or Ter
ritory wherein such district IS
located shall be entitled to and
shall receive from the National
Government on account Of such If
rigation district loan of money
sufficient in amount to cover the
expenses of the construction of the
works necessary to irrigate and re-
claim the desert lands in such dis
trict, the said loan to be for the
period of fifty years, provided,
however, that no loan for any one