OCR Text |
Show 244 of the single $5,000,000 appropriation without creating an obli- gation for future years.555 The program thus initiated was more fully authorized later in 1939 by the Water Conservation and Utilization Act.656 A 1940 statute making funds available expressed a policy that, in the opening of newly irrigated lands to entry, preference should be given to families who had been forced to abandon other farms through no fault of their own.557 In the fall of 1940, the enabling legislation was substantially amended and broadened.558 The objects were to substitute statutory procedure for what previously had depended upon interdepartmental courtesy, and to define interdepartmental lines of responsibility.559 To facilitate project investigation and construction, the amended legislation prescribed meas- ures of feasibility and procedures similar to those under Rec- lamation Law.560 While continuing authority for project construction and operation and maintenance in the Secretary of the Interior, the amendments provided for participation by the Secretary of Agriculture through cooperative agreements with the Secretary of the Interior.561 Provision was also made for participation by the Works Projects Administration, Civil- ian Conservation Corps, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other federal agencies, as well as state and local agencies.562 858 Id.; Hearings before a Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations on H. R. 8745, 76th Cong., 3d sess., p. 45 (1940). 8MAct of August 11, 1989, 53 Stat. 1418, as amended, 16 XL S. C. 590y- 590z-ll (Supp. III). In approving the bill, the President noted that amendments would be needed to make the basic legislation fully effective. H. Rep. No. 2944, 76th Cong., 3d sess., p. 3 (1940). 567 Act of June 18,1940, 54 Stat. 406, 439. 658 Act of October 14,1940, 54 Stat. 1119, see 16 U. S. C. 590y-590z-ll. 859 H. Rep. No. 2944, 76th Cong., 3d. sess., p. 2 (1940). See also 86 Cong. Rec. 12568-12569 (1940). 580 H. Rep. No. 2944, 76th Cong., 3d sess., p. 3 (1940). §§3-4, 54 Stat. 1120-1122, as amended, 16 U. S. C. 590z-l, 590z-2. M1 §§3, 5-6, 54 Stat. 1120-1121, 1122-1124, as amended, 16 U. S. O. 590z-l, 590z-3, 590z-4. In connection with the duties of the Secretary of Agricul- ture, see infra, p. 379. 862 § 2, 54 Stat. 1120, 16 U. S. C. 590z. The Works Progress Administra- tion became Works Projects Administration on July 1, 1939. Reorganiza- tion Plan No. 1, effective July 1, 1939, § 306, 53 Stat. 1423, 1428, 5 U. S. C. 133t note following. |