The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-06-25
SENATORS no INVESTIGATES IR.
RIGATION PROJECTS.
Chairman Carter Expects Trip TO Pro-
duce Valuable Information.
Drank w. ..unnor. J

Washington-The coming trip of
the senate committee on irrigation
and reclamation of arid lands, which
will begin at Chicago, on Tuesday
evening, August 81, will not be a
mere vacation jaunt. Senator Thomas
H. Carter of Montana, chairman of
the committee, has mapped out line
of investigation that will result in
the production of mass of valuable
information for the guidance of con-
gress in future legislation affecting
all of the many great irrigation pro-
jects. Under the terms of the SEN
ate resolution authorizing the COM
mittee to make this investigation,
Senator Carter and his colleagues are
empowered to send for persons and
4 papers, to administer oaths, to en-
ploy stenographer and to have such
1 printing done as the committee may
require"
The itinerary for the trip is prac-
| tically completed. After leaving Chi
cago the first stop for Investigation
purposes will be at Glendive, Mont,
the Lower Yellwstone project being
located Is miles northeast of that
point. The next stop will be to in
quire into conditions upon the Hunt
ley project in the southeastern part
OF Montana. From Huntley the party
will go to Cody, Wyo., and visit the
Shoshone project. The Sun river pro-
ject will be next visited, after which
Milk river will receive attention. The
Mink river project is especially i'm
portant in view of the fact that the
waters involved are international In
character, touching both the United
States and Canada. Two days will be
spent on the various sections Of this
project.
i Leaving Montana the party will
cross the narrow northern end of
Idaho and drop down to the Sunny
| side project in southeastern Washing
ton. After visiting the several Yaki-
ma valley projects the senatorial in
vestigators are scheduled to arrive at
Seattle on Monday, September 30, at
$40 a. m. Two full days will be
spent at Seattle in doing" the Alas
ka-Yukon- Pacific exposition, the par
| ty leaving Tuesday night for Portland
and thence for Hermiston, Ore, to
visit the Umatilla project. From UNA
ltilla the party will swing back into
Nevada, Idaho and Utah.
After spending several days In Ne
vada, Idaho, Utah and Colorado, the
party will again cross the Rockies,
larriving at Sacramento Monday, Octo-
Der II, where a reception will be
rendered them in the evening The
party will divide at Sacramento, part
going north to the klamath project
and the other part after visiting the
Iseveral California projects, will swing
back into Arizona and New Mexico,
winding up their trip at Denver on
Wednesday, October 81.
| Practically two months will be con-
sumed in these Investigations. Sena-
tor Carter has prepared a long letter,
addressed to the proper authorities
on all irrigation projects outlining
Iabout what the committee hopes to
get in the way of information, but
leaving all hands free to furnish any
additional facts they may desire. In
this letter Senator Carter says.
Owing to the large number of
projects to be visited and the limited
time at the disposal of the committee,
| 1T will not be possible to examine or
accord hearing to all members of
respective water users associations,
but at the same time it is very e.
sirable that the Judgment Of ALL as
expressed through the majirity,
should be ascertained
u For the purpose of economizing
time and securing the desired express
sions, respectfully request that the
water users be assembled in a public
meeting or series of meetings to dis
cuss such matters as they desire to
present to the committee, and that
their views be formulated in a con-
else statement In writing, the same
! to be presented by a committee OF
their members who will be prepared
to answer such questions as the COM
mittee may think proper to ask in
regard to the written statements or
any matter relating to your project"
A few Of the questions propounded
by the chairman follow:
us the existing reclamation law
satisfactory, and if not, in what re-
spect should it be amended"
is the administration of the law
by the reclamation service satisfac-
tory, and IL not, what are the objec-
tons and what remedy Is proposed"
rs your canal and distributing
system be reduced, and If so, in what
way and to what extent?"
"Can the water users, by employing
reasonable industry and economy,
promptly make all payments required
by the existing law"
What additional terms and condi-
tons, If any, should be imposed on
those who default In payment"
What are your present transporta-
ton facilities and are they adequate
and satisfactory"
Some members of the senate COM
mittee will not make the trip. Sec
rotary of the interior Ballinger will
be a member of the party for time
and when not present personally will
be represented by an employe of the
department. Director Newell and
Chief Engineer Davis of the reclama-
ton service will make the trip, so
far as at present known. Statistician
C. j. Blanchard of the reclamation
service Is in the field now making
final arrangements for visits to some