Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1901-12-16
THE IRRIGATION BILL
It Is Ready For the Action Of
Congress.

!
tee OF Western Senators and Repre-
sentatives finished the irrigation bill,
which has engrossed its constant at
tention ever since the opening days OF
Congress. At every session OF this
committee the Senators and Represen-
tatives from Wyoming, Colorado, Ut
| ah, Idaho, Nevada. Kansas and Ne
braska labored zealously for a COM
promise measure which would embody
the best ideas OF their respective bills.
! For instance, Jour sections OF the
bill having to DO with the principle OF
compensation, or the method OF rals-
ing a fund were taken Tor the most |
part from the rough draft made by |
Representative Shairotll OF Colorado;
the part OF the perfected bill pertain
ing 10 operation and maintenance in
corporated largely the ideas OF Rep
resentatve Newlands OF Nevada: the
framework and minor details were
contributed by Senator Hansborou2a
!, Of North Dakota: but many amend
: ments and ideas were interjected by
Senators Warren OF Wyoming. kearns
OF Utah, Dubois OF Idaho, Dietrich
OF Nebraska and Gibson OF Montana,
Representative Mondel OF Wyoming
attended every session and gave many
T ideas
;. The result is compromise bill, up
) on which ali members have harmonic
ed and whose chance Of passage is
letter than that OF any previous irri-
cation bill, and it is sure TO 60 through
this session. either independently or
II as a rider upon the river and harbor
1e bill. Here is a summary OF the new
= measure:
Section 1 That the proceeds from
the sale OF public lands shall be ap-
It propriated Tor the construction o: IL
~ r;gation works.
Is Sec , That the Secretary Of the
Interior IS authorized to cause - be
= examined and surveyed reservoir site<
#, tunnel sites ior the diversion OF waite,
and irrigation canals connected there
with, and arteSian we'll sites, and re
al quire reports as to the same.
re Sec :. The Secretary may with
IS draw from public entry lands require,
~ for such irrigation works and agricu1
tural lands which it is proposed TO II
rigate thereby.
Sec. The Secretary OF the Inter
- Tor, upon approval OF the project, sha
cause TO be let contracts ior construC
ton. provided no contracts shall b
made where the cost exceeds $40 pc
7sr acre OF the lands to be irrigated
op Sec. :. Upon completion lands t
ng be irrigated shall be subject to home
viii stead entry upon condition OF con
pliance with the homestead act and re
clamation OF the land and payment o
final proof OF settlement OF S. per a,
re, to be converted into the reclaim;
'' ton fund, and eighty acres shall /
the limit OF entry
ain Sec s. The reclamation fund to t
the used for the operation and mainte,
In ance OF the reservoir and irrigatic
the works until payment upon the maj
bic Ity portion OF the irrigabe lands a
'wn made, and then the management al
operation OF all irrigation works. e
ccpt reservoirs. shall pass to the ow
'"> ers of the lands irrigated thereby,
MI be maintained at their expense Il
81" reservoirs to be operated and mai
wv tanned by the government until othc
MY wise provided by Congress.
mas,
Sec. /. When there are more TIL
sufficient water for the public lands
40 and project. or if the Secretary OF t
tine Interior determine that land in n
. !, vate ownership is better suited for t
M, Utilization OF the water, or if there
ton sufiiciency for both, then water rioi
hay he sold upon terms to ~ Dr.
Gil Ell Gy the Secretary of tn, Int.
1n'y - = 20. less :i,an S. per a:e, |
ctor II teri igi:' shall exceed eighty /
UNI re,
VIII Sect; Il 8 provides for the right
De condemnlng property necessary
reservoir or irrigation works.
>oae Section provides that nothing
t., the act shall interfere with the laws
49,. and State or territory relating to w
=, er, but the water rendered ayailaI