, 1902-02-17

tulllNdtlOu UepiiNes olHtT ldTu equally
good of that which would give it value;
prevents the increase in homes and
robs the State and community OF a
able wealth. The laws OF most western
states have recognized this and pro-
hibited the wasteful use OF water, but
without greater knowledge they can
establish no standard by which to de
termine what is a wasteful use.
The fact that the water supply is
the source of all agricultural values
also emphasizes the need of an effici-
ent system of public control. Some
Estates have realized this need and have
provided for it.. Colorado has IS
officials appointed by the governor.
whose sole duty is to see that the
water supply is properly distributed.
| Wyoming has a like system. with 4s
officials engaged in guarding its water
supply. Nebraska also has n similar
system. Utah and Idaho have also
made partial provision for accomplish
ing this result. In the other states.
where protection is afforded for every
other kind Of property, water is left to
be fought over in the field and in the
courts. and ven when controversies
are settled in this way for one year,
the next season of drought is almost
certain to bring 4 renewal of the con
fiict. In the localities where those
using water from a stream car settle
their rights satisfactorily to all con
cerned. there is nothing to prevent new
corners from building other canals, es-
t%ablishing new rights, unsettling ex.
listing conditions, and in this way pro-
longing the anxiety, uncertainty and
controversy indefinitely.
There are other reasons for a
prompt and comprehensive study Of
water right problems. In every arid
state and territory the acreage of land
under bitches already build is largely
in excess of the land now being cult
waited. In Idaho there is about 1,6OO.-
900 acres of land under existing bitches.
Of which only soc, 900 is now being ir-
rigated. In Wyoming there is probably
two acres under bitches for every acre
that is cultivated. Along the Arkan.
sas River in Colorado and In western
Colorado, the same conditions prevail.
The same is true of the bitches in New
Mexico. In the Salt River Valley in
Arizona, the canal systems cover an
area Of $4,000 acres of which less than
$50. 900 are being cultivated. In north
ern California many completed bitches
are being partly used and a few not
most OF these states are based upon
the estimated capacities Of the bitches
and when the lands for which these
rights have been acquired are actually
brought under cultivation the present
difficulties experienced in the distribu-
ton Of the supply will be greatly en-
HANGED. This makes necessary two
things. First, more effective admins
~trative provisions. and second, a
knowledge Of the facts which ought to
govern these officials in the perfor-
nance of their duties. In some Of these
states. the lack OF cultivation of the
lands under bitches is due to an made
Quate water supply. The streams on
which they depend have an abundance
in the early part of the season but
this Is followed by a drought in July
and August. Here the remedy will be
found in storage. In other cases., dew
elopment has simply outrun settlement
and only time and effective
for colonization are required. In
others. inadequate water laws and I'M
certainty regarding water titles is the
cause Of the delay in making use OF the
facilities already provided. Farmers do
not feel warranted In building laterals,
planting crops and making contracts
for water when the most probable re-
suit of this outlay will be an injunction
suit. The story told on pages 171-1S3,
Bulletin 100 of this Office, shows that
this danger is not imaginary.
The Investigations Of this Office
have shown that the boundaries OF ir-
rigation districts should follow drain
age lines, that rights to water should
include all the watershed of the stream,
and administrative control should not
be restricted as 1t Is now in some states
by arbitrary country boundaries. In
several states, county commissioners
are made water commissioners. but as
many streams flow through o than
one country, in some cases through six
or seven counties, there al be no ade-
quate or proper supervision. Colorado,
Wyoming and Nebraska have each been
divided under state laws into irrfga-
ton districts based on drainage lines
rather than OF county lines. This
makes possible an effective division OF
water within the boundaries of these
states. Something to supplement state
supervision, however, will in time be
required. There are interstate Ques.
lions which can not be ignored,
although laws to provide for the pro
per division of water within a state are
4 more vital and urgent necessity than
to settle the division of in
streams. The study Of inter