Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1913-05-23
Return of MeSSrs. Orme and
Christy from the Confer
ence Of Representatives of
the Reclamation Projects
With the Secretary
LOCAL REQUESTS
FANORABLY HEARD
Plan for Extending Time
for Repayment of Pro
jects FavOrably Consider
ed = Representatives Are
Elated Over Result

That the farmers of this valley are
in a better position than they have
ever been before is a result OF the late
conference between the representatives
of the various water users assOcia
lions and Secretary Lane of the in
terror department. President Orme
and Attorney George D.. Christy of the
salt River Valley Water Users assO-
citation returned yesterday morning
from Washington elated with the
success of their mission and with the
profoundest regard for the secretary
of the interior.
Mr.. Lane is wonderful man."
said Captain Christy. "a man with
broad views, a knowledge of the needs
of the west. patient and desirous of
learning more of the conditions in the
various localities. He assented to ev-
cry request made by the water users
association except one which is in
allegiance and we are hopeful that he
Will vet take our view of 1.-THE fix
ing Of the unit for homesteaders'
lands at 100 acres"
The representatives found in the
secretary willing listener to the re-
quest for an extension of time for re-
payment for the projects and it is GER
tain that the time Will be extended,
though by what plan, is not vet deter
mined Some objection was raised by
members of congress from states in
which there are other projects to an
extension for a definite term of years,
on the ground that such a plan could
not be applied to all the projects That
Is. II would not meet the need Of all
the projects. The secretary himself
did not favor a flat and rigid rate,
though he said that it was plain that
relief was needed by most of the pro-
jects if not all of them, and that it
was not the purpose of the reclamation
act to impose or leave burdens upon
settlers, but to aid them in securing
happy and prosperous homes.
While this matter was pending
Captain Christy. prepared the follow
ing suggestion for a solution of the
problem: IAN amendment of the re-
clamation act authorizing and direct
ing the secretary of the interior to en-
ter into new contracts with the water
users and land owners under each re-
clamation project, consenting thereto
and authorizing the secretary of the
interior to require in said contracts
that the actual cost of each project
shall be repaid TO the reclamation fund
in annual payments the number and
amount of which shall be fixed and
determined by the secretary
provided, however that the secre-
tary may at any time in his discretion
modify, extend, reduce or suspend any
annual payment or payments when
ever in his judgment the needs of the
settlers and landowners require, or
circumstances warrant
And provided, further that the to-
tai amount of all charges for opera
ton, maintenance and repair, required
to be paid by any settler or landow-
ner under any project during any one
year shall not exceed the sum of three
dollars per acre" This charge it is
stated by Captain Christy would in
clude the present charge for water
service"
The secretary and others were in
clined to believe that the sum of three
dollars was too low and five dollars
was suggested. Later it was thought
that an agreement might be reached
on four dollars. This plan, Captain
Christy believed would solve the diff
Guilty for the farmers under this pro-
je and all of the projects. The sec
retary would be able to exercise his
discretion in favor Of any project or,
if need be, on proper showing, he
could exercise it in favor Of a settler
under a project who by reason of mis-
fortune might not be able to meet his
payment for one year.
Captain Christy said that this fixed
charge together including the charge OF
$50 an acre for water would probab-
ly be all that the settler would ever
have to pay for it was estimated he
said that the proceeds from the sale
of power after the completion of the
power system would amount to 5000
600 annually SO that the debt 10 the
government could be discharged with
in twenty years. Under the first pro-
vision of the proposed solution defer
red payments would be without inter
est Regarding the unit of home
steaders lands which the representa- =
tves of the water users, associat ton
thought should be $50 acres. the sec
retary asked if they believed that so
much was necessary for the support
of family. They frankly replied that
they thought not. In that case, said
law to reduce the holding his duty
seemed clear Captain Christy point
ed that the first evasion of the
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