The Delta independent., 1909-06-04
Irrigation and Reclamation
of Arid Lands.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 10, 1909.
DEAR SIR:
On March 3rd, 1909. the Senate
adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on
Irrigation be, and it is hereby, author
lied and directed, by subcommittee or
otherwise, to visit, during the recess of
the Senate, such reclaim tion works of
the United States Reclamation Service
as in the committees judgment should
be examined, in order to ascertain ex
isting conditions Herewith connected
and secure information deemed useful
in the consideration of future proposed
legislation affecting the reclamation of
arid lands. And the committee is furth-
er authorized to send for persons and
papers, to administer oaths, to employ
a stenographer. and to have such print
quire; the expenses incurred to be paid
out of the contingent fund of the Sen
ate upon vouchers to be approved by
the Committee to Audit and Control
the Contingent Expenses of the SEN
ate."
In obedience to the direction con-
tanned in the resolution the Committee
will visit your project shortly after the
first of September next, and in due
season you will be advised of the ex-
act day and hour of arrival.
In the judgment of the Committee
the views of the members of each
Water Users Association should be Sc
cured and carefully considered in order
to ascertain existing conditions from
their point of view. The water users
are vitally interested in all Legislation
which may directly or indirectly affect
the reclamation work and to them the
Committee will look for a full and free
expression of their deliberate opinions
on the existing law. the administration
thereof, and the suggestion of such
amendments to the law as may be
deemed useful.
Owing to the large number of pro
jects to be visited and the limited time
at the disposal of the Committee it
will not be possible to examine or ac-
cord a hearing to all members of re-
spective Water Users Associations,
but at the same time it is very desirable
that the judgment of all, as expressed
through the majority, should be ascer-
tanned.
For the purpose of economizing time
in securing the desired expressions l
respectfully request that the water
users be assembled in public meeting
or series of meetings to discuss such
matters as they desire to present to
the Committee and that their views be
formulated in a concise statement in
writing, the same to be presented by
committee of their members who will
be prepared to answer such questions
as the Senate Committee may think
proper to ask in regard to the written
statements or any other matter relat-
,ng to your project.
AS indicating questions deemed i'm
.,ortant, but not seeking to limit the
range of information you may think
proper to present l submit the follow
ing interrogatories:
l. Is the existing reclamation law
satisfactory and if not in what respect
should it be amended?
2. Are your local laws governing
the appropria ion and use of water for
irrigation satisfactory in their applica-
ton to lands being reclaimed by the
Government or through private enter
prise, and if not what amendments are
required?
8. Is the administration of the law
by the reclamation Service satisfactory,
and if not what are the objections and
what remedy is proposed?
4. Is your water supply adequate
both for irrigation and domestic uses?
5. Where your towns have been laid
out by the Reclamation Service how
do you provide for the improvement of
streets adjacent to lots owned by the
Government, and how do you provide
municipal water supply?
6. Is your canal and distributing
systems satisfactory, and if not what
are the defects, what caused them, and
what remedy is proposed?
Z. Can the cost of maintaining and
operating the canal and distributing
system be reduced, and if 80. in what
way and to what extent?
8. Can the water users by employ
ing reasonable industry and &c nomy
promptly make all payments required
by the existing law?
9. What additional terms and condi-
tions, if any, should be imposed on those