The Caldwell tribune., 1905-11-11

lands can be Supplied, and under
no condition can other lands come
IN after the plans are adopted,
These facts should be carefully con-
sideTed, and the question deter,
mined whether the greater danger
lies in contracting an obligation
that will insure ample water or in
taking chances on a shortage re-
sulting in continuous short crops,
Those who feel that they are
getting along comfortably as mat
ters now stand would have better
justification for their complacency
If they had any assurance that
things would continue to stand as
they now do. The fact is that al
ready the situation is beginning 10
shift. The waters of the Boise
river are soon to be distributed by
decree of the courts. In great
measure that decree will probably
be based on priorities, in which
event, thousands of acres will be
without water by the 25th of July.
Heretofore, the river was practi.
cally dried at the Sebree dam. Ev-
idence was presented to the court
establishing prior rights below the
Sebree dam for some 1900 acres
of land, which is equal to thirds
OF all the land now cultivated in
the Pioneer Irrigation District. If
those priorities had been establish
ed last summer there would not
have been drop of water running
into the district on the last of July.
People may just as well look this
proposition squarely in the face,
and make up their minds whether
they can afford to take any chances.
Here stands the Governmet of the
United States proposing to put in
an irrigation system, insuring an
ample water supply, asking for no
pay until the water is actually de-
livered upon the land and in use
for one year, then giving 10 years
in which to make payments, with
out interest, Can any land owner
afford to reject proposition of thai
kind, when there is visible short
age of water and he knows that any
year he may lose more in crop:
than the entire cost to him OF the
Government system?
We wish to say to those who are
hesitatiug or stubbornly holding
back, that their action may delay
for a time progress on the Govern
ment project, because 1t is desira
bic to have the lands irrigated b,
the Government system in a com
pact body. But the delay will no
be of long duration. There arr
thousands of acres of water-want
: ing lands over on the Snake river
If people owning lands in the Fl
oneer District and vicinity do no
want the water, it will be takes
to waere it is wanted, but let thos
people consider we'll what they ar
about before they make up the1
minds that they. do not want II
They would better look ahead
= few years. They would better tr
"a to come to realization of the ta'
- that what Government builds WI
be for the ages. Its system will t
u complete in all its details. Throug
= the wears the water supply will
u regular and ample. There will
!" no drought and devastation in Ju
J. and August. There will be I
quarreling and fighting for just
drop to keep the trees alive Is
wise to hesitate about accepting
proposition so full of promise
Wo understand that the last c.
as is snow being made. Those WI
OF do not come forward aud sign
10 with the Government in the ne
at few days will be shut out and f'
;" ever. Keep in mind that what y
te are required to do is to engage WI
" your own Government which c
81 have no purpose other than he. he@,.
d ing you. Remember that u
eir whole undertaking is for your Dc
10 eft and nothing can possibly na