The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-12-11
generation 2

ing men and women of Bonl.ers
Ferry and vi Unity are ready and
willing to quit asking the question
and to take initiative steps to
search for satisfactory answer to
this most difficult proposition, but
in deciding just what these steps
shall be we encounter difficulties
and differences of opinion. There
are phases of the situation that all
are agreed upon, viz: That the
Hoods come regularly every year;
that they will keep on coming, and
that owing to magnitude and COM
plications we cannot expect to find
local remedy. On this point 1
desire to submit, for the serious
consideration of the readers Of the
HERALD, mode of procedure
which seems to meet the approval
of every one / have talked with
about it; it is briefly as follows:
Petition congress through our
representatives in that body to pro-
vide for the appointment of COM
mission to confer with 4 like com
mission to be appointed by the
Canadian government, to act Joint
Ny in making q thorough investi-
cation of the Kootenai river from
its source to its confluence with
the Columbia; said joint commits
sion to have authority to employ
skilled engineers, and report TO
their respective governments. If
this report shows hat the scheme
is nowhere physically feasible, then
that will be the best answer to our
question that we can have and we
can drop it forever and make the
best of it, but if. on the other hand
the report shows that it is some
where feasible, then the necessary
diplomatic negotiation can be car
ried on between the two govern
ments until they arrive at some
international arrangement under
which the work can be executed.
If Canal flats in British Column
bia is found to be the proper place
to do the work, then it is obvious
that nothing short of our federal
government can cope with the
situation as it would have to be
done by international arrangement;
if the outlet in British Columbia is
the place the same is true there; if
dYking or digging bitches through
the valley is found to be the hight
thing. then we will be in line to
ask for appropriation from the fed
eral government to have the work
done.
Reports say that our government
is now having investigations made
of the large tributaries of the Miss
issippi heading in the Rocky
mountains for the purpose of fiao-
ing, if possible, some method of
, preventing in the future the recur-
rerces Of last spring in the lower
Mississippi valley, and it seems
that this is an opportune time for
us to get in and drill and have the
investigation extended to the Koot-
enai. Our case is somewhat diff
ferent on account of the Kootenai
rising in and flowing back into a
foreign country, but | believe this
can be overcome as pointed out
above.
We have three able representa-
tives at the national capitol who
. will, no doubt, be glad to push the
matter for us. The Canadian gov
eminent can be reached, first by
our government making the prop
osition to them; second. by petit
ton by influential subjects in the
lower Kootenai, who will be glad
to have an opportunity to unite
with US in this matter.
= / would suggest that we call a
e mass meeting early the coming
! week to consider thi. matter. draw
up petitions, prepare the necessary
, draft of the KOotenai river, show
ing the location, quantity, and
+ quality of the land injured by the
= overflow, giving approximately the
! advantages to be gained; have the
petition numernuelv signed. and |