Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-05-01
BOOST BENTON DAM
Effort to I1nIiss support Of President
Roosevelt.

NN4AN4WNhts
WASHINGTON, May Forester
clifford Pinchot and Reclamation
Chief Newell conferred with Presi-
dent Roosevelt yesterday on amend
ments to the Benton Water Power
company bill to dam the Snake river
At Five Mile rapids, proposed by SEN
ator Piles and Congressman Jones,
who called at the White House yes
terday morning. They submitted to
the president resume OF the whole
matter, as follows, which was taken
under advisement. President Roose-
welt probably will announce de-
ciaion soon.
''The proposed dam Is to be locat-
ed Ave miles above the mouth of the
Snake river at rapids where naviga-
tion Is almost impossible except dur
Ing high water. Its construction,
with the locks required. will be a
positive aid to navigation, and assum-
ing that the government will some
day improve this stretch of the river,
Il win save from $3.50. 900 to 81, 000,-
900 initial cost, besides saving the
cost OF perpetual maintenance. In
stead Of submitting proposition re-
uuiring that part OF the cost be
borne by the government. this COM
pany will expend all that Is necessary
to insure and maintain navigation.
The primary purpose OF this bill
IL the reclamation and irrigation OF
100000 10 10000 acres now as
much desert as Sahara. This is
home building proposition and
should be encouraged In every way
possible, and instead of imposing a
burden assistance should be given.
when reclaimed these lands will
be among the most productive In the
United States and will furnish homes
for many thousands of people and
greatly aid IN the development OF our
state, wealth and population. This
enterprise Ii all the more deserving
OF encouragement because after the
reclamation act was passed It was
hoped these lands would be re-
claimed. Surveys were made. private
enterprises were abandoned and
forced out Of the territory and the
reclamation service. II was believed
would do the work. But, upon full
survey and investigation. the cost
was deemed too great, the govern
ment abandoned the work, and this
seems to be the only hope for recla.
nation OF these lands. The govern,
ment will not do II for many years
and II should not prevent any private
enterprise from proceeding with II
II In not an enterprise merely foi
profit and 10 furnish comforts and
ronveniencas 10 a community al
ready existing. 1t will actually 10
cate homes and make communities
where none now exist aud where non,
can ever exist without Irrigation.
FOR these reasons. especially be
cause II - an irrigation enterprise o
magnitude. the president can approve
n consistently with his announced
policy, and In our Judgment he shouls
DO 40.
I'VE would not object, however, Il
the following amendments:
Provided. That the secretary o
war may annul the permit hereby
given II the work authorized be no
commenced within one year or com
pleted within three years. as proyid
"a by the general law.
That said company shall reney
or enlarge said locks from time L
time a. the secretary of war may re
quire IN the interest OF navigation.
That II any OF the power gener
ated by the work hereby permltte
shall be used for purposes other tina
irrigation and It's promotion the sec
Rotary OF war may. In the interest Q
the United States, require the pas
ment Of such sum annually as ma
be deemed reasonable on account d
the power used.
No time limit should be fixed ia
m enterprise Of this character. 2
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