The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1912-04-17
ABOUT THE WATER PAYMENTS
The First Assistant Secretary
Writes OF Two Forms OF
Relief For Water Users.

The following letter from First As
sistant Secretary of the Interior Samu-
ell Adams to E. P. Osgooj, secretary Of
the Truckee-Carson water users asso-
citation is self-explanatory and is in res
pense to an appeal of the project farm
ers for form Of relief from a situation
that has been more or less burdensome.
1t is the old matter # paying govern
ment charges on non-producing land
again, and it would seem from the fol-
lowing letter that the government is
! disposed to grant, insofar as regula-
tions will allow, a choice between two
forms Of relief, viz: the graduated
payment plan or an amended entry, the
latter method bringing about the desired
result by cutting down the unit TO a size
that would it the pocket book How
ever, there will be many instances
where the amended entry plan would
be rejected IN favor of the graduated
payment plan, warranting the state
ment that of the two proposed methods
the latter will be the one generally in
voked.
It viii be noticed that the secretarY's
letter gives $40 an acre, where gradua-
ted payments govern, as the probable
charge. Should this figure form the
basis of a uniform charge, the entry
man enjoying $22 rate would be in the
same category as the one who filed la
ter under the $50 rate, which would be
manifestly unjust.
The secretary's letter follows.
Washington, d. c., April 4, 1912.
Mr. E. P. 0sgood, Secretary Commit
tee Truekea- Carson Water Users As
sociation,
Falon, Nevada.
Sir:
Communication dated March 9th,
l012, together with petition of same
date asking for graduated payments,
have been received. 1t is appreciated
that much difficulty has been eneoun-
tered by the settlers in making pay
meuts up to the present time, but it is
hoped that as time elapses and the lands
are improved, il will be possible for the
entryman to continue payments with
less hardship.
In many instances, it is apparent
that efforts are being made TO pay for
water rights on larger acreage than
can be well handled and relief should
be sought first by cutting down the
entries. This has been done by many
individuals, the amount previously
paid being applied on the retained por-
/ tion. the entryman being left in fairly
good financial condition with the water
right charges paid in some instances
for several years.
Each individual applicant for relief
should be considered on this basis as it
/ is evident from the statements you
make that few Of the men have been
able to put the entire farm unit in con-
dition to reach high degree of pro-
ductivity. This matter is well recog-
nized on other projects as well as on the
Truck Carson, and in particular has
been pointed out in the editorial of the
Churchill County Standard of March
20, 1912, where the editor with his
knowledge Of local conditions gives eN-
cellent advice as to the opportunities
and needs Of each farmer in improving
his land and making it more profitable.
1t is proposed in the future to have
small board or committee visit the
project and make a careful study of
the situation and report to the depart
ment along the following lines:
First, as to the practicability and de-
STABILITY of agreeing with individual
entrymen to the irrigable portion of
each entry, applying the amount paid
upon the retained portion of the entry.
Second, as to the necessity of offer
ing graduated payments with increase
from the present rate to a total Of $40
per acre Pending the completion of
the inquiry above noted, it is not be-
leved that action should be taken in
the matter of graduated payments.
Very respectfully, SAMUEL ADAMS,
First Assistant Secretary.