The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-11-13
TO ASSIST IRRIGATION
BONDS MAY BE ISSUED, OR GRAZ
ING LAW PASSED.
Estimated There Are 25O, 1000, 900 Acres
That Might Be Rented Out, There
by Bringing in Revenue.


1t will be up to congress to deter
mine next winter whether or not
bonds shall be issued by the govern
ment to raise $1O,0OO,OOO or more to
hasten the completion of federal irri-
cation projects now under way. 1t
has become evident that without some
such assistance, work on many of the
projects will drag along indefinitely
There is only $10,000,000 available,
and there is immediate demand for
$25,00O,000. Unless some method is
provided for increasing the amount to
be expended next season, the work of
the reclamation service will be seri-
ously crippled, and many settlers now
residing on unfinished projects will be
subjected to more or less hardship.
When Secretary Ballinger was in
Spokane, attending the Irrigation Con-
gress, Senator Borah discussed with
him the ACCESSIBILITY of bond issue to
raise $10,00O,O00, or as much more as
might be deemed necessary.
BaIlinger Is Reticent.
The secretary did not commit him
self then, and since his return from
Spokane has not been willing to make
any public statement with regard to
the proposition. But it is known that
he appreciates the Importance of aug
menting the reclamation fund in some
practicable manner, for he realizes
the desirability of fastening the COM
pletion of the unfinished projects, and
it is assumed that If congress calls
upon him for his views, he will cor
daily indorse any proper legislation
to this end.
Whether or not there shall be bond
issue is purely a congressional ques-
ton. Beyond pointing out the condi-
ton of the reclamation work, and the
urgent need for more money, it is not
the function of the secretary of the
interior to act
Too Many Bills VIII Be Offered.
But a sufficient number of senators
and representatives from the west will
be interested in the subject to see that
the right kind of bills are introduced,
and once introduced, will see that they
are referred to Secretary Ballinger for
report. If anything, there is likely to
be supernuity of legislation pro-
posed; the trouble will come In select
ing the best bill from among all that
are offered. Senator Borah, having
taken the lead in this hond-issue move
ment, and having discussed 1t with
Secretary Ballinger, will probably Of
fer the first bill of the kind in the SEN
ate, and because OF his reputation as
a lawyer, and his understanding with
the secretary, 1t is probable that his
will be the bill chosen for adoption.
Provision for Redemption.
Any bonding legislation that is un-
dertaken, If 1t is to be successful, will
probably have to provide that the
bonds issued shall be redeemed from
the reclamation fund. Any plan which
proposes to redeem these bonds out OF
! the federal treasury is likely to be met
with opposition. When the reclama-
ton act was passed 1t was so framed
at the insistence of eastern members
as to guard against future demands
being made for direct appropriations
to augment the reclamation fund. A
failure strictly to observe the terms OF
that law in the apportionment of funds
in times past has brought about the
present shortage, and the fact alone
will make it difficult to get through
any bill which directly or indirectly
attempts to take money out of the fed.
eral treasury, for use in the construc'
ton of irrigation projects.
Grazing Lands May Be Leased.
II congress is unwilling to author
ize bond issue In order to raise ad
ditlonal funds with which to haster
the completion of government irriga
ton projects now under way, ther'
are other means OF raising revenu,
which may prove less Objectionable