East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-01

Few questions to be considered by
the next session of the legislature are
of such Importance to Umatila coun-
ty and eastern oregon in general as
that Of irrigation legislation. The
hardest fight of the last session was
over the proposed water code and the
following from the Oregon Daily
Journal indicates that the fight Is to
be.repeated at Salem next month:
Most important in its possible ef-
feet upon the future development of
Oregon of all legislation which will
come before the next session of the
legislature for enactment will be the
irrigation code now in course Of draft
ing. j. c. Bryant, epresentative-elect
from Multnomah county, has the bin
under consideration and is working
in line with the ideas Of State Engi-
neer John II. Lewis, the expression Of
the Oregon State grange, and the
plans of the Oregon commission for
the conservation Of the natural resour-
ces of the state.
Representative Bryant has been
spending much time and thought in
the consideration and study Of the
water needs OF the state. He has
collected a large amount OF informa- |
tion and material from other states
whore irrigation codes have been en-
acted, and out of this mass of data
will construct his bill.
Jackson"s Bill the Model.
The new measure will be modelled
along the general plan of the board of
trade bill introduced at the last ses-
sion of the legislature by Representa-
tive Perkins of Jackson county and
defeated by a narrow margin after a
bitter fight had been waged against il
by the representatives OF waterpower
interests in the house.
The primary idea of the proposed
code is that all waters within the !
state from all sources of water sup
ply belong to the public and subject
to existing rights to their use. may be
appropriated for beneficial use.
The laws of Canada and Italy and OF
Idaho, Wisconsin. Arkansas and other
states and the advice OF eminent au-
thority on irrigation and water con-
servation will be considered in the
construction of the bill Its object !
will be TO encourage the development {
of waterpower in the state and at the 4
same time to safeguard the interests -
of the people. 4,
Should Limit Permits. I
The main points being considered {
by Mr.. Bryant are that the waters of |
the state belong to the people of the \
state and can be used under certain o
restrictions for beneficial use. that
waters appropriated for irrigation pur- I
poses become appurtenant to the land N
that waterpower permits given by the d
state to individuals or corporations %
should be limited to periods of % ci
years, and that annual fees to be fixed lc
by the Legislature should be charged fl
Tor the use of power by corporations II
developing It, that all waterpower w
corporations should be specially incor- m
lorated and that no corporation shall IN
De allowed to make application for to
second power site until 1t has devel- pl
'ped the site already held by Il MS
Srant from the state; that full state st
nents of the construction and labor M
# all power plants shall be filed with hi
he state engineer upon the compile |
ion of any project, and that the state pr
hall reserve the right to buy. lease pl
II condemn any works at the expira- SUI
ION OF the term OF the franchise or m
'efore that time and the state shall
ave the right and power to regulate It's
he cost of heat, light or power, used wi
y the state or by any incorporated
ity or town. an
Representative Bryant expects to II
ave the preliminary draft of his bill tn
eady in short time. 1t will then NJ
e submitted to the conservation COM
lission, the state grange and to the he
late engineer, and the work OF put LEI
ng 1t into final shape will be UNDER at,
lken. The final draft will be a wa
lear and comprehensive water code
eady for the consideration of the int
gislature. wi
The great mass of litigation now en-
ending in the courts of the state over Is
ater rights shows clearly that there foi
urgent need in oregon for remedial
gislation. According to attorneys
no have made water contests a spe-
atty, there is no state in the union fol
which the water laws are in such OF