The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-09-19
COMMITTEE TO PREPARE IT WILL BE APPOINTED
Proposed Law Submitted by Morris Bien Con.
Sidered More NOIuminOuS than is NeCeS
sary to Secure Needed Relief


Commissioners Ross. Chief Engineer in
charge of reclamation service New-
ell, superintendent of engineering pro-
jects in the Yakima, u. C. Henry, At
torney for the reclamation service.
Morris Bien, all the local members
OF the reclamation service, delegates
from nearly all parts of the state, and
a large number of irrigators and
others interested from Yakima county
and North Yakima. The sessions were
held in the Commercial Club rooms,
the first from to Thursday after
noon and the last at 7:S0 in the even
ing. The object of the meeting was
to discuss the proposed irrigation code
submitted by Morris Bien, and to Sc
cure some sort of relief measure to
present to the next session of the
legislature for the Improvement of
legislation on the subject of irrigation
IN Washington. Both sessions were
entirely harmonious, and every one
who spoke gave evidence of the sim
cerest interest in the subject, and
desire to secure an improved irriga-
ton law. The chief objection raised to
the code presented by Mr.. Bien was
that it was unnecessarily voluminous,
and that it had features which could
De eliminated to advantage.
President Fraser of the Commercial
Club presided over the sessions. At
ter stating the object OF calling the
meeting, and speaking briefly on the
needs of the irrigated portions of the
state for a better law, he introduced
Governor Mead, who was enthusiastic
ally received. He stated that he Cd
not come TO Yakima for the purpose
Of trying to enlighten the people of
the valley as TO what they needed In
the way of legislation pertaining to IT.
rigation; but he assured the delegates
OF his willingness to assist in deter
mining at least a superficial idea of
what is necessary. and aiding the COM
ing legislature in Its duties in
providing laws or amending present
laws to meet the requirements of the
irrigated portions OF the state. Com
nending the plan OF meeting and de-
Gliding on the proper course to be
pursued, the governor gave his hearty
assurance OF his Willingness TO assist
the people of central Washington, or
any other irrigated portion. in any
way possible In securing relief from
burdensome conditions.
Land Commissioner Ross said that
personally he had no int crest in irri-
cation. but he did have as citizen
and as a public official of the state,
and he was anxious to bring about sat-
isfactory conditions if It were in his
power to do so. or 10 aid in bringing
them about.
Chief Newell. at the head of the 400
engineers in the reclamation service,
and facetiously introduced as the
leader of the 400" spoke first of the
:mpossibility of overlooking the
growth and rapid development of the
.own and county OF Yakima. Speak
ing OF the agreements signed by the
water owners during the past year
the speaker maintained that these
meant more for the development of the
country in the future than anything
that had ever been done in connection
with reclamation. The next necessary
step he insisted, was to have a sim
PIE and effective method of carrying
into effect these agreements Refer
ring to the proposed code. he favored
its adoption, with possibly some slight
notifications. saying that other states
olamation service. he said. stood in the
position of citizen of the state.
using its whole ability to help the citi-
Gems In securing the best results. He
insisted that the owners of land in
Washington must prepare themselves
10 give better assurances Of the valid
ity Of their titles 70 water running
with their land.
Morris Bient. author Of the proposed
code, and legal adviser OF the recla-
nation service, said the department
asked but one thing. and that was
some legislation that would enable the
service to better protect the water
supply upon which It depends. Great
est difficulties arose through many
though perhaps inadvertently. taking
more water than they were entitled
to. Mr.. Bien then took the code by
sections. explaining all that was not
thoroughly understood, and outlining
the proposed methods Of operation IN
der the code In deail. He did not in
sist that the code be adopted, even ir
part, II the delegates had some other
relief they favored IN preference. but
he urged the necessity for immediate
action. and called for as many sug-
gestions as could be made
Ildge II. F. Blandford Of walla
walla. insisted that vested rights CON-
ir.sed the essence OF a satisfactory
code for his section of the country
The rights already vested DO not be
long p the public. Given that the
state owns The water this code. be
admitted might work out beautiful
~. u raply e TITS criticisms Mr. Ben
went into detail 81 explaining how the
code could work, maintaining that Us
adoption. practically as 1t read, would
not entail either expense or delay in
Its execution Controverted points or
the decisions OF the state engineer
ne held. would be comparatively few,