East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-11-29

the sum of s45,757,91s.94. The cash
receipts from water-right charges to
June 80, 1909, were: Building
charges, $299,s41,22; operation and
maintenance charges, $70,S25.SS, to-
tai, $370,667.10. Because Of the
magnitude of the work and the de-
STABILITY Of making plans far in ad-
vance. 1t has been found necessary to
make estimates of the amounts that
Will become available before the ac-
tual receipts can be known. The es-
timated total receipts in the fund to
June 80, 1903, are $58,582,140.66.
Upon this basis, and estimated re-
ceipts which will become available
before December 81, 1910, $5,528.O5O
have been allotted for reclamation
purposes to December 81, 1910.
The discretion imposed by the act
also carries with It commensurate
responsibilities and obligations, which
my predecessors have carried out
with utmost fidelity to the public
good.
Some of the most important ele-
ments Of conservation of the natural
resources of the public domain lie
within the purview of this statute;
the dormant power of stream and
flood being conserved for the trans
formation of the desert into vast till
able areas.
The receipts from all sources do
not give encouragement that the fund
will be sufficiently replenlshed to en-
able an expeditions completion and
extension of existing projects or to
take up any new work. am not
in favor of the extension of the time
Of these payments, as eleven years
(Which the law practically gives)
without interest, in ten annual in
stallments, unless the cost of con-
struction is a greater burden than
the lands will naturally sustain.
Favors Bonding.
In view of the Importance of a
speedy completion OF existing projects
and their proper extension and of
the necessity in 1912 of an adjust
ment between the states by which
the major portion of the funds aris-
ing from the sale of public lands
within each state and territory shall
have been expended so far as practi-
cable within such state or territory,
and In view of the Importance of
making n beneficial use of waters al
ready appropriated or capable of ap-
preparation to which rights may be
lost for nonuse, ] believe an urgent
appeal should be made to congress
to authorize the issuance of certifi-
Gates of Indebtedness or OF bonds
against the reclamation fund to an
aggregate of not exceeding 100000
900, or so much thereof as may be
needed These certificates or bonds
should be sold by the treasurer of the
United States from time to time as
may be required by the secretary Of
the fund They should be redeem
able on call within a period of not
exceeding 10 years after issuance. The
proceeds should be devoted to the
completion of feasible existing pro-
ects and the construction of any fea-
sible extensions thereof. and so much
thereof as may be needed should be
devoted to the construction of new
projects in the states ana territories
in which the expenditures have not
met the requirements of section of
the act of June II, 1902. This is a
reaffrmation of my recommendation
to you from the field, August 2, 1909.
Among other amendments. an
amendment TO permit the assignment
Of homestead entries within projects,
a f+or o,4rv,,,o,, bavo cop, r,1ata5 five
years residence and cultivation and
made proof thereof, is recommended.
Alaska.
The rapid development of the min
eral wealth of Alaska and the estab-
lishment Of transportation facilities
is attracting and will continue to at
tract n constantly increasing perma-
~ iLaA