The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-05-07
SEEKING GOVERNMENT AID.
Position of the Reclamation Service
Briefly Outlined.

The operations of the engineers
of the Reclamation Service since
the passage of the irrigation act
have excited widespread interest
throughout the country. In many
sections of the West irrigation has
been developed to point where
the, requirements of the land exceed
the normal water supply, and the
settlers are organizing with a view
of securing the aid of the Govern
ment in the construction of immense
storage works to conserve the food
waters now going to waste. The
assistance of the Government is
asked as the cost of the work is
beyond the means of the land own
ers. In all such cases the policy
of the Reclamation Service has been
to make it clearly understood that
this assistance can be secured only
through the influence of healthy
and sustained public opinion ex-
pressed in a direct communication
to the Secretary of the Interior
from the people. In brief, the di-
rect benefciaries-the actual land
owners-must take the initiative
and organize along lines similar to
those followed by the settlers of
Salt River valley.
1t should be understood that the
irrigation projects which naturally
appeal most to the engineers are
those which are free from the vex-
ing questions of private ownership
of land and water. Large enter
prises which contemplate the recla-
nation of vast areas of desert land,
yet part of the public domain,
present no obstacles aside from those
of purely physical or engineering
character, while the construction of
works in settled communities is
sure to involve personal features
often more trying than anything
found in the actual work of con-
struction.
Just now there are several irriga-
ton districts making appeals to the
Government for assistance, in order
that many thousands of acres OF
crops may be saved from partial OF
total loss each year by reason of a
scanty water supply. In one OF
these districts, the famous valley o1
the Uncompahgre, the irrigators
and ditch owners have perfected an
organization and will shortly pre-
sent a formal demand for Federal
aid in the construction of the Gun
nison tunnel.
In Montana, Idaho, South Da.
kota, Oregon, and other states, sim
liar organizations are forming; mas.
meetings are being held, officer.
elected, and details considered
The rule of the Reclamation Ser
vice in all such cases is one of alb
solute non interference. Upon re
quest assistance is given in outlining
the proper form of organization
required by the Department befor'
definite action can be taken, but il
all other essentials the settlers ar
informed that they must work ou
their own destiny; that their re
quests for aid must bear practically
the unanimous endorsement of tn
, actual property owners, and mus
be free from suspicion of politics
Down in the forbidding Saltol
desert the settlers are petitionin
the Government to take up a stu
r pendous work for the fuller utiliza
zation of the waters of the grea
Colorado River. To those maxim
such request, and to all others wh
in the future may desire the Go,
? ernment's aid, the above outline {
D the position of the Reclamatio
t Service is especially directed.