The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-07-07
W|CKERSHAM COMMENTS
ON BOISE PROJECT
CONDITIONS

| Editor Tribune
After having read the article by
b. M. II. and the reply by "A Reader"
we can't refrain from saying, Just a
word too"
First, | wish to say that B. M. H.
| is Caldwells most substantial and re-
| spected citizen. And anyone who has
ever met B. M. H. knows that what he
says about the use of vinegar and
honey is always practiced by him.
Everyone knows that the settlers
on the north side" have been bun
coed. For years the U. S. govern
ment kept an army of special agents
out to keep the settlers rounded up
and see that none got away, and a,
the same time nothing was being
done to furnish them water, for irri-
CATION purposes.
1t seems to us that any competent
engineer could make an estimate on
piece OF work that would stand the
test under any circumstances. If B.
M. HIS statements are true-and they
must be else he would not have made
them-why should the settlers pay
tor all these mistakes. No one unless
he is millionaire can afford to pay
more than $500 an acre for water
unless he wishes to sign up for a
lifetime slavery, worse than anything
that exists IN Mexico or Russia today
The Tribune Hired Man has the
DRY and has had same for years, for
the watering of the north side" and
we believe his plan is both theoretical
and practical. Anything that will work
@rII
tlce. But first we must have honesty,
simplicity. and efficiency, combined
in one.
have heard of Fair Associations
that after several years trying to run
county fair have failed and have
gone to the county commissioners
with tears in its eyes asking to be
allowed to unload onto the people all
they have left of Acknowledgement.
Now would it not be nice and COM
forting if individuals could do the
same with their failures and white
elephants. We have in mind promo
tiers who have said to the state, we
will water this land and it will cost
the settler certain sum, and no
more. And after having broken faith
with the settler and failed to do their
part OF the contract, have turned to
the state for succor, saying, the I'M
dertaking was too great and we are
sure to loose if you don't come to
our rescue. How nice to have some
one to fall back on when it is a los
ing game.
If individuals could only do the
same 1t would be most consoling
We have heard of railroad cars af-
ter running for years with this mot
to charge all the traffic will bear"
and after having pocketed all the pro-
hts have unloaded their failure onto
the common people.
Judging from the tone of the Hired
Mans article referring to the loca-
ton of the Arrow Rock dam and the
Deer Flat reservoir there is a strong
smell of pork in the transaction. And
he more than likely is right. The
writer of this article has no inside
information. All we know is what ap-
pears in the press and what our neigh
bors tell us and what we can see and
the experience we have had in hold
ing down homestead on the north
side, for thirteen years without any
water.
We are not blaming any certain in
dividual or association. But two and
two makes four; always has made
four and no more. and no less than
four.
Please don't let anyone get 1t into
their heads that we are inclined to
knock for such would be far from
the truth. We believe in progress and
the glad hand to the stranger and
the helpful hand to the man who Is
down and feels he is out of the race.
But let us have justice and equity in
our dealings.
If the engineers in charge of the
work or some one else has made
mistakes in their estimates on the
watering of the north side, should
the settlers be compelled to pay for
it? We think not. And further more,
II mistake has been made, it was
intentional on their part, for no man
should be allowed to hold such re-
sponsible position. unless he Is
thoroughly competent where the sue
ces or failure of so many people are
at stake.
If B. M. H. has stated facts, and
no doubt he has. then someone has
made grave mistake and should suf-
fer for it. as settlers on the north
side" have suffered
1T "A Readers" statements are true
and we believe they are, then someone
has committed crime against hui
mainly and should pay the penalty for
such crime.
If the Hired Mans plan is feasible,
and we believe it is, then engineers
who are responsible for such mis-
take should be brought to account
and trial
Speak yc, every man the truth Of
his neiohhnr eNecnte the ;udnn,ant az