The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-12-12


snail determine whether there is to
be an organization.
This would, it is true, be only a
declaration Of policy, but, we appre-
hend, no board of directors would
venture to disregard a plain man
date OF the people. Why should
any board desire to do so? 1t is
probable that unanimous agreement
could not be secured at first, but a
majority expression certainly could
be.
The TRIBUNE has carefully avoid
ed entering upon any inquiry into
the merits of the respective classes
of water rights in the Ridenbaugh,
except, in general way, to express
an opinion as to manifestly fraudu-
lent rights and those resting solely
upon priority of usage. We don't
attach much value to either of
those. However, this is purely
matter for the consideration of the
people directly interested.
For two reasons, we have urged
adjustment as far as possible before
organization: First, the policy de-
termined on in respect of the dispo-
sitiod of water rights will necessar-
lily have considerable bearing on
the price which ought to be paid
for the Ridenbaugh system; for,
it must be apparent that an if
rigation system which has disposed
of any portion of its carrying ca
pacity is not as valuable as if it had
disposed of none of it. We are in.
formed that the Ridenbaugh has
disposed of practically all its carry
ing capacity, and that still it is not
a profitable business. Now, let US
look that proposition squarely in
the face: Here is canal with car
rying capacity for $4,000 acres; that
carrying capacity, to its utmost,
has been dedicated for all time
to the said $4,000; for this,
which is an obligation on the Rid
enbaugh canal company, the own
ers of the land paid $25o,ooo. That
is the cash value of the carrying
capacity. Now, let US ask, what
is a ditch worth after its full carry
ing capacity has been mortgaged?
What would a sane man give, for a
freight team whose entire freighting
capacity was mortgaged to some
one else, especially, if ownership OF
the team carried with it an obliga-
ton to do the freighting at loss?
If the Ridenbaugh company has
already sold its entire carrying ca
pacity in the form of perpetual
rights, as suggested by Mr.. McEl-
rov, we would like to know what 1t
has left to sell. Is it the business
opportunity? Well, seeing that II
is a losing business, the reasonable
conclusion would be that the R1den'
baugh company should pay some
one handsomely for taking the load
off its hands. 1t must be clea1
= that the only value in an irrigation
canal is its carrying capacity, hence
when that has been sold, the value
y is extinguished and when any par
of the capacity is sold, the value il
reduced in the ratio Of the part solo
to the entire capacity.
n Our other reason for suggesting
n adjustment before organization wa
J. that we believed it would result il
n the elimination of priorlties within
d the district after organization. W.
o cannot here undertake to give th'
reasons which impel us to thlnl
that priorities within a dlstrlc
ar would prove a constant source o
tt serious friction, and breed almos
y endless litigation. The district
o. which, in order to attain the great
at est good, should be composed OF
to harmonious whole, would consist G
re re- conflicting classes. On the on
ne hand would be the prior rights clas
demanding its full pound OF flesh; o
r. the other hand, the secondary right
e- class constantly encroach1ng o