Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1905-11-16
NO NEW WOkAS.
Has Contributed Most Hut Re.
ceiyed Least Of All states.

close upon Secretary Idfts reiusal 10
recommend an appropriation for con-
tinuing the improvement of the mouth
of the Columbia River comes Secretary
Hitchcock s refusal to approve the Um-
atill, irrigation project in Oregon, and
the Okanogan and Tietan projects. in
Washington, all of which have been
pronounced feasible by the reclamation
engineers, and all of which were re-
Gently submitted to Mr.. Hitchcock for
his approval. Lack OF funds is given as
his reason for turning down all three
projects.
Mr.. Hitchcock finds that he has al
lotted all the money 10 the reclamation
fund and about $3,OOO,0O0 in excess.
He concludes that it is time to check
these allotments, and is determined to
accumulate a surplus before more work
is undertaken. He therefore intends to
hold back on new projects until July ],
at which time, it is estimated, there
will be surplus on hand of about 49,
OOO, 900. Mr.. Hitchcock finds nothing
wrong with the engineering features OF
these projects, but be is entering upon
new policy of distributing money out
of the reclamation fund, and his reform
is put in force Just at the tine when
Oregon and Washinz zton were in line for
recognition.
Although Oregon has contributed
more money to the reclamation fund
than any other state. only one bona fide
allotment has been made for irrigation
work in Oregon; that is, 81 OOO,OOO for
the Klamath project, which is partly
shared by California. There is also an
a lotment OF $2,25O.O00 on account OF
the Malheur prof ct, but this allotment
is virtually dead, since the Government
is not in position to build this project,
and, from the present outlook, will not
he able to undertake it for many
months, probably many years, to come.
The Umatlla project would require
only a portion of this allotment, and
some reclamation officials favored trans
ferring enough OF the Malheur allotment
to build The Umatilla project. But the
Secretary has not seen fit to make this
transfer. So, while the Umatilla pro-
jec. is turned down, the Malheur alIot-
ment remains tied up and cannot be ex
pended.
The same condition exists in WASH
ington. Nearly year ago the Secre-
lary allotted s., 100000 for the Palouse
project, but it has been practically de-
cided to abandon this project, at least
tor several years to come. because OF its
excessive cost. Enough money has
been allotted for the Palouse project to
build both the Okanogan and the Tietan
projects, and still have $1,000, 600 left
over, but the Secretary will not allot
new funds for these two projects, nor
will he divert part of the Palouse allot-
ment for their construction. For one
thing, he is afraid these projects are te
costly, it being estimated that it will
require from $50 to $55 per acre to put
water on the land. The Okanogan pro-
ject will cost approximately S5OO,OOo,
and the Tietan project approximately
81 ,OOO, COO, but the Secretary will t
approve them and will allot no money |
for their construction. 1t is presumed
he Intends to cancel the allotment lof
the Palouse project. but SO far he has
not done so.
Another thing that develops in con-
nectlon with the refusal to approve the
Umatilla, OAanogan and Tletan projects
is the deter mination OF the Secretary to
hereafter confine allotments OF reclama-
ton funds to 81 per cent OF the amount
by the various states and
territories. 1t is unfortunate for Ore
gon and Washington that this rule Is
adopted at ths late day, but il 1t be
lived up to strictly, the Secretary should
at once expend s2,5OO,00o in Oregon
AMI more than sl,500,000 in Washing
ION. Az matter OF fact, not dollar OF d