The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-23
RECLAMATION WORK
MAY BE ABANDONED
Senate Committee FavorS
Withdrawal of Government
From Western Projects.
By ]. c. wELLIvER.

That there is going to be a determined
fight in Congress this winter, prac-
tically to reverse the whole irrigation
and reclamation program Of the Gov
eminent, has been made apparent re-
Gently
Senator Borah of Idaho confirmed in
a general way the impression which
has been giving worry to the Reclama-
ton Service, by some observations de
livered at the White House today,
The Senate Committee on Irrigation
took trip through the West during
the summer, visiting the various
projects. Members OF the party gave
out emphaticaly the impression that
they favored a gradual withdrawal of
the Government from a dominating par
ticipation in these activities. and re
turn 10 the plan of letting private en-
terprise do most Of the reclamation
work hereafter.
Senator BOrah this morning said he
understood that to be about the view
OF the committee. It was regarded, he
said. as preferable for the Government
10 handle only those projects in which
II might be difficult TO enlist private
capital and to allow private enterprise
10 handle those ii was willing TO take
up on business basis.
Ouly DUBIOUS FlOJSCLs.
In its simplest terms, the friends OF
reclamation out West are saying. this
means that the Government will handle
only the dubious projects of which the
outcome is more or less doubtful. while
private enterprise viii be permitted 70
take up those IN which profits are
easy and apparent 1t is pointed out
that there is still a vast field for these
activities, and that the demand 1OI
sr-F-f z-lf ~ = NJ nHnVlf
increases who know how TO farm them
is growing all the time.
Secretary Ballinger has made clear
that he is in sympathy with the largest
possible enlistment OF private enter
prise in this business. The committees
of Senate and House viii agree VIII
him: but the people Of the West WI
not, If reports from that section are &c
be trusted. The people, instead OF hay
ing the irrigation opportunities turned
over 10 corporations. want the Govern
ment 10 improve and modernize the
reclamation act and so ahead with the
work.
Much Suffering Caused.
The lack Of available funds has inter
feerd with work on some of the big
projects, causing much suffering among
people who took lands in the expecta-
ton of holding them till wafer should be
turned on and they would become vaiu-
able. Senator -BOrahs said the commit
S30,000,G00 in bonds TO complete the thir-
Ty-tWO projects in which the Reclama-
ton Service is now engaged The Sc
curiJy will be the receipts Of the service
from lands and water. But with the
Government guaranteeing the bonds
they can be sold at per cent
After this much is done the Govern
memt will withdraw as much as pos
sible from reclamation, If the policy of
the committees is adopted.
It is urged that private capital can
do the work more rapidly and IS anle 10
give better Inducements TO settlers, &c
help them perfect titles sooner. and in
various ways 10 place settlers IN an at
fitude OF Independence more readily
than the Government can do. There is
going 10 be a determined fight against
this program, for the Western people
have more confidence in the ReClama-
lion Service than in private enterprise,
They want the Carey act amended SO
that the Government may treat settlers
as well as it enables private corpora
tons TO treat them.
This question OF a sharp reversal OF
policy ia irrigation is now threatening
10 bring 10 q climax the whole con-
serVdtlOn controversy sooner than any
other phase can do so. Secretary Bal
fingers plans vii be outlined IN his
report 10 Congress. They Will have the
backing OF powerful business interests
throughout the intermountain and Pa
ciflc States