Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-11
SCOPE OF NEWLANDS BILL
Synopsis Of Measure Recommended by
House Irrigation Committee,
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF ITS PASSAGE
MOndeiI of wyoming Presents strong
Reasons for Government Under-
taking Reclamation OF Arid
Lands In west.

- A'AA - 8NaAA
WASHINGTON, March 10.-(Special)-
Much quiet discussion has been going on
among members OF the house over the
lengthy but interesting report by Mondell
Of Wyoming on Friday from the committee
on irrigation of arid lands, recommending
for passage the Newlands bill. MIR. Mon
dell pointed out the conditions Of the public
lands remaining subject to homestead entry
and the absolute necessity OF extensive
systems Of irrigation to render these lands
Of value to the farmer. These irrigation
works are beyond the reach OF private en-
terprise, he stated. and the states cannot
successfully construct and maintain them
for various reasons. 1t Is, then, essential
that the general government shall under
take the work II II is to be prosecuted to
an advantageous conclusion. Under the
Newlands bill, the report argues, the ac-
emulation OF large holdings in the hands
of individuals or corporations will be i'm
possible. The lands reclaimed will be d.
vided into small parcels and disposed of
to actual home owners.
Provisions of the Bill.
Section / Of the bill creates a trust fund,
to be known as the reclamation fund, of
the moneys received from the sales Of pub
lie lands in the states and territories emu
m6Tdl6us less the amounts pdlQ 10 local
land officers and the 8 per cent thereof due
to the states under existing laws for edu-
/ cational and other purposes. The reclama-
ton fund is to be used. for the construc-
tion and maintenance Of irrigation works
In the states and territories enumerated.
Provisions similar TO that contained in the
so-caIled free homes bill are made for the
payment CT the sums required for the
maintenance Of agricultural colleges and
schools of mechanic arts.
Section 2 authorizes the secretary to ex-
anime, survey and construct works of the
character contemplated in section /, and to
report to congress at each regular session
fully all facts relative thereto, including
costs of works.
Section 3 authorizes the secretary of the
interior to withdraw from public entry
lands needed for the works contemplated,
and provides that lands which II is pro-
posed to be irrigated shall be entered only
under the provisions OF the homestead law,
with a requirement Of Ave years residence,
in tracts not less than forty or more than
100 acres, as shall be decided upon by the
secretary Of the interior.
Concerning Construction.
Section 4 provides for the letting Of con-
tracts for the works contemplated, when
the necessary funds are available in the
reclamation fund, and for the giving of
public notice by the secretary OF the in
terror upon the undertaking of a project
OF the limit OF the area per entry inst less
than forty or to exceed $50 acres) o. the
charges which will be made per acre upon
the entries for their reclamation and upon
lands In private ownership contiguous
thereto which may be irrigated, and the
| roounar and finnac M which navmanfa shall
be made. The secretary Of the interior is
directed to apportion all charges equitably
with a view Of returning to the reclama.
tion fund cost OF construction of the pro-
ject. This section also provides for an
eight-hour day In construction, work and
prohibits the employment of Monaghan
labor thereon. 2,
Section 5 defines the duties and obliga-
tions Of the entryman, provides that he
shall make his home upon his land, that
he shall reclaim the same and shall not
receive patent therefor until he shall have
paid the charges apportioned against the
same by the government. II also provides
that no right to the use Of water for land
in private ownership shall be sold for a
tract exceeding 100 acres to any one land
owner and no such right shall permanently
attach until all payments therefor are
Hdue' Inc. SECTION also uesl8nateS the OF
fcer to whom payment shall be made and
provides for the CANCELLATION OF the entry
an1 the forfeiture Of all rights hereunder
upon the failure to make any two annual
payments when due.
Maintenance of the Plant.
Section 6 authorizes the secretary to use
the reclamation fund for the operation and
maintenance Of the works constructed un-
der the provisions of the act, but provides
that when the payments are made for a
major portion Of the lands irrigated then
the management and operation OF the
works shall pass to the owners OF the land
irrigated, TO be maintained at their ex-
pense. under such rules and regulations
as may be provided by the secretary OF the
interior. The ownership and operation Of
all reservoirs. however. remain in the
hands Of the government until otherwise
provided by congress.
Section 7 provides for the requirement
by the government Of any rights or prop
erty which may be necessary in carrying
out the provisions OF the act and for the
payment Of the same out OF the reclamation
fund.
Section 8 recognizes states control over
waters Of non-navigable streams such as
are used in irrigation. In order that the
water rights acquired under the provisions
Of the act shall be of the character most
approved by centuries OF irrigation prac-
tice and such as will absolutely insure the