The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-10-20
MILK RIVER VALLEY SETTLERS
URGED TO WRITE LETTERS
PRESIDENT L. NEWMAN OF THE WATER USERS ASSOClA'
TI0N STATES HOW TO HASTEN WORK ON DITCH.

A general depression prevails III
the Milk River Vally in reference to
the twenty millions of dollars now
available toward the completion OF
the Irrigation Projects under way
that the matter of recommending
the amounts to be allotted to the
various projects is left to the Army
Board of Engineers who Inspected
the Milk River Project recently.
Having the interest and progress
of the Milk Riv Project always IN
mind, it occurred to me recently TO
look into the matter and ascertain
our prospect for an allotment OF
part of this available money.
/ found that the prevailing I'M
preston is entirely wrong. That the
Army Board in it's report to the
President will simply refer to the
feasibility and condition of the Milk
River Project, number OF settlers on
the land. whether same is in private
or government ownership, prospects
for successful crop raising ana relm-
bursting the government for money
extended, etc., and such other lnfor-
nation as may relate to the MIX
River Project.
The allotment is left entirely to the
President and the Secretary OF the
Interior.
Under such conditions it is reason
able to expect that the projects
bringing the greatest pressure to
bear Oh the powers that be, are going
to he the most successful in getting
the money available. 1t is therefore
of the utmost Importance that the
people interested in our project get
busy, and bring every ounce of in
fuence and pressure to bear with
view of getting the share Of the mon
ey we are entitled to.
1t must be remembered that in
spite of the twenty millions availa-
BILE, that there will be still a defic-
iency of about fifteen millions to
complete the projects under con-
struction.
Collectively the people of the Milk
River Valley have through the lrrl-
cation and Water Users Assn. exer-
cised about all the energy and power
at its command, it is now in my;
Judgment extremely necessary for
the people each and all, to take the
matter up individually.
lam inclined to believe that the
best results to be obtained is by each
individual settler and land owner
writing letter to the President, the
Secy. of the Interior. our Represen-
tatives in Congress, the director OF
the Geological Survey, also Col. BID
die, Chairman of the Army Board
urging upon them the need OF the
completion Of the Milk River Fro
ject.
l believe that only such points as
are herewith enumerated should pe
touched in these letters.
Memorandum: .
Paragraph /: Either settler or land
owner.
Paragraph 2: Time of resloence'
waiting for irrigation water. Under
standing and reasons why land was
purchased or entered, with reference
to irrigation water, $50 settlers filed
on public land after it was With
drawn under the Reclamation act.
Presumably each one of these did so
with the full expectation that arec-
lamation project would be construct
ed.
Paragraph 8: Understanding as to
delay in commencing project due to
pending treaty negotiations which
were accomplished by the last con-
gress.
Paragraph 4: Comparative quan-
tity of crops raised since settling on
land with reference to crops which
could have been raised had irrigation
water supply been available, with
particular reference to the almost no
crop secured season 1910.
Paragraph 5. The effect on the
settlers or land owners interests,
and ability to get living to support
his family unless irrigation water is
available.
Paragraph 8. Statement that land
will unquestionably stand the neces.
sary construction cost of bringing
water from st. Mary's Lakes, and
desire and inclination on the part of
the settler or land owner to secure
the construction of the works at t he
earliest possible date.
Hon. William H. Taft,