Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-09-22
TUESDAY EVENING. SEPT. ~. 1868
A VITAL QUESTION.

Of the most vital importance 70 the
people Of Las Vegas Is the subject dis.
cussed By Col. T. 2. Twitchell ~ his
interview ON the national irrigation
congress al Ogden. Utah. Col. witch
ell talked with Secretary OF Agricnl-
ture Wilson, with the chief hydro
graphhr of the government, n. I'll,
Newell, and with many Of the govern
ment engineers present at the great
convention, and when he says that
some steps must be taken Immediate
ly to secure the land proposed to be
reclaimed TO the government he
knows what he Is talking about. II
something isn't done and that right
speedily. Las Vegas Will lose the res
eryoir which will mean so much to
her future development.
When Hon. @. A. Richardson. pres
ident Of the New Mexico irrigation
commission, was here a few weeks
ago readers will remember that he
said TO The Optic, II believe you
are In a fair way TO get a government
reservoir. l have talked with the en-
gineers who have investigated the lo-
cations here and they are highly en-
thusiastic. II YOU fail 10 get II, Il
viii be for one reason only, and |
want YOU 10 impress that upon your
people as OF the most vital impor-
lance:
'syour grant commissioners must,
az soon as possible, place at the die.
posai Of the Government the lands
proposed 10 be reclaimed and all the
lands needed 10 carrying on the enter
prisc.y
The Optic representative asked Mr..
Richardson what had been done IN
The pecos valley country IN the way
III giving tho government title to lind
10 be reclaimed. He said. There
wasn't d mar who had holdings along
Inc Iiondo who ala not ~cheerfnlly
agree 10 take IN return whatever title
The government saw a. e EtSe. That
Tie exchange was d profitable enc II
ihe added compensation from tie gov.
crument eide was the pfieoless water
% iftigato the arid sol wha would
doubtg The same thing q done ln
Arizona. the same thing has been done
ii every place where tic government
has begun irrigation enterprises
As Mr.. Twitchell well says, e should
be clearly understood that the GOV
eminent does not intend q spend 4
dollar % the reclamation of lands
until full title Is given 70 BIO held UNI
III the cost OF construction Il naid Tvs.
The government has no interest III the
matter but 10 provide attractive homes
and wen titled fields, where nos Il
nothing but a dreafs wilderness II
money from the general government
in which all the people Of The United
States have in interest be expended
for this purpose. lt ~ juat thai the
money be paid back. The government
proposes 70 charge a small sum for r.
riga,ion rights for a period OF ten
years. The amount viii be much less
than that charged by the irrigation
companies. and after tho len years
have passed The rights Of the holders
Of The land will be free ana perpetual.
We can trust the government lii the
matter Instead OF bestowing upon
the people the desert lands 81 4 slight
coal, u adds something 20 the charge
and gives irrigable farms. ready 70
break into bloom III the touch ~ the
lfe.giving water.
II is Of infinite importance thai the
Las Vegas grant commissioners act
quickly and wisely in this matter.
The lands must be decided 10 the GOV.
eminent In trust for a period of ten
years. There should not be a days
delay In carrying out the Wish 81 the
department II Is Secretary Wilson's
advice. II Is photographer Newclls
advice. Unless II is done. Las Vegas
gets no reservoir. II II IL done. the
reservoir is assured.
More than a new railroad, more
than d half dozen factories or smelt.
ers. more than any other enterprise