The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-03-17

sent out Dy MT. Lane, SECRETARY VI
the interior, to investigate conditions
on the Boise reclamation project, ar
rived in Boise Monday. Mr.. Trow-
bridge informed the Boise Water
Users association Tuesday at meet
ing of the board of directors of the
association, that the investigation
would be started Wednesday morning
at Boise.
The board of directors appointed q
committee consisting of Messrs. c. M.
Rankin. ]. L. ,Magee and E. Sparks to
confer with Mr.. Trowbridge concern
ing all matters to be taken up in the
investigation and to urge upon him
the advisability of holding the hear.
ings at Caldwell. The change from
Boise to Caldwell is deemed advisable
because the witnesses all live near this
city.
Bailey Charges Subject.
The first matter that will be taken
up by Mr.. Trowbridge will be an in
vestigation of charges that were made
against John Bailey, formerly con-
nected with the Reclamation Service
on the Boise project. These charges
were filed against Mr.. Badly several
years ago and were investigated by
G. G. Smith. who filed his report some
nine months ago with Comptroller w.
A. Ryan. This report is alleged to
have been suppressed by persons in
high authority in the Reclamation
Service.
Taking the Bailey charges as a
starting point il is hoped that this in
vestigation will go into the affairs of
this project. in a most thorough man
ner. The settlers on the project are
convinced that thorough investiga-
ton will disclose some startling trans
actions. E@
Rankin Visits Washington.
c. M. Rankin. director of the
Boise Water Users association, was
convinced that the Smith report had
never come to the attention of Mr.
Lane. He was sent to Washington by
the board to interview Mr.. Lane and
petition him to make an investigation
After listening to the plea of Mr.. Ran
kin and looking over his evidence the
secretary of the interior decided tha
an investigation was badly needed. HI
informed Mr.. Rankin that a represent
ance with this statement Mr.. Trow
bridge is on the ground.
Mr.. Rankin returned from Wash
ington the latter part of last week. A
the meeting Tuesday he made verba
report to the beard of directors o
his visit to Washington,
Committee VIII Rest on Report.
The committee of the Water Users
association rest their case on the re
port of Mr.. Smith. They will ask tina
this report be placed in evidence an
an investigation be started from tn
report. The committee will ask tina
Mr.. Smith be sent to Caldwell; tina
the hearings be held in this city in
stead of Boise. The Water User,
are Of the opinion that the move is u
to Mr.. Trowbridge. They are salts
fed with the Smith investigation s
far as the charges against Bailey ar
concerned.
Black Canyon Resolution Rejected.
The directors of the Black Canvo
district presented, through J, b. New
port. the following resolution whic
they asked this body to adopt:
Resolved. That In contemplation
the appropriation of the surplus wat.
that may be found TO be available
the Boise project by. Arrowrock an
Deer Flat storage. and the. reclamatio
of additional lands whereby the acr
age OF the Bois. project may be el
larged thereby reducing the cost
water to the water users. we recon
mend. IL II be found more feasible al
economical from the standpoint
construction and maintenance, that Il
surplus water be diverted to lam
north of the Boise project. known
the Black Canyoa project.
Messrs. ]. B. Newport, Vim. Lemo
B. NJ. Holt and w. S. Hawkes. spo'
for the adoption of the resolutio
while Director Wood spoke against
and in favor of extension work on I
south side. A motion was made
table the resolution and, on roll ca
FIVE voted to table and four against.