Year: 1873

Amount Of Water for Irrigatimg


PurpOsesr


There Is, perhaps, no portion Of the
universe more susceptible of improve
ment than the great valley of Los
Angeles county, but the question
arises, how can sufficient amount Of
water be procured for the purpose and
not be subject to the control Of specu-
lators and monopolists, but be the pub
lie property and be controlled by the
people or by commissioners elected for
the distribution thereof, and with only
u slight tax to defray the expense of
distribution, and of keeping bitches in
repair?


II seems that sufficient amount of
water falls during the rainy season, If
properly saved in reservoirs, to irrigate
every foot of land in the State of Cali
fornia. There are many places along
the foot hills, that with comparative lit
tie labor would retain vast amount Of
water, which, If properly used during
the summer months, would make our
dusty plain ut once u garden of fruits
and flowers. There are also many
places where the greater portion of the
water sinks In the sand and gravel
during the summer months. At the
mouth of the San Gabriel cafion, IL
has been fully demonstrated, that at
least two-thirds Of the water passes be-
low the surface. This water, think,
can be brought to the surface by means
ofcement dams or underground drains.
But the question of most Importance
and the one first to be considered
Is from whence comes the means to do
this work; how can we obtain money
to carry out such system Of irriga-
ton and not create tax that would
be burdensome on the people?


would first suggest that in such
localities where 1t Is considered prac-
ticable to construct reservoirs or to
otherwise procure water for irrigating
purposes, that the power be conferred
on the Board Of Supervisors of each
respective county to negotiate bonds
for the construction of such works;
and for the payment Of such bonds
there be sinking fund created from
the taxes on the increased value OF
such lands a. are or can be irrigated
from works SO constructed. Or where
private capital can be solicited to con-
struct such works, that the taxes on
the increased value Of lands SO irrigat-
ed be given to said private parties for
certain number of years as may be
agreed upon between such parties and
the Board Of Supervisors Of the county
where such works are to be construct
ed. Or where private parties will at
their own expense by the construction
Of reservoirs or by artesian wells bring
dry land under cultivation that the
increased value Of said lands be ex-
empt from taxation for a certain num-
Der Of years or until they receive
back by such exemption the amount
expended in procuring water. l would
suggest that In all cases where such
works are contemplated an applica-
ton be made to the Board Of Super
visors for such exemption and the
value Of the land at the time be given.


Could such system Of irrigation be
put in successful operation but a few
short years would pass until our arid
deserts and dusty plains would be
dotted with farm houses and hundreds
Of happy families would successfully
cultivate the semi tropical fruits
that grow 80 luxuriantly In this eli
mate. Under our present system OF
laws II person owning, say one hun
dred acres Of dry land, probably
assessed at 81 rs per acre he expends
$1,000 in procuring water, his land Is
Immediately assessed at from $50 to
$75 per acre, his reservoir or well Is
assessed at Its full cost, his other i'm
provements from which he is not real
izing one dollar IL taxed ut their full
value, and he finally abandons or sells
ut O sacrifice and leaves in disgust.
Which policy shall we adopt--one OF
broad and liberal views, one that will
encourage the emigrant to settle
amongst us, one that will enable the
small farmer to make him a pleasant
and profitable home, or shall we still
retain our old narrow minded and
grinding principle, and let the indi.
vidual who is striving to bring por.
tion OF our almost worthless land un-
der cultivation do the best he can ant
as soon as his home becomes valuable
and before he has realized one dollar
from his investments, tax his i'm.
provemcnts, tax his land at its full
value or little more, tax his reservoir
or well ut it's full cost, and If possible
compel him to sell or abandon his
property and leave?


Such il the present principle, and
until q more liberal one Is adopted
the principal part of our upper valleys
will remain ~ they now are, a.harbol
for the coyote and Jack rabbit.


AZUSA.