Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-01
A MOST IMPORTANT MATTER


One OF the most important organiza-
tions Of this state Is that which Is
known az The Arid Land Reclamation
Fund Commission, provision for which
IS made in chapter II Laws Of Utah.
1903. 1t IS constituted OF FIVE members,
appointed by the Governor and con-
flrmed by the Senate, to serve for a
term OF two years and until their sue
cessors are appointed and qualified.
Their only compensation, II such II may
be called, Is their actual and necessary
travelling expenses, which are paid out
Of the appropriation made by the Log
islature, which two years ago was for
the sum Of 50. 900, 10 cover all expendi-
lures in the carrying out OF the pur-
poses Of the act for two years
The object IN view in the organization
OF this board was to take the necessary
measures for obtaining Utah's proper
lion Of the appropriation under the act
OF Congress Of June H. 1902, known as
the Reclamation Fund Act This COM
prehends the construction OF reservoirs
and irrigation works and other means
for the conservation and distribution Of
water FOR irrigation upon arid or semi
arid lands. The Importance and neces-
slty Of this commission have been DEM
onstrated by that which they have been
able to DO, in the furtherance Of meas
ures to secure governmental aid In the
contemplated land schemes TO secure a
full water supply for the agrlculturists
Of Utah.
The visits made by Mr.. Newell, and
the appointment OF government survey
ors and engineers TO investigate the
feasibility OF proposed plans for the d.
version OF mountain streams and the
establishment OF government reservoirs,
are known to the community and are
doubtless appreciated not only by the
Legislature but by every person ac-
quainted with the matter, and great
anticipatlons are INDUCED IN as to the
great possibilities, and indeed prob
abilities. OF added wealth to the State
by the cooperation Of water-users with
the authorities appointed by the gener-
al government
One reason for the appointment Of
five members TO constitute this COM
mission. was that each district In the
State should receive representation on
tho board. one group OF counties Is
composed OF Boxelder Cache, Rich,
Weber and Morgan, Next, Davis, SUM
NIT, salt Lake, Tooee and Utah,
Third Wasetoh, Ulntah, Carbon, EN-
cry. Grand and san Juan, Fourth,
Sanpete, Juab, Willard Sewer, Beaver
and Pluto. Firth, Wayne, Garfield,
lion, Washington and Kane.
This arrangement appears to he both
fair and necessary. Every part Of the
state should have a representative on
that board, and there should be suf-
flcent number near enough at hand
TO meet at the seat OF state govern
ment as often as may be necessary for
the transaction Of important business.
It appears TO MS that any change from
this apart from its personnel, would be
detrimental to the interests Of the
state. We have heard IL whispered
that there was disposition among
some people, who always want 10 be
iconoclHsts, TO do away with the COM
mission entirely That IN our opinion
would he suicidal or murderoug, which
ever term may be the most applicable
TO the interests Of this entire region,
BY special dispatch received this
morning from Washington, d, c., we
learn that Messrs }len and Newell,
OF the department az the capital. are
heartily IN accord with Senators Smoot
and sutherland and Representative
Howell, IN flyoring the Utah commits
sion, and are entirely satisfied with It's
labors, II has worked In complete har-
mony with the officers OF the govern
ment in the plans and operations for
the purposes designed IN the National
reclamation fund act, and they VIII do
their best to secure for this state all
the rights and privileges and benefits
that can be properly had Tor the de-
volopment. conservation ana distrlbu-
ton Of available water supplies IN
Utah. Under thege considerations we
suggest to the Legislative assembly
care and caution in the handling OF
this question which is fraught with
so much consequence to the welfare OF
this state,