Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-08-14
THE San LUIS
RESERVOIRS
CONFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS LEAVES MATTER
UNDECIDED.
TREATY TO CONSIDER
MAY APPEAL TO COURTS IF GAR
FIELDS DECISION is NOT
FAVORABLE.

Denyer-An International treaty
with Old Mexico and a pledge to New
Mexico are the two items that at press
ent stand in the way of federal approx
nj of certain reservoirs in the San LUIS
valley. according to facts brought out
Friday in meeting between represeh-
tatives of the federal govern neht, the
San Luis valley and the Colorado state
Commercial association.
Director F. II. Newell OF the reciana
ton service; f. c. Bernard OF the geo
logical survey; Judge c. d. Hayt ana
w Z. Skinner, president. and ). y.
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
IL might impair the flow OF the stream
to such an extent that the treaty with
Old Mexico on water rights and the
promise 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 II this conten'
iion OF ours should be set aside, we
claim on the facts, that the more wafer
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
l., nl
the river and none of II would be lost
through the impounding of 10O.0 900 acre
feet for the Conejos reservoir. which is
the amount We would require.
What will we do about the matter!
Well, at this time, II is difficult tc
say. Secretary Garfield has not yet
finally rejected our claims and II he
does. It Is a very expensive matter 10
| carry into litigation. a similar suit
cost the state about $4,000. you know.
The statements. however. credited
| o Mr.. Garfield in published interviews
% the effect that the government has
approved all other reservoirs but this
| are not correct. as there are few 9th
erD still held up.
But at the same time this Is the
mos, important as II is the largest oil
| those upon which approval is awaited.
Understand. though. that there was
no criticism OF the administration In
cur discussion. Mr.. Newell desired &c
| obtain our side OF the case and We de
sired his views. II was merely n mat
ter of Information that drew us TO
gcther."
The Conejos reservoir. the subject OF
discussion. as planned will impound
100. 900 acre feet IL completed. The Old
| Mexico treaty requires that 10000 acre
feet be delivered to that country and
the New Mexico Enele dam. Of which
Congress has approved. will take 1900.
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 matter for court action by
the state against the government II
Mr.. Garfield decided unfavorably bu,
our association will stand in back OF the
San Luis valley straight through In
their endeavor to secure the water
rights"