The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1905-10-01

for which many sections in the north
west are noted the auto would prove
very handy vehicle; and we predict
that when the prices have come down
few notches the more wealthy farm
ers throughout the northwest will be
showing their city cousins few tricks
with the chug-chug machines.
The series of articles on cooperation
at Sunnyside, by H. M. Lichty, con.
cluded in our last issue, has created
widespread interest among our read
ers. What has been accomplished IN
this section by cooperative methods
is an example worthy of emulation by
other communities. The author is one
of the foremost citizens of Sunnyside,
himself a practical and most success
full farmer, thoroughly imbued with
the spirit of enterprise and progress
siveness. He has been ever at the
fore in every movement that would be
beneficial to his community. 1t is
to such men that we must give full
credit for the great work being &C
complished in the highest development
of our states resources. More power
to him and his kind.
The good roads, question is a IA
vorite topic with politicians when can
vassing for votes-and 1t is also the
one which they seem to forget the
| quickest when they get into office.
In King county the commissioners did
buy a road roller last year, which act
was warmly approved by our tax
| PAYERS. because such machine could
| work wonders in improving the public
highways. The only use it has been
put to- however, was to roll down the
road leading to the race track for the
sports and tin horns to travel over
The race track owners know how to
| pull the wires! But say, the race
meeting is over now, and why not put
the roller at work on some of the farm
| ers' roads, instead of letting 1t stand
| idle all during the fall?
Promises Have Not Materialized.
In our issue of April first The Ranch
editorially warned it's readers to be
very wary of investing in lands offered
for sale by the Snake River Irrigation
Co. We stated in that issue that we
believed this enterprise would not be
successful in carrying out it's plans to
raise water from the Snake river by
utilizing the power of that stream for
operating it's pumping plant. We ex-
pressed ourselves very vigorously re-
garding this proposition at that time,
and severely criticized the promoters
for Offering lands for sale before they
demonstrated their ability to furnish
sufficient and permanent supply or
water for irrigation purposes. The
| he h 4 a
they would have water flowing through
their canal early in the spring. This
they failed to do Nevertheless, dur
| ing the summer, we understand, they
have contracted for the sale of about
three thousand acres, leading invest
ors to believe that their pumping plant
would shortly be in running order. UP
to date they have failed to get water
on the land and it is the firm belief
of The Ranch that it will never be pos
sible to make success of this plant,
and that water will never be raised
from the Snake river to supply these
lands until steam or electrical power
is utilized.
It now develops that this company
has no title to these lands. They are
owned by the Northern Pacific Land
Co.. and they merely have an agree
ment that title will be transferred
when they are able to furnish con-
tinuous flow of water sufficient for IT.
rigation purposes. Purchasers have
made payments of 40 per cent down,
and we understand that the company
is now asking that the second payment
be made. 1t appears to us, therefore,
that this company is working a gross
fraud upon investors. We are surpris-
ed that the Northern Pacific should
countenance the scheme. Whether
the promoters are criminally liable it