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Show 238 delinquency.608 Provision was also made for furnishing water at a "reasonable charge" prior to public notice fixing con- struction charges whenever water became available and it proved impracticable to apportion operation and maintenance charges.510 By the 1924 Fact-Finders' Act, it was provided that all con- tracts for new projects and new divisions of projects shall re- quire payment in advance of all operation and maintenance charges.511 A 1926 statute authorizes the Secretary to extend the time for payment of operation and maintenance charges for a period not exceeding five years, with interest at 6%.512 At the same time, Congress prohibited delivery of water from any new project or new division of a project until execution of a contract providing, among other things, for payment of the cost of operating and maintaining the works while they are in control of the United States.513 The Reclamation Project Act of 1939 added a number of additional provisions respecting operation and maintenance. For example, it authorizes the Secretary to fix the time for pay- ment under contracts authorized by that Act in relation to the time when water users receive crop returns.514 In connection with contracts relating to construction charges, the Secretary is also empowered to require provisions: 515 to secure the adoption of proper accounting, to protect the condition of project works and to provide for the proper use thereof, and to protect project lands against deterioration due to improper use of water. Any such contract shall require advance payment of adequate op- eration and maintenance charges. 809 § 6, 38 Stat. 688, as amended, 43 U. S. O. 479, 493-498. 810 § 11, 38 Stat. 689, 43 U. S. 0. 465. 511 Act of December 5, 1924, § 4, subsection N, 43 Stat. 672, 704, 43 U. S. C. 493. 512 Act of May 25, 1926, § 45, 44 Stat. 636, 648, 43 U. S. O. 423d. See also Act of May 10,1926, 44 Stat. 453, 479. 813 § 46, 44 Stat. 649, 43 U. S. C. 423e. 814 Act of August 4, 1939, § 5, 53 Stat. 1187, 1191, 43 U. S. O. 485d. The Act also provides for a yearly crop census. § 4(c), 53 Stat. 1189, 43 U. S. C. 485c(c). 818 § 6, 53 Stat. 1191, 43 U. S. C. 485e. |