Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1916-02-26
WANTS U. S. To BUY
KING HILL SYSTEM
Rep. McCracken Intro.
duces Bill Author
izing Action.

TO have the United States purchase
and complete the King Hill Irrigation
system is the object of bill intro
dzuced in the house of representatives
by Congressman Robert McCracken.
The bill is now in the hands of the
committee on irrigation and arid
lands, of which Mr.. McCracken is
a member. 1t is understood that the
committee is favorable to the meas
ure, but that before acting upon it
request will be made for an investi-
cation of the project by the recla-
nation department. One examination
has already been made by that depart
ment, but only for the purpose of de-
termining the sufficiency of the water
supply and to be made the basis
of a report affecting several desert
claims on which final proofs had been
Offered.
The purpose of the bill is to as
certain as soon as possible the atti-
tude of the committee, after the
reclamation department has made its
report. There Is no hope that the
bill can be passed at this session as
matters of national importance will
occupy the attention of congress.
The King Hill project is owend by
the state of Idaho, which bid 1T in
at sale held by a special master of
the federal court. The price was
$4,000. SINCE its purchase two
years ago the system has been In
charge OF B. P. Shawhan, as agent of
the state.
The provisions Of the King Hill bill
introduced by Congressman Nc
Cracken follow:
BE 1t enacted by the senate and
house of representatives OF the
United States of America assem-
bled, that the secretary of the inter
ior is hereby authorized and directed
to negotiate with the state of Idaho
for the purchase and conveyance to
the United States of all the irriga-
ton works, water rights, and other
properties which are In amy wise con-
nected with what lis known as the
King Hill irrigation system in south
ern Idaho, and the amount to be
paid therefor shall be the value, at
the time of transfer, of the physical
property to be turned over, not ex-
ceeding the amount paid therefor by
the state of Idaho. with reasonable
interest. In connection with such
transfer there will be a complete adj
justment to the satisfaction of the
secretary Of the interior of all rights
or claims against said property or In
amy way connected Herewith, and of
all rights claimed on behalf of said
system.
Section 2. That there lis hereby APP
propriated, out of any funds i'm the
treasury not otherwise appropriated,
the sum OF $------ for the purchase
of the said system and for the re-
pair and reconstruction thereof so
that water may be delivered for the
proper irrigation of the lands which
may be served therefrom. Before any
payment is made for said property the
persons owning or holding land un-
der the said irrigation system shall
make contracts satisfactory to the
secretary of the interior to secure
payment to the United States for the |
entire amount expended by the UNITED
States for the purchase, repair, recon-
struction, and operation and madnte-
nance of said system upon substan- |
tally the same terms and conditions |
as are applicable to irrigated lands !
to be included In the projects con- |
structed under the provisions of the
reclamation law, and all water rights
acquired by those owning or hold |
ing land under said system shall be
subject to the terms and conditions |
Of the said reclamation law AN pay
ments received hereunder shall be
reimbursed to the general funds In !
the treasury, and the amount received
for operation and maintenance charges
are hereby appropriated and made
ilnh1 L.
time for the operation and mainte-
nance of the said system
Section 2. That the secretary OF
the interior is hereby authorized to
perform any and all acts and to
make such rules and regulations as
may be necessary and proper for the
purpose of carrying the provisions
OF this act into full force and effect.