East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-01-12

difficulties growing out of conflict.
ing claims to the use of water be.
come more difficult of adjustment A
subcommittee of the state conserva-
ton commission has been appointed to
prepare a bill on the subject, to be
sumitted to the legislature. They have
had the matter under careful consid-
Grafton and have listened to discus
sions by experts on the subject. and
there is no doubt but that a bill will
be reported to meet the necessities in
this state. 1t ought to receive the
careful consideration of the legisla-
ture. The experience of other states
has proven that, in order to be ef-
fective, legislation upon the subj ct
should cover:
l. Complete federal where that
is possible, orr state control of diver
sions from streams. No water right
in future should become vested ex-
cept by appropriation under the laws.
rules and regulations prescribed by
the state, and the diversion of water
without right from a public stream.
including all knowingly wrongful in
reference with the rights of others
to the injury of another should be
made a misdemeanor.
?. \ system whereby the priority
and limitations of every existing right
to the use of water can eventually be
3. Provisions for a reliable record
in some central office of all rights to
the use of water as determined. and
of new rights as initiated
4. That actual measurements oil
bitches and streams be made as a bl- !
sis for the adjudication Of existing !
rights and for the initiation of new
rights.
5. To provide a definite procedure
rights to the use of water
can be acquired.
6. That beneficial use De made the
basis, the measure, and the limit of
all rights to the use of water, and that
water for irrigation purposes should
be made appurtenant to the land irri-
gated.
7. All rights to the use of water
or power development should be
United to some specified time, sub
ect to renewal under certain restric-
ions.
s. An efficient administrative sys-
EN-, with proper officers, for the dis
Of the water supply among
hose entitled to its use.
g. An adequate system Of fees pay
BILE to the state by those benefited,
D that eventually the system shall be-
ONE self-supporting.
UnapprOpriated Water Powers.
The unappropriated water powers
+ the state ought to be reserved for
le use of the public. Many of the
lost valuable water powers have been
appropriated by corporations and in
not for present, and some
mes not even for speculation. There
some evidence that a deliberate pur-
1se has been formed by persons of
her states who understand and
now the future uses to which these
1wers may be put, to acquire, under
ws now in force the unappropriated
JwerS Of mountain and other
reams. Some steps ought ODE ia
IN 10 prevent this All rights to the
e Of water for power development
ould be limited to some specified
ne. subject 10 renewal under certain
strictions. and compensation should /
charged by the state for the use
ereof II powers acquired for
nited and specified time are not put
beneficial use within that time,
ere should be a forfeiture thereof. E
le time will come when the water {
wers Of this state which are at pres y
{ unappropriated, will become very {
luable, and If they are held by the t
ste n revenue may be derived there e
I'm that will go far toward the re-
ction Of taxation. =
Bank Guaranty Law.
The question Of enacting a law for 7
2 protection Of the depositors in Z
.te banks has been generally dis g
ssed since the panic of one year ago /
d numerous bills will doubles be l
for consideration. I am sure that
those presented one can be selected
ich will accomplish the purposes
Jposed and not be unjust to those
gagged in the banking business bv 4
imposition Of restrictions so Sc
e and a tax so burdensome as to
iously interfere with the conduct Of n
banking business. Oklahoma has n
law on the subject which is said II
give general satisfaction, and has v
n instrumental in attracting large a.
ume Of money from other states. h
e effect Of such a law will be sa- ir
ary, and will lead to conservatism =
her than to recklessness in the con- ca
I Of the banking business, and at q
same time protect the deDOsitOrl o,