Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-05

state canal because 1 think the conditions
cannot be defended.
THE bill was drawn to cover the
reservoir rights on the small streams,
Where is frequently happens that a site
is mopollzed by one land owner, when 1t
might reasonably be Increased to provide
water for many others. The bill seeks to
apply the same principle to reservoir sites
as Is now the law in regard to laterals-
that they may be increased to provide for
the reasonable use Of others, even by
condemnation. 1 do not think there is a
provision in the bill that is not now in
the present irrigation law in some form.
Our statutes say hat all water in running
streams in excess of acquired rights IS
public property who not apply the same
principle to flood and waste waters2
This bill was drawn and presented to
me by State Engineer Dobson and I sub
mitted some amendments which he ap-
proved. 1t was suggested that an addition
be made that those having an insufficient
water supply might acquire any surplus
water. After this another amendment was
added limiting the extent to which this
right might be acquired by condemnation
to 100 acres under one ownership. 1t is
possible these amendments were not pre-
scented to the association when they adopted
their resolutions.
"I am confident the bill as 1t now stands
will not injure the projected reservoirs Of
my county" sy ru- -
Agree Upon 100000.
4 At last the state of Nebraska is going
to erect a statue in memory of Abraham
Lincoln, and the city of Lincoln may take
is visitors to the state house grounds and
show what has been done for the mar
tyred president. The conference commit
tee of the howe and senate reported back
today that they had agreed upon an APP
preparation of $4,000 and the report was
adopted in both houses. The bill passed
the house carrying an appropriation of
Sl5, 900. The senate raised this to $4,000,
The house refused to stand for the raise,
so a conference committee was appointed,
which split the difference.
Railroad Bills Go Ahead.
The house this afternoon picked up four
railroad measures from the bottom of
the general file and located them at the
top. The bills included the reciprocal de-
murrage bill; the bill providing for the
physical valuation of railroads, already
passed by the senate; the bill providing
lower oil rates, and the bill by Clark Of
Richardson, introduced at the request Of
the railroad employees. increasing the num-
Der OF employees upon freight trains under
certain conditions.
Oregon Plan Now n Law.
Governor Shallenberger today signed two
bills, as follows:
II. r. /, by Humphrey of Lancaster,
enacting into law the Oregon plan for
the selection of United States senator's.
H. II. 30, by Carr of Keya Paha, COM
polling a commission merchant to take
out a license from the food Commissioners
Tanner Charter F~avOrhbIy Reported.
The Tanner South Omaha charter bill
was recommended for passage by the
| committee on cities and towns OF the
house tonight and Will be reported back
to the house tomorrow. The committee
here announced a meeting for next
Wednesday to discuss the charter bill, but
for some reason a meeting was held this
afternoon. Jerry Howard mas taken by
surprise. but offered several amendments,
including one to make the street car COM
pany pave between and outside its rails,
but all were defeated. Howard will ask
the house not to concur In the committee
report. but that the bill be Indefinitely
postponed.