Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-01-22
LAND BOARD BADLY
DIVIDED ON PROBLEM
State Treasurer, Engineer and Cover
nor Hopelessly at Loggerheads on
Irrigation Scheme.
LEWIS TO TAKE STUMP
REGARDING THIS MATTER
Official Gives Out Statement Telling
Why He Voted Against Action Of
Governor West.

The action Of the state desert land
board in declining to approve a propo-
sal Of Governor West providing that
the north canal unit Of the Central Ore
gon Irrigation company's project be
irrigated by state and Federal cooper
alton indicates that the board is hope
lessly divided and that thee will be
wPr lenceforth.
State Treasurer Kay has always been
oppressed TO the state retaining land;
Governor West has favored appropria.
tions by the Legislature, as in the Tuna
10 project, for the work, and State En-.
gineer Lewis has been an advocate Of
a constitutional amendment providing
for tho issuance of state bonds to raise
money for irrigating lands, the work
to he dcne by state and federal cooper.
alton, except whore there is a moral
obligation to the settlers as in the tn.
malo case,
Mr.. lewis has made study of con.
ditions in this state and if necessary
win advocate the bond proposition on
the stump in the coming campaign.
That Governor West will defend the
plan suggested by him to reclaim the
north canal unit goes without saying
and State Treasurer Kay, who will be
a candidate for reelection, is certain
to mako fight against irrigation of
public lands with state money. He
will insist, as he indicated at the meet
ing yesterday, that the Federal Gov.
ernment irrigate lands in this state as
II is doing in other states" Mr.. Lewis
made the following statement today re-
garding his position;
Measure to Be Voted.
~ voted against Governor West s
motion to cooperate with the United
States in the construction Of the north
canal unit Of the Central Oregon Irri.
cation Company's project, for tho rea'
sou that he refused to specify that
state funds should be raised through
th sale of state londs, rather than by
direct taxation,
eat tho last session of the legisla.
ture n constitutional amendment was
submitted for vote of the people, pro-
viding for tho loaning of the state s
credit TO the extent of . per cent of the
assessed valuation, for the construction
Of irrigation and power projects aid
far the development of the cut.oTef
and other untitled lands of the state.
This amendment win be voted upon
IN November OF this year
81 am opposed to the construction of
local pro. rcts through direct taxation
at all the people, but am strongly in
fav,i Ct the above constitutional
amendment aud the adoption of a com
rrchensve reclamation programme m
cooperation with the secretary Of the
interior, Whereby all large projects in
the state can ultimately he constructed
as rapidly as transportation and other
conditions warrant.
''The state and national irrigation
authorities should cooperate rather than
work at cross.purposes as in the past
Tn, entiro reclamation fund invested
in Oregon would not irrigate one-hali
Of the 100000 acres susceptible of re-
clamation, besides most Of this land is
now in large private holdings.
Fund for Vacant Lands.
t,rhe United States reclamation fun
is primarily intended for vacant pu6i'
lands Therefore our meager dry farm
population will continue to haul watoi
many miles for stock and domestic pur
pcscs, snd future growth be limited
unless we assist in financing such de
ciopment, Through cooperation Will
a stable and experienced organization
lw,.th has on the whole made good
1.-The usual difficulties due to frequent
lohsrees in state policy for pOliuca
reasons can be overcome and safety "
state funds assured
~ some plan tr utilizing the "
nsrU crcah Of the "rited states ccm'
lbc worked cut funds could be sccore
at al,vut > pcr cen, Setcrcst, and an an
Irual laN oent by the entryman OF
her cent Of the construction ehNg
lsh,uld in 80 years vDay both princ', d"
atd btorcst, as 1 pr cent with po
vent .tmlpend intei st, will in su
time pay of the principal
"lf the people fail 70 approve tn
lplaa Of issuing state bonds in Ncvem
lher, then We should urge the Vuite'
states to take over ana complete III
North canal unit, as the lands are al
nrst exclusively property Of the Unite