Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-04-04
WANT A RESERVOIR.
People Of the MesilIa Valley Take
Steps to Secure a National
Appropriation.


pie of the Mesilla Valley are aroused
on the subject of securing a reservoir
at or near the Elephant Butte on the
Rio Grande in order to enlarge the area
of irrigated lands in the valley and
otherwise improve their present irriga-
tion facilities. They have received au-
thentic information that the irrigation
authorities in Washington are most
favorably impressed with the condi-
tions along the Rio Grande for the con-
struction of a reservoir on the river,
and that all they, the people have to do
to get an appropriation is to go after it.
They have seen with modification that
Arizona has already received over $2,-
100000 from the national irrigation fund
for the purpose of constructing irriga-
ton works, and that not one cent has
been appropriated for the territory of
New Mexico. When they have inquired
as to the cause of this they have learn
ed that the principal reason has been
the fact that the people of the territory
have entirely failed to lay before the
irrigation authorities at Washington
the facts and figures, the data neces-
sary to pass upon the merits Of any
proposition which they desire the gov
ernment to take hold of. They are go
ing to supply that data. To that end
large and enthusiastic meeting was
held this week at the court house and
a committee of five appointed for the
purpose of effecting the end desired.
This committee will collect funds and
send the best man they can get to
Washington, armed with all the data
from the land office and all the facts
and figures of the old Elephant Butte
Company. 1t is confidently assumed
here that they can get a good appro-
priation for the purpose. 1t Is learned
also that the government is to change
Its form of attack on the old company
and endeavor to secure decree annull-
Ing the rights of the company on the
ground that it, the company, has for
IRE to construct its reservoir within the |
1--WE years fixed by the statute. This de-
cree will clear the Elephant Butte site |
and open the way for the government |
to build reservoir at that point If |
considered most available. Petitions |
will also be circulated asking the Unit |
ed States land commission to refrain |
from selecting any more lands under |
The grants for irrigation purposes to the |
territory for the purpose of supplying |
grazing privileges to favored cattlemen |
Ind from making any more leases Of
such lands under whatever pretense. |
They want these lands sold to the best |
dvantage as provided in the act Of |
congress and the money applied in bull
ling reservoirs on the Rio Grande and
n improving the river and the flow Of
water in the bed Of the same. They
want this done in their own day and
generation, and not to wait until they
ire all dead and buried before they
calize some benefits from the liberality
# congress. They are advised that,
the failure Of the Fall
irrigation bill, the territorial land
,oard has ample authority to sell these
ands and to use the money to supply
he information desired by the Wash
ngton end Of the line, and, failing in
,etting national appropriation for the
purpose, to build the desired reservoir
With funds derived from the sale Of the
ands, without waiting for the assist
Lnce of the government. 1t is consid-
red most feasible at this time to get
he national appropriation, but they
ire going to keep both irons in the fire.
The people of Las Cruces have an
,ther scrap on in the matter of incor-
,orating the town. It will be a surprise
o outsiders to know that town Of this
fze and Importance has absolutely no
own government In consequence
here are few sidewalks, and those that
.xist are constructed of all widths and
It all levels; there are no lights on the
treets. except such as glimmer thro'
ome saloon or store, and no municipal
machinery for the cleaning of the
treets. It has been long felt that these
ambitions were reproach to the town
md that they should be changed.
kbout six months ago feeble effort to
under the village act was
nale, and failed by q tie vote. This
me the husiness men Of the town have