Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-23
SUNDAY NOVEMBER %, 1918
LET NEW MEXICO GUARD.


Down on the arid flats of the Peco:
in Texas, there are irrigation interests
that are up against a hard proposition
that of securing a sufficient reser'
Voir for waters of the river that has
made much of New Mexico prosper
ous-especially about Carlsbad
Farmers under the Carlsbad irri-
cation project, have banked 100000
received in the last month from sales
of cotton, and will yet receive a round
million by the time the crop is picked
and baled. That is but a part of the
proceeds resulting from the farming
of 10000 acres of the $4,000 ready
for development.
Tentative claims for water under
this project were made years ago,
especially for high lands and water
power, but the project people have
been slow in pushing the plans.
Fort Sumner district also is en-
larging its irrigation area to use water
upon additional lands and for power.
The state of New Mexico has ac-
uuired about all the irrigable land
along the Pecos. below Black river,
that is, from the acreage under the
Carlsbad project south to the Texas
line. The ultimate value of such lands
is dependent upon irrigation from
Pecos reservoirs, surplus waters not
required or already appropriated fur
Their up the stream. Possibly that
state land may supply an excellent
location for the soldier settlement
contemplated by the national and
state government when the necessary
legislation and funds are provided.
Now come the owners of lands in
Texas, bought from railway grants. or
from the state of Texas. which held
out its domain when coming into the
federal union, to which New Mexico
coded all domain upon submission to
the American government. The Texas
lands were generally acquired by the
present owners for a few cents per
acre, on long time, when irrigation
was not contemplated. A limited
acreage is now under several private
~ owned irrigation systems. and all
of them have become associated in an
effort to come into New Mexico and
grab a reservoir.
Previous attempts were made to se-
ut
Bluff in New Mexico. and a federal
survey was made. A second appro-
priation has been asked of congress
by Texans to further test out the
practicability of the plan. The OPP
position that has been developed to
this invasion and grabbing of water
that New Mexico will need for state
owned land, and for prior projects,
has apparently led to a new scheme
for acquisition. 1t has been the policy
TO balk appropriations of water which
come In conflict with the needs of
established projects, federal or pri-
waite. But the law and. custom are
liberal about propositions that use the
water for power and then return it
to the streams.
A company is asking the state of
New Mexico for power privileges at
Red Bluff, which. ordinary practice
would be granted without question If
no protest be made.
If the power plant be established,
even if no water be there diverted to a
canal to Texas lands, there probably
might be a joker in the scheme. The
power could be used to run pumps In
Texas, to pump to Pecos minor
Texas reservoirs. or direct into com
munity and company bitches. Usage
might Ahus establish grounds fol
equity claims, and even for compul
sorry relief legislation from congress
for water needed in New Mexico in
terests, to flow down to operate the
power plant serving Texas lands.
The New Mexico state government
and water users who were first il
action should not go to sleep at th'
switch.