Montana labor news., 1945-03-08
DIGEST OF MVA BILL
BEFORE H SENATE

merce, Justice, War, Federal Power
Commission, Federal Security Agency
Board of Governors Of Federal Reserve
System, and nine persons Of the valley
chosen by the President; three to rep
resent agriculture, three for commerce,
three for labor. It shall meet C a
year to receive the annual report. and
at other times on call Of the board.
Corporate Powers
/. Perpetuity. 2. Seal to be judicially
noticed. 3. Enter into all contracts. 4
Sue, and be sued, settle or adjust all
claims. 5. AS to civil suits, may be sued
in state courts, subject to right of re-
moval to the federal court of that dis
trict. The net proceeds Of each year
from all financial transactions, after
deducting costs of operation and amor
tization shall be paid into the Treasury
Of the United States. All funds needed
above income shall be subject to appro-
priation. Complete reports of its bust
ness shall be made in each December
to the President and Congress. The
Comptroller General shall always have
access to the books.
The corporation may acquire, by pur-
chase, lease, condemnation, donation,
all real and personal property, and may
sell or otherwise dispose Of any real Or
personal property at any point along the
Missouri river, its tributaries or water
shed. Title to all real property shall be
IN the name of the United States. The
corporation may not dispose of any per-
manent dam, hydraulic power plant, or
munitions plant constructed by the
United States, or the corporation. Ex-
cept in emergency, or for less than
$500, purchase of supplies shall be made
by advertising, and in open market.
The Act shall not be construed as af-
feeting any vested right acquired under
the laws of any state or territory relat-
ing to the appropriation or use of water
in irrigation, or in any way affect any
right of any state, or Of the federal gov
eminent, or Of any land owner, r user
Of water in any interstate stream; how
ever, the corporation can acquire such
rights by purchase, lease, or condemna-
JlOn by pdymen OF value.
Progress Of Work outlined
The corporation must formulate and
report to the President and Congress its
plan Of unified development within two
years.
The N~inety-eighth Meridian
If the board determines that there
is, or will be, insufficient stream flow
from waters arising west Of the ninety
eighth meridian to satisfy both the bene-
fetal consumptive uses of such waters
for domestic, irrigation, mining and in
dustrial purposes west Of such meridian
and navigation requirements for sucf
waters east of the meridian, the plar
shall give priority to the satisfaction
of the said beneficial uses of such wa.
tiers west of such meridian"
The (98th meridian runs north-soutl
near Jamestown, N. D., and O'Neill
Neb.)
The Plan
l., Control and prevent floods; retart
run-off; improve methods of soil con
servation, fertilization, cultivation. 2
Promote navigation. 3. Reclamation o
arid or swampy public lands by irriga
ton or drainage respectively. a, Proven
ton Of pollution Of streams.
The Beneficial Uses
Power, irrigation, prudent h%usbandr.
of soil, mineral, forest resources, pro
- lection Of game, fish, restore %sub-surfac
water table, prevent loss from droughts
winds, dust storms and soil erosion, 10
cate war and defense plants, promOt
the family type farm and provide Low
cost fertilizers to farmers, promote eco
nomic social and cultural values.
The Fort Peck dam is to be given Il
the M. v. A. by the bill. The Presi
dent may transfer to the NJ. ". A.. an.
other federal-built dams in the water
shed.
The corporation may contract Will
states, counties, cities, railroads for ne
location Of highways, railroads. mill;
electric light plants, etc, 1t shall co
operate in readiustment OF population
displaced by dams.
- The corporation may contract for de
livery Of water for any purpose, with in
d@ividuals, irrigation districts, or othe
public or private users.
Government lands in the valley bene
fitted by irrigation, shall be plated an
sold in units not exceeding 100 acres q
irrigable land, larger areas of non-irri
gable land, when irrigated, ready "a
use; such lands may be sold on long
time partial payments.
The board must sell surplus powe
generated, to states, counties, municipal
tiles, corporations, partnerships and in
%dividuals: to encourage the widest Dos