The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1910-01-06
RECLAMATION PROJECT TOWNS
Will Be Aided By New Legis-
lation By Lot Sale
Monies.

In the hope of aiding the develop
ment of towns on Government irriga-
tion projects, which are materially
handicapped at present because of their
inability promptly to incorporate and
issue bonds for civil Improvements,
Senator Borah has reintroduced his bill
of last Congress providing that funds
arising from the sale of lots in these
towns may be utilized for building
schools, water and sewer systems, and
other municipal improvements. This bill
was favorably reported duing the last
Congress, but was never taken up for
consideration.
The Senate irrigation committee, in
reporting this bill an April 13, 1908,
said:
"Under the present reclamation act
there is no provision of law by which
improvements can be made for the prop
er development Of the towns during the
period before their Incorporation and
at time when it is impossible to levy
taxes, and at time when the greater
part of the surrounding country is held
by settlers under homestead entries,
and therefore not subject to taxaction.
The condition as it now exists under
the reclamation act has been found to
hamper AID practically prevent the de-
velopment of towns upon the adjacent
reclamation projects.
There are no means by which school
houses, sewers or sidewalks or GENE
tefies or other necessary public i'm
provements can be had. In the matter
of education and health such towns are
in large degree helpless. The extent
to which such towns are injured and
retarded in their development and
growth is manifest to all who have OBJ
served the matter, and there is de-
mand from the towns upon the reclama-
tion projects for this kind of legislation.
Towns upon Carey act projects, side by
side, almost, with the towns upon the
reclamation projects, have moved
ahead, have fine educational facilities,
healthy sewer systems, of which the
reclamation towns are entirely de-
prived.
"This bill has been thoroughly gone
over by the Interior Department and is
made with the approval Of the depart
ment, it being deemed absolutely es-
sential that some means be provided by
which the health and the education in
terests of the people In the vicinity be
provided.
'1t is also considered that the
amount expended for these purposes
will be well repaid in the increased value
of town lots which the law will un-
doubtedly bring about. The bill is de-
signed to meet great necessity aris-
ing out of the situation as 1t exists
until the town is properly incorporated
and taken care of under the state or
territorial laws"
The bill, in substance, provides THAT
the Secretary of the Interior may ex-
pend from the proceeds of the sale of
town lots in any townsite on Govern
ment project such amounts as he may
deem necessary for the construction of
schoolhouses, water and sewer systems
and other municipal improvements up TO
the time when such towns incorporate,
when the towns will take over all such
works and thereafter maintain them.
The Secretary is further authorized
to set aside lands necessary for ceme-
terry purposes, and to sell lots in such
cemeteries at price to be fixed by
him.