The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1904-02-13
GOVERNMENT HELP
Some OF the Main Points in
Rcsse-Payetfe Scheme are
Ahiy Set Forth.

Hon. J II Lowell in a recent letter to
the Caldwell Tribune makes clear many
vital points bearing upon the proposition
of government aid ior the Beisc-Payette
irrigation project He says:
"An encouraging feature Of the out
look is made prominent by reports re-
ceived from the Salt River valley in Ari-
zona where an organization Of land own
ers has been perfected and work has ac-
tually commenced. From these reports
we find that the conditions existing
there are practically the same or if any
thing more complicated than those ex-
isting in the Boise alley, and We find
that they took practically the same
steps that we are taking and met much
the same difficulties that seem to CON
front Us. That they have met and
overcome these difficulties should give
us hope,
- seems that in consideiin the gem
eral question we should keep in mind
two or three fundamental considerations
"a. There is no compnIrion upon
anybody to receive government aid ana
government aid cannot be thrust on
community without the consent OF the
/ land owners, or enough OF them to make
business proposition. Any person
having sufficient supply OF water Tor
irrigation would Of course stay out of
the organization. The purpose Of the
government is either to supply water
Tor lands not now irrigated or to sup
plemcnt the supply for lands not now
having full supply. The owners OF
such lands, if they desire government
aid, must signify their willingness to en-
ter into contract to repay the actual cost
OF the benefit received and must organ
ize for the purpose Of dealing with the
government.
- The present organizations where
the control il in community ownership
will not be wiped out and a vast merger
or water trust formed in their place.
The present organizations will still run
tEeir own systems, and distribute the
water through their own canals. They
need deal with the larger corporation
= only in receiving the increased supply
that may be developed by the govern
/ ment works. That is, the central or
t ganization would deliver TO such canal
system the pro rata amount Of reservoir
ed water or water that may bedeveloped
0 from other sources, and it viii rest with
the ditch company 10 distribute it &c
0 the users.
80 Priority OF rights and the admin
j istration Of the state law will in no wise be
d interfcred with. See. 8 OF the Nationa
# act is explicit on this subject;
# See 8. That nothing in this act shal
be construed as affecting or intended t.
affert or to im anyway interfere with tn
laws OF the State or Territory relating Il
= the control, appropriation, use or distri
Is button Of water used in irrigation, or an.
d vested right acquired Hereunder, an'
the Secretary of the Interior in carryin
out the provisions OF this Act. shall pro
, ceed in conformity with such laws.
j. eve believe that the matter is OF sucl
L. vast Importance in furthering the inter
" ests OF all southwestern Idaho that it
. worthy Of our most earnest thought an
III best endeaYor TO bring it about and "
hope that the subject may be approach
ed. not in the spirit Of criticism, br
with the determination to bring aboJ
practical results that work injustice
none and bring the largest possible d'
" velopment OF our community"