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Mr. frank Strong: , Referring to our eorr e e jxj ode nee, ending with ray letter Ootober 26 on the subject of water conservation in the Lae Vegas Valley, particularly protection of Our own holdings In the wlclnlty of the wells and springs. X learn this morning that Hr. Seaxd.es moved a well drilling rig onto his land and commended drilling operations, under the assumption that as long as the legal advertising period had expired and no protests had bsen received, hie application had *gono through*. The State Engineer's representative in this territory, who has the loeal well drillers pretty well lined up on the requirements of the law, observed this activity and stopped the drilling. There was of course some expense in connection with moving the drilling rig onto the ground and after some discussion (and telephone communication with Carson City) it wae agreed that if Mr. Searlee would reduce his applica­tion to one-half second foot the application would be approved. This was agreed to and drilling was recommenced. 1 understand Major Clifford donee who was recently discharged from Military Service and is now appointed Judge of the Cl strict Court here, is associated with Mr. Searlee in this undertaking. Xt is of oourse desirable to avoid any unnecessary conflict or public reaction in connection with the control of well drilling, and X advised the Artesian Wells Supervisor that we would have no particular objection to applications for a fraction of a second foot but felt that applications for water in excess of one second foot In the vicinity of our holdings would probably be detrimental to the public, He advised me he had expressed thi- same view in hie contact® with Carson City. X feel, therefore, that this particular problem is settled, at least for the present. X should like to have the benefit of your advice on another subject and that is the applications which we are receiving of late for small water service connections from the 24* line after it is completed. We have advised the applicants in each instance that water from this line could Lae Vegas - November 2, 1945 W 23-1-B