Lovelock tribune. (Lovelock, Nev.) 1898-1912, 1911-07-13
ELKO IRRIGATORS
PLAN TO HOLD
A Meeting

A call has been issued to waterap-
propriators on the upper Humboldt
to meet and discuss their respective
water claims. The Elko Free Press
prints the following in regard to the
matter.
A few days ago when State Engi-
neer W. M. Kearney was in town
looking after a water application ON
Thousand Springs Creek, he made
the Free Press office pleasant
call, and talked over the water situ-
alton of the Humboldt river and trib
utaries freely and frankly. While
he said he was more familiar with
the conditions and wants on the low
part of the river, he realized that
the water users at the source had
their unalienable rights and were
entitled to their share of the water.
He suggested that although the wat
er users of the Lovelock valley and
those In Elko County were widely
separated as to their claims, the
matter could be amicably adjusted
without going through the expensive
and never. ending litigation that
would ensue should the matter be
taken to the courts. With this end
in view he asked that public call
be made for meeting of each and
every water user In Elko County
at which time the matter could be
brought up before them and the sit
uation explained fully, He would
be present at this meeting and
would listen to the claims and en-
plain fully what the people allalong
the river wanted, and what those at
upper streams were entitled to and
what was due those along the low
er reaches of the river.
This has never been done and the
Free Press urges upon its readers
the Importance of solving this per-
picking question. Nevada has reach
ed point where the value of the
water is just beginning to be real
lied, and the time hasarrived when
each user must be taught its prop
er use and the amount necessary to
properly irrigate the land. There
can be no question but every irri-
gator In Nevada uses great deal
more water than the crops demand.
This same question has come up In
our sister states where irrigation 10
used, and as In their cases 1t has
airy to combine to form local SOC
iety and to appoint water comm
ission who has sole charge of the
water as to its proper distribution.
Mr.. Kearney also suggested that
we have Chas. A. Norcross. comm
issioner of Industry, agriculture and
Irrigation, who has given this prob
lem much study. In recent book
let that was issued from his office
he said:
This bureau has under consider
tion a tentative plan of local organ
izations, designed to work In CO.
operation with the State Commission
1t seems practical under existing
conditions to organize In each coun-
ty local reclamation and coloniza-
ton society, incorporated for profit
as we'll as for general usefulness.
and which properly conducted
would be capable of achieving sub
stantial results in promoting the
progress and development Of such
county and community. The pro-
posed plan Is based on the principal
that the efforts OF any such quasi
public organization are quickened II
there Is direct public profit .as
we'll as direct public benefit, to
be derived romf membership. The
need of such organizations is shown
by the fact that In every county
there exists moreor less irrigation
and colonization opportunities that
are lying dormant from the
lack of enterprise to discover and
carry them out, and which II consul
mated would prove of general pub
lie benefit as we'll as substantial
profit for the promoters. Such un-
dertakings may well be initiated by
local organizations with a view, at
least to bringing the attention and
turning them over at reasonable
profit to concerns engaged in such
enterprises; or In cases where prac-
ticable, to be handled by the organ
ization itself. The work and field
of usefulness of such societies
would cover not only enterprises for
the reclamation of desert lands. but
negotiations with the owners of larg
tracts possessing available water
rights for their subdivision and col
onization as small farms, and which
could profitably and successfully car
ried out by them"
The date of the meeting has not
yet been definately ssettled. but
it is suggested that this meet
ing be called when the court hous
lie dedicated.