, 1935-09-09
RIVER Bills
DETAILS ARE
BROUGHT OUT
w e Expects Three
Dams To Be Built
Along r Grande
To Store Water

located near Roma, viii be con-
structed by the federal government
as the result Of Congressman Mil
ton VESTS bill. now a law. author
izing the state department tc nego-
tate a treaty with Mexico for a
division Of the waters OF the Rio
Grande and Tia Juana.
The terms Of the bill authorize the
president o. any agency designated
by him to construct any works or
projects necessary TO carry out the
terms Of a treaty TO be negotiated
with Mexico.
1T is the unanimous opinion Of
all who have made a study Of irri-
CATION and flood control on the Rio
Grande." Congressman West states,
that In order to accomplish these
two things II will be necessary 70
construct several retaining dams.
one of which. according 10 the in
formation ! have received. will be
located above Roma, one a short
distance above Laredo and after
more Developments along the Rio
Grande a third in the Big Bend
section
These dams when constructed
will eliminate the flood menace, and
at the same time will regulate the
flow OF the river by releasing the
flood waters from the dams in such
quantities as will at all times pro-
vide a sufficient amount Of water
to adequately serve both sides OF the
river" Congressman West says.
The complete text Of the bill. pass
ed by beth houses and signed by
the president, Is as follows:
Be II enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives OF the
United States Of America IN Con-
greSs assembled, That the Act CT
May Is, 1924, entitled AN Act pro-
vidsng for a study regarding the
equitable use of the waters OF the RIO
Grande below Fort Quitman. Texas
in cooperation with the United states
OF Mckee," as amended by the pub
lie resolution of March 3, 1927, Is
hereby amended 70 read as iol-
lows:
THE President IS hereby author
ICED to designate the American Com
missioner en- the International
Boundary Commission, United States
and Mexico, or other Federal agency.
to cooperate with a representative
or representatives CT the Govern
ment Of Mexico in a study regard
ing the equitable use OF the waters
of the lower Rio Grande and the
lower Colorado and Tia Juana Rlv-
ers. fer the purpose Of obtaining In
formation which may be used as a
basis for the negotiation Of a treaty
with the Government Of Mexico rel
alive to the use OF the waters CT these
rivers and to matters closely re-
lated thereto. On completion OF such
study the results shall be reported
10 the Secretary OF State.
Sec. 2. The Secretary CT state,
acting through the American Com
missioner, international Boundary
Commission. United States and
Mexico, is further authorized TO con-
duct technical and ether investiga-
tions relating TO the defining, de-
marcation, fencing, or monumental
ton CT the land and water boundary
between the United States and Mex
leo. To flood control. water resources.
conservation. and utilization OF
water. sanitation and prevention OF
pollution. channel rectification, and
sterilization and other related mat
ters upon the international boun-
Diary between the United States and
Mexico: and to construct and main
tain fences. monuments n otner
demarcaticns Of the boundary hne
between the United States and
Mexico. and sewer systems, water
systems. and electric light. power
and gas systems crossing the inter-
national border. and to continue such
work and operations through the
American Commissioner as are now
in progress and are authorized oy
law.
THE President Is authorized and
empowered to construct. operate,
and maintain on the Rio Grande
River below Fort Quitman. Texas,
any and all works or projects wnicn
are recommended to the President
as the result OF such investigations
and by the President are deemed
necessary and proper.
Sec. 3. Ca The President Is FUR
ther authorized TO construct any
project or works which may be pre-
vided for in a treaty entered into
with Mexico and to repair. protect,
maintain. or complete works new
existing or now under construction
or those that may be constructed
under the treaty provisions afore-
said: and TO construct any project
or works designed to facilitate COM
pliarce with the provisions OF trea-
ties between the United States AND
Mexico. and Cb) to operate and
maintain any project or works SO
constructed or. subject TO such rules
and regulations for continuing sup
ervision by the said American Gem
missioner or any Federal agency as
the President may cause TO be
PROMULGATED, TO turn over the oper-
alton and maintenance OF such prof.
ect CT works TO any Federal agency.
or any state. county. municipality.
district. or other political subdivis-
ion within which such project or
works NAY be in whole or In part
situated. upon such terms. condi-
tons. and requirements as the pres
ident may deem appropriate.
Sec. 4. In order TO carry out the
provisions OF this Act. the President,
or any Federal agency. he may
designate is authorized. Gar in his
discretion, 10 enter into agreements
with any one or more Of said poll
teal subdivisions. In connection
with the construction Of any pro-
ject or works provided for in sec-
ton 8 hereof. under the terms Of
which agreements there shall be
furnished to the United States, gra-
tuitously, except for the examina-
ton and approval OF titles. the lands
or easements in lands necessary for
the construction. operation and
maintenance in whole or in part Of