The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-07-20
Says lie Is Best Informed Man
in State on Subject
THAT OAKLEY DECI-
SION CANNOT BE APPEALED.
Barker Says That Land Board Cannot
Compel Company to Fulfill Its Con-
tract With Settlers.

81 guess that know more about the
Salmon tract than any other man in
Idaho" said Governor Alexander on
his return from the Salmon tract
Tuesday This is my fourth visit to
the tract and 1 have given it great
deal of study within the past II
months, having read more than 1000
pages of reports and other documents
and having talked with a great many
people l take off my hat to no man
when it comes to understanding the
Salmon situation. l am not ready to
express an opinion yet in regard to
the situation there, but when / get
ready l shall act"
what do you think of the PROPOSE
tion suggested by THE TIMES, that
the land board order the company to
cut down the tract to such an extent
as to show the board that it has the
contracted amount of water for the
lands that it retains, under penalty Of
action by the state to annul the con-
tract if it refuses?" he was asked.
"Well, that is an editorial opinion
from which l might differ. The edi-
tor has his opinion and l have mine"
was the reply.
Yes, but would not steps to appoint
a receiver accompanied by custer pro-
ceedings amount to the same thing,
practically, and are they not among
the things contemplated by the
board?' was the next question.
81 do not care to comment on that
When l get my plans made 1 shall
act" replied the governor.
"Were there any resolutions adopted
or definite propositions made by you
or the settlers at the meeting at ANS
terdam last night?" pursued the re-
porter
"No, we just had a general talk for
about two hours and discussed the
matter from different viewpoints"
said the governor. "We did not agree
on a definite plan They are nice
people down there and we had a very
enjoyable meeting The decision of
the supreme court in the Oakley pro-
ject case was a great victory which
will help us in our work of solving the
e problems on the other tracts"
Yes, but governor, you said that the
DIETRICH decision was worthless to the
Salmon settlers because it would not
get them water that did not exist;
, does not the same thing apply to
!, the Oakley decision in that it will
, give no more water than existed be-
fore?" was asked
=. 1.-THE point of the Oakley decision
was not that it would give more wa
ter, but that it was a decision by a
court from which no appeal can be
!, taken that the company must deliver
I water to the Settlers" said Governor
Alexander, while an appeal has been
5 taken from the Dietrich decision Be
). sides, it compels the company to de-
! liver water for the crops and denies
its right to withhold it. 1t gives the
Z land board power to act in behalf OF
Il the settlers and make needed regula-
ton without being stopped by the
> company"
10 "Are you certain that the Oakley
Ie decision cannot and will not be ap.
II pealed to the supreme court of the
Is United States?"
II 'Yes," replied the governor.
Il Asked what had been the attitude Of
the land board toward the reques
that the company's contract on tn,
Oakley project be annulled if it failed
III to comply with requirements, Gov
k ernor Alexander answered that tn,
q land board thought that the first steI
as should be to appeal to the court al
III had been done.
at He said that the journey had no
Id been without adventure. The Holder
ne man auto broke down and was replac
D. ed by still another The last auto RAJ
ay into hole near Rogerson and he wa
is thrown forward, striking his forehea
as and knocking off some skin
10. 1t was learned that an effort t,
as hold a meeteing at Hollister proved
m failure, the people declaring that /
in was useless to attend. Mr.. Holdermal
ne then arranged for the meeting a
so Amsterdam, where everyone turne,
ne out. Governor Alexander at the Ans
D. terdam meeting strongly advised tn
n. settlers to get together He said tha
the land board would consider an
X. definite proposition that they Nigh
-. make. He discussed possible plans
a. among others, receivership and ouste
~ proceedings, though he did not com
"A, NIT himself for them. On requestin
% the settlers to get together on som
oe plan, Mr.. Holderman asked him IL tn
settlers should sign a request that
Ut receiVerShiD suit he insfifufad xuo,,l