Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1900-06-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Work Of the New Mexico Commits
sion at National Capital,
DOOM or THE STEPHENS BILL.
Special Correspondence.

ebNNiaA SNAiNsiNhhNhtCs
Washington, d. c., June 2.-Pursuant
to the action of the convention in New
Mexico In opposition to the stephens
bill preventing the use Of water for ir-
rigation in that territory and by COM
mission by Gov. Otero. the first dele
cation TO reach WASHINGTON consisted
OF ex-Delegate Ferguson. Sheriff Hub
bell. Mayor Marion, $. Burkhart and
c. X. Newhall.
Delegate Ferguson promptly made
arrangements and had a hearing before
the house subcommittee on foreign af-
fairs. Chairman Hit. Of the committee.
also being present. Ex-Delegate Fer
gusson. wanted to know why In the
preamble. Colorado was coupled with
New Mexico, but In the body of the bill
Colorado was entirely left out, and II
It was not. because Colorado had two
strong senator's and two members OF
the house; while New Mexico was
practically unrepresented2 MIR. Steph-
ems could give no satisfactory answer
to that inquiry. But upon Mayor Mar
ron making the suggestion that a SYM
dictate had bought the lands. or had an
option on most OF them In connection
with the scheme for the Internal
tional dam. Mr.. stephens was quick TO
ask for proofs. and record proof at
that. and then asked II British capital
had not built the Elephant Butte dam
Ex-Delegate Ferguson came promptly
to the aid OF Mayor Marion and said he
acknowledged that they had secured a
large AMOUNT Of British capital 10 con-
struct the dam and reservoir; that he
considered II more c~ommendable to Sc
cure British or any other capital rath-
err than to be begging congress to take
two or three million dollars out OF the
treasury to erect a dam for the bene-
Mt OF private property, mostly owned
by foreigners, and as to the syndicate
controlling most OF the land at or be-
low FL Paso. which could be improved
by the International dam. that II was
a matter Of general notoriety and that
he did not believe the projectors OF the
International dam made any denial
about It: and furthermore. II was a
matter Of general notoriety. Mr.. steph-
ems could make no answer. Mr.. Burk-
art had statistics to show that only
abou 1000 acres rae ever been In cul-
~tivation at n below FL Paso. while
many times that amoun OF land in
New Mexico had been receiving water
and assistance for many times that
amount. Again no answer came In re-
ply. Mr.. Burkhart said that It was
proposed TO catch enough water at the
Elephant Butte dam to irrigate all the
land In the valley. but might have
some TO spare to FL Paso.
Mr.. Marion believed that the bill
would ruin New Mexico for the benefit
OF a few private Spectators at and
near FL Paso.
The friends OF the international dam
ostensibly pretended that II would not
Interfere with New Mexico, yet It was
plain the practical results would be to
destroy vested rights and make New
Mexico a desert between the Colorado
line-where the people north would
have a continuous increasing us OF wa
ter to Ell Paso, and preventing the
construction OF reservoirs to hold even
the flood waters. Furthermore, while
they pretend to want water for only
4l,0O0 acres of land they wish the gov
eminent to expend 2 1000. 900 or more,
which would give enough water TO irri-
gate about 1000. 900 acres OF land. which
Is many times more than the land IN
that valley which they could ever hope
to place under irrigation.
The New Mexico committee got the
best OF the argument on every point,
and to the apparent pleasure of Chair
man Hit and to the surprise OF the
other members of the subcommittee.
Sheriff Hubbell and Mayor Marion,
and Messrs. Burkhart and Newhall Wis
tied New York friends and relatives In
other places.
The next delegation TO arrive con-
sisted of Judge A. h. FAN, Judge s. b.
Newcomb. Major w. II. II. Llewellyn,
and Judge Freeman. Ex-Delegate Fer
gusson having made arrangements. The
last arrivals. together with Delegate
Perea. ex-Delegate FERGUSON, Mr..
Burkhart and The Citizen correspond
ent. appeared at the rooms OF Chair
man Davis, Of the foreign affairs COM
mittee at $3.50 a. m. Chairman Davis
received the delegation very graclously
and listened with marked attention.
Judge FAN went over the whole case,
fully explaining every fact and detail.
Chairman Davis did not try to con-
ceal the fact that he was enlightened
and pleased at the hearing and that
many points had been brought wildly
to his mind that had never been pre-
sented In this or any other case be-
fore. Judge Fall made a good impress
sion, and Chairman Davis gave assur-
ances that the bill would go over to the
next session, and requested that brief.
or all the facts and the whole situation
be filed during the vacation.
The delegation then proceeded to Wis
II Chairman Hit, OF the house foreign
AFFAIRS committee. Inc the whole case
was again presented. He took a great
interest In the matter. asked many
questions. examining maps. and re.
quested that briefs be filed during va.
cation, as the case goes over.
Judge Fall received his last army
check and with Judge Newcomb has
gone home, while Major Llewellyn il IN
New York on mining matters.
I. NJ. BOND.
Beware OF ointments for Catarrb thatCon