The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1913-09-30
Will DredSe
Spokane River
WILL COST HALF A MILLION DOLLARS
Biz Meeting Of Settlers Harrison Saturday Endorse
The Project With Enthusiasm

sponsible for all damage suits which
might arise from lowering the water.
lie stated that many property owners
In Spokane would be affected by the
Increased flow of water The matter
was generally discussed and the
point was made that by lowering the
water 1t could be kept under better
control and the district would be less
liable for damages than under the
present system.
L. Packer, of Springston objected
strenuonsly to the formation Of the
district as he said that it would bene
ht the Washington Water Power COM
pany. He characterized the company
rs foreign corporation aud declared
that their dam at Post Falls was the
source Of all the trouble. He was
supported in bis contention by a
number of the settlers.
Mr.. Darknell In answering this OBJ
iectlou said that the committee had
called upon the lumber companies
aud ali other interests which would
be benefited by the lowering Of the
water. lie said that they we're CON
vinced that the benefits derived by the
settlers aud the other interests would
be much greater than any that the
W. W. p. Co. would receive In fact
the only way in which the W. W. P.
%. would neneiit by the increased
flow OF water, would be at some tot
ure date when lmore water was needsd
for the gener @tiyA of power.
He also sta cd that IL the district
was formed Chat the Washington
Water Power company had verbally
agreed to reIeash ell easements upon
the overfowed lands providing the
settlers would build dykes. be said
they had also agreed to build power
lines and furnish the settlers with
electricity for pumping purposes
without cost.
at this time a resolution was in
troduced accepting the report Of the
committee and authorizing them to
continue with their work until the
district Was formed. Z. Durning of
Harrison objected to the introduction
OF the resolution at that time saying
that all points had not been taken up
and discussed. Upon his motion a
recess Of tne hour was taken to al
low time for further discussion be-
f1re acting upon the report Of the
committee.
The meeting convened again at
:OU O'Clock aud It was evident that
many Of the settlers who at the open
ing Of the meeting we're opposed to
the formation Of the district had had
their objections answered and doubt
ful points explained and we're strong
ly 10 favor of the project.
The obieclion was raised that the
district must be formed before the
settlers had a positive assurance that
the Washington Water Power COM
pany would do the work Of the dredg
ing and would not find some loophole
TO escape from the work aud lea, the
burden on the settlers The conten-
tlou was made that unless the settlers
received positive assurance that the
dam at Post Falls would be lowered,
the Washington Water Power com
pauy could absolutely refuse TO grant
any couoessions after the district was
formed
Iu answer Mr. Durning explained
that after the drainage district had
been formed by the court It onuld be
dissolved by the same court 10 case
the promists made wore not fulfilled.
Mr.. Doty ia his closing address
mentioned the work donated by the
committee and also said that the com
mittee had received promises OF lib.
sral financial support from most OF
the large interests affected by the
formation Of the district he sum
med up the facts that the work Of
dredging would be done absoluetly
free Of charge TO the district. He also
stated tnat the Washington Water
Power company had agreed to make
an advance Of 1.0Oo 70 cover the
expenses Uf forming the drainage dis
triet. This money is to be repaid
by the district when the contract to
do the work Is let.
The resolution was then introduced
an unanimously carried to form the
drainage district embracing all three
rivers ard to leave the present COM
mittee 10 charge until after the com
miaslonera had been appointed By the
court. A vote OF thanks WAS teuder
ed the committee I'm their work l7
fOonfiono5 an mace 4