The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-05-19
A Little HISTORY
finland Farmer)

ducve by the application of water it became apparent to
those Interested in the subject that if by system of sor
age reservoirs they could preserve the flood of
ter and spring for in summer the to be
sfuly cultivated might be very largely increased 1t also
seemed reasonable that the size and character of such
ervors and canals could be built by the more
advantageousy to the of the water than if the CON
structon of such works left to private enterprises
After ten years of agitation and education by the
friends of irrigation and the recommendation of Pres
1den Roosevelt the Reclamation Act passed ind there
was set aside certain moneys received from the sale of pub
lie lands to be used in the construction of reservoirs and
canals for irrigation purposes Money also appropr-
aed providing for investigation to determine the practb
lty of various irrigation projects the different districts
For over two engineers soil experts and others
nected with the reclamation service have been carrying
investigation III the state of Washington Much data has
been gathered several reports have been made and
irrigation projects avoraby reported upon and approved
by the proper authorities
lnasmuch it the purpose of the reclamation act
for the government to take up such projects
sldered too large difficult for private enterprises to han
die satisfactorily each of the proposed irrigation pro
jects confronted with serious obstacles and Difficult
ties As usual under such circumstances there
delay and many contradictory current among the
people interested in the various projects 1t was reported
at one time that the Methow project not feasible but
the Okanogan Salmon Greek project practicable
and had been favoraby reported upon; also that the Pal
project feasible, had been thoroughly invest
gated favoraby reported upon approved by the depart
men and money set aside for its construction Last Win
the Okanogagn project had been turned down being
small and expensive.
In the meantime an abandoned railroad which had at
time been operated through the Washtucna Cooee
resurrected and the track reaid The railroad company
those speaking for them claimed they had desire
intention of delaying Obstructng the building of the If
rigaton works and would only ask fair compensation for
a REIMBURSEMENT of their rights. For reason, how
ever the experts of the reclamation service and the rail
way company failed to agree terms and it ruored
that the project to be delayed entirely abandoned
account of the railway.
In the meantime the people of the Okanogan valley and
officials of the Northwest Section of the National rriga
ton Association protested against the decision abandon
the Okanogan project The matter taken up with the
authorities at Washington with the result that in
vestigaton ordered board of consulting engineers
sent to review the project and is believed they have
made favorable report. About this time there appeared
in the Spokane papers statement credited to of these
engineers saying the cation of the Palouse project
had been practically completed but that the expense would
be large that it doubtful if it would be carried out
that the cost would be much than thirty five dollars
and that if something else could be found in the
state of Washington that feasible it would be
taken up in preference to the Palous project.
This startling announcement raised vigorous protest
from the citizens of Franklin county and the National Ir
cation Association petition prepared and put into
circulation protesting against the abandonment of the Pal
project. The facts relating to the situation
viewed including the statement that the character and To-
cation of these lands would Justify much larger expense
per for water than that suggested by the engineers
Nearby lands similar in character under irrigation, sell
ing readily from to five hundred dollars per
with water. In conclusion the petition says:
''n view of the facts above thing that the only log
ica for the to pursue is to take mme
date steps toward the construction of these works.
not to lose any valuable time.
''n any private enterprise stands IN the way 1t
that the should exercise its right
to clear away all obstacles by condemnation proceedings
Public meetings were held and the subject freely
canvassed through the press with the result that vigor
of
had been decided upon sent out by the reclamation
service Accepting this correct the fact remains that
no work has been done in Washington and there
present indications that work is to be undertaken in the
near future The for this delay may be good if
the people of the state of Washington entitled to all
the facts in the case They tired Of waiting They