OCR Text |
Show WATER-USERS MUST BE REASONABLE. The water-U8er5 of this valley are not making tho progress that they ought to do. In forwarding the Utah Lake reservoir scheme. In a llko proposition, prop-osition, tho water-users concerned in the reclamation proposition in Arizona put their lands all in a common pool, on the one basis of payment alike for all, and pledge them for the return to tho Government Gov-ernment of the money expended in the Improvement. Thalj is the true way to do, and It would be tho speedy, clear wny hero. But those who have primary rights here insist upon preference, and ex emption up u :i ui.-iiu.ui iiinii, nimi shall that limit be? Some claim as much as sixty second' feet per second, for each of the canal companies. That would practically free a large portion por-tion of the land to be supplied from any obligation to the Government, and would render the whole project infeao-ible. infeao-ible. The Government must have certainty of the repayment of the money. It must have the guarantee on the lands, and it must be certain that there is sufficient Involved above the free supply sup-ply to make It safe. That would not be assured with tho reservation of three hundred second feet exempt from obligation. The water users of this valley have already and repeatedly given their enthusiastic en-thusiastic approval of the Government plan for the Improvement. It would be a pity to have that general approval nullified by Ineistenco upon impractical details, as there is danger of it being In this attitude of claiming too much in primary rights. The Government, of course, is altogether alto-gether indifferent in tho matter. It has shown that tho work can be done, and that it will result In the supply of all needed water for Irrigation. II Is willing will-ing to go on and carry out the improvement, improve-ment, but only op condition that tho2 who are affected want it done, and are content to take the steps required by law to that end. If they are not willing, and do not want the Improvement on the terms required re-quired by law. all they have to do is to let the matter rest, and tho Government Govern-ment 'will go elsewhere to spend Its money and do Its work. There arc many localities clamoring for the opportunity that is now open to the people here, and they will all be reached1 in time. If. the people here do not want anything any-thing done, other places will get their turn all the sooner, that is all. Another meeting Is to be held Saturday Satur-day next, In. which all the water-users are expected1 to be heard, In person or by representatives. It Is to be hoped that a more appreciative spirit may be shown of tho Government's position at the coming meeting than was shown at the meeting of Saturday last. If not, a frost must light on the whole scheme, and it is In danger of Indefinite postponement. There is no Teason whatever what-ever for this apparent cooling off of enthusiasm in regard 10 this project, and we hopo that by Saturday next, the fires of enthusiasm for it may be kindled anew. |