The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1913-05-16
JAS. ]. Hill MAKES
SIGNIFICANT
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roads contributing $4,000. a year. Fol-
loving the enactment of the law, Max
well went around among the settlers
on the projects getting people to sign
up their lands so the government
could begin the work"
Coming to Montana, Mr.. Hill said
that there was no better farming
country in the United States than in
the Milk river valley.
People in Canada are being at
tracted by it and are coming across the
boundary" said Mr.. Hill. Many of
them are Canadians who have applied
for citizenship papers. There are not
so many people going to Canada now
as there were. Some farmers are go
ing into Canada. They are able to sell
their lands in Iowa and other middle
west states for SIS to 500 an acre. and
can go across the border and buy Can
adian land for $10."
Pleads for Settlers.
Then Mr.. Hill made his plea for the
settlers on the Milk river project!
There hasn't been much work done
on that project declared Mr.. Hill,
land the people have been waiting
twelve years for the government to
bring water on their land Twelve
years is a long time. But that is
water gone over the dam. What the
people there want is to have the re-.
calmation service so forward with,
their, constructions"
Some work is being done there
now,' said Secretary Lane.
But how much?" asked Mr.. Hill.
This was put up to Mr.. Davis. EN- ::
gineer of the reclamation service, who
said that considerable work had been
don on the Dodson canal.
a But how much has been done on
the st. Mary's canal?" Mr.. Hill per-
sisted.
'I myself have been over that pro-
ject, and can state that twelve miles
of main canal have been constructed
was the answer supplied by Director
Newell of the reclamation service. On
this Mr.. Hill made no comment, but he
said: For the benefit of the settlers
would like to see this work finished.
The people have signed up. They re-
lied upon the governments promises.
The work should be finished or else the
land should be released SO that it can
be improved by the people themselves
Mr.. Hill was interrogated by Direc-
tor Newell, who, in the course of the
examination, mentioned the fact that
government contracts were executed
on an eight hour basis. instead of ten
hours, as on private contracts or for
railroad construction.
4 That's a good reason why the gov
ernment should get out of the business
of constructing irrigation works, said
Mr.. Hill.
Reasons for Delayins Work.
Incidental to Mr.. NeWells cross sex
animation, the director of the reclanla-
tion service gave as the reason for de-
laying work. that President Roosevelt
had determined that no work should
be done there until three things had
been accomplished First, more money
should be appropriated. This require
nlent was met BY the enactment of the
irrigation bond issue law. Second, d
treaty should be made with Canada
for the division of waters of the Milk
river. This was finally accomplished
and each country Is getting half the
flow. Third, there should be d settle
nlent of disputes over water rights.
along the river. This also has been
effected, aecordir to MI SewelI Az
Following Mr. Hi II s. examination Il {
was stated by officials of the recla.slsl-
tion service hat 4 large contract for
work On the N Ills ri yer project MAS
q