The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1914-05-29

Nothing mas Deen sdlu IL SHiS 20
per lately regarding the movements
Of the directors of the East and West
Okanogan Valley Irrigation districts
towards carrying out the plans, modi-
fed from the original to meet changed
conditions, for putting water on the
land of the Okanogan valley in this
locality. This silence was not because
the publishers OF this paper are not
in accord with the movement, and as
vitality interested in its consummation
as any resident OF the valley, nor be-
cause the Importance of the PROPOSE
ton is not recognized as highly es
sential to the rapid development OF
the country. The Gazette has from
the very inception OF the enterprise
taken keen and lively interest in
the accomplishment OF this project,
and its publishers have been ready and
eager at all times to give the public
all the information relating to the
scheme obtainable, knowing how anx-
ious the residents of the town and
neighborhood are to obtain informa-
ton on the matter. This statement
is hardly necessary, as our readers
know that every report having any
authenticity has been published since
the first meeting OF land holders in
Sigrist hall, when the plans were first
crudely outlined, up TO the arrival
OF Louis W. Hill and his associates a
few weeks ago, but in the face of recent
developments We feel that an explana-
ton is due the readers of the Gazette.
Last week a long session of the direct
ors of the projects was held in Oro-
Vile, extending throughout an entire
day, at which meeting a proposition
presented by the officials of the rail-
road was exclusively considered and
discussed. The several demands on
the part of the land holders set out by
the railroad people were conceded and
q telegram sent to Mr. Hill stating the
attitude OF the directors, and requir-
ing a final statement ON the part of
the railroad authorities as to what
they were actually willing to do. This
was known to the editor of the Ga
zette, and Immediately after the ses-
sion he interviewed the president of
the board of directors, who has taken
the most active part in all the pro-
ceedings since the inception of the
movement. At his request nothing
was said OF this meeting, the pro-
ceedings and action taken in this pa
per. The gentleman stated that the
directors had made all the concessions
required by Mr.. Hill, and had tele-
graphed to st. Paul the result Of the
meeting with a request that he state
definitely as to what the railroad Of
ficiais would do on their part. He
thought it unwise to arouse expecta-
tons that might not be realized, that
it would be safer to withhold informa-
ton until Mr.. Hill was heard from and
after the reply OF Mr.. Hill had been
laid before the property holders, with
whom it rests, anyhow, to accept or
reject the terms of the contract. In
our long experience as publisher
we have never abused a confidence
and have always held our word in
violate. Alive to the Importance OF
any news on this particular subject
receiving inquiries almost every day
from people who have become skepti-
favorable answers, we felt that we were
making a sacrificial concession in the
promise to withhold report of the
proceedings of the meeting. Yet We
did so. Under these circumstances the
public cannot remotely imagine our
chigrin a chigrin bordering upon a
rebellious outburst, when We saw an
account OF the meeting and the CON-
munications considered at that meet
ing published in county exchange
We have been told that copy of the
proceedings had been secured by r.
L. Picken, one of the members of the
board OF directors, obtensibly for the
purpose of giving them to the Indian
agent so that he could be informed
as to the matter of Incorporating
lands in Indian allottments in the as
sessment district. Mr.. Picken, un-
this copy into paper for publication
Probably he was acting within his
rights, but it certainly would have
been no more than courtesy to have
also given the Gazette a copy, seeing
that the Gazette has been loyal to the
project and to the directors since the
Inauguration of the movement.