Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1904-06-25
WALKER RIVER BASIN.
Conferences Between Senator New
lands, Engineer Taylor and Lyon
County Citizens.


conferences took place at the resi-
dence of Senator Newlands on the sub
ject Of irrigation. The conferences
related more especially to the waters
of the Walker river and the results
may be in the highest degree impor-
tant to the people living in Mason AMI
the Smith valleys.
There were present at these confer
ences. Senator Newlands. Mr.. Bartine
Mr.. Taylor, photographer in charge of
the irrigation work in this State, Mr..
Chandler the State engineer, District
Attorney LOthrope, of Lyon county,
Principle Gregory of the Dayton school
and Messrs McCloud, Braun, Whitacre
Dyer, Collins and Waldo
Senator Newlands invited the con-
ference for the purpose Of disscussins
the vexed question of the Walker river
water supply, ascertai ning the wishes
of the water users in that section
explaining the provisions of the irri-
cation law, particularly it's bearing
upon individual rights already vestel
and and considering to what extent
the general government might lend it's
aid in solving the problem. 1t was
chiefely with reference to the latter
phrase of the questnon that Engineer
Taylor was invited to be present, AMI
his statements throws flood of light
upon tn esubject, which food of light.
may, it is to be hoped, in the not
distant future will be followed by
flood of judiciously water for the bene-
fit valleys served by the Walker riv-
er.
The Lyon county people explained
that there was more or less general
desire among the smaller farmers that
all existing water rights be surrender
ed to the United States Government
to the end that the water might be
returned to them through government
work, each person receiving what was
justly due him, and all disputes being
thereby finally settled. But among the
oSst'
of misrepresentation. Some thought
that if they surrendered their rights 10
the Government they could only sec
ure an equal quantity of water by pay
with no water right at all, would have
to- Others thought that if man hal
a present right to water for say GAO
acres, and he surrendered it, he could
only procure water through the govern
ment works for 16O-that being the
limit under the irrigation law.
1t was explained by Senator New
lands and Mr. Taylor that it was moi
the purpose of the law to put any mar
in a worse position than he was be
fore and to protect every valid ant
existing right; that no one was SUP
posed to pay for water that he Wa'
already lawfully using without charge
and that the 100 acre limit only ap
piled to the new land not already TN
der irrigation. But in this connection
it was also explained that if mai
had a water right with which he Wa
trying to irrigate 1000 acres when
was only sufficient for the proper irrl
CATION of 500 he could not expect tn
government to insure him full SUI
DIV for 1000 acres, because that woul
be giving him twice as much as h
was entitled to.
Mr. Taylor spoke guardly as t
what the government would do. oil
claiming any authority to bind tn
United States to enter upon the wor
of controlling the water supply of tn
Walker river, but he made it cles
what the farmers themselves woul
have to do as a prerequisite, and ais
that if the government did take up tn
work it would have to be upon ba
is of impartial justice to all.
The Lyon county people urged tn
in order to secure an united actlc
by the water users it would be nece
sary to have the matter explained
them by some representative of tt
U. .. UOFeFliIiellt WIN udu Ho p0i0
al interest in the matter, and WI
could give them satisfactory assurra
ce that the project would not be in Il
interest of certain large land owne
and water users.
Senator Newlands suggested tn
Mr. Chandler the State engineer wOu
be a suitable person to visit Mas(
valley and confer with the people the
once devote much time to the matt
owing to the work nov under w,
in the Carson va',ev nor can Mr. r;
Ior 40 so. 1t was finally arranged tt
IN u course of two or three wee