The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1909-12-16

OendtOr hiuTlrn anu optdhci Oauhoh,
the most powerful men in congress, are
opposed to any and all legislation look
ing to the lending of financial aid to
complete government irrigation prof.
ects now in course of construction.
They are opposed to bond issue; they
are opposed to a direct appropriation,
and are opposed to all other plans thus
far suggested.
Western Legislators most directly in
terested in this legislation are sadly di-
vided among themselves as to how
money should be raised for this pur-
pose. Some support the bond issue;
others favor a direct appropriation;
some want the government to issue in
terest-bearing warrants or certificates.
There is woeful lack of unanimity.
Taken together, these two conditions
do not augur well for the enactment of
piece of legislation for which the on
tire West is clamoring, and not the
least serious feature of the situation is
the disagreement among the men who
should be of one mind. With the West
presenting a divided front, and its
representatives in both branches of
Congress working at cross purposes,
the Legislation will most certainly fail
irrespective of the attitude of AIdrich
and the Speaker.
Efforts are now being made to get
the West together on the question, as
was done when the National irrigation
law was passed. For years Western
men had pressed their individual irriga
tion measures without chance of sue
cess. Finally, it was agreed that they
should get together, harmonize their
differences, work out bill upon which
all could unite, and then enlist the sup
port of the President. Then it was
passed, notwithstanding it met strong
opposition from the East.
Between now and January l, sena-
tors and representatives most earnest
In their desire to secure additional funds
with which to push forward the irriga-
tion work will attempt to bring about a
reconciliation of views on the part of
their colleagues. The leaders in this
movement are not hide-bound in sup
port Of any plan; what they want is
the money. They are willing to sup
port any form of legislation that will
stand the best chance of enactment in.
to law. All they ask is that the entire
West show like spirit, and, after a
series of conferences, agree upon a
plan to be pressed after the holiday re-
cess.
There is this to be said of the bond
issue: 1t has the direct and enthusias-
tic approval of the President and Adj
ministration. 1t offers a means of
raising money that will not in any way
be tax upon the Federal Treasury
a strong argument to be used with Eas-
tern members. 1t will provide money
as needed, and not take from circula-
tion money that cannot be Immediately
utilized. The main ojec, to the bond
issue is that it will increase the cost of
water to the settlers, because the set
tiers must pay the interest.
Among fair-minded men who have
made a study of the situation, the idea
is prevalent that Congress will not
make direct appropriation to aid in
this irrigation work, for several reasons.
To begin with, the condition of the Fed
eral Treasury is such that it can hardly
stand the strain. The regular appro-
priations to be made this session will be
heavy tax, and there will be strong
opposition to a plan that would deplete
the working balance to the extent nec-
essary for irrigation purposes.
The following the full text of the Ad
ministration's irrigation bond issue bill
as drafted by Senator Borah and Secre
tary Ballinger, and as introduced b,
the former:
BE it enacted (etc) that the Secreta
ry of the Treasury is hereby author
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