The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-06-14
Mr.. CHASE'S REPORT.


report of Mr.. Marvin Chase, the engi-
neer engaged to examine into the feas-
ibility Of the East and West Okanogan
Valley Irrigation projects, and submit
an estimate upon the probable cost.
In conjunction with that report adver-
tisements appear calling for an elec-
tion on Saturday June 20, to vote
bonds to complete the proposed sys-
tens. which are SO dependent upon
each other as to be almost one enter
prise. The report as published covers
that portion Of the projects lying and
being ON the west side OF the Okan-
ogan river and Osoyoos lake, but to all
intents and purposes the report cover
Ing the east side Is similar in it's gen.
eral character. The estimate as given
In the report places the cost of install
>lation at something In the neighbOr-
hood of $50 per acre. Since this re-
port was submitted these figures have
been revised, and the cost will run
under the amount stated. Practically
the same amount Of land will be cov-
cred on both sides Of the river, count
Ing the Indian allOtmentS on the east
side. the total area being considerable
over 10000 acres. 1t is stated that the
cost on the east side, when all the
land Is included. will be much nearer
$45 per acre than 1t will $50 Mr..
Chase pronounces the proposition to
be one OF the most favorable that has
ever come under his observation the
land being ideal for fruit growing,
equal In every respect to any land de-
voted to orchard purposes in eastern
Washington
One very important feature of the
estimate should be understood by ev-
cry person interested In the projects.
and that Is. that Mr.. Chase has made
his calculations on q basis that will
complete the work to the most minute
detail. Usually the cost of these ir-
rigatio0 projects, to be carried out on
large scale. are estimated simply
upon the completion of the main ditch
es and fumes, but in this case the
engineer includes every lateral carry
ing water to each and every 40 acre
subdivision under the main canals, even
including the measuring boxes both
at the main ditch and at each 40 acres.
Besides considering every detail that
enters into the cost Of construction,
Mr.. Chase has calculated the water
supply upon Q basis Of water distri-
button per acre three times greater
s% thar 81 y ap2Aallz ellowsd ', xhsn tsSsing
This liberal provision for water is
made In order to absolutely insure all
the land with sufficient water for ev-
cry need In the dryest seasons, so
that there will be no ground for COM
plant of shortage in the future. Fur
thermore this volume of water will
meet every requirement that may
arise In the future as every acre avail
able may be utilized for production
All unnecessary expense has been
pruned on In this estimate, but great
care has been taken to provide suf-
fcient means for installing first
class and permanent system Of canals,
diches. fumes. pipe, etc.
Land owners within the boundaries
OF the proposed districts will vote on
the proposition of bonding Saturday,
June 20. 1t Is hardly possible that a
single negative vote will be cast. Ev.
erybody realizes what the completion
OF the systems mean in the way of in
creased valuations. the great advan-
tage 1t will be to the individual prop
erty holders, and what factor the
reclamation of SO much land would be
In the Improvement OF the valley and
upbuilding of Oroville. Land that is
now Of little or no value will at once
command a high price. value that
1t could command under no other cir
cumstances. 1t means the making of
10000 unproductive acres the most
productive In the state. 1t will pro-
vide means Of support for dense
population In this part OF the Okanog-
an valley. 1t will mean a rapid trans
formation Of all the country immed-
lately under the ditch. In this con-
nection 1t must be remembered that
the most vital point for the cOnsidera-
ton Of land owners Is that II they
refuse to accept this proposition it
may be years before another oppor-
tunity will be presented to secure wat
er for their land. and probably never
again under such favorable conditions.
Time for action is now. Fruit lands
are In demand. Other districts in the
state with far less advantages than
this section In the way of desirable
situation and fertility of soil, are 60
ing ahead with reclamation projects
and making the land valuable. A
further postponement would be ser
ious mistake at this time. Those di-
rectly interested cannot afford to let
the chance slip. and the vote regis
tered on Saturday, June 20, should be
unanimous In favor Of the bond issue
~os----