Imperial Valley press., 1912-03-20
SLIDING SCALE TO
SAVE YUMA LANDS

scheme behind what is perhaps the
ever launched by the United States
government or any one else was an
nounced yesterday by the local land
office officials as having been finally
approved by the department of the
| interior, says the Los Angeles Times
1t is one which will save to hundreds
of settlers in the Colorado river coun-
try their entire fortunes, staked on
| their ability to repay the government
for the gigantic irrigation plant of the
Yuma reclamation project, built for
their benefit
Already far behind in their annual
payments because of the unfavorable
conditions of the past two years, near
! ly two hundred of the settlers faced
the prospect of losing everything they
had through forfeiture on the agree
ment undertaken. In radically chang
ing the arbitrary sums specified as
annual payments for an easy sliding
scale, the government has taken a
step almost without precedent but one
whose effect will be the saving of the
entire project.
Original Plan
Under the original arrangement
made between the government and the
entrymen the latter were to pay a
total of $55 per acre for irrigation
privileges and at the end of ten an
Dual payments of $3.50 per acre each
all further payments would cease, and
the plant would belong to the land
owners. The government advanced
the money for the project and was
to be repaid by the annual Install
ments.
The first payment of $3.50 per acre,
due December 1, 1910, was paid on
each 40 acres (the entries being linn
tied to that area), but when the next
payment was due many of the entry
men defaulted. A great deal of the
land was sown to alfalfa, and, on ac-
count of the dry weather prevailing
at the time, there were no crops worth
mentioning.
An appeal was made to the commits
sioner of the general land office for
an extension of time and this was
granted, to run until the 18th inst. but
on that date it was apparent that
many of the entrymen would be un-
able to pay up on account of the
backward season of the hay crop. So.
in response to an appeal for assist
'ance. the government has made a
radical change in the annual payments
but the price per acre is increased
from $55 to S66 an acre, to be paid
during the term of ten years. This
new schedule only applies to those
who are at this time delinquent and
desire more time. Entrymen able to
pay under the old charge of $3.50
per acre as provided under the first
arrangement will be allowed to do so.
The New Rates
The following is the schedule of new
rates approved by the general land
Office: First installment (paid), $3.50
per acre; second, 81; third, 50; fourth,
$3.50; fifth, So sixth, 81; seventh,
SO; eighth. $40; ninth, $11; tenth, $12.
Under this arrangement delinquent
entrymen will now only be compelled
to pay 81 an acre instead of $3.50, but
the closing payments will be largely
increased, the theory being that as
the land is cultivated and grows in
value it will be easier for the entry
men to pay the water stock assess
ment. The payments are made small
in the beginning in order to assist
the families who are trying to make
homes in that section, at a time when
crops are uncertain, and as in many
cases but a small portion of the pur-
chase is under cultivation.
The order provides also that the
new rates shall apply in cases where
prior entries are cancelled and new
entries are made without written as
signment of credits for payments
made. Failure to comply with the no.
tice given will render existing home
stead entries and water right appli-
cations for public lands or water right
applications for lands in private own
ership subject to cancellation with
the forfeiture of all rights and OF al.
money paid.
= An entryman against whose claim
there is no pending charge of non
compliance with the law may relin-
Quish his entry to the United States
and assign in writing to a prospect
i've entryman any credits he may have;
such assignee to have the right to
continue his payments at the same
building charge. The same condition
exists as to lands privately owned,
The order further states that no bene-
fit of a smaller charge than that fixed
in the notice at the time OF filing shall