The Coconino sun., 1924-03-14
FAVORABLE ACTION ON
SAN CARLOS PROJECT

The bill introduced by Senator Cam
eron appropriating $5,500,000 for the
San Carlos reservoir, has received
favorable action by the senate COM
mittee and it is believed will eventual
~ become law. Since there is state
wide interest in the big project, we
give the following data relative to
action taken and the text of the bill:
On December Ii, 1928, Senator
Ralph III. Cameron introduced bill
in the United States senate, Senate
Bin 10. $685., providing for the ap~
preparation of funds for the construc-
tion of the San Carlos irrigation prof.
ect in Arizona. This bill was referred
to the committee on Indian affairs of
the. senate. Senator Cameron was
then appointed chairman of the sub
committee to make a report to the
committee on the bill. Senator Charles
L. McNary. Of Oregon and Senator
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma, were
the other members of the sub-commit-
tee.
On February 7, 1924, Senator Cam
eroh was successful in having the bill
reported out of the Indian affairs
committee by a unanimous vote.
This, bill, as reported out of the
committee, and which has the APP
proval of the secretary Of the inter-
ior, read as follows:
"That there is hereby appropriat-
ed, out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated. the sum
OF $5,O00,000, or so much thereof as
may be needed, for the construction
by the Indian service, Of the San Car
los reservoir project for storage pur-
poses as contemplated in report sub
mitted by the chief engineer of the
Indian irrigation service to the COM
missioner Of Indian affairs under date
of November /, 1915, embodied in
Appendix A, hearings before the
committee on Indian affairs, house of
representatives, sixty-siyth congress,
first session, act of June 30, 1919,
provided the total cost of the project
shall be distributed equally among the
lands in private ownership that can
be served from the waters impounded
in said reservoir; Provided, That the
cost assessed against the Indian lands
shall be rei1nburseable to. the treas
try of the United States on a per
acre basis under such rules and regu-
lations as the secretary Of the inter-
ior may prescribe, and there is here
by created lien against all such
lands, which lien shall be recited in
any patent issued therefor prior to
the reimbursement of the total
amount chargeable against such land,
and that the construction cost as fixed
against the land in private owner
ship under the project shall be paid
by the owners in not less than twenty
annual installments, in accordance
with such rules and regulations to be
by the secretary Of the
interior; Provided further, That said
project shall only be undertaken if
the secretary Of the interior shall be
able to make or provide for what he
shall deem to be satisfactory agree t
nents with the private landowners for /
the repayment of the proportionate
share of the cost of the project and
that the money hereby authorized to
be appropriated shall be available for
the acquiring of necessary rights of
way by purchase or judicial proceed
lngs and for other purposes necessary
N successfully prosecuting the work /
to complete the project; Provided fur
ther, that for the beginning of this /
work subject to the provisions hereof I
there is hereby authorized to be APP
$500,000, to be Immediately F
and to remain available until
expended
Under date of February s, 1924,
senator Cameron addressed a letter
% this office as follows:
Il am sending herewith copy of
Senate bill 966, as amended, for the
Of the San Carlos prof. E
sct in Arizona. Had the bill report
d out this morning by a unanimous
,ote by the committee on Indian af- 4
airs, and | feel sure that there will Il
'e no serious object to having the 3
,iH passed at very early date, at /
east, that is my hope and desire.