The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1910-03-25

A special dispatch to The Salt Lake
Tribune says that the fate of the rec
lomation work on the semi-arid lands
If the west and northwest trembles
in the balance. The house committee
on WAYS and means does not seem
favorably disposed toward the issue
oi 500, 900, 900 certificates of indebted
ness Tor the completion of the projects
under way, and may refuse to report
the bill
President Taft gave hearty support
to this plan of raising money that ac-
tual settlers on the projects and those
contemplating settlement might have
water for irrigation at the earliest pos
siblc moment. The settlers are to pay
the money back to the federal treasury
and the ssue will not increase the pub
lie debt. The senate has passed the
bill authorizing the issue. The men,
hers of congress from the sections of
the country to be benefited are clamor-
ing for money and the resultant i'm
provements and settlement of the
lands. but the house committee hest
tate.
OF VITAL IMPORTANCE.
Upon the issue of these $50, 100000
certificates of indebtedness, to be re-
funded TO the government in five years
depends the opening to cultivation of
about 100000 acres of land, the
building OF all the homes these acres
will provide for homeseekers, the sur
plus products of these rich lands, that
may come into the markets to assist
in feeding the overgrowing army of
urban consumers. Throughout this
country there is distress over the ex-
cesslve cost of the necessities of life.
hose who handle the necessities main
tain that the high prices are due to
lack of supply, and the great econo-
mists are pleading for a return to
the farm.
The contest over the issuance of the
certificates OF Indebtedness has called
attention to the reclamation work that
is going on. 1t is not understood
practically unknown in the east. In
the western sections of the country
i is being followed with the keenest
interest by those who have tailed and
thirsted for water.
In the projects that have been I'M
dertaken by the reclamation service
the total acreage to be irrigated is
3,O37 ,961, of which 722,275 acres are
under irrigation. The estimated to.
tai cost of the work $119,O 100000, OF
which $48,OOO,OOO has been invested
in the projects, leaving ST. 100000 tc
be expended before the projects are
completed.
DEALING WITH BIG FIGURES.
The annual receipts from the irri
ated lands paid over by the settlers
on the projects are 100000. II
five years these receipts would aggre
gate $35,0O0,O0O, even should there
be no increase, but each year they in
crease. 1t is est mated, therefor
that the 100000 asked of congress
with the receipts from the settlers il
the next five years, would total tht
$71,000,000 needed to complete tn
work. The repayment of the loan b,
the government from receipts collects
on the projects would be matter o
ony few years. The estimated an
nual receipts of the service after al
projects are completed will be $l5
0OO,00O
1t is estimated that the total valu
of the land on the various project
sought to be irrigated would approx
mate 1898, 435, 900. Without irriga
ton it has no value. The charge 70
the land is computed by the reclama
ton service on the cost of the in
provements Lands which sold fe'
years ago to settlers for $50 and 80
an acre can not now be bought fo
$4,000 or $4,000 an acre. Hundreds