The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-10-29
REPORT ON BLACK CANYON IRRIGATION DIST,
By WALTER R. cUPP

very confident as to our position and
was ready to meet the secretary, and
then arranged for an appointment at
III O'Clock a. m, Tuesday.
With Mr.. Davis and Mr.. King an
arrangement had been made for call
ing a meeting of the Reclamation
Commission as soon as possible after
meeting had taken place with the
secretary and it was assured he would
favor our scheme, at which meeting
OF the Commission a resolution was
to be passed covering the matters of
understanding and authorizing such
aid to us as the secretary should
deem advisable.
Lane Found Favorable.
met the Secretary, Mr.. Lane, at
his office at 10 o'clock, August 81, and
in an extended interview, the matters
of the district and the Carey Act
proposition were considered very
fully and many of the features were
discussed. The Secretary indicated
his desire to protect the district and
the settlers under the Carey Act in
every way possible but seemed to con-
slider that he could do little unless
the district should take the lead in
asking Congress to approve the pro-
ject and appropriate money with
which to begin construction With
the influential gentlemen referred to,
plan had been outlined by which the
proposition should be prepared and
presented to Congress at the coming
session this winter. The plan had
been discussed with Mr.. King and
also with Mr.. Davis, Chairman of the
Reclamation Commission, and seem
ed to have their favor, so | present
ed the said plan or scheme to the
Secretary. Mr.. Lane, and with the as
Surance to the Secretary that | believ-
ed confidently that the district would
carry out the scheme or plan Mr.
Lane authorized the detailing of two
engineers to work with the district
| for thirty days ito assist the local
engineers on the Black Canyon enter
prise" in carrying on Investigations
within the law" to help the district
in attempting to gather the ncces-
sary data with which to go to con-
gress and ask for an appropriation
1t being distinctly understood" the
action of the department. "in putting
these engineers on this work in nc
way intended to bind the government
to any further action whatever ir
connection with this enterprise" And
/ agreed with the Secretary that
would undertake to see that the PEG,
pie have "a clear understanding OIL
this matter" And that there coulc
be no Misunderstanding of the matter
the Secretary put this part of his
agreement in writing in the form Of
a letter to Mr.. A. P. Davis, Director
and Chief Engineer of the Reclama
ton Service, giving me signed
copy. Mr.. Davis gave me also sign.
ed copy of his letter instructing the
Chief of Construction at Denver
| Colorado.
1t is my understanding that The
Secretary is willing and will permit
the Carey Act lists to stand and will
approve them provided the distric
will present plan for the irrigation
and reclamation which seems to bt
feasible, that the gravity plan already
submitted is not a feasible plan anc
will not be considered further unles!
new and more satisfactory informa
ton regarding its feasible feature!
can and are presented. That Whether
the lists 65 and 68 are finally rejected
rests entirely with the district (Stat'
of Idaho) and the showing made o.
compliance with the demands of thu
Department as indicated. The Sec
rotary has so far left the matter o
the rights of the Carey Act settlers
entirely with the Commissioner o
the General Land Office. And tn,
Commissioner stated that he would
insist on the compliance with thu
suggestion given in his decision tina
each claimant make application TO
the reinstatement of his former en-
try and for the protection of his RICH
and give such evidence of his boni
hdes as he may wish or as he may b.
able, and each will receive due con
sideration according to the merits o
the case as shown. That whether tn
Carey Act lists stand or not he want
ed this showing and he would us
his supervisory powers to protect tn
bona ide as well as to see that thos
who do not make showing will hav
been considered to have abandonet
all rights. No action will, however
be taken pending action by the Sec
rotary upon the appeal and other pc
titions presented to the Department
for consideration. The Commissions
also stated that he did not conside
that the Department was obliged t
give any further notice TO those no
making the application suggested i
his decision; that those who do no
get notice are sufficiently intereste
to be entitled to consideration o
they would be watching proceeding
and would know what is going on.
Advised to Hurry Home.
After my meeting with the Secre
tary | returned with the signed cop
of the Secretary's letter to Mr., Davi
after showing same to Mr.. King O
calling his attention to the contents
whereupon, Mr.. Davis Immediate
dictated an order to the Chief {
Construction, as aforesaid, giving m
copy, signed. stating that the com