The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-10-17

out iltt.e nOte IS taken VI INC mean
by which it is accomplished, regard
less of the fact that the methods OF
handling its innumerable phases are
really the most important factors in
the accomplishment of results.
Among the branches of the recla-
nation service upon whic-- the
smoothness of operation and the ac-
complishment of results largely de-
pend, there are none more important
than those of accounting, bookkeep-
ing, land and legal matters.
While everyone will realize upon
consideration that a large part OF
the work of the reclamation service
must depend upon the law and de-
partmental regulations, yet it has
been something of a surprise that
such large proportion of the work
of the reclamation service. aside
from the mere routine, demands the
investigation and Interpretation OF
land laws, federal statutes, state
statutes and the regulations concern
ing departmental practices
The reclamation act as passed by
congress is very broad in its terms,
leaving to the discretion of the sec
rotary of the interior the manage
ment and determination OF interests
of great extent and value. There
were no precedents to guide the de-
cision of innumerable matters that
were forced upon the attention Of
the officers Of the reclamation serN-
ice in the very beginning. The sue
cessful development of a system OF
procedure and of a general policy is
the product of an enormous amount
of difficult and conscientious work
by the engineers of the reclamation
service
While the responsible officers OF
the reclamation service worked out
and directed these matters, great
debt is due to many private citizens
all over the arid region for helpful
suggestions and hearty cooperation.
When il is remembered that dur
ing the time The fundamental pre-
cedents were being worked out, in.
vestigations. surveys and construc-
ton were proceeding actively, ere
ating within a period of Tour years
systems of irrigation works ready 10
deliver water in at least five PROJECTS,
and in a dozen other systems well ad-
vanced toward completion. we real
lie that here is a striking instance of
what human effort. inteligently di-
rected and earnestly applied, can ac-
oomplish.
Without going into detail the land
and legal branch may be described
as having charge of the important
legal problems of the service, the
form and procedure concerning con-
tracts for construction, the dealings
with the settlers and water users,
the purchase of lands. the minor con
tracts for the purchase of materials
and supplies, and innumerable Other
matters.
Among the methods of procedure
developed none has required more
care than the organization of the
water users associations, involving
as it does 50 much OF the human Gle
ment The adjustment Of complicat-
ed water rights and other private in
terests Of settlers and property own
ers, so ats to comply with the require
ments of the law. has been a difficult
and q tedious task: yet IL has been
successfully accomplished in eighteen
different communities under widely
varyins conditions
The success OF this work was much
aided by ihe efforts OF the people OF
the Salt River valley, Arizona. who
formulated the first corporation OF
this kind, upon plans which are re
markable for the consideration given
to the Interests Of the government
vuo11 +1,.1-e nf tho cot Lore q N II
properly owners.
One of the principal difficulties t.
be contended with in organizing and
carrying on the work Of the reclama
ton service has been tie great di.
yersity N the irrigation laws of tht
various states which in some case!
are wholly Inadequate for the prope
development Of irrigation.
This condition was recognized b!
President Roosevelt in his messag
of December 1901, to the congress
which passed the reclamation act
The following paragraph quote
from this message laid down the fun
damental principles which moder,
practice proves TO be necessary TO
the formation Of state irrigation
code:
I'm the arid states the only right tt
water which should he recognize.
is that of use. In irrigation, thi
right should attacl-to the land re
claimed and be inseDarable there
from.
Granting perpetual water right
to Others than users, without com
pensation to the public, is open to al
the objections which apply to Civ
ing away perpetual franchises TO tn
public utilities Of cities.
"A few of the western states hav
already recognized this and have IN
corporated in their constitutions til
doctrine of perpetual state OWNERSHIP
OF water"
In response to urgent request
from commissions appointed by leg
islative act, and from other publ
bodies, the reclamation service ha
freely given the benefit Of its inyes
legations and experience. and ha
prepared a general draft of stat
irrigation code for discussion ant