The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1900-05-05
TROUBLE WITH A WATER LORD
The Phyllis Manager Takes AdVantass Of VII
cunstancss.-Much Bitter Feeling
Amona Farmers.


Among Farmers.
Something occurred in Caldwell
Thursday which exhibits tue beau
ties of water distribution under the
private ownership or water lord
system. Last year, either through
neglect or inability, the Phyllis
canal management failed to furnish
water as contracted and therefore
much damage was done to crops
In consequence, the farmers very
generally and justly felt that there
| should have been some reduction OF
rates. They were perfectly willing
to leave the matter to the adjust
ment of disinterested arbiters, and
were hopeful that such an arrange
ment could be effected. This hope
has been shattered. Mr.. Bloom
field, representing Mr.. Bradbury
was here Thursday to make con-
tracts for the present season, and
absolutely refused to contract with
any one until the last years bills
were paid in full. The situation
by which the farmers were confront
ed is this: They must pay what
they deemed unjust claims or risk
being without water and having
their crops entirely destroyed this
season. They proposed to Mr.,
Bloomfield that they would enter
into contracts for this season and
make payments in advance it the
last years bills were left to future
adjustment in the courts or other"
wise, but like Shakespeare's Jew,
Bradbury had the farmers on the
hip and proposed to get the pound
of flesh then and there. Of course
the farmers have the right and the
privilege to institute proceedings to
: recover damages, but Mr.. Bradbury
no doubt figured that they would
be unable to effect a combination
and the individual amounts were so
= small that few or none would 60 to
the expense and annoyance of liti-
CATION. The most unfortunate
l thing for farmers is their known in
5 ability to pool issues. If they had
in this instance formed combina-
ton and refused to pay the last
years bills, giving Mr.. Bradbury
= to understand that they would fight
his proposition in every court in
the land, we suspect that he would
: readily have come to reasonable
: terms. Indicative of Mr.. Brad
bury's attitude in this matter is tho
+ fact that his lawyer, Mr.. Borah
: urged that the course asked for by
the farmers be pursued. Mr.
Borah even went so far as to prom
: Use that it should be done, presum
!, ing, no doubt, ON Mr.. Bradbury
: fairness and sense of justice. 1t i
0 intimated that Mr.. Bloomfield rath
t er dissuaded Mr.. Borah from press
ing his views by representing tina
the farmers were not kicking very
i hard. 1t probably never occurret
:, to him that men whose wives ant
e children are in peril of starvation
p are apt to be very docile. Blu
S there will come a reaction ant
some kicking that will be hare
enough to be distinctly felt. w
would like to see the farmers com
bine and at once commence suits *
recover damages. In the meantime
- they should go right along witt
;. their district organization and ge
y out Of the clutches of the Phylli
people as soon as possible. Thi
!, squeeze is only a hint at what tn
the future holds in store. At thi
- moment it is pleasurable to direc
attention to the liberal, straightfor
y ward and honorable course beins
e pursued by Mr.. Sebree, owner o
Il the Caldwell canal.