The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1902-01-24

eral meeting of all the Senators and
Representatives from the arid and
semi-arid States and Territories to act
upon it.
In order to expediate the action, it
is deemed advisable to send copy of
the bill to each of the Senators and
Representatives from the arid and
semi-arid States, and to invite sugges-
tions and criticism. Senators and Rep
resentatives are urged to present their
views in writing as quickly as possible,
in order that they may be fully con-
sidered by the committee before the
general meeting of Senators and Rep
resentatives is called.
At the next meeting of the commit
tee, the question also of framing bill
making specific appropriations for GER
tain reservoir and irrigation works
will come up. The views of Senators
and Representatives on this question,
and their suggestions as to the specific
projects to be included, are invited.
Please address communications to-
FRANCIS G. NEWLANDS,
Secretary Arid Land Committee,
House of Representatives, Wash, d. G.
IRRIGATION BILL.
The bill referred to in Mr. NewIands'
letter is condensed as follows:
Section |. That the proceeds from
the sale of public lands shall be appro-
priated for the construction of irriga-
ton works.
Sec. 2. That the secretary of the in
terror is authorized to cause to be ex-
amined and surveyed reservoir Sites
tunnel sites for the diversion of water,
and irrigation canals connected there
with, and artesian well sites and re-
quire reports as to the same.
Sec. 3. The secretary may with
draw from public entry lands required
for such irrigation works and agricul-
tural lands which it is proposed to irri-
gate thereby.
Sec. 4. The secretary of the interi-
or, upon approval of the project, shall
cause to be let contracts for construc-
ton, provided no contracts shall be
made where the cost exceeds $40 per
acre of the lands to be irrigated.
Sec. 5. Upon completion lands to
be irrigated shall be subject to home
stead entry upon condition of compli-
ance with the homestead act and re-
clamation of the land and payment on
final proof of settlement of So per acre,
to be converted into the reclamation
fund, and eighty acres shall be the
limit of entry.
Sec. 6. The reclamation fund to be
used for the operation and mainten-
ance of the reservoir and irrigation
works until payment upon the major
ity portion of the irrigable lands are
made, and then the management and
operation of all irrigation works, ex-
cept reservoirs, shall pass to the own
ers of the lands irrigated thereby, to
be maintained at their expense, the
reservoirs to be operated and main
tanned by the government until other
wise provided by Congress.
Sec. Z. When there is more than
sufficient water for the public lands in
any project, or if the secretary of the
interior determine that land in private
ownership is better suited for the util-
ization of the water, or if there is suf-
ficiency for both, then water rights
may be sold upon terms to be pre-
scribed by the secretary of the interior
at not less than S. per acre, but no
water right shall exceed eighty acres.
Section 8 provides for the right of
condemning property necessary for
reservoirs or irrigation works.
Section 8 provides that nothing in
the act shall interfere with the laws of
any state or territory relating 70 water,
but the water rendered available by
this act shall be subject to the laws of
the state.
Section 10 gives the secretary of the
interior authority to make rules and
regulations necessary to carry out the
provisions of the act
--------fO<--
John Price, County Surveyor of Ell
Dorado county, Cal, lost his life Satur-
day night by suffocation. He went to
bed at 10 O'Clock and at II great vol
= l..