Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1905-02-11
REPRESENTATIVE SsITHS BILL

Aa announced several days hEn IN
Tho Citizen. the bin introduced iE con.
rress by Representative Smith OF the
El PaaO district. was reported favorn.
bly, n N the foreign affairs commit
toe. Word now comes that Il a. prac.
tically n surety that the act will pass
al the present session. Delegate Ro
dey OF New Mexico has been indofaii
gable In his work ON the matter and
with several amendments made by
him. the measure will surely pass. Il
was originally introduced to allow the
lower Rio Gundc lands to participate
Ice the benefits Of the Elephant Butte
Irrigation scheme but In lts amended
form. it also has several features uf
importance Co the residents OF the Me.
sllla valley.
Following ls the fun text OF The bill
az introduced:
a BlLL
RelstIng 10 the construction Of a dam
and reservoir on the Rio Grandc. In
New Mexico. for the lmpounding Of
the flood waters % said river for the
purposes 81 irrigation. and provld.
Ing for the distribution OF said sior.
cd waters among the irrlgahlo lands
In New Mexico. Texas aud the Re
public Of Mexico. and 10 provide for
treaty for the settlement Of cor
tain alleged claims of citizens OF the
Republic OF Mexico against the Uni
ted states of America
BE- d enacted by the senate and
mouse Of Representatives OF the United
States of America. in congress as.
sombled.
That the secretary OF the interior Is
hereby authorized 20 ascertain the OK
tent 90 which the water Of the Rio
Grande has been put 10 beneficial use
at points below the sito 90 the pro.
posed dam upon tho Rio Grande. near
Englc Now Mexico. and 10 prepare n
schedule showing az nearly as may be-
the times and seasons whom such wa.
ter has been utilized and the lands
which have actually boon irrigated
thereby for a considerable number 90
years In succession Upon the basis
Of such schedule there shall be set
aside from the waters 10 be- stored ia
the said reservoir under the prow-
sions Of the reclamation act. an
amount oi water sufficient for the irrl.
cation az the lands 40 scheduled as
having been actually lrrlgnted such
water 10 be delivered IN the river or
hy canals within convenient distance
of the said lands, In the discretion OF
the secretary Of the interior. In tho
determination Of said amount Of water
due consideration shall be given 10
the benefits Of an assured water sup.
ply as against tho natural condition
of the stream
Section 2. That the provisions OF
the re- tlamRiion act shall be extended
10 the portion Of the state of Texas
bordering upon the rio Grande which
can be irrigated from the said system.
and ~ there shall be ascertalned 20 be
sufficient land In New Mexico and M
Texas which can be supplied with tho
stored water al q cost which shall
rended the project feasible aud return
10 the reclamation fund the cost 81 the
enterprise. then the secretary Of the
Interior may proceed with the worl, Of
constructing a dam on the Rio Grande
as part Of the general system Of irri-
cation and should an other conditions
ms regards feasibility ho found salts.
factory.
Section o. That the secretary OF
the interior is authorized and in.
siructcd 10 communicate 90 the sec
rotary ~ state his findings with ref
orence 10 the amount Of land which
has IN past times boon irrigated con.
tlnuously from the waters Of tho Rio
Grande in Mexico. ne and Immediately
below the City OF l1l Paso. and there
upon the secretary of state as author
Ifed 90 NEGOTIATE a treaty Wltf Mexico
boy which the Republic Of Mexico shall
accept the amount 81 water 20 be al.
lOiied from said reservoir IN fun liqul-
dalton and settlement OF an claims
made by Mexico or by the citizens
thereof on account OF the alleged a..
version Of the irrigation waters Of the
Rio Grando
Section T. That the secretary OF
me interior Is hereby authorized 20
may be necessary 20 be paid for water
may henecvasRry 20 be paid for water
to De furnished TO lands claiming
prior rights under tho terms % sec.
ton one. and shalt report the same 90
congress. with n view OF ropayinR said
amount into the reclamation fund
Provided that such furnishing of wa.
ter or payment Of money shall not be
regarded as made Ia pursuance Of any
right upon which the Same could be
demanded against the United states.
hut Ia fun settlement of the claims of
Mexico or the citizens thereof herein
before referred 90.