The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1915-06-02
FULTON Il. SEARS RETURNS
TO FALLON FROM ARIZONA
Tells of Work of Reyaluation Now
in Progress on Carlsbad and
Salt River Projects.

Fulton H. Sears returned last
week from Carlsbad and Salt river
projects, Arizona, where he has been
as counsel for the water users before
the review boards which are just
now revaluing those projects. He
states that in revaluing the Carls-
bad project the Board cut the unit
cost 100000 out of total expend-
iture of $933,000, or nearly SO per
cent. In effect this means recon-
mendation for a reduction in cost
per acre to the settler from $500
to $4,000. The hearing is now In
progress on the Salt River project
and will undoubtedly result in
recommendation for a substantial re
duction there.
Mr.. Sears states that the water
users of these projects have well
organized and consequently eHectiye
Water Users Association and are
leaving no stone unturned to make
a record in these hearings OF all
monies spent wherein the farmers
received no benefit
They have employed competent
engineers and accountants to review
the entire expenditures of the gov
ernment, with the result that they
will be enabled to present to the
Secretary of the Interior the actual
facts. so that he may determine the
proper costs which must be returned
to the government.
He states that the situation on the
Truckee-C Carson project is in strik-
ing contrast to that presented on all
the other projects. 1t is admitted
Al. - 70 mo
ills that affect all other projects but
have no effective organization or no
means of presenting them TO those
whose duty, and perhaps pleasure,
it would be to correct and equalize.
1t is an admitted fact that huge
sums have been expended in ex-
peirments that have resulted in no
beneficial results to the home seeker
under government irrigation sys-
tens. 1t should not be understood
that these boards of review are hos
tile to the reclamation service, but
are constituted for the purpose of
ascertaining the true facts, realizing
that the farmer is the principal unit
in this great undertaking ard If he
is not dealt with justly the whole
scheme must fail Therefore these
boards are intended to be more for
the protection of the. service than
merely fault finders. 1t affords the
armer an opportunity to present
any facts which he feels should not
be made a charge against him. If
he fails to avail himself of this OPP
, portunity. which has been requested
by the Secretary of the Interior, he
has no one to blame but himself.
Mr.. Sears is of the opinion that
inasmuch as Section of the recla-
nation act states that "the title to
the headworks, dams and reservoirs
md the works necessary for their
protection shall remain in the
United States until otherwise dis
posed of by Congress-. it is entirely
unreasonable to suppose that the
farmer should he called upon to pay
| for something to which he has not
even a promise of receiving title.
Therefore, this should result in a re-
duetion in the cost of the Truckee-
Carson project of S3.19S,0 goo, to
which should be added such amounts
as have been expended in admin
stration and the distributing system,
wherein no benefit has accrued to
the farmer.
The Board of Review for this pro-
jeet, consisting of B. A. Etcheverry.
| ID. W. Cole and Thos. Williamson
will begin work here next month on
4 revaluation and these questions
will be among those discussed and
submitted for adjudication.