Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1908 — Laws on the Use of Water. [ARTICLE]

Laws on the Use of Water.

The manual on the national and state laws regarding the use of water which the conservation commission is compiling must prove to be a timely volume. Water, like air, has been usually looked upon as free for all, except in certain special and well defined cases. Tbe fact that there is a very wide difference of opinion throughout the country as to where the right to use begins and ends is proved by the variety of laws on the subject now in force. Legal conflicts over water rights have been numerous in this country, and the number is likely to increase with the growing interest in long distance waterways, irrigation and water power. It Is promised that the manual, which will be widely distributed, will be a ready reference handbook and state briefly the principles underlying the various laws clteft and the present tendencies of lawmaking and decisions on this Important subject. Oppressive monopoly of water cannot be allowed. If the laws seem on a narrow but tenable interpretation to justify it the public cannot be apprised too soon. There is some water left which is not controlled by monopoly, and It never can be controlled if the people are as alert as the would bo monopolists.