East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-04-24

Iermistons old factlonal fight has
broken out with renewed vigor and
it seems altogether possible that the
old bitterness is to be reengendered,
The recent ruling of Secretary Of the
Interior Ballinger relative to the
squabble in the Umatilla Water Users
association is responsible for the
breaking out of hostilities and it is
alleged that oliver P. Morton, as at
torney for the government on the
project, is responsible for the ruling
of the secretary.
The decision of Ballinger, instruct
ing the reclamation service people to
recognize orders signed only by the
socalled "new" board of directors Of
the water users association, was fol-
lowed this morning by the filing Of
an injunction suit in the circuit court
for Umatilla county, by the members
of the old board. AS a result of the
filing of this suit, County Judge Gill;
land acting in the absence of Circuit
Judge Bean, has signed an order re-
straining the officers of the new"
board from attempting to collect any
funds or attempt to in any way tram
sact the business of the association.
1t is supposed that the attorneys for
he new board will demand an inn
mediate hearing so that the courts
will soon be called upon to decide
who are the regularly elected men,
bers of the board of directors.
While the old fight between the
two sides of the town is not supposed
to figure in the association squabble,
the leaders of the rival factions are
the same persons who have been the
leaders in the struggle for supremacy
almost since the origin of the town.
The Maxwell company and is support
ers of the west side of the townsite
are lined upon one side, while on the
other is the Newport and Skinner
people from the other side of the rail-
Dad track Mixed in the controversy,
however, are those having interests
IN both sides.
The misunderstanding in the asso-
iation is of long standing and dates
'ack to the time when the board Of
directors refused membership in the
association to certain persons who
we're alleged to have entered into
ontract with the Maxwell Land &
irrigation company and also with the
,J.,hcrn Pacific Railway company
or the / urc ase of land. As the as
ociat,cl Is compelled to guarantee
the soyc l.lent all payments for
rate: riShts Cf each of its members,
he board cf directors said they had
o way of knowing that these people
ltended to become bona fide land
wners or to pay for their water
ghts. Therefore by placing a strict
Interpretation upon that section of
he bylaws which said that only own
RS Of land or those who had taken
cps to acquire possession of the
nds, were eligible to membership,
lese persons being ruled out.
Though strenuous objection was
ade to this ruling of the board at
lie time, matters went on in this
amer until the time for the annual
ection' January 9. of this year. The
axwell people allege that the deny
g of membership to these persons
Is based on the animosity which the
ard entertained for the Maxwell
mpany.
1t was only natural therefore that
Maxwell people should make an
ort to get even and secure control
the board of directors. When the
nual meeting Of the association was
led to order at Hermiston, Janu-
H. T. Irwin, as president of the
ard was chairman. When the or