El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-08-20

VERY voter in Texas should 20 to the polls tomorrow
and vote in favor Of the proposed amendment to the
state constitution which viii permit the issuance Of
bonds lands in far greater amounts than now posi-
be- to the end that reclamation projects may be under
taken and carried through to completion
As pointed out previously, the constitution
places such limitations on bond issuance the
which bonds be voted limited sharply to proper
uoE OF the value Of the land some OF which IS not worth
it stands, more than SO but which, by the
benefits Of reclamation would be worth 800
because It would be capable OF producing enough TO
entitle that valuation Under present restrictions
is often impossible bond the land for enough to raise
sufficient money for reclamation
The amendment paves the way for bond issues for the
drainage Of swamps sub irrigated land and what IS al
most quite important for the construction Of dams
and water distribution systems that ard land may be
irrigated and made productive
II the amendment carries It viii be possible for the
water improvement district Of FL Paso county to enter
INTO contract with the government Tor the speedy com
pleon Of both drainage and irrigation systems for the
whole valley far down Fabens including the Island
There belief also that the lands below Fabens, IN the
Torno district could be included IN the contract in the
year 1918.
Forty thousand acres can be added to the total Of i'm
gated land IN the valley in the next two years-f the
reclamation amendment passes Locally there Is
important thing FL Paso do than accomplish that
IN the cultivated
This one the few pieces of constructive legislation
which the people Of Texas have had opportunity
make decision. The proposed amendment does obi
gate communities TO bond themselves for reclamation, but
the restraints which prevent them from doing
Il leaves them free take advantage Of any opportunity
OF that kind which offers 1t enables communities to bond
themselves suitable amounts upon majority vote to
finance drainage flood control the construction of m
CATION systems effect the hobbies from
the legs Of eHerPsing citizens and allow them to under
the financial responsibility Of caryhing their pro-
eCts to completion
There is this, too, to bear IN mind. The voter who
registers his approval Of the proposed amendment is not
voting bond issue upon himself, and viii not be obliged
bear the burden Of for reclamation purposes any
time unless his community benefit by it. The amend
expressly provides that the bonds may be attached
only such lands viii benefit by the proposed improve
ment; that lands viii be taxed except those receiving
the benefits.
In the semi and portions OF Texas there many
places where irrigation districts could be created and
would be If the constitution permitted Organization Of
such districts would be for the purpose Of constructing dams
storage reservoirs and distributing systems that water
might be placed and semi ard lands By the
strucon Of such irrigation systems IN such places the
danger of the destructive floods from which they SUI
certain Of the year would be avered. These
floods occur periodically the valleys Of such streams
the Brazos Colorado and Trinity rivers
object lesson in the feasibility Of impounding storm
for irrigation and other has been afforded
OF Wichita Falls. By the construction Of
the valley Of Holiday creek, small only 80
miles in length which creek is dry most Of the year