El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-04-24
j. s. To SEIZE
AND FARM LANDS
Bill Before Congress Pro
vides for Secretary to
Take Land.
Continued from Page 81

land owners of the Rio Grande valley
are willing to cooperate with him in
his plan for the cultivation of their
lands by the government and that they
endorse mis- plan.
1t was also decided TO cooperate With
the Water Users association in any
way possible to bring about better con-
ditions in drainage II was stated OF
J. A Smith and Mr.. Lawson that every
step possible had been taken for dig
ging bitches but that the matter of
Strengthening the river should be
pushed. More money is needed for this.
Both Mr. smith and Mr.. Lawson con-
slider that If the river can be straight
ened. il viii remedy the seepage con-
ditions-
Mismanagement of Water.
J. n. Wyatt asserted that at present
valley farmers are suffering from lack
of water because of mismanag cement OF
the privately owned canals and suS-
Sested that a remedy might be a
patriotic appeal TO the water users on
these bitches to turn their operation
over TO the government. He said he
had lost $500 worth of seed in the
Rio Grande valley because OF lack Of
water to terminate them and had later
lost much Of his land because neighbOrs
above him had Watersoaked their fields
and the water had run down into his
land to spoil and sour IL He suggested
that the farmers be appealed to 10
plant crops that are -perishable.
such as beans. corn, maize, etc. and
enough forage to raise enough hogs
and beef to feed his own family at
least.
Not Supporting Ourselves.
w e are not supporting ourselves
here in this valley" he said. TO say
nothing of producing stuff for people
outside He also thought the land
owners should be duly educated in the
sane use Of water and thought. il pos
sible, a law might be passed regulating
its use.
Mr. Wyatt said the man on his farm
in the lower valley was trying to put
IN five acres OF beans in his orchard.
but could not get water. He has had
three men sitting on the ditch bank
all night for the past three nights
waiting for water" said Mr. Wyatt.
yet he can't get any
J. A Smith said this condition would
be remedied as soon as a headgate
could be constructed for the San Eli
carlo canal Then said Mr.. Smith.
the san Elizario canal viii supply the
lower valley and the Franklin canal
will supply the upper valley. and the
conditions will be better" He admit
ted that somebody made a bull" and
ordered lumber from Norway or Lou |
isiana or somewhere else. and that.
while il should have been here months
ago, II is still not here for the gate.
Mr. Wyatt said Il was foolish TO talk !
of the government putting land into ,
cultivation here this year, as il was !
impossible. because Of the lateness OF I
the season
Mr. Smith said new land could be /
prepared in ample time for bean plant /
ing in July and by that time the San !
Elizario ditch should be completed !
also.
Mr.. WYATT said if the government 4
would farm il, he would turn over ev- I
cry foot OF land he owns in the upper 4
and lower valleys for three years if the I
government will pay his taxes. He was /
To Seize lands
Mr. Lawson read TO the meeting the !
proposed before congress by !
Lane for taking over and cul- !
tiVating unframed land in the irrigated I
areas OF the country The measure. /
which is now pending, provides that 1
the secretary may take over on lease.
any lands not now being cultivated and /
farm them by paying the owners a
proper rental: where owners fail to I
turn them over willingly, or the secre- !
tary is satisfied they are not to be
farmed right, he is authorized to seize
the lands as war measure and i'm
prove and farm them The bill pro- !;
yides that the 160-acre unit be waived i
until 1920 so that these lands may be |
farmed in any acreage. but il also pro-
vides that the fact that water is given :
10 these lands during this period of war 1
shall not entitle them TO the l
use Of water in the future save and ex- I
cept under the usual regulations, re-
strictions and laws.
Much Land Offered.
Much land is being offered the COM 4
mittee throughout the valley for the I
use of the government If it is decided !
TO farm II in this way. Following is a 4
letter from the Rio Grande Valley r. i
rigated Land company-W- r Payne 4
president; W. Cooley and L. S. Stewart |
lis a sample {
We have been authorized by the I
of the Rio Grande Valley
Irrigated Land company, to offer TO 2
the United States government, the free ,
use Of about 1900 acres Of land in the
valley below Fabens, for the years
1917 and 1913 if the government viii
put said land in cultivation which
could be done in a reasonably short
time by the use of government teams
now in that locality.
This land has been pronounced by !
soil experts one of the most desirable !
tracts of agricultural land in the en-
tire valley.
Please advise US at your earliest
whether or not you think
This offer will be accepted"