The Delta independent., 1917-06-01
Made by Secretary.
(Montrose Enterprise }

iMOnllOSt rulcl
A postponement for five years in
the opening of the Uncompahgre pro-
ject; immediate opening to entry un-
entered lands under the project; au-
thority given to Water Users associa-
tion to settle matter of priorities:
maintenance and operation of distrib-
uting system placed in hands of local
association and certain reductions in
over head expenses charged up to the
project is the very gratifying results
of the conference of the delegation of
Uncompahgre Valley Water Users
with Secretary Lane in Washington
last week.
The information that an agreement
had been reached was contained in the
following telegram from Congressman
Taylor, received by the Enterprise Fri
day evening:
Washington. D. c.. May 25, 1917
Enterprise. Montrose, Colorado.
Committee has come to final un-
derstanding with the secretary of the
interior and agreement is being re-
duced to writing and will be finally
submitted tomorrow morning at ten
a. m. The committee does not obtain
all it asks for by any means but the
Secretary does make five or six very
great and important concessions that
1 know will be pleasing to the people
and they will be explained by the COM
mittee upon their return
EDWARD T. TAYLOR.
On Saturday the Daily Press re-
ceived the following telegram from
Mr. Catlin which goes further into de-
tail as to the nature of the concessions
granted by Mr.. Lane.
Washington, May %, 1917
Daily Press. Montrose, Colorado.
Secretary Lane grants five years
before opening project; water users
will maintain and operate distribution
system, also have authority to adjust
priorities; also have voice in all future
expenditures. Publin land will be
opened at once Overhead expense
cut down. Construction cost payments
begin after five years under the TWEEN
ty-year act. We return Wednesday.
F. D. CATLIN.
The postponement of the opening OF
the project for five years will give the
farmers under the project ample time
to get their business well established
before they will be called upon to dig
up for construction charges. The i'm
mediate opening Of the unentered land
under the project means that from ten
to twelve thousand or more acres OF
land will be open for homesteading.
Prospective homesteaders. however.
should not become unduly excited over
this matter. Some of this land is quite
desirable and some not so desirable.
Hence considerable discrimination
should be made by those taking up the
land.
This is the land which caused the
Denver Post to throw such a duck
fit" some two years ago when 1t was
OpeHeu, WitHout very huch puDiiclty
and was soon closed again to entry by
reason of such stir being made on
the basis OF alleged discrimination IA
yorable to reclamatio employees Just
what method is to be used in opening
the land is yet to be seen.
The matter of priorities referred to
in the telegram has to do with certain
early priorities. These early priori
ties up to a certain number are consid
cred perfect. and where II is evident
that they are perfect the general un.
derstanding is that they are to be ex-
changed for paid mp Gunnison right
The real question at issue. apparent.
ly will be as to which priorities can
-