The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1913-10-07


along the st Joe and st Maries rivers
we're very much disappointed when
they learned Of Judge Duun's deci-
sion that there was fatal defect in
the passage of the drainage law which
made II of no effect and left the state
without any law under which drain
age district could be created.
At first they were very much dis
oouraged and it was proposed to drop
the matter until after the meeting of
the next Legislature, but william
D0ty. chairman and A. A. Darknell,
secretary of the committee appointed
at the Harrison meeting would not
let the matter drop II there was any
possible chance of finding any means
by which It could be carried through.
After consultation with the lawyers
engaged by the committee they be-
leived they had found a solution Of
the difficulty If the Washington Water
Power company, the niue owners of
the Occur d'Alenes aud the saw mill
interests along both rivers would con
tinue the support that they had
promised the drainage district pro
jeot. The plan as outlined by them
aud submitted TO those interested
contemplates the dredging of the
Spokane river rs previously planned,
at once. and TO leave the dyklng of the
river until after the legislature meets
and passes a drainage district law
that will hold water.
In order to do this they plan to get
the property owners along the lake
and river TO individually sign release
for all damages that might arise from
lowering the water in the lake and
rivers. This, they figured, would
not be difficult as It Is not low water
that these ranchers are complaining
of but high water. 1t Is that, that
does the damage and which they are
anxious TO find some means of guard
Ing against.
After they had matured their plans
to a certain extent they submitted
them to the Washington Water Power
company. After submitting the pro
position to It's attorneys, the com
pany agreed to stand by its original
offer and to dredge the river provid
Ing the residents along the lake and
river would sign a release from dam
ages from lowering the water.
There had been considerable opposi-
tlon raised to the original plans in
Occur d'Alene from the fear that The
water In the lake might be lowered
so that there would be a long stretch
Of sand on the shore and that steam
boats could not get up to the docks.
In order to do away with this op-
posltl6p and all chance for damage
from n lowering Of the water In the
lake the company agreed to 90 further
and so give bond not to at any time
lower the water In the lake heloW a
certain level, this level to be agreed
upon by the interested parties.
The Red Collar Line owns praotl-
oally all of the boats on the lake, ex
cept the pleasure crafts, and this ar
rangement is satisfactory to it and
that company is willing to sign a
release OF damages under those con
ditlons. It is generally believed
that there will be no trouble with
any Of the large interests along the
lake or rivers, especially as anything
that will drop the continual high
water Ia the spring will be a benefit
TO them.
Mr.. Darknell and Mr. Doty we're
at Wallace Friday and received as
suEanne of support from some Of the
mine owners who are interested in
keeping the water down so that their
tailings will not overflow on to the
meadows Of the ranohers along the
river.
It seems to be the general opinion
that this plan is feasible and that the
giving Of the bond by the Washington
Water Power company to not lower
the water In the lake below a certain
level removes all serious objections
while the proposed dredging Of the
channel will permit the high water to
? escape without doing any damage
and will settle the whole overflow
question.
Evenwith this dredging done It may
and probably will be necessary to
dyke along the st. Joe river, bui
these dykes will moi have to be sl
high and It will be easy to ascertain
just how much dyklng will be neces-
sary. This information can be oh
talned by the time that 8 law Il
passed so that drainage districts can
theu be formed.
This scheme is TO be pushed al
once. The residents along the river
had an experience last spring Will
high water that they do not Wish &
see repeated, and feel that the sUonei