Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-01-03
PUBLIC LANDS TO STATE TO BUILD GOOD ROADS
Good Prospect for Turning Public
Domains Over 10 States in
Which Located
Governor Lindsey's Special Committee
To Washington Reports Early
ActioN Probable

Governor W. r. Lindsey now ex-
governor State Highway Engineer
French, and Colonel W $. Hopewell.
who composed a special committee that
went to Washington recently Ia discuss
public land. reclamation and irriga-
tion matters with senators. rcprcscn-
tativcs in congress. and government
Officials. have just returned to Santa
Ne. one of the very important sub
jerts thrashe1 out was the question NJ
restoring TO the states within which
they are located al lands now remain
ing in the public domain. Concerning
this Colonel llnpewel says that Sen
atur Fail introduced bills providing
that public lands So returned to this
state shall be- used for the benefit at
drainage and irrigation projects. good
roads. schools. etc.
Senators Fall ami Jones. said Col.
llnpewell. agree that the measure can
pass the senate 10y fair majority.
pass the house II proper effort is made
In order to puss amy ~ hesc measures
however. requires that pressure be-
brought 10 bear on the congressman.
muking them see the needs and wants
of the West We believe that now is
the time for the irrigation congress
and the dry farmlng congress to get
together aud hold convention Ia
which all western states should be- hi-
vited Ia sald delegates tn endorse
this propusition of turning over thp
public domains of the states to be-
utllizal sar reulanasldN and drIrnag'
projects n the state OF New Mexico
could acquire these lands. the proceeds
utilized for these various projects. il
would he q great benefit TO the state
aud one to which the state Is entitled
7 for the congress of the United States
approved treaty whereby the differ
ont claims between the United States
aud old Mexico were settled by givina
10 old Mexico 10000 acre feet of wa
ter annually. which resulted in the ON
slruction Of the Elephant iiutte dan
and thc appropriation of large quaint
ties ~ wattr bv the reclamation ser
vice 50 that there would he enough +,
deliver tu Mexico"
COL Hopewcll also stated that Oul
senator's and congressman have beer
called upon tn work perslStently II
this matter. aud Governor Lindsey
and GOvernor-elect LarraZolo are fav
orably impressed with the proposition
In editorial comment on the subject
"The state governments know wha
the public domain within their bound
aries Is good for. They know how {,
use II 10 best advantage for their In
dusirics and their state maintenance
and development projects They vii
use IL To great benefit of state and ma
ton. Every effort of our New Mex
leo delegation IN congress. and of thu
members from the other public lant
sntes. should he concentrated upon 1
united. persistent campaign tocarry on
the project Of granting the remaining
public domain to the states.
1T Is believed. with good ground.
that the senate would assent TO such ;
project at any time and that ma
jorlty of senators have been In sympa
thy with Senator Falls effort to tina
end for several years past The oppo
sition of the interior department an,
the great public land bureau hai
made action IN the house impossible
There Is reison to believe that senti
ment and the situation In the Hous'
are changing and that such a projec
now or in the near future NIGH NEE
with success. No greater benefit coul,
befall New Mexico; none more advan
tageoUs could be worked out for tn
other public land states The prolec