The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1915-05-07
BRIGHT PROSPECT FOR THE IRRIGATION PROJECT
Great Northern Official Submit Proposition That Meets the
Unanimous Approval of the Directors and Land
Owners Under Proposed System

During the past week developments
have taken place in the status of the
West Okanogan Valley Irrigation dist
riot that justifics the hope that a con-
entered into, and work commenced
al an early day For nearly year the
proposition has been up in the air,
owing to the difficulties experienced
i'll placing bonds, chargeable to timid-
ity on the part of capital to invest in
securities of that character, and the
long delay had created much discon-
tent and encouragement. An entire
change in the situation has taken place
within a few days. At no time have
the directors of the district and others
interested in carrying out the project,
neglected to use every effort at their
command to interest investors, and es-
pecially has every influence been
brought to bear on the Great Northern
railroad officials to take action in for
val uih6 lhc SulSl pllS III dCCOIuduC0
with promises held out by that cor
poration when the irrigation of the
valley lands on large scale was first
agitated. Nothing definite in the way
of an offer was forthcoming from that
source, however, Until last Friday,
when the directors received a tele-
gram from R. d. Budd, assistant to
President Hill, of the Great Northern,
at st. Paul. The gist of the telegram
was to the effect that the officials had
encouraging prospects of furnishing
thoroughly reliable contracts for the
irrigation work in return for the bond
issue as proposed by the district, upon
assurance that the district could legal
ly enter into such a contract, and ask
ing for an assurance of willingness to
do so.
That was the first real bona fide Of
fer to take up the contract that the
directors have received from the rail-
road, and the publicity given the tele-
gram naturally aroused a very jubil-
ant feeling among the residents of the
town and valley. Several meetings of
land owners, as well as the directors
were held during the early part of this
week, and the unanimous sentiment
expressed was to accept the offer pres
ented by the railroad officials. Tues
day the directors met in regular ses-
sion, and after the meeting the direct
orS wired st. Paul that the board was
willing to deliver full bond issue in re-
turn for construction, if necessary
stringly urging the use of metal flum-
ing and the installation of Il power
system, if that were possible
That is the situation up to the hour
OF going to press. No reply had been
received from the railroad officials,
but as the board has conceded all
that was asked it hardly seems prob
able that there will be any further
hitch or delay in closing contracts and
subsequent beginning of actual con-
struction.
The railroad offer is not the only
prospect in sight. Engineer Laurgaard
is expected in town today or tomor-
row with several contractors to look
over the project, with a view of sub
mitting a proposition for doing the
work. What developments may arise
from that visit remains to be seen.
Anyhow, with second bidder in the
field it would appear that the eventual
and early completion of this great un-
dertaking is almost a surety Certain
l. there is good reason to anticipate
the realization of those hopes that
have sustained the residents of the
valley for o long a time.