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Show ft. of the Int. -2- letter addrescod to Acting Agent Hall by H. E. Sims, President of the Uinta River irrigation Company, to whom had been submitted the counter proposal above cited. Mr. Sims asks for further information with reference to tho proposition suggested in my report of October 8, 1907. The Indian Office has asked for ray interpretation of the terms of compromise advanced in the report above cited. The questions asked by Mr. Sims will be inserted herein, and I will endeavor to give __^' understanding. First. ~T_s it proposed to transfer or lease any of the water rights subsequent to the 25 second feet to our Company during the five years? If not, I do not understand how our Company could perfect a water right which it did not havo, or how it could farm a sufficient area of land, or any area whatever, without any water rights." There is no apparent reason why the Uinta River Irrigation Company could not be protected in the proposed agreement with the Government, in which it would*acknowledge or concede to the Indians prior rights to the waters of V/hiterocks Crock. It was not contemplated that such action en its part would totally debar it from the uee of any water from the said creek. If the Company is inclined to make the concession suggested, there would probably bo no trouble in having an instrument prepared by its attorneys which would meet with the approval of the legal officers of the Department. It is poueiblo that the simpler way to adjust the matter would bo by a proper transfer of rights through the office of the State Engineer. The idea prompting the suggestion in my report of Oct. 8, 1907 was that the Company should recognize the prior rights of the Indians to the full amount of the appropriations made in their behalf from |