Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-01-14
VIM. Matthews Makes Some Valuable
. Irrigation Suggestions.

10 tho kdltOr OF thC 6nterpftso.
The Arkansas Valley Irrigation Asso
citation was organized for the purpose o
suggesting needed changes ip irrigation
laws. but got on To side issue-the stat
cana-and exploded. The only mod
left now for discussing the question i
through the press, and as no one hai
done so will take the initiative.
We are all aware that an enormous
quantity OF water is not only wasted, bu
the lands 80 irrigated are seriously in
jured by people turning their water loose
and attending to other work, sometimes
for hours and often for days. The watel
being the properly OF the state it would
be only just for the state to make strin.
gent laws regarding it's use. Why not
compel man to stay with his irrigation
nninterruptedly from sunrise till sunset,
making the penalty for not doing 30 se-
we're?
Men in charge OF headgutes OF large
bitches should be, ut tho option OF the
water commissioner. made deputies so
far MS relates to their respective bitches,
and be obliged to give a reasonably large
bond.
There is no penalty prescribed by stat
uto for the absence of measuring devices.
This should be rcmedied.
1t should be tho duty OF district attor-
neys to act as counsel for tho water off
GERS. These officers should not be ex-
pected to pay out Of their own pockets
the expenses incurred for the protection
Of the public.
The superintendent should be empow-
cred to suspend temporarily, any water
for cause until the state
engineer could investigate, and the state
engineer should have power to remove
Water consumers should have the
privilege (tho right of electing tho super-
ntendents and commissioners. This
could be done by the ditch owners or oiii-
,ers duly elected, basing the vote on the
quantity OF water appropriated, one vote
,fiidavits attached, showing tho author
ty, i. e., ownership or designation of the
,tiice Of the party voting, could be fur
lished by the state engineers office.
They could be returned to the capitol
md counted and recorded. Each ditch
n the division to vote for the superin-
endent and in the district for the COM
missioner.
The state should pay the water officers
lust us it does other ofiicers-mine and
,attle inspectors, etc. The compensation
the past 2 or years could be
,asily ascertained and made basis for
legislative action classifying the districts
or divisions.
1t is absolutely necessary that these
officers should have immediate notice OF
rises in the long creeks. Reliable per.
sons living close to the mouths of these
creeks, say at given rate for each notice
of a rise or stated amount, to notify the
officers by wire.
There is not much chance at this ses.
sion to get an appropriation for tele-
phone line, but the ditch companies
might contribute something and the
state something and make arrangements
with the line now operating in the valley
The courts should be restrained from
granting injunctions against water Off.
GERS on exparte statements. Affidavits
are too easily procured, an injunction is
and before the actual facts can be
shown to the court the object desired, the
use Of the water, has been obtained and
nm iniustice done VIM MATTHEW'S.