Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-05-16

An unusually large number of citi.
zens were present and greater interest
manifested at the irrigation meeting
last night than at any previous time
since the government manifested its
to spend quarter of a
million of dollars at this point in an
enterprise known as the Bismarck
project" State Engineer Fellows was
present, and presided at the meeting
M. H. Jewell acting as secretary. En-.
gineer Storrs of the national reclaim.
alton service was also present and
was called on to explain the enter.
prise. R
Engineer storrs Explains.
MI. 5torrs said he had gone over
the matter and explained the provis-
ions of the law many times but mas
much as there were many persons
present who had not attended former
meetings he would again explain
briefly the irrigation proposition and
answer any questions that might be
propounded. On the report of the en-
gineers the Bismarck project had been
placed before the secretary of the in
terror and had received his endorse
'ment. The project involved the fur
nishing of water to something like
$4,000 acres. 1t was proposed to
place pumping station about half a
mile below the N: P. bridge on the
Missouri river. Water would be
pumped up to height sufficient to
supply a canal running along the edge
of the second bench Immediately south
of the city and another pump would be
installed to pump water from the
canal to an elevation that would per-
init of the irrigation of the second
bench, which might also include the
penitentiary grounds and much of tie
Apple Creek valley. He also believed
it entirely feasible to dam Apple
Creek and thus store a vast amount of
water, the use of which would cheaper
the cost of pumping somewhat. The
estimates of the engineers as to the
cost of the Bismarck project it was
believed were liberal. 1t was likely
that the cost would be less than $40
per acre of land irrigated but that es-
innate had been decided upon as
safe figure. MIR. Stoors believed this
would not only build the canals, and
install the pumping plant but would
also build the Apple Creek reservoir.
A generous estimate had also been
made on cost of pumping the water
~ an acre-per year. That is 81 for
the maximum amount of water-2-
acre feet, or "a inches of water on
each acre of land each year. In this
country 1t would not require the max
lmum amount of water every year.
The more the engineers had figured
on this enterprise the more they were
convinced that the figures of $40 an
acre for first cost and 81 per acre for
and furnishing of water
were liberal and safe.
Water Users Association.
The basis on which the government
undertakes the work is as follows: 1t
advances the money to install and
complete the project, which money is
to be returned without interest in ten
annual installments by the land own.
ers in the district, each in proportion
to acres held. At the end of that
period the whole business is turned
over to the association. Each owner
also pays maximum of So per acre
per year for water-it might be less.
In wet years nothing like "a inches of
water in addition to the rainfall would
De needed. To carry out the enter
prise the government had provided
that a water users association should
be formed, comprising all the owners
OF lands in the irrigation district to
which water could be furnished.
Articles of incorporation similar to
those used in other states should be
signed and an association incorpor,
ated, which under the law, costs moth
ing for filing fees. u
Simply a Tax.
Before the government can proceed
with the work it viii be necessary for
practically all the land owners in the
district to sign up the agreement. The
$40 an acre In the nature OF tax
S2 q year per acre and not mort