The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1908-08-12
The SAN LUIS
RESERVOIRS
CONFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS LEAVES MATTER
UNDECIDED.
TREATY TO CO.. sIDER
MAY APPEAL TO COURTS IF GAR
FIELDS DECISION is NOT
FAVORABLE.

Denver.-An international treaty
with Old Mexico and a pledge 10 New
Mexico are the two items mat at pres
ent stand in the way of federal approx
al of certain reservoirs in the san LUIS
valley, according to facts brought out
Friday in meeting between represent
tatives of the federal goveil Ient, the
San Luis valley and the Colorado state
Commercial association.
Director f. H. Newell of the reclaL>l-
ton service; +. c. Bernard OF the geo,
logical survey; Judge c. d. Hayt and
w. e. Skinner, president, and j. u
Craig, secretary of the Colorado Com
mercial, were the men who took part
THE government cannot at present
approve the Conejos reservoir" said
Mr.. Newell, because it is feared that
1t might impair the flow of the stream
to such an extent that the treaty with
Old Mexico on water rights ana the
prom Sc of sufficient water for the En-
gle dam, might be endangered. How
ever. Secretary Garfield has suspended
his final judgment on the matter until
he can investigate and see II such
would really be the conditions
I'VE claim" said Judge Hayt. speak
ing for the San Luis valley, after con-
ference. that the federal government
has no right to interfere with Colorado
waters. Further even If this conten-
ton of ours should be set aside, we
claim on the facts, that the more water
we impound. the better will be the av-
erage supply. The constant seepage,
the high mountains that surround the
valley and that prevent the clouds
from carrying away the evaporation,
even the water absorbed by the plant
life, is eventually carried back into
the river and none OF it would be lost
through the impounding of 100000 acre
feet for the Conejos reservoir, which is
the amount we would require.
What will we do about the matter?
Well, at this time. 1t is difficult to
say. Secretary Garfield has not yet
finally rejected our claims and II he
does, 1t Is a very expensive matter to
carry into litigation. A similar suit
cost the state about $4,000, you know"
THE statements, however. credited
to Mr.. Garfield in published interviews
to the effect that the government has
approved all other reservoirs but this
are not correct. as there are n few 9th.
ers still held up.
But at the same time this is the
most important as it is the largest of
those upon which approval Is awaited.
no criticism of the administration In
cur discussion. Mr.. Newell desired to
obtain our side of the case and We de-
sired his views. L was merely mat.
ter OF Information that drew us to
gether."
The Conejos reservoir, the subject OF
discussion. as planned will impound
100000 acre feet if completed. The Old
Mexico treaty requires that 10000 acre
feet be delivered to that country and
the New Mexico Engle dam. of which
Congress has approved. will take .500.-
900 acre feet.
When asked what the State CONNER
cial Association will do now about the
matter. J. C. Craig said: 1T appears
now to be a matter for court action by
the, state against the government II
Mr.. Garfield decided unfavorably but
our association will stand IN bag of the
San Luis valley straight through III
their endeavor to secure the water
rights"