The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-03-01
IRRIGAT0RS CONDEMN
PRIVATE CORPORATION BILL
Mass Meeting at Court House Last
Wednesday Went on Record as Fav-
oring the Government Bill.

oring the Government Bill.
At the courthouse last Wednesday af-
ternoon there was meeting Of irrigat-
ors of the county, nearly all sections of
which were represented. The object
was to discuss irrigation legislation,
particularly the proposed bill known as
the government bill, which is now APP
parently viewed with more satisfaction
than any of the measures that have
been brought out since the agitation Of
the subject first begun. Nearly a hun
dred were present, and many took part
in the discussions. 1t is looked upon as
the most successful meeting held to con
sidei the needs of irrigators and water
users in this part of the state, and as
nearly all valleys tributary to this city
were represented, the decision arrived
at and embodied in the resolutions may
be taken as expressive of the attitude
of a majority of those who are most di-
rectly interested in the storage and dis
ley.
John Ioudon of the Mckee and Attor-
ney Jonn II. Lynch of this city were So
lected as chairman and secretary, re-
spectively, of the meeting. A full and
free expression of opinion was invited,
the result being a number of address
eS followed by general discussion.
The "private corporation" bill was Sc
verely criticised, and an expression of
unanimous disfavor expressed. Many Of
the speakers thought, and so stated,
that its enactment would result in prac-
tically turning over TO the private ir-
rigation companies of the state all con-
troll of irrigation, and that at all events
this should not be allowed until the
United States government showed that
It was not its policy to attempt any ir-
rigation projects in furtherance of the
provisions of the reclamation law.
On motion, unanimously adopted, a
committee composed of H. J. Snively,
j. H. Lynch, Richard Strobach and John
Loudon was named to go to Olympia
at an early date and work in the inter.
ests of the proposed government BILL A
subscription was circulated and suffic.
lent money raised at the meeting to de-
fray their expenses.
The following resolutions were offered
and unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The bill now before the leg
islature known as the Government bill"
makes ample provision for the ultimate
conservation of the food waters of the
state, and the full and complete devel
opment of reservoirs or storage sites of
the Yakima valley by the federal gov
eminent; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we, citizens of the
Yakima valley, respectfully recommend
and petition our representatives in the
legislature that they urge the passage of
said government bill; and that the two
section bill, known "a the individual"
or "private corporation" bill, authoriz-
ing the storage of water by individuals
or private corporations be indefinitely
postponed, as we consider the same UNI
wise and against the best interests of
the state to become law at this time,
when the general government is about
to commence to undertake reclamation
work in this state under the new lands
act; and
Resolved, Further, that copies of these
resolutions properly certified to by the
president and secretary of this mass
meeting, bc forwarded our representa-
tives in the legislature of the state of
Washington, now in session at Olympia.