The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-28
WORK OF IRRIGATION
Favorable Report on the Bill by
Mr.. Hansbrough.
STRONG ARGUMENT FOR MEASURE
Senator Explains and Justtfies the
Various ErOvtsions of
2 the Bill.

From The Journal bureau. Room So Foot
Building, Warrington. 49,
Washington, Jan. rs. - Senator Hans
brough to-day made favorable report on
the irrigation, bill agreed upon by the
senator's and representatives from the ir-
rigation states, which was introduced in
the senate by Mr.. Hansbrough as a sub
st1tute for the bill presented by himself
early In the session. The report says:
The Dill appropriates the proceeds from the
sales OF public lands, amounting the
average for the past two years to nearly
$3.OOO.0OO annually, and creates a reclamation
fund, from which fund the secretary of the
interior Is authorized to make payment for
necessary examinations and surveys and to
construct irrigation works for the reclama-
ton OF the arid and semiarid lands IN the
States and territories named In the bill. The
cost Of such works is to be assessed against
the lands benefited and collections made in
ten annual installments, the moneys thus
paid going into the reclamation fund. By
this method the fund will constantly be re-
plenished making irrigation practically
self-sustaining enterprise. and according to
estimates by the geological survey, ultimate
~ putting money into the treasury.
1t Is also provided that the cost Of opera
ton and maintenance Of reservoirs and ir-
rigation works shall be paid from the irriga-
ton fund, but when payments are made
der any project, the management and opera
ton Of all works, except reservoirs and the
works necessary for their operation and pro-
lection, shall pass to the owners OF the
land. to be maintained at their expense under
rules prescribed by the secretary. Authority
is given for the withdrawal from public en-
try OF such lands as are required for
ervoirs and canal sites and the secretary is
directed to restore to public entry any Of
the lands which are not required for the pur-
poses for which they were withdrawn.
The bill provides that the secretary shall
give the limit of area per entry in each Of
the irrigation projects undertaken under the
provisions of the bill, the minimum area
being forty acres and the maximum one
hundred and sixty acres The fact is recog-
nized that in some portions Of the country
forty acres Is sufficient for the support of
the average sized family, as for instance In
Arizona and New Mexico, where fruit and
vegetables the chief products grown on
irrigated lands. In more northerly .olimes,
however, where grain and forage for stock
are grown, 1870 acres would be necessary for
the support Of family.
Provision Is also made for the extension
Of water rights to lands in private ownership
upon such terms as may in the judgment of
the secretary be deemed just and equitable;
no right to the use of the water, however,
shall be sold for lands In private ownership
to tracts exceeding $50 acres to any one per-
son, and no such water right shall per-
manently attach to the land until all pay
ments are made for such rights. In addi-
ton to compliance with the homestead laws,
which in part made applicable to the
lands affected by the provisions Of this bill,
the entryman shall reclaim such lands for
agricultural purposes and shall pay all
charges before receiving patent. The COM
mutation clause OF the homestead laws Is
not made applicable to lands entered under
NOT thn al innfh ni
lation.
By section 1t will appear that there is
to be no interference with state or terri
torial laws on the subject of irrigation and
the right to the use Of water is made ap-
purtenant to the lands Irrigated. beneficial
use being the basis the measure and tho
limit OF the right, 1t will be recalled that
under the act OF May II, 1900, known as the
free homestead law, provision was in
f., serted to the effect that in case the receipts
from the sales of public lands should be in
sufficient for the support Of agricultural COL
leges in the several states and territories the
deficiency should be provided directly from
the treasury. like provision has been in
serted in the pending measure. Provision is
also made for full and complete reports at the
beginning or each session Of congress- such
reports to give in detail all the facts relative
to the question Of the location of lands
which be irrigated and the ecost of all
contemplated works, and the cost of works
in process Of construction and those which
have been completed
Unanimous Committee Action,
Washington, JAM 2S.-The senate COM
mittee on public lands to-day ordered a
favorable report on the irrigation bill
There was no objection, and the motion
to report the bill was carried unanimous
ly,- but Senator Berry reserved the right
toofrer amendments when the bill Is taken
UP IN the senate. No amendment was
made in committee.