The daily sentinel., 1907-11-15

F~o~sy
people of the valley practically had
the option Of Immediate construction
ny the government or by private par
ties. At that time the secretary of
tne interior bad ample funds to com
piete the work and could probably
nave built the works at less expense
tnan now At the present time the
prices OF labor and material have
aoVanced, the cost of construction
would be much larger; but the most
notapie oinerence Is that the recla-
nation fund Is Lot In such condition
that an allotment can now be made
TOT immediate construction or COM
pletion.
"At that time the argument was
used that the reclamation fund
should not be used to anticipate pri-
vate enterprise. 1t was asserted by
interested parties that private funds
were available for building the work,
and that the taking up of the pro-
1ect by the secretary of the inter
ior would interfere with the plans
already made.
These plans, 1t is now understood
nave never advanced beyond the III
itisl stages.
From your representations It ap-
pears that the probability of private
enterprise taking up the work Is ev-
en- more remote than in the past.
1t also appears that the government
haa certain rights and privileges
which cannot be enjoyed by individ-
uals or corporations. and that 1t is
the consensus of opinion in the val
10y that unless the government un-
dertakes tho work 1t will probably
not be done at all, or only after great
delay.
"If the people of the Grand val
ley desire that this project be more
thoroughly Investigated and placed
In line for construction through the
acquisition of rights of way and be-
ginning of work when funds are
available, / am willing to consider
| 1t. The preliminary Investigations
indicate that at least $4,000 acres
can be reclaimed at cost anywhere
in the neighborhood of s4o4 per
acre. These figures are given mere
ly for the purpose of discussion and
do not in any way bind the secre-
tary to definite announcement Of
cost, which can only be made after
the contracts have been let and the
necessary data for that purpose have
been obtained.
II suggest that you lay the mat
ter clearly before the people of Grand
valley and report to me their wishes
with reference to the following al
formative propositions:
| VI. The secretary of the Interior
to withdraw segregations and def
nitely announce that he does not in
tend to construct the Grand Junction
project.
''e. The secretary to begin sur
veys and acquisitions OF rights of
way, preparing detailed plans for the
work with a view to its execution
during succeeding years when the
money becomes available for this
work from the repayments to the re-
clamation fund under the Uncompah-
gre project, or such other funds as
may become available In future years.
every truly yours,
JAMES RUDOLPH GARFIELD,
Secretary.
''F. H. N"
H The Newell Promise.
Il Secretary Aupperle also read q
signed statement from Director
Frank H. Newell of the reclamation
service, embodyihg promise to have
the permanent survey made at once.
This statement follows:
Department of the Interior,
United States Reclamation Service,
II washington, d. c..
"Oflce of the Director.
November s, 1907.
"Mr. d. w. Aupperle. Secretary
Chamber OF Commerce.
! Grand Junction, Colo.
Dear Sir
I'm accordance with our conversa-
ltion, and the letter of the secretary
of the Interior OF November 8, 1t is
my intention, II the people of Grand
ii ,1aAIx,xa daaIra To accnnt tho sncQnd