Arizona sentinel., 1917-10-11
DIRECTOR DAVIS, OF RECLAMATION COMMIS- SION MAKES IMPORTANT RULING AFFECT
 ING WILMA VALLEY WATER USERS

the board Ot governors Of the water users ASSOcalOn held it's special meeng relative to water rights after December 31 this year. it being contended by that would be furnished any in the valley for his lands of 6O acres and that any person owned than 6O he would have to dispose of the that amount before he could even get water for his 6O acres As matter of fact this contention be clearly stated in the reclamation law and the rules and reg uations" promulgated by the secretary of interior. Not Withstandng this it my earnest contention that measure if for other reason, he secretary of in teror would amend this rule that al lands could obtain water during the period of with Germany To make doubly of my contentious and to aay the fears of my friends in Yuma Valley the following telegram Director Davis last Saturday afternoon
 Yuma, Ariz, Oct G. 1917.
 "Hon A. P. Davis Director and Chief Engineer, U. s. R. s. Washington, D. c. Many citizens of Yuma Valley than hundred and sixty Will they be furnished holdings after public notice e ectve until they dispose of holding within the year limit? This exceedingly important. Please wire me- B. F. FLY"
 On Tuesday morning of this week it my great pleasure receive the following reply from Director Dav which speaks for itself:
 Washington, D. C., Oct. 9, 1917.
 "B F. Fly, Yuma, Arz Your wire sixth As war measure resident water users, WHO HAVE MADE WAT FER RIGHT APPLICATION, may rent water temporarily for excess holdings Non-resdents may for all lands under public notce under section eeven of gress August TO- 1917. "(Signed). DAVIS"
 The congressional act referred to is entitled An Act To Provide Further For the National Security and Defense By Stimulating the Distribution of Agricultural Products approved August 10, 1917, public document No. 4O
 'Sec. II. That the Secretary of the interior is hereby authorized, in his discretion to suspend dur ing the continuance of this that provision of the known as the reclamation act requiring residence upon lands in private ownership within the neigh borhood for securing for the irrigation of the same and he is authorized to permit the of avail able water thereon UPON SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS HE MAY DEEM PROPER
 Sec. 12 That the provisions of this act shall to be in effect when the national emergency re- sulting from the existing state of war shall have passed the date of which shall be ascertaned and pro- claimed by the president but the date when this act shall to be in effect shall be later than the beginning of the next fiscal year after the termination asceraned by the president of the present be- tween the United States and Germany"
 The rule having been clearly laid down by the secretary of the interior thru Director Davs that in order obtain water all holdings right appica on must be made it would the absolute duty of every land owner in the valley to lose time filing his appica- ton. Such application in no manner help or hurt either side to the controversy of the suit pending against the government It should have bearing what that question: and matter of fact has absolutely nothing whatever to do with it.
 It gratifying to knowthat once again my contentious have proven be sincerely hope land owners in the Yuma Valley will profit by the information given in D rector Davis telegram which in duplicate Pro- Manager Schlech that all may know the ruling is ab soutey official.
 It pretty howdo when county official goes the vacation and then wants charge his travelling expenses against the county Such thing boldly templaed weeks ago, but when the official found the Sentinel Investigating the facts he tucked his de mand in his pocket and kept smiling It only amounted