El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-04-30
qualified to prepare the laws sug
gested.
The VaIue of System.

qualified to prepare the laws sug-
gested.
The Value of System.
The value of any system must depend
largely on the capacity of those who
administer it. Incompetent men can
make a failure Of any law, while good
men can do much with an imperfect
one. The administration of an irriga-
ton law in Texas will be u difficult
matter under the most favorable condi-
lions. and the broader the experience
of those in charge. the better Will be the
results. The reform of the irrigation
laws of Texas involves the future of a
great commonwealth. What is done
should be done with the purpose of
prompting the growth of the state and
insuring the peace and prosperity of it's
citizens for generations 10 come The
possibilities which wait on success and
the evils which viii surely attend fail
ure ought 10 enlist the efforts and in
tellect of the ablest and best men in
the state. 1t is an opportunity for the
exercise Of constructive craftsmanship
which rarely appears in the life of any
commonwealth
The states Duty.
1t is the duty of the state:
l. To fix the priority and limitations
OF each existing right to water, whether
based on the ownership of riparian
lands or on beneficial use.
> To determine the volume of I'M
used or unappropriated water.
8. To declare unappropriatad water
state property and define the proceed
ure whereby rights thereto may be ac-
quired-
4. To exercise adequate supervision
and control when new appropriations
are sought.
8 To provide an office in which be
kept complete record of each perfected
right of each application and of each
permit for a new diversion of use.
g. To divide the state into admins
trative divisions and districts based on
drainage lines
T. To provide an efficient admins
trative system, with proper officers. for
the distribution of the water supply
among those entitled 10 its use
For the accomplishment of this pur-
pose, / would recommend the enact
ment of code of laws following in
general the plans above outlined. That
such laws may be properly drafted for
presentation to the next legislature, il
would seem proper and advisable that
this congress. representing the irriga-
ton interests of the state, appoint a
commission and provide funds for their
carrying on of this work.
The Resolutions
Following are the resolutions adopted
as expressive of the CONGRESSES immedi-
ate plans. and appended to them are
the resolutions adopted January 26 last.
which were reiterated and Reimbursed
today:
Whereas, In furtkerance of the pur-
pose of the Texas Irrigation congress.
as expressed in resolutions adopted on
January %. 1910. it now becomes nee
essary 10 bring more fully before the
people of Texas, the subject in which
we are interested, therefore be it
Resolved. That the Texas Irrigation
congress, as a permanent organization.
does hereby ratify and confirm the for
mer action mentioned above
That the committee on resolutions
recommends the creation of q commits
sion, the selection thereof TO be left to
the executive committee of said con-
gress. not less than three nor more than
i've In number. with authority 10 add
more If deemed exDedfent by the execu-
tive committed
To Investigate Laws
That said commission shall be and is
by the adoption of these resolutions
authorized and empowered to make a
comprehensive investigation of the IT.
rlgation laws of other states and there
upon to formulate and present Ia
meeting of the congress to be called for
tnat purpose by the executive commit
zee the expressed purposes Of this con-
gress and the most harmonious and
beneficial effect to the irrigation inter
ests of the state of Texas
That the secretary of agriculture of
the state of Texas be invited by this
congress to cooperate in every practi
cal way with the said commission for
the furfherance Of the purposes herein
aNnreSSad -