Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1910-11-18
IRRIGATION QUESTION
SHOULD BE SETTLED

The four column and half letter
written by Harry D. Irwin. the attor-
ney of the minority stockholders OF
the Golden Drift Mining company,
published in last Sundays Courier,
has been pretty thoroughly read by
the people Of this city and county
H. L. Gilkey, president of the Jose
phine County Irrigation & Power
company, was asked yesterday by a
representative of The Courier what
he thought Of the letter, and in reply
he facetiously answered: why, l
think It was very long letter" But
continuing in more serious vein, he
spoke at some length as follows:
II see no reason for any discus
sion OF the matter by me. The pub
lie generally are fully conversant
with all OF the proceedings of the
Josephine County Irrigation and Jow-
er company and know that every
step that has been taken In accord
ance with their wishes and for the
interests Of the water users. We
shall in the future, as in the past,
maintain a neutral position as to the
conflicting interests Of the various
factions and not be drawn into any
controversy or litigation unless It be
In order to protect our rights.
II regret to note in Mr.. Twins
letter that he seems to have the i'm
preston that our company is un-
friendly to their interests. This is
certainly not the case. We fully
realize that they have interests and
rights that must be respected. Moth
ing would suit us better than to see
speedy adjustment Of their differ
ences for their own good and the well
fare Of the valley. We do not feel,
however, that we are justified in
taking any part that would involve
us in litigation.
"On October II, 1909, after sew
eral interviews, the irrigation COM
pany made Mr.. George r. Sanders
proposition, conditioned upon his
ability to perfect an organization of
Chicago stockholders and carry out
Ia plan for irrigatlng the valley, We
considered the terms extremely lib
eral and they were perfectly salts
factory to Mr.. Sanders, Nothing re-
suited from this negotiation.
"1f the Chicago stockholders have
at any time been in position to offer
any solution to the irrigation ques-
tion Of this valley we have not been
advised of It. On the contrary, on
May 26, 1902 a committee of the
said stockholders forwarded us a
formal protest against our doing
business under our contract with the
Golden Drift Mining company. Said
protest was signed by VIM. thinner
man, F. Mellst and A. E. Strock.
When the suit was brought which Is
now pending between the said stock
holders and the Aments they alleged
that we had no contract with the
Golden Drift Mining company.
"These things, together with Mr..
Phillips attitude when he visited the
valley some months age, make us
feel that they had no desire for any
negotiations with us. Mr.. Phillips
made an appointment with myself for
the purpose OF talking over the az
fairs OF the several concerns and not
being able to keep the first date
fixed a second date when we should
meet AS to the reason OF his not
keeping the second appointment We
have not been advised up to this
time, but presume that he was toe
busy to give us any attention.
"Our only reason for appearing IL
print in the form OF n resolution from
our company was that our people
might not be misled and persuaded
to take stock In a concern the claims
OF which we considered questionable
We think we are perfectly justified
and have the approval Of the Who'll,
community, so far as we know, II
the stand that we took.
II believe the time is fully rip,
when all concerned should cease thei
litigation and get down to a work
ing basis by the formation OF a con
cern to take over the several inter
csts and perfect a scheme OF irriga
tion for the valley. That all ma,
be properly protected who hay
rights, no iairer way appeals to M
than the selection OF an unblase,
board OF arbitration az least on
member OF which should he com
petent engineer OF unuuestloned In
togrity, one member an attorney, an,