The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-04-24

The auditorium OF the big public
school building at Emmett Monday
evening was the scene of most en-
thusiastic Black Canyon meeting.
Seventy-three men from Caldwell
made the trip Monday in l8 autos,
returning the same evening, greatly
encouraged at the spirit with which
Emmett entered into the movement
to induce the Interior Department to
take up the work of building the
works Of the Black Canyon project.
DR.. B. q. Clark presided with Ed
X. Hayes acting as secretary. A
special train arrived from New Ply
mouth later in the evening, carrying
about 100 boosters and the band.
Hon. ]. M. Thompson made the ad-
dress OF the evening after a brief ad-
dress by Senator Baldridge. Mr..
Thompson was closely listened to
and at the conclusion of his address
was roundly applauded. He spoke as
follows:
GAS we crossed the hill and observ-
ed this city nesting on the bank OF
the Payette river. with its beautiful
trees, lovely greens and comfortable
homes, we wondered if its people re-
allied that at their very door, within
few hours drive during several
years last past were people who were
almost Neutrality-suspicious. who had
come and homesteaded at the sugges-
ton and with the sanction of Uncle
Sam, on this broad plateau between
the Payette and the Boise river
American citizens who ten years age
had hopes that long ere this they
would own a home, from the win
dows of which they, too, could look
out upon waving fields of alfalfa, or
chard heights and grass-carpeted
knobs, but on account of the back
wardness of Uncle Sam in supplying
the needed money to the Reclamation
| fund, the Reclamation Service has
been obliged to defer the construc.
ton of these irrigation works and
many of these settlers and home.
builders have been forced to stand al
the open grave of great hope"
Mr.. Thompson then outlined the
purpose of the meetings and called
attention briefly to the advantages tc
the city of Emmett should the project
be constructed.
He went on to pay Secretary Lane
deserved compliment and described
| him as a western man who today
knew as much OF the needs of th'
west as any man living. He said tha
it would probably be long time be
fore the people of this community
would have such an opportunity as i
now presented western man il
power who was thoroughly in sym
pathy with our condition.
He continued, saying that the sec
retarv and his assistants had beer
preparing a bill designed to meet tn
problems of the west but had defer
red their bill to those now befor
Congress, hoping that funds would b
provided for the reclamation service
"The Reclamation Service, con
tinued Mr.. Thompson, is anxious t
construct these works. 'but one thin
stands in the way and tina
is. lack of funds, Mr. Ryan of tn
Service in the Sterling hotel in Den
yer, assured w. B. Mitchell, Attor
ney R. B. Scatterday and myself tina
before any new projects would b
opened or any Cary Act project
, considered, the Black Canon Irrigs
ton district would be taken up"
: Mr.. Thompson gave the substanC
: of the address OF Secretary Jones Z
the Denver convention, doing so fc
: the purpose Of showing the sympath
of the department for the settlers.
: This will give you some conceI
ton" continued Mr.. Thompson, <
the broad vision our able secretar
has for the assistance of the worth
8 settlers of the west. This is
: Christian nation and the worth
n needy will always find response.
K Mr.. Thompson here gave a bri
history of the Payette- Boise projee