The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1920-06-10

for many years in our neighbor state
of Wyoming, resulting in great eff
cheney to the state, satisfaction to the
farmers, and the saving of practical
ly all of the great amount of money
annually wasted in this state in liti-
cation over water rights.
Practically all legal and Irrigation
experts who have carefully studied
the operation of the Wyoming law,
agree in recommending the adoption
of the Wyoming code for this state.
We may find some alterations and
improvements advisable, but in the
main the Wyoming code is undoubt-
eddy the system that should be adopt
ed by Montana, and is in the opinion
of the writer the best known remedy
for all the ills above enumerated.
Opposition to such a change will
probably come from early appropria-
tors, who fear that such a law will
deprive them of some privilege al
ready enjoyed, but the experience of
other states proves that the Wyoming
system will protect them even more
than the present law in all their Just
rights while not encouraging them in
any waste of water. Opposition will
also come from those who claim that
such a change in the irrigation laws
of the state is either impractical or
very expensive during the period of
change. It's practicability can be
proven by the experience of other
states which have adopted such a
law, and the expense of making the
change will be much less than the
/ 0ncf of 1iti0afinn nuQn for nnn uaor
under the old system; and when the
change is once made the operating
cost will be very slight, while under
the old system the actual loss is con-
tinual and constantly increasing.
Furthermore, the adoption of a def
mite and sane irrigation law will sta
Billie and develop irrigation and en-
courage the extension of the same in
districts where capital would not
dare enter under the present unsatis-
factory laws.
Two other features deserve consid-
Grafton in this connection-the irri-
cation district law, and the licensing
of irrigation engineers. These are
both included as supplementary to
the Wyoming code. The present irri-
cation district law of Montana is a
good one and should be retained
without much alteration in connec-
ton with any new irrigation code.
One very necessary amendment how
ever should be made to the present
irrigation district law. This is the
provision found in the California and
Oregon laws that the state after a
thorough investigation of a district
may certify the bonds of such district
as a safe and proper investment for
state and other trust funds. While
this provision does not cost the state
anything nor impair it's credit, it
makes the district bonds readily mar
ketable and saves the districts from
the embarrassing condition which is
now retarding the irrigation district
development in Montana.
A bill is now being proposed to
bond this state for 100000 900 to be
used in the buying of irrigation dis
trict bonds, in order to create a mar
ket for these securities. This same
object could be accomplished by the
feature above proposed, without the
necessity of such a state bond issue,
and the present proposition would,
therefore, be unnecessary if the sug-
gested amendment were made, as it is
in operation in California and
Oregon and has proven satisfactory
in those two states.
AS to the licensing of engineers
this is a thing greatly to be wished.
The success of this measure in sew
eral states that have tried it has led
to a strong movement now under way
looking to the adoption of a uniform
licensing law for all western states.
This feature has been in successful
operation in Wyoming for many
years and has been very effective in
protecting the public against incom-
petent engineers, in guaranteeing the
state the proper cooperation in the
administration of the waters, and in
encouraging capital in legitimate in
vestment in irrigation enterprises.
In addition to the improvements
above mentioned, there is yet one
vital matter worthy of consideration
and that is, some adequate system
for financing and constructing irriga-
ton projects on new and unsettled
lands. In this regard, it is unfortun-
ate that a misunderstanding is so
prevalent in this state, even among
-FIlSdIIOu ~pTOulOLerS, as TO Cno proper
'ield for the successful operation of .
he irrigation district. Many attempts
ire being made to develop new and
Unsettled areas under the irrigation
law, when all competent au-
horities on the subject agree that
he district law is not applicable to
UGH cases and can neved hope to be
uccessful when so applied.
Since the bonding feature is the
nain staff of life to the irrigation :
istrict law, any attempt to apply 9
his measure to the development of l
and unsettled areas of very little
resent value, is to create an obliga-
ion whose only security is a value
OF yet created, and therefore con- (
'ary to the fundamental principles I
f bonding. The irrigation district L
wv is well adapted to cases where it
desired to purchase irrigation :
orks already constructed, to extend !.
Ich construction, or to furnish addi- r r
onal water to lands already cult az
ated and having a present value :
,mewhat commensurate with the p
-oposed bonded Indebtedness, and #,