The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-01-16

PAys luOSG Will dO0udduL WdLSl
supply and inadequate systems and
those without systems or water sup
ply. Then, there are the systems
where the maintenance cost is IS
cents a year, those where it is As
cents, those where it is IS cents
and those where it is from one dol
lar to a dollar and a halt. Then
there are the individual owners,
the settlers associations, the farm
ers companies, the commercial cor
porations and the Pioneer Irriga-
ton District. The thought of adj
justing and harmonizing all these
various interests under one big
management, while it might be
clear and pleasant to a J. P. Nor
gan, is bewildering to the average
mind. We fear that if we get no
Government aid until the thing
suggested by Mr.. Newell is accom-
plished, the remotest period by him
fixed for the reclamation of the
Boise and Payette valleys, that is
so years, will have come and pass
ed into antiquity.
THE TRIBUNE hesitates to make
a suggestion in this connection be-
cause it has been told by the Unit
ed States Geological Survey that
''it doesn't make dam bit of differ
erence what it thinks; things will
go right along without reference to
it." You see, it discourages news
paper that has been b1oated with
the idea that it was running the
whole ranch to get smashed in the
nose like that, but this is cold,
discourageous world, and it is a
great comfort to be able, after get
ting a Knockout belt, to come up
smiling in the morning.
We understand that the Payette
Lakes afford practically inexhaust-
able water storage capacity; that at
a comparatively small cost a dam
could be placed across the outlet
that would raise the water in the
lakes 90 feet; that canal like a
river could be taken out at reason
able cost, that would reach a point
near Boise city. Practical men, ia.
miliar with all the conditions, in
sist that this is not only a feasible
but an ideal proposition.
Now if Government will set hon
est, capable men to investigating
that proposition, and compel them
to report in reasonable time on
the cost of canal that will carry
water enough to irrigate all the
Boise valley, not air eady supplied
there will not be any trouble about
guaranteeing the cost. Moreover
it will not be necessary to interfere
with the existing order Of things
Put the water supply within reas'
enable reach of the people and the.
will do the rest. Why don't tn
Reclamation Department ascertain
how many inches or feet of waite
can be conveyed to given point il
the Boise valley and what the cos
will be per inch or foot? If it i
within reason, every inch will b.
taken to the extent of the require
ments. The people could easil
form a corporation for the manage
ment of new water supply. II
dividuals, corporations and district
could and would jump at the chanc
of taking an interest in canal {
reservoir which proposed to supple
ment their present water suppl
without interfering with their e.
tablished rights and local manag'
ment. All Government needs
do is to inform the people of tt
storage capacity of the Payet
Lakes and what it will cost to dig
y ditch that will convey that store
{ water to a suitable point in the Boi
L valley. The people will soon decic
. whether they want any of it or nc
II Let similar proposition be made
: the people of the Payette valley
u they want it. We suggest th
> much at the risk of another belt.