AZ vs. CA:19 California Exhibits, Vol. XIX; Nos. 4000-4044

page IV-17

patented and therefore the entrymen would lose the fruits of their labor and expenditures. This bill would waive the "water rights" provision in the original act for these 158 desert land entries and would permit them to be patented. The entrymen would remain subject to the requirements of the Desert Land Act in all other respects. The bill applies only to existing entries and would not permit future land entries to be made in Arizona which are dependent on percolating waters. DEPARTMENT'S REPORT The Department's report on the legislation recommending its enactment follows: Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Washington 25, D. C, April 15, 1955. Hon. Clair Engle, Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. My dear Mr. Engle: This is in reply to your request for the views of this Department on H.R. 4308, which is identical to H.R. 4303, a bill for the relief of desert land entrymen whose entries are dependent upon percolating waters for reclamation. I recommend that H.R. 4308 or H.R. 4303 be enacted. Section 1 of the Desert Land Act of March 3, 1877 (43 U.S.C., 1952 ed., sec 321), requires that the right of desert land entrymen to the use of water for reclaiming their entries IV-17