The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1900-06-02

State, but whether or not the bill
Will be introduced in its present
form depends somewhat upon the
conference that is to be held to-
day of representatives in the Leg,
lslature from the parishes of south
eastern Louisiana and, any other
gentlemen who may be interested
i'll the subject covered by the bill
of Mr.. Pugh. As | have hereto
fore pointed out, there is serious
objection to any Legislation that
will tend to shamper the develop
ment of the canal industry, and
Mr.. Pugh has been persuaded to
adopt conservative course and to
modify his bill if good reason can
be shown why he should do so.
AS matter of interest and as
showing the general scope of the
bill some of its points are here
given.
Under the bill the use of water
from bayOus, lakes and rivers in
the State for sale, rental or distri
button, principally for irrigation,
is declared public use, and the
right to collect rates or cOmpensa
ton for such water is a franchise
to be regulated and controlled by
the police juries. The juries are
authorized to regulate and fix the
maximum rates for water distri
button by the irrigating companies,
on the petition of not less than ten
taxpayers, but only after proper
public notice, for not less than
four weeks, of a public hearing at
which the water concerns and
others interested may be present
to testify. Provision is made fol
obtaining by the jury of informa,
ton concerning the resources, III,
come, expenditures, ETC., OF the
water companies, and in fixing
rates the juries will be required to
so adjust the rates that the net an,
nual receipts and profits of the
water companies shall be not less
than six nor more than twenty per
cent upon the value of the canals,
bitches, fumes and all other prop
erty actually useful in the opera
ton of the companies, the cost OF
extentions, enlargements, etc, not
to be included as part OF the OK
penses of management, repairs and
operating. The police juries are
required to make the rates reason
able and just to both seller and
consumer. Rates, when legally
fixed by the police juries, are to
be binding for not less than a year.
Until rates are fixed by the police
juries the rates now being charged
by the water concerns shall be con
sldered legal and established.
Where any company collects rates
in excess of those established by
the police jury, the aggrieved par
ties shall have the right to recover
the whole rate and damages, costs
and attorneys fees. Provision is
made against any determinations
bv the water companies against
persons who desire to receive wa
ter. Where the water companies
refuse or neglect to furnish water
to any person willing to contract
for it. for period of seventy days
after demand made Herewith TO
comply to the extent of reasonable
ability, they shall be liable In dam
ages to the extent OF actual IN
iuries suffered, including the loss
of whole crop, if such be the re
suit of said failure or refusal, with
attorneys fees. No formal putting
in default shall be necessary ia
these cases. Provision is made for
forfeiture Of the charters OF com
panies which refuse to furnish wa
ter to persons willing to contract
therefor. The district attorney IS
directed to bring suit on the rela.
tion of not less than five interested
parties for forfeiture. Provision
is made for the recovery of dam
ages by aggrieved parties where a
water company has failed to sup,
ply a sufficient quantity OF water
for the crop. The right to expro-
nriate lands necessary for rights
Of way is given to the water com
panies. The act does not In any
manner affect or impair the rights
of riparian proprietors or other
persons to the use or appropriation
Of water now secured to them by
existing laws.
Senator Hanna denies the re-