Arizona republican., 1911-05-28
STATE BOARDS FOR
 IRRIGATION CONTROL
PROMINENT TEXAN ADVISES STATE LEGISLATION TO
 PROTECT FROM FRAUD.
Vast Projects Should Be Subjected
 to Thorough Investigation.

Chicago, May 27.-(Special Cores pondence)-George F. Barstow. of Barstow, Texas, president of the sev- enteenth National Irrigation congress. and chairman of the Pan-American committee of the nineteenth con- gress, which meets here this year. be- heVes that each state interested di- rectly in irrigation development should strive for legislation that would make possible a state board of irrigation investigations and control, the board. as the most important of its functions. having the authority to keep the ras- calls out" Mir. Barstow. in q letter addressed to the headquarters of the irrigation congress here. asserts that the suggestion that such a board be created has met with flavor among leading men all over Texas, and that the idea is expected to be r1ade a law at the next session of the Texas legislature
 MT Barstow declares that in his opinion irrigation states could profit infinitely through the safeguarding operations of such q board in each state. but he contends that the work of the board could not be complete unless it had state authority to delve into the affairs of any individual. com pany or corporation seeking to launch irrigation projects. He says:
 Vested interests on the one hand, together with masses of the people on the other who have honestly and diligently, and with more or less sacrifice. accomplished such great works through irrigation should in every proper way be protected in those rights they have legitimately ac- quired. Likewise should other peo- pie. who are considering the purchase of irrigated lands be assured of pro lection by the strong arm of the law in every state in which irrigation has been or may be installed.
 'To this end, in order that men of greed and cunning and who in their purposes should be eliminated from further invading the field of irriga- ton, it is my conviction that every irrigation state should enact strin- gent law that would give the state rigid control over such persons My idea is that such state should create board of investigations and control. the board to investigate everything that appertains to gathering authOri- tative information for the people of the state as to the entire irrigation opportunities; determine as to the duty of water of the various rivers, or water to be obtained by artesian supply or by pump wells. and the board also to be empowered to deter mine the locations in the state where the river waters may properly be i'm pounded for irrigation-in general to become, through its reports, an author itative publicity bureau. that people within or outside the state may have proper information.
 "Of more importance, the board should be such that any person ar number of persons desiring to organize a corporation to carry on irrigation shall be able to obtain a charter from the secretary of state only under the advice and by the consent of the board The board shall consist of men of marked ability and under standing in their respective states, such as the secretary of agriculture, the professor of engineering at the state university and able engineers"
 NIT. Barstow will in all probability introduce his suggestion to the dele gates to the nineteenth session of the National Irrigation congress here in December It always has been the purpose of the congress to assist and further movements of this nature and it is not unlikely that the congress as body will. if the suggestion is pre- sented on the floor here, favor resolu- tions urging each state to take action in such d movement