The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-11-11
TO ASSIST IRRIGATION
BONDS MAY BE ISSUED, OR GRAZ
ING LAW PASSED.
Estimated There Are 250,000,000 Acres
That Might Be Rented Out, There
by Bringing In Revenue.


mine next winter whether or not
bonds shall be issued by the govern
ment to raise $10,OO0,000 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 S1O,OOO,O0O available,
and there is immediate demand for
! $25, 900, 900. 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 BalIinger was in
Spokane, attending the Irrigation Con-
gress, Senator Borah discussed with
him the advisability of a bond issue to
raise s1O,OOO,OOO, or as much more as
might be deemed necessary.
BalIinger 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 a 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 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 a superiority 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 bond-issue move
ment, and having discussed it 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, it is probable that his
will be the bill chosen for adoption.
Provision for Redemption.
Any bonding legislation that is I'M
iertaken, if it is to be successful, will
have to provide that the
ponds issued shall be redeemed from
he reclamation fund Any plan which
proposes to redeem these bonds out of
he federal treasury is likely to be met
with opposition. When the reclama-
ion act was passed it was so framed, ,
It the insistence of eastern members, :
is to guard against future demands ,
icing made for direct appropriations
o augment the reclamation fund. A )
allure strictly to observe the terms OF
hat law in the apportionment Of funds ,
n times past has brought about the 6
present shortage, and the fact alone
will make it difficult to get through
my bill which directly or indirectly g
ttempts to take money out of the fed r
raj treasury, for use in the construc- t
ion of irrigation projects.
Grazing Lands May Be Leased. b
If congress is unwilling to author
ze a bond issue in order to raise adj Y
itional funds with which to hasten il
he completion of government irriga- h
ion projects now under way, there b
re other means of raising revenue
,hich may prove less Objectionable.