The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1904-01-16


itics in the Boise and Payette valleys at
Nanpa Sunday \ large gathering was
present and '.rcai interest manifested in
the Remarks oi the different speakers
Committees we're present from Boise.
Meridian. Nampa, Emmett. Middleton,
Roswell and Parma.
Mr.. Newell in his address, made it
plain. and emphasized the fact, that he
WAS not here for the purpose Of telling
the people what to do, but to explain as
far as he could. what they must do in
order to obtain the desired aid.
Speaking of the reclamation Of the
Boise and Payetie valleys, Mr. Newell
said that whether it was accomplished
in FIVE, 10 or 100 years it was bound TO
come eventually.
The department stood ready to assist
the people; it was not the function Of
the department To tell the people what
they needed, but incumbent upon the
people themselves to say just what they
wanted. 1t was necessary that the land
owners shopld get together, organize
thoroughly and approach the interior
department in business like manner.
1t was within the power Of the people to
organize and help themselves. The
people could get what they wanted from
the interior department by simply or
ganizing in a proper manner Organ
ization OF the character required was not
an easy matter, but it could be done,
and bad been done in Arizona where
conditions were not near so favorable as
in Idaho
In the Salt River valley OF Arizona,
said Mr.. Newell, there were between
1000 and 5000 land owners, Of which 95
to os per cent possessed small tracts.
The task OF harmonizing the interests in
that valley was much more difficult
than that confronting the landowners in
the Boise and Payette valleys, yet it bad
been accomplished and they were now
enjoying tie certainty Of benefit from
government and there was no friction
whatever.
Mr. Newell advised the landowners to
form water users association, OF which
every landowner in the valleys would be
a member. This association could elect
president, secretary, treasurer and
board Of directors and these officers
could deal directly with the government.
Il would be the duty Of the officers ol
the association 70 pass upon all matter:
relating to the adjustment Of rights oi
way, the purchase OF rights OF various
persons and the removal Of all obstruct
ions in the way Of the government work
Mr.. Newell explained in this connec
ton that it would be impossible for tn,
secretary Of the interior to deal with in
dividual landowners. The government
could not be expected to consider tbs
questions relating to the payment OF in
siallments by every landowner affected
but this association would have TO as
sume all the responsibilities in this con
nection and would virtually have t.
guarantee to the government the pay
ment Of annual installmcnts, also tina
the administration OF the system afte
completion would have to be carried OF
very largely through this association
As soon az majority Of the payment
were made the association would vir
t,ally assume complete control of tn
works,
The preparation Of the goyernmen
work a. affecting the various interest
was summed nj as follows:
The landowner who had large O
small cultivated area, a good water righ
and an nbundan, supply Of watercS
pectcd TO save money 10y reduced cost q
maintenance brought about by ccmmu
nifty interest and greater distribution d
cost. IN other wo,i- he was assured q
an abundant supply oi water At Les
cost than before, in addition to frcedor
from litigation.
The landowner who possessed a cult
waited area FOR which hc was unable {
secure enough water would profit bv tn
additional revenue he might obtai
from the acreage, which, by reason c
an insufficient supply Of water, he wa
Unable to work. In illustrating thi
point, Mr.. Newell referred to the state