Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-22
To Complete
Eastern Oregon
Irrigation Work

introduced in the house, probably by
one of the members Of the house ir-
rigation committee, a bill to appro-
pirate 100000 in state funds to carry
to completion the big irrigation pro-
ject in Crook county known as the
Columbia Southern project.
This bill has already been drawn up
and is only awaiting the proper time
for its introduction. If adopted, it
would put into effect the most far
reaching reclamation program ever
attempted in this state.
The bill is intended as state sub
stitute for the Carey act, the work
ing of which under federal supervis-
ion was so bitterely condemned at
the recent irrigation congress in
Portland. 1t would bring relief to
upwards Of 1000 settlers who filed on
land under the terms of the Carey act
but have been unable to get water,
and open the way for the coming Of
many others.
Under its provision the state would
at once advance the money needed
and the state water board, created in
1909, would finish the reclamation of
both the lands included in Oregon
desert selection list No. 13 and pri-
vate lands in the Columbia Southern
project. The money is intended even
tually to be paid back dollar for dol
lar by the settlers with an additional
$5 for each acre in the project to go
into the state reclamation fund.
State viii Have Lien.
To insure this repayment it is set
forth in the bill that q valid lien IN
favor of the state shall exist against
each settlers tract until the last cent
has been paid.
This money is all to be paid in
within 10 years, with interest on de-
ferred payments at per cent annual
| ly. There is also to be an annual
maintenance fee to be fixed by the
board In addition to all this, further
to secure the state against loss, each
purchaser of the private lands in the
Columbia Southern project must give
the state a first mortgage on his
property as security for the payments
under the contract
Each purchaser will acquire a pro-
Iportionate interest in his land as his
payments are made, the reclamation
system to be transferred to the set
tiers with the water rights, as a ma
jority Of the lands are fully paid for
Failure to pay principal and inter
} est promptly for six months aftel
! proper notice may result in cancella
tion OF the contract by the board
which may reopen the land for otheI
; entry and resell the water rights
though the board is to have discre
tion in granting extensions to deserv
ing persons.
To Perfect Title First.
The maintenance fees from the set
tiers are to be used in maintaining
the project, while funds received from
the sale of water rights are to bt
deposited in the general fund of thu
state until all the states expenses II
the project have been paid. After tina
additional money received from thii
source is TO go to the reclamation
fund.
To supervise the construction anC
operation Of the reclamation work II
the project, the water board Is di
rected by the bill to appoint a projec
engineer at a salary left TO It's discre
tion to fix. His plans must be ap
proved by the board.
Before work Is begun, however, tn,
board is directed to take steps to per
feet the title Of the state to the Co
lumbia Southern project.
The $4,000 appropriation carrlet
by the bill is to become immedlatel!
available out Of the states genera
, fund.
One Of those instrumental in fran
, ing the bill is ]. NJ. B. Gerging, o
[ Laidlaw, Crook county, a prominen
81 figure at the recent irrigation con
| gress. He has been in conference 70
several days with members Of tn
House committee Of which j. r. Hin
{ lle, Of Umatilla county is chairman
, Other members Of the committee ar
Forbes Of Crook, Homan Of Harne
, and Malheur, Mitchell Of Baker, an
/ Smith Of Crook, Grant, klamath an
p Lake.
q The committee has devoted muc
study TO the framing OF the bin
which Is intended 10 open up grea
Ia