Amador ledger., 1907-01-11

nder construction in the government
docks on the Pacific coast. If hi:
suggestions are adopted, and if the
number of our war ships on the
Pacific is increased, as it should be,
to at least one-half uf our effective
fighting force, there should be facili.
ties for repair at some point on the
Pacific coast where everything neeess-
ary to keep ships in commission can
be obtained. It. is not believed here
that we have any reason to anticipate
trouble with Japan, but it is fully
realized that should it come we
should be more fully prepared than
was Russia, and as yet we are in
nowise so favorable a condition for
defense against a vigorous attack.
The Japanese immigration into
Hawaii, which is large and increasing
constantly. the evident change of
attitude of the Japanese in California
in consequence of the president IS
pronounciamento in their behalf,
while in no way present cause for
apprehension, at least gives a glimpse
of possibilities which should not be
neglected. Should naturalization of
Orientals become an administration
policy, that glimpse would be con-
siderable enlarged. But at present
the simple question of placing the
power of our flag behind our Pacific
commerce should induce the navy
department. to take action along the
lines drawn by senator Perkins and
congressman Knowland 1t is to be
hoped that the new secretary of the
navy Will have the future of the
Pacific coast at heart and will see to
it that through his administration
there shall be no cause to regret that
a Pacific coast man has held that
high office.
The Orland irrigation project
which has so long been under con-
slderation has now a chance uf being
carried out, as was stated last week.
Since the date of the last letter,
secretary Hitchcock has written to
senator Perkins and congressman
Mckinlay more fully defining the
conditions which must be met before
the government will incur any liabil-
ity for the construction of any part
OF the work. The conditions which
must be fully met are as follows:
l. That 1900 acres of land be
pledged by the owners in form to
be approved by the department, SO
that the lands will be held bound to
repay the cost of construction under
the terms Of the reclamation act.
2. That satisfactory arrangements
be made and agreements. completed
for the adjustment of water rights or
for options to purchase certain pro-
perties and rights, notably those of
the Stony Creek irrigation Company
and of the Lemon Home Water and
Light Company.
3. That satisfactory arrangements
be made for the purchase OF the lands
needed for reservoir pur poses.
4. That the owners of the lands
agree to subdivide and sell their
holdings in excess of 160 acres in
farm units of not to exceed 40 acres.
1t will be noted that nothing will
be done under this project, for which
$3.50, 900 has been set aside. until the
farmers interested have fully com
piled with the condition he imposes.
Some complaint has come to nem-
bers of the delegation with reference
to the amount and character of
government work on the lower Sacra-
mento river. The criticism is made
that the greater part of the money
appropriated is expended by the
government engineers on the river
above Sacramento, whereas there is
need of much work below that punt,
the removal of snags, loaning Il ees,
hulks, etc. Congressman Englebrlght
will have his attention drawn to this
matter, and the delegation will en-
deavor to secure an appropriation for
a snag boat and for necessary work
below Sacramento and the mouth of
the river
In reply to senator Perkins letter
suggesting that government timber
lands be exchanged tor the Calaveras
grove of Big Trees, secretary Hitch
cock has just replied that his depart
ment does not think it should take
the initiative in the matter. He calls
attention to a letter from Mr. Henry
Brunner in August last, looking to
the acquisition of the grove by the
government, and to the department s
response that it would consider any
proposition that might be submitted.
But no proposition has been made
thus far, and the department does not
feel that it Is in a position to act
Independently. 1t will, however, CO.
operate to the fullest extent in bring
ing about the acquisition of the grove
by the government.
The Sierra Club has taken up with
the secretary of the interior the
question of an appropriation ade-
quate for the needs of Yosemite
valley. 1t asks that 100000 be pro-
vided for purposes of improvement.
In his annual report the secretary of