The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1915-08-19
BIG SYSTEM
NEEDS FUNDS
A SPECIAL ELECTION Is CALLED
East Fork Irrigation District will Vote on
Bond Issue and Question Of Spec
ial Levy

While the big ditch, with the size of
the main lateral greatly increased since
last year, has been in excellent work
ing order and while for the main part
the distribution of water has been
good, still because of the increased de-
mand for water among the landowners
whose places are under the big system
it will be necessary TO secure, either by
special tax levy or by voting sdditional
bonds, further funds, in order that the
business of the East Fork Irrigation
District may be properly administered
next year.
The great reason, apparently, for
the increased demand comes from the
fact that land owners now have to pay
for water, whether they make use of
il or not. Since they are charged for
it, they are planting cover crops and
are calling for their water. This de-
mand has resulted in an increased con-
structiOn of small latorals. The in
creased planting of cover crops, Glow
ers, alfalfa and grain, the gain in the
dairy business and swine raising has all
been instrumental in creating a demand
or more water.
On September Z, the date set by the
board of directors, an election will be
held in the five precincts of the District
to determine whether an additional
$50, 600 bonds shall be voted. The prop
erty owners will also vote on the prop
ositiun of levying a special tax of
$40 900 for the coming year.
Geo. K. Wilbur, secretary and attor.
ney of the irrigation district, states
that it will be necessary that the prop
erty owners of the District to avail
themselves of one or the other of the
alternatives, vote both or face a deficit
of SO, 600 at the end of this year.
Under the existing law the district
cannot vote a general tax greater than
that of the preceding year plus six per
cent. Such tax would amount to
81 65 per acre, and would bring in a
sum of S29, 1925.
''lf we take care of our bond interest
and the bare salaries of superintendent
and gaugers next year, with the sum
above mentioned, we woud have but
S4, 800 next year for every other ex-
pense. This sum will not be enough for
bare maintenance. Thus we are bound
to have decfit next year without do.
ing a single foot of new work. Nor
will any provision be made for posi-.
BILE contingency of washout or broken
pipelines.
These, 600 deficit mentioned will con.
sst of S5, $50 bond interest.and an es.
timated sum of So, $50 for the remain
der of this years maintenance.
i
Mr. Wilbur. the tax levy of last yeai
produced a sum of S27, 900, of which
S12, 900 has been collected, and the bal
ance will be collected in September
| But that balance has been anticipated
and registered warrants are at present
outstanding against it,
At the beginning of last year the
board of directors delibeTated as to how
much smoney they would spend on new
construction. However, patrons of the
system began to come to them in great
numbers, urging that laterals be built
and they decided on policy of first
come first served. The result was thai
a great deal more was spent on con
struction than they anticipated ant
had funds for.
The tax levy or last year was not blt
enough. However, it was as large al
the board of directors thought the peo
pie would stand for. The directors hes
itated about any large expenditure it
view of the case brought by the Oregon
Lumber Co. and then pending. Since
the favorable decision by Judge Brad
shaw, giving them about 6, 600 inches
| of matat ahOut which thew have here
tofore been in doubt, the directors hav'
been given a greater degree of conf
dence, and while making no canvas
in behalf of the proposed bond issue o
the voting of a special tax, since som,
such course is necessary, they hav,
made it possible for the people them
selves to vote the funds necessary for
successful administration and msinte
nance of the Districts affairs the com
L ing wear