The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-01-23
Importance to the Government

1 deem it highly desirable That this
government and the National Recla-
nation Service be brought about. In
order to bring it about with the best
economy u law should be changed
fully with the law suggested by the
Reclamation Service, which is in ma
ny respects similar to tne act passed
by the last legislature.
/ recommend that all that part of
our law relating to the Board of Con-
troll be repealed and that our efforts at
present a least, be confined to the op-
e%rations of the Irrigation Engineer
himself, on such Lines as will bring
bout the desired cooperation with
the Federal Government.
Artesian Wells.
The law providing for the inspection
of Artesian Wells and the creation of
artesian districts passed by the last
legislature, has proven a very wise
and useful one. The constitutionality
of part of the law was questioned, III
was confirmed by the Court. One dis
trict comprised Chaves, Eddy AID
Roosevelt counties was created ami
an inspector appointed. There are
no wells in Roosevelt county. The
artesian district in Chaves and Eddy
counties is about 60 miles long and
10 miles wide and comprises about
600 square miles.
There are now 3O1 wells in Chaves
county and 166 in Eddy county. Care
full quarterly inspections made of the
wells in both counties show consider
able variance in the pressure at diff
ferent times of year, dependent appar
emily, in some degree at least, ON tine
amount of water used. The change
in pressure varies in different parts
of the district but the result of the
observations for the past two years
undoubtedly shows a somewhat de-
creased flow throughout the district,
slight in some places and more pro-
nounced in others. Whether this de-
crease will continue is not certain.
If it does, the suggestions made that
action should be taken to limit the
number of wells drilled should be con-
sidered.
Various minor changes should be
made in the law to make its enforce
ment more effective. Very great
good has resulted in the law in fore
ing the Gaping of uncapped wells and
preventing waste.
superintendent of Insurance.
The law creating the department
of Superintendent of Insurance be-
has proven a source of considerable
additional to the Territory.
Since its creation up to November 80.
1906 the sums received by the Office
have amounted to $~34,O73.59.
1t mas also proven effective il fore
of companies doing business in the
Territory.
Coal Oil Inspection.
With thoroughly efficient inspection
which it is possible, although diff
cult, to obtain under the provisions
of the coal oil inspection law passed
by the last legislature, the quality of
coal oil and gasoline sold in the Ter
ritory can undoubtedly be kept up to
a higher standard than would be the
case if such a law did no exist and
were not enforced. 1t is undoubtedly
true that the general quality of both
coal oil and gasoline now sold in the
Territory is considerably superior to
that in use a year g This is due
to the act that a more thorough in
spection, under the provisions of the
act, was i1augurated in May, 1906.
teen districts and d resident deputy
inspector was appointed in each dis
trict. A specific set of rules and reg
llations for the guidance of depu-
ty inspectors was drawn UP and each
vas furnished with a full set of testing
instruments. Most of these deputies
have conscientiously carried out their
instructions and carried on careful in
spection. A good many shipments of
oil have been Condemned, resulting
almost invariably in no more such
shipments to the points where such
condemnation o place. A relaxation
in the vigilance of the deputies natur-
ally results in the shipment of oil of
less good quality into districts under
their charge.
The Oil companies are quick to re-
spo1d if they understand that the law