The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-09
ARID
LAND
LAWS
Changes In the Present Ir-
rigatiOn System
Senator Williamson Clearly
Sets Forth Defects

held a prolonged session Thursday
night and discussed the proposed
amendments to the arid land act. No
final action was taken, but the dis
cussion showed that amendments will
be recommended, probably In the form
proposed by williamson senate bill
1923. That was the only bill consid-
cred. Edwin Mays, Portland attor.
ney, was the only person who ap-
peared TO oppose the Williamson bill.
He represented no particular com.
pany, but Is himself interested in lr.
rigation. and spoke from the stand.
point OF one who proposes to invest
money In irrigation enterprises. vii.
hanson. who was chosen chairman
Of the Joint committee, says that the
present law Is seriously defective In
three respects:
II gives the irrigation company ex.
elusive possession and use OF the land
from the date the contract IS made
until II Is sold to the settler; It re.
quires no residence 80 that the best
OF the land my be secured by the irri'
cation company through the medium
Of "dummies;' it gives the irrigation
company a right TO receive back the
cos OF building irrigation bitches, and
yet leaves them the owners Of the
ditchcs with a right to collect water
rates from the settlers forever.
Mr.. Mays conceded that the present
law needs amendment In the particu
lars mentioned. but he held that this
can be done by few simple changes
In the present law, and not by an en-.
trely new law such as proposed by
Senator Williamson
The proposed law would drive out
capital" he declared, 1T removes
the incentive to the Investment OF
money In irrigation enterprises. Men
will not put money into enterprises
unless they see what they belieye 10
be- a chance to make a profit. This
bin removes the opportunity for max
ing a good profit, and leaves che In.
yostor to take many chances of loss.
You can pass this bill but no large
tracts Of land will be- reclaimed under
its provisions"
THAT Is all right responded Sena.
tor Williamson. Il would rather see
our lands lie unreclalmed and remain
the heritage Of the people than TO see
them reclaimed and pass into the
hands OF the big irrigation com
panies.'
n don't believe IL would pass into
the hands OF the companies said
Mays. Il believe the irrigation CON.
panies will honestly carry our their
contracts"
u hope So" replied Williamson,
but my experience with the world
is that when 100000 acres OF land is
Involved the man who has chance
to get II will do so"
W. r. Burke. who has a contract
for the reclamation OF 5000 acres OF
land In Harney county, and W. r.
King. who is familiar with irrigation
conditions In Malhour county spoke
In favor OF Wnliamson's bin They
contend that when the settlers paid
the cost OF reclamation they should
own the canals
MAYS found fault with the William.
son bin, Tor tho reason that Il does
not give the irrigation company
lien for the cost OF reclamation, does
not give him a chance 60 make profit
enough TO cover the interest II there
should be delay In disposing OF the
land that Il requires the state land
board 10 pass upon matters ripar
ian rights, which properly belong TO |
the courts.
Henry r. Ankeny was present and |
expressed himself as favorable 10 the
Williamson hin but did not discuss |
its provisions senator Williamson |
said he had received a number OF let
ters proosting against the passage OF i
the bill and ne was sorry the protest
ors had not appeared before the com.
mittee, as they had been invited 20 do.
The bin viii have further consider
alton this evening