The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-02
N. D. men AT
WASHINGTON
Continued from page One


ment. A more economical admins
tration also would cause a great re-
ducrion In the maintenance of this
project. 1t is claimed.
When The government engineers
first began to figure at Belford- Tren-
ton they told the farmers of the vi
entity that their land could be re-
claimed for as little as s24 an acre and
that uhe water once upon it, that the
land would be worth $50 an acre.
This estimate, however, was later
raised to $50 an acre as the reclama-
ton cost, but with pomised inceased
valuation of 100 per cent the farmers
did not hesitate long to form the
necessary water users association and
join heartily in the undertaking.
The project was finally completed.
but 10 and behold, instead Of $50 the
farmers, if they want title to their
lands must pay $46 an acre. At the
reclamation service It is explained
that the engineers erred when they
made their preliminary estimates.
Further no information is volunteered.
The charge is also made that much
extra cost was incurred in the con-
struction o. canals; they having been
built too deep and necessitating con-
siderable reconstruction before they
could be utilized. Fault also has been
found with the ditch riders. The
charge that the government is pay
ing the miners engaged in coal dig
ging a fiat sum day without regard
to the amount of work done is also
made. 1t should be remembered In
this connection that the coal with
which they operate the Buford- Tren-
ton plant is mined on the premises
1t is claimed that this method is un-
business-like and that coal could be
hauled from points forty and fifty
miles distant and be bought cheaper
that what 1t costs the government by
the system now in vogue.
AS Secretary Ballinger in his an
nual report announced himself in IA
vor of making exceptions with regard
to payments in certain cases it is
thought that arrangements will be
made whereby the farmers in ques-
tfon will be permitted toextend their
tion will be permitted to extend their
the customary ten year limit.
Farrar Corn Enthusiast.
Bob Farrar, the popular young pri-
vate secretary to Senator McCumber
is strong believer in the rotation OF
crops in North Dakota as well as. else
where. He recently cited instances OF
the wonderful inroads corn is making
in the northwest South Dakota, he
said, twenty five years ago did not
raise a stalk Of corn, yet today this
state is raising 100000 bushels and
more. In North Dakota, lie said, one
third of the former wheat area has
been turned over to corn with splen-
did results.
Don't Like Thompson's insurgency.
Senator CuIberson of Texas and
leader of the democratic minority In
the senate has prepared lecture for
the especial benefit of Senator Foun-
tain Thompson of North Dakota, II
current reports are reliable. At least
Thompson's views on insurgency
don't strike a responsive chord in the
hearts OF the democratic leaders, In
washington. These leaders seem GO
think that If Thompson is a democrat
he should fight the battle OF democ-
racy rather than help the g. O. p. out
of the hole. There has been entirely
too much of this sort of thing going on
in our party said one OF the leading
members Of the minority recently,
and I for one shall endeavor to have
a stop put to It."
Tt 10 certain that democratic eau
Gus will be held shortly at which
time Senator Thompson I'LL be given
an opportunity to tell his colleagues
how he stands, He will be bound by
the caucus action or else read himself