Halstead believed that if a new well was dug, the railroad and the water company must make sure that all the water from it was appropriated.

Halsted proposed that the company not apply for water rights for the Las Vegas Springs but merely ask for a certificate since there were no conflicting claims.

McNamee states that although the Union Pacific Railroad owns the land that the springs are on and all the land it historically watered, to further protect their water right they should apply for the right to appropriate the water.