East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-04-23

That plans are now being worked
out for the reclamation of $4,000
acres OF land in this county was STAT
ed by Col. w. G. Ronald of Seattle in
the oregon Daily Journal of yester-
day. The article in full is as follows:
Tremendous impetus is to be given
eastern Oregon irrigation projects
through the combined efforts of local
and Chicago capitalists. Colonel w.
G. Ronald of Seattle, who for 26 years
has been identified with railroad con-
struction and arid land reclamation
in Washington and Oregon, was in
Portland yesterday comforting with
leading business men here on plans
for the immediate reclamation of co.
900 acres in Unatilla county. He left
today for Chicago where he will re-
port the present condition of affairs
to promoters who have agreed to
spend ultimately several million dol
lars in reclaiming the arid lands of
eastern Oregon.
Colonel Ronald at the Perkins last
night, admitted that an irrigation
scheme of unusual magnitude was be-
ing considered by local and Chicago
capitalists, for all of whom he is
acting.
Chicago business men especially,
are interested in the project" said
Colonel Ronald. 'They are prepared
to make immediate investments as
soon as our plans can be put through.
Based on experience of a quarter of a
century I have assured them that an
investment in reclamation projects in
eastern Oregon will bring mammoth
returns. Land that is not worth IS
per acre now with water will be worth
worth all the way from $500 to $1,000
per acre.
The Umatilla river will supply all
the water needed for the fruit $4,000
acres which is to be irrigated. In
fact, most of the water for the pro-
ject which We now have under way
can be brought with comparative ease
from this stream. The first expendi-
ture will be not less than $1,000 900.
As soon as the first $4,000 acres have
been watered the money from the sale
Of the lands will be reinvested in a
larger irrigation project for which We
are already preparing. By this means
he original capital can be increased
md kept constantly working"
Colonel Ronald was at the head Of
, company which irrigated the Kit
itas valley in Washington. He had
been connected with the Chicago. Mil
& st. Paul railroad. and is
an expert in reclamation.
His presence in Portland yester-
lay was the cause of considerable
speculation along local business men
who know of his connection with the
eastern Oregon irrigation scheme.
Colonel Ronald will return to Port
and in about three weeks"
Where Is The Land?
Inquiries among prominent irriga-
ionists in this city and in the west
nd of the county fail to disclose any
ming further regarding the proposed
'roject. Carl McNaught secretary of
he Umatilla waterusers' association
nd who is from Seattle. stated that
lie does not know Col. Ronald. How
Yer he says he may be one of the
irm of Ronald, Ballinger & Shipley
{ Seattle, the Ballinger being the
resent secretary of the interior.
Nor is anything known concerning
he location Of the $4,000 acres spoken
t by Col. Ronald But southwest Of
he Umatilla river in the west end of
MS county lies an immense body Of
md that is open for reclamation. At
ne time the land was withdrawn
'om entry by the government. But
has since been restored to entry
nd consequently a private irrigation
Dncern may enter the field should it
esire to do so.