The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1903-01-28

fund, about IS, 100000, and if our people
will do their part we will get our share.
AS the popular saying OF the day has it,
sit is up to us" We will do everything
possible here but we must have the help
OF the reople at home In fact, we can
do but little more than present the
matter to the department and then work
to keep things moving.
"Now, as to another phase Of this
matter. When | was in Ellensburg this
fall petition was presented asking for
the construction of reservoirs at the
hcadwaters of the Yakima river en-
dorsed this petition and it was forward
ed to the department here, and, when
taking up the preceding matter with
Prof. Newell, | also took up this. He
agrees with me that one of the most, if
not the most, pressing need of Yakima
and kittitas counties is that of storage
reservoirs The diversion of water has
become so great, and the proposed d.
versions are so great, as to take almost
river below the Gap at low water and
the first thing we know we will have
injunctions and ruined farms and de.
velopment will stop. We must have
storage and that without delay. Even
if the government decides to take up
some specific ditch project it will have
to have stored water to fill its ditch and
it seems to me that there is no matter
of such really vital importance to all
the people of these two counties as the
question of storage reservoirs.
"The application of the law is going to
be very difficult but it must be worked
out in some way.
"When the law was being drafted |
felt that purely storage reservoir propo-
sitions should be put in by the govern
ment without reimbursement by the
settlers. 1t seemed to me that the diff
ficulty of apportioning the cost of the
reservoirs to the different interests in
volved was very great 1t was deemed
3
ment for reservoir projects and the peo-
pie will have to devise some way or
method by which the law can be APP
piled. The government will take up
this matter if we will show them that it
is feasible and that the terms and con-
ditions of the bill can be complied with
and the government reimbursed for it's
outlay. How this can be done is for the
people to work out and in will take time
and study. 1t seems to me that the
people of the two counties are equally
and inseparably interested and that
they should work together. From the
mouth OF the Yakima to its headwa-
tiers, the people have common interest.
If the people OF Kittitas can take care
OF the reservoirs at the headwaters of
the Yakima and the people of Yakima,
those at the headwaters of the Natchez,
independently of each other, well and
good but they must show the govern
ment how it can be done. They must
show how much land can be irrigated;
how much will be public land and how
much private land. They must show
how the cost can be apportioned and if
necessary that an association be formed,
they must form it. If private holdings
will be broken up and the settlers take
the land and purchase water rights as
contemplated by the bill, it must be
demonstrated in some way to the salts
faction OF the department. However,
If it is best for the people OF the two
counties to get together in one common
association and ask that general sys-
TEN of reservoirs be established at the
headwaters of the streams having their
source in the Cascade mountains, this
should be done without delay. When
this is done the information should be
furnished the department necessary to
secure action.
"What steps in detail should be taken
| cannot now suggest more than | al
ready have suggested. 1t might be we'll
to in some way form committees who
will study the bill and outline a plan.
The government stands like an individ-
ual and says to us, Il have the money
to put into irrigation works. | want to
do it and this bill gives the plan and
terms upon which | will spend my mon
ey. You show me a project and show
me how l can invest in this way and |
will do it." The problem before the
people is to meet this situation.