The California Irrigation Districts Case.

The article presents information related to the California Irrigation Districts. In 1897, the state of California enacted the Irrigation District Act. Following twelve years of controversy with holders of large tracts of land who were unwilling to improve or market their holdings, the act was amended in 1909 at the behest of legislators who understood the economic principles. To finance the cost of the public improvement works in the Districts, such as dams, water rights, canals, etc., the act provides for the issuance of general obligation municipal bonds, upon approval by the resident voters, the same type of security as those by which school or road district improvements are financed. There is no poll tax or property restriction on voting in a California Irrigation District. The important irrigation systems throughout California during the past thirty-four years have virtually all been acquired under the provisions of this 1909 amendment to the original act of 1897. The great bulk of California's fruit, vegetable and almost endless variety of horticultural and agricultural crops are today grown on the land within these Irrigation Districts.