The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-16

for the location Of reservoirs and the
solution of all other physical problems
up to the time of the actual impound-
ing and diversion of water: with the
State Engineers Office for all matter
pertaining to the impounding and dis
tribution of waters; with the Depart
ment of Agriculture for the determine
ton of the duty of water in each irri-
CATION basin, the investigation of claims
upon the titles to the waters of the
State and the regulation requisite to
assure to each irrigator an unquestion-
able title and uninterrupted use Of
water legally apportioned to him in ac-
cordance with his use and necessity.
For the conservation of the forests the
society shall work in collaboration
with the General Land Office and the
Division of Forestry of the Department
of Agriculture.
Pending the establishment of State
Engineers Office, the society shall re-
quire the Regents of the State Uni
versity to conduct through the en-
gineering department of the University
Investigations necessary to supplement
physical data collected by the General
Land Office, the Geological Survey, the
Department Of Agriculture and the En-
gineer Corps of the United States army
and the society shall pledge to the Re
gents whatever funds may be required
for this purpose.
That the name of such permanent
organization shall be the California
Water and Forest Association. Any per-
son may become a member upon pay
ment of an initiation fee of So, and
thereafter annual dues of 81.
It's affairs shall be managed by an
advisory council of seventy, ten to be
elected from each Congressional Dis
trict, five of whom from each district
shall be elected by this convention and
nominated by the delegates from each
such district respectively; and SAID
members so elected shall meet and or
ganize Immediately, select five or more
members of such council from Congress
sional district, adopt constitution and
bylaws for such association, and elect
such officers as shall be provided for
therein.
We urge the adoption of system of
irrigation laws in California under
which the right to the use of the water
for irrigation shall vest in the user
and become appurtenant to the land ir-
rigated, and beneficial use be the meas
ure of the right.
That this convention declares in favor
Of such legislation as will require all
persons and corporations using or
claiming any part of the waters of. any
stream in California within the reason
able time and before a tribunal provid-
ed by law for hearing and determining
such controversies, and make proof OF
their claims, to use such waters, to the
end that all rights to water may be
made matter of definite record, after
which a statute of limitations shall pre-
clude the possibility of again putting
such rights into jeopardy; and that the
residuary waters be made available for
further use under such conditions as
the law may impose.
The committee recommends that all
further resolutions referred to it be re-
ferred to the permanent organization.
The convention was called to order at
10 o'clock by President Dohrmann. y
large number of the delegates were in
attendance, and by 1920 Metropolitan
Temple was almost filed
William Thomas of this city presented
the partial report of the Committee on
Resolutions. The committee met last
evening, but made little progress and
asked for further time. In presenting
the report Mr.. Thomas said:
Whatever has existed in the way of
clash or acrimony prior to the opening
of the convention or the meeting of the
committee last night has all disap-
peared. (Applause.) I think that the
committee last night was actuated by
the same feeling that dominated the
convention yesterday. We are going
to try to have harmonious action by
all means"
The committee reported that it was
proceeding along the lines of the
Weinstock and Pillsbury resolutions,
which provided for both State and
Federal aid.
On one subject, he said, the commit
tee was unanimous, viz: that the con-
vention should organize as a perma-
nent society and that all sections of
the State should stand together.
This sentiment was received with
cheers. When they subsidized Mr..
Thomas added that the committee had,
by majority, agreed on the objects
of the society. 1t was, he said, or
ganized for the purpose of enlisting
both national and State aid in the
conserving of flood waters.
At the conclusion of the committees
report R T. Devlin of Sacra-
mento asked the convention to adopt a
resolution introduced by him yesterday,
which had been approved by the com
mittee, that the Governor of the State
of California be requested to take such
steps as may be necessary to keep in
proper repair the easement construct
ed under State supervision near Elk
Horn and the jetties at Newtown
Shoals, and also to continue the work
for river Improvement recommended in
the report of the Commissioner of Pub
lie Works, and that this convention
does heartily indorse the method so
recommended for the Improvement Of
the navigable rivers of the State.
There was some objection to this.
Messlrs. Parker of Los Angeles and
Sanborn of Berkeley taking the ground
that the resolution was for the special
benefit of Sacramento County, and was
not germane to the general subject
under discussion.
AT length Mr.. Devlin consented to
have the resolution withdrawn for :,
time, until it could be reintroduced.
Resolutions being called for, Ben M.
Maddox read the following which was
prepared by A. T. Wishon of yisalia:
In view of the great damage done TO
the watersheds of the State of Cali
fornia by bands of sheen poc+,r;,- -