Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-01-24
IRRIGATION COMMISSION.
New Plan Adopted by Members, OF
Great Benefit to Territory,

oitdN DcHcVt 10 tcFFttoTt.
The commission OF irrigation of New
Mexico has somewhat changed the pol.
Icy II pursued soon after its organi-
cation In the location OF lands. looking
to the storage OF water and the reclaim.
alton OF lands hereunder.
The request for the location of reser.
voir sites and the lands adjacent there.
to, which might be reclaimed by the
application Of water, has been some
what disappointing to the commission
and In view of the fact that there has
been a great demand in some portions
Of the territory for government land
by actual settlers and much of the best
land OF the territory being acquired or
segregated from the public domain in
that way. II appeared to the commits
sion that Il should not delay longer the
location OF those lands which had been
granted to congress under the act OF
June a. 1898. for the establishment OF
permanent reservoirs.
The commission determined at its
recent meeting that II likely would
serve the territory better in locating
valuable lands. that would become
more valuable and which could Ne sold
In future years and substantial fund
acquired thereby which could be used
either in the construction of reservoirs
or in the investigation by proper engi.
neering corps of the possible storage
opportunities and the application of
wator 1, tho davalnDmout 80 i,. ari 4
lands. This also would involve posi-.
bly, the study somewhat OF her soils.
which would result In better under
standing Of the most profitable prod
ucts which could be raised by those
engaged in agricultural pursuits.
To this end the commission at its re.
cent meeting passed upon applications
pending before 1t and has recommend
ed to the UnNed States land board the
location and segregation of such lands
as II has designated for the above pur.
poses.
The commission has also undertake.
en- very great work in the develop
ment OF the arid lands OF the territory
In that II directed. by resolution. that
Its officers address a communication
to the secretary of the interior asking
that certain localities In the territory
certain valleys be examined for the
purpose of getting the benefits of the
recent congressional legislation known
as THE arid land law. This commu.
will be followed by others up.
on the same subject from time to time.
calling the secretarys attention to
other localities than those now con
templated lor investigation.
The commission also. through its of.
icers. addressed a letter to the secre-
tary Of the interior. calling his atten-
ton to the fact that the suit now pend
ng in the courts of this territory and
which has been before the supreme
courts OF the United States, known as
he Elephant Butte dam case would |
likely seriously interfere with the |
proper investigation OF the conditions |
'or the storage of water and the recla- |
nation Of lands In the Rio Grande val !
ey, as II had been informed that the |
suit pending would delay investiga- |
ions. Il, therefore. has requested the |
by such commentator, to |
Use his influence with the department |
II justice to secure the speedy and fin |
VI determination OF the questions In |
5olved in that suit. The letter on -..e |
irst named subject, the frst to be
'ent, Is as follows:
Hon. Il. A. Hitchcock, Secretary Of the |
Interior Washington. ID. c.
Sir--By resolution adopted at the |
meeting OF the commission of irrige- |
ion OF the territory OF New Mexico. |
ield at Santa Fe. January ~. 1903. the
ulcers of the commission were direct |
ID to address letter to you asking for |
In investigation by the proper author |
ty to be made of the Pecos valley in |
he terrltory of New Mexico. as to the |
water supply OF the river Rio Puerco.
he soil of that valley and as to the
AVAILABLE storage reservoir sites. Such |
TO be made between the |
point where the Santa Fe railroad |
crosses that valley on the north. and |
he town Of Carlsbad in the county Of |
Eddy on the south.
The irrigation commission is conf |
lent. from information which 1t has.
hat the soil. the water and the reser-
,oir sites, which afford conditions for |
storage In that valley and upon that |
liver. would Justify such investigation |
by proper authority of your depart
nent looking to the application OF the
recent congressional act In reference
10 the irrigation of the arid country.
Very respectfrly.
G.. A. RICP -lRDSON.
President.
nEnpnE XV Kr.~ aEI