The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-01-27
COOPERATION wirH GOVERN
MENT IN IRRIGATION PRO-
JEcTs VERY IMPERATIVE.
Unless Laws Are Enacted State Of
Washington Will Lose Aid Of
Federal Government.

reclamation works in this state, if
proper irrigation laws are passed by
the ninth legislature, and that this
fund will be expended in other states
and Washington irrigation will have
to await the return of the money years
hence, We're the features of an address
made to the house irrigation commit
tee at Olympia by T. A. Noble, engi-
neer of the United States geological
reclamation work in this state.
The committee was in session nearly
three Hours, and the pending irrigation
bills were discussed. Mr.. Mobiles
statement was attentively listened to,
and later he responded to a number
of questions asked by members of the
committee, and he explained the rea-
sons for and results expected from diff
ferent sections of the irrigation code.
Representative Hare presented let
| ter which he said was the opinion of
"the most capable irrigation attorney
in the state" which, declared the pro-
posed code method of determining ex-
listing water rights would in one dis
trict alone involve 5000 defendants,
result in interminable litigation, and
accomplish nothing.
lot I'll IS
said:
THE reclamation act was passed
June II, 1902, setting aside IS per cent
of all the money received from the
sale of public lands, to be used by the
secretary under certain limitations and
restrictions for the reclamation by ir-
rigation of the arid and semi-arid
lands in sixteen states and territor-
| les, among which is the state of
Washington. There is no distinction
or priority as to the use Of the money
| in the various states, except as pro-
! vided in section 9 of the act of con-
gress.
This section provides that so far
AS practicable and feasible the major
portion of the funds derived from the
sale of public lands within each state
be expended for the benefit Of lands
within such state.
The officers upon whom fall the
/ ho
! this act are wholly interested in the
successful construction and operation
! of such plants as have been found to
be feasible They have no private in
! terest or investment in any of the pro-
jects under consideration. No pernla-
nent employe of the service is allowed
! to make or to have any investment in
any project under investigation or
! construction and retain his position.
Our entire time and energy is devoted
| to this great work.
Our greatest difficulty comes in the
settlement of private interests on
basis that will make projects feasible
| and be equitable to those who must
pay for it. The government in this
work is in effect no more than trus-
tee for the settler who is to occupy
] the land. and as a trustee we must
protect the interests of the homeseek-
ers.
1.-THE government must act in con-
formity with state laws. 1t can take
no chances and the department must
interpret literally all provisions of
both the state and federal laws. Ii
the reclamation act says we must DO
| one thing and the state law or decis
| ions OF courts are in conflict the lat
ter must prevail.
IF the laws of the state do not give
| the federal government such facilities
and authority as the secretary of in
terror may deem necessary to make
the construction and future operation
of the projects feasible, he has no
| choice in the matter. The law clearly
| designates that the projects must be
feasible before construction begins.
| States like Utah, Idaho, wyoming.
| Nevada and Colorado have all passed
| laws which are favorable to the de-
/ velopment Of irrigation and are clam
| oring for funds to construct projects
| which have been found feasible.
1.-The projects of this state that so
), tar have been examined are less fea-
sible in point of cost than projects in
most of the other arid states. There
is, therefore, more urgent necessity
from your standpoint to clear away all
legal difficulties that stand in the way.
/ If the reclamation act IS not altered
and il the state government cooper
ates with the federal government by
the passage Of laws encouraging the
development and protecting the rights
of all concerned. there is no reason
why the entire irrigable area cannot