The Delta independent., 1915-03-26
EXTENSION GRANTED FOR
COST REVIEW MEMBER

To the Water Users OF the Uncom-
pahgre Valley Project:
Secretary Lane has authorized the
Reclamation Commission to state to
the land owners and entrymen of the
Uncompahgre Valley project that an
extension of time will be given to
them for the selection of a represent
ative to serve on the Board of Cost
Review for that project. Although
the construction work on this project
has not reached the stage of compile
ton. it is nevertheless desirable that
the water users should have repre-
sentative on the Board which will re-
view the costs and present to the
secretary of the Interior an estimate
by which he may be guided in the fu-
ture. in the establishment of the con-
struction charges therefor.
The primary purpose of the Board
of Review is to give the water users
the opportunity to be heard. This
Board is in fact a board of arbitration
to try out questions of differences
of opinion in relation to the items
properly chargeable to the construc-
tion cost of the project If the water
users OF the Uncompahgre valley are
not represented on this Board. Il is
the opinion of the Reclamation Com
mission and the Secretary of the In
terror that the failure to do so will
be TO the water users a cause for
future regret.
Just as the merchant who renders
you an account is willing to extend
TO you the opportunity to review the
items of his account and to question
the correctness of this or that charge.
so IL is the purpose of the Secretary
of the Interior that you shall have an
opportunity to exercise the same pre-
caution in reference to the bill that
| Is TO be rendered to you by the Rec
lamation Service in the form of con-
struction charges on the Uncompah-
gre Valley Project.
II is possible that a mistaken i'm
preston of the duties and purposes of
this Board has gained currency on
the Uncompahgre Valley project and
that theory prevails that the water
users. by appointing representative
upon this Board. will be in some man
ner bound by its findings to pay what
ever charges this Board may deter
mine to be just and proper.
This is to advise the water users
that such is not the case: that partic-
ipation in the proceedings of this
Board of Review will not bind the
water users OF the Uncompahgre Val
ley project and will not in any man
ner limit their rights under the law.
The Board is purely an advisory
Board to the Secretary of the Interior.
intended to procure for him, and pre-
sent TO him an accurate statement
of facts. so that he may be properly
Informed and guided in the ascertain
ment of the construction charges.
which should be assessed against the
land
II is to be hoped that the water
users of the Uncompahgre Valley pro-
ject will not be misguided by wilful
and false representations into fail
ure to participate I'm this to them an
important and necessary undertaking.
You are also advised that whether
your representatives participate or
do not participate in this review. such
participation or non-participation will
not operate to either hasten or delay
the opening OF the project. The pro-
ject will not be opened in whole or
;n part until complete so that an ac-
curate estimate OF the cost to COM
pletion of the project or some separ-
ate unit thereof can be made.
Yours Very Truly.
w. A. RYAN. Comptroller.