The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-02-03
IRRIGATION LAWS.

Among the many subjects to which
the legislature will be asked to give
attention and on which it will be ap-
pealed to act is the all important mat
ter of irrigation and the conservation
of the rights of future settlers along
the streams from which wafer must be
taken to reclaim the many acres of
unreclaimed land still remaining in
the state. The number and standing
of the men who have interested them
selves in the subject and who are
now asking for adoption of the rem
edies they offer is evidence sufficient
to establish the fact that it's import
ance is fully realized and that many
minds are engaged in the task of
evolving what they believe will be a
remedy for many of the ills it is ap-
parent have existence under the con-
ditions now obtaining.
When the present irrigation laws
were adopted the demand for water
was, it may be said, very small and
probably some mistakes were made,
as due regard for the future could
not we'll be paid, for the great devel-
opments that have followed irrigation
in the west could not well be foreseen
by even the most enthusiastic. 1t is
now proposed to rectify those mis-
takes and for that purpose several
men have prepared bills for laws
which they declare will meet all pres
ent and future requirements Unfor-
tunately all these men are not of one
mind and the result is a lot of meas.
ures of conflicting ideas and in the ad-
vancement of which by their respec-
tive adherents considerable feeling
has been permitted to creep in and
some harsh things have been said.
1t would be manifestly unfair to
charge either or all of these men with
dishonest or improper motives. Each
is sincere and each honestly believes
that his side alone is right and that
the other are mistaken. All are do
ing what they consider is needed and
while all aim at the same good results
they clash and each demands a hear
ing and adoption Of the measures adj
vocated by him The legislature may
be able to select the best and proper
from among the different bills already
prepared, but because of the strenu-
osity exhibited by the opposing fac
lions and the completely of the prob
lem it is asked to solve it is not I'M
reasonable to be apprehensive that
further mistakes may be made. In
view of this, why would it not be best
to undertake no legislation on the
subject at this term, but allow the
matter to go over until the next leg
.islature meets. At the best it is hard
ly probable that much il anything
will be done in the way of national
irrigation in Montana before that
time. Meanwhile let the matter be
discussed by the people and in the
press and when another legislative
session is held the question will be
better understood and more intelli-
gent action can be taken. The pres
ent laws will suffice until then n no
great degree of hardship will be work
ed on anybody. The matter is too
important and the future too much in
volved to take hasty action which is
intended to settle a vexatious and
]portentious subject for all time. Elk
perience has demonstrated that re-
CARELESS of all which may be said in
favor of the various methods OF deal
ing with the water problem that have
been adopted by the different states,
some of which it is %purposed to copy,
general satisfaction has not followed
and there is much complaint to be
heard in all of them. For this reason
The Gazette believes it would be wise
to defer action at present and allow
the matter to remain in allegiance
until such time as the general govern
ment is prepared to act and h let
the state work in harmony with 1t.
Between them it is safe to assume
laws will be enacted that will cover
the question in it's details; at least
there will be a better basis for lnteln-
gent and effective action.