The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-03-11
BIC IRRIGATION
BILL Is PASSED
Goes Through Both Branches Of
State Legislature.
THE MAJORITlES ARE LARGE
OPPOSITION BITTER, BUT OBJEC-
TIoNs OVERCOME.

THE big irrigation bill was passed by
both branches Of the state legisla-
ture yesterday ana viii become a
law as soon as il receives the govern
or's signature. There is little doubt
the executive viii approve it as it was
for its passage he sent his special mes
sage TO the legislature Monday. The
senate passed the bill in the afternoon
and the house sent it through last
night Only seven votes were recorded
against the measure in the house. those
of Representatives Metcalf. MolyneuX.
Morris, Patterson, Robson, StOller and
/ White.
1t is the first general irrigation law
passed by either branch Of the state
legislature I'm the history of Utah. 10
places the state engineer at the head of
the water, irrigation and reservoir sys-
TENS Of the state and provides a meth
cd Tor the adjudication of all water
rights. Distribution of water, taking
claim TO unappOrtioned water and con-
troll of watershed areas are all provided
for. The measure is the most vOlum-
nous Of the session. and while its sp0n-
Z
clare IL viii produce order out of the
existing chaotic condition make eXpen-
sive litigation unnecessary and result
/ I'm the conservation and best use of the
waters Of the state.
Only four negative votes were record
cd against the measure in the senate
although the fight made on the bill was
bitter one. The four opposing SEN
atOFs We're c. p. Larsen. a. 3. Lewis
! G. j.. Loose and George G. WhitmOre.
All the other senators were present and
/ favored the BILL
This bin puts TOO much power in the
hands of one man" said Senator Whit
more. opening the debate. Water
right differences should be left to the
courts TO settle"
One-man Power.
"The measure gives one man unlim-
tied, arbitrary and extraordinary pow
or" asserted Senator Lewis. 1T is
complicated and almost Incompetent
sible 20 the people who own water
rights and who are its supposed ben
ehciaries. The expense which piles up
under IL is a bar to the poor man or
the man OF moderate means"
81 found a great deal of objection in
my district" said Senator Barnes, but
when explanation was made 10 my con-
stiJuents the former DIRECTORS invaria-
bly, said: Pass The bill"
II have many petitions protesting
against the passage of this bill" said
Senator C.. p. Larsen. "and not one of
nay constituents has asked me to vote
for ill., i think it viii work mischief
This is the third time I have been
I il fI.r. an
''and each time needed irrigation leg
/ islation has been defeated. The time
has come when IL IS necessary to bring
order out of cheos. This bin is UNI
QuestiOnably -st of any that has
been considered uy tae legislature on
this subject ] win admit il may not De
perfect, but its defects can be corrected
by future legislatures in the light OF
experience Meanwhile we must have
a basis to work on. The measure is the
/ result of indefatigable labor on the part
of both house committees in connection
with the state engineer. and has the
unanimous support of all members of
both committees.
Directors Left Satisfied.
so far as ] can learn, every per-
son who has appeared before the COM
mittee with an objection has had his
objection satisfied and has gone away
practically iudorsing the bill. said Sen
at0r Murdoch. "The greater portion of
the DIRECTORS have not investigated. If
the legislature is ever going 10 do any
thing about irrigation. now is the
time. This bill viii mean a tremen-
dous saving in the expense of hti-
cation"
THE bin may need amendment In
| future years. il is true but il forms
basis for future legislation" said
Senator Lawrence
''This measure Is of vast Importance
to the people of this state, Sad Sen
ator Gardner 1T has been objected
that too much power is given the state
| engineer. Petition upon petition has
been filed against the measure. but
i'm every case where there has been
investigation the petitioners have filed
counter petitions askings for the bills
passage
'The committee found the state en-
gineer a man of practical experience,
eminently qualified to assist I'M the
production of a practical piece of leg
islation." said Senator David Mckay.
chairman Of the joint irrigation COM
mittee Some Of the objections came
from Provo. and ] understand the peo-
pie of Provo now are satisfied
Provo Still Protesting.
81 am here to say that what has
been said about the people of Provo
is not entirely true, said Senator
Loose. There is "a protest from Provo,
and il is still In existence. Both farm
ers and toWnspeople are opposed TO the
bill. They think it Is a mischievous
measure"
There is a great demand and a
great need for general irrigation leg
islatiOn." said Senator Williams. This
bin may not be exactly what is needed
but it is a start and there is no better
way than to pass IT,"
Representative Austin, chairman of
the house irrigation committee, Repre-
sentative Barrett and state Engineer
Doremus were I'M the senate chamber
while the debate was in progress and
left highly elated when the measure
was passed.
Later ia the afternoon the senate
/ passed s. 3. 49, by Gardner, apprOpTi-
atng $4,000 from the state land funds
for surveys of possible reservoir sites
with a view 10 opening the way for
expenditure in Utah of reservoir funds
set aside by the federal government.
CROWDED THROUGH HOUSE.