The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-10-18

49, S0SA AN oSo oAA~
be a lien on the land which the asso-
citation may enforce if they do not pay
for the water. They agree to dispose
OF the lands they own which are in
excess OF the limits OF lands in pri-
vate ownership permitted to apply for
water from the government system.
How Managed.
"The association is managed d.
rectly by the water users themselves
and through the officers elected by
them. Each water user will receive
his proportionate part OF the entire
supply in the hands OF lne association,
not in excess of the amount necessary
for the proper cultivation OF his land.
The cost of a water right will be the
smallest amount consistent with per-
manent work. Steel and concrete will
be used wherever required. The
heaviest part Of the cost-that is, the
maintenance, which goes on forever
will be reduced to a minimum.
Before beginning construction the
government will make a contract
with the association, IN which the lat
ter will guarantee the payments and
agree to enforce the collections from
its shareholders by means OF the lien
on their lands ii necessary. Every
- r. n ~ - ~ n v,0vNo10~ ~ Tho occooin%Sov@
is a land owner, and a depreciation OF
land values is against his interest.
The demand for land will probably be
so great, as construction approaches
completion, that large prices can be
easily realized by the owner himself.
The reclamation act expressly pro-
tects vested water rights. By Joining
the association, the owner OF such
rights puts them in the care OF the
association and the water is ito be
delivered to him as before, being in
cluded in the complete supply fur
nished from the government system.
His priority OF water remains intact,
is protected by the articles OF the as
ISOLATION and may be reasserted II
ever there should be a shortage OF
water in the future. These rights
must be definitely ascertained anu
made a matter OF record as soon as
the association can take the matter up
after the government construction has
begun. This adjustment can be made
by mutual agreement or in the courts.
The association will accept subscrip-
tons only when they cover the entire
body Of land owned by the subscriber.
No subscriptions should exceed 100
acres, but any person may make sew
eral such subscriptions if he agrees
to dispose of his excess lands located
under the system.
when you own land that can be
Watered from a government ditch and
wish to get water from it, it will be
necessary to become a member OF the
local water users association and sub
scribe to all of the requirements OF
membership in such association. Sec
ton 5 OF the law states that no right
to the use OF water for lands in pri-
vate ownership shall be sold for a
tract exceeding 100 acres to- any one
land owner.
Discretionary With Secretary.
"Obtaining water for a full tracl
OF $50 acres is left to the discretion
OF the secretary OF the interior, and
the acreage may be reduced to 12O,
80 or 40 acres, according to the sur
rounding conditions. You can not OBJ
tain a water right for your land unless
you are an actual bona tide resident
on such land, or occupant thereof re-
siding in the neighborhood. BY join
ing the water users association you
can secure water for $50 acres or
less, as the rule may be; but more
land a not have water unless it is
conveyed by a recorded deed to some
other person. To secure a title to
water will ~necessitate the land being
conveyed by actual recorded deed,
and remain in the ownership of some
other person for five or probably ten
years or more. Such person must
also be an actual bona fide resident
on the land or an OCCUPANT thereof re-
siding in the neighborhood.
"The railroads, as a rule, have
agreed to put their lands on the mar
ket in small tracts at a price OF $1.25
or $3.50 per acre, to be sold on long
time payments, and subject to all OF
the conditions of government land ad-
joining, title not to be passed until all
of the terms have been complied with.
The railroad corporations are more In