The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-06-09
A WORD OF ADVICE TO WATER USERS

During the several years The Tribune has devoted
more less discussions of the problems with
which the settlers the Boise Government Reclamation
Project confronted. We did this because
those problems of vital importance to every
water the Project The time approaching when
settlement with the Government must be made Upon
that settlement depends the welfare and prosperity of
every person living in the Boise Valley. The terms of
settlement the important with which
the people can concern themselves
The Tribune contends, and in this sustained by
every landowner the Project, that the Government
should settle approximately its early estimates the
cost of the project If there has been graft ncompetency
waste and extravaganza the Government and not the
tiers should pay the bill The settlers in short are liable
for the actual cost of construction under economical
competent adminisraton-such an administration as the
estimates contemplated and to which the landowners
entitled.
The settlers through their board of directors and in
other ways, have notified the Reclamation Service the
position they have taken toward the cost of the project
1t generally understood that the proper time and
due season fight will be made in the before
Congress for just apprasement of the this Pro-
ject and consistent with that
AT the present time the landowners of the opinion
that the irrigation system constructed by the Reclamation
Service has cost great deal than it should have
cost Acting upon that opinion they will fight for re-
ducton in the per cost of water.
During the past year the local representatives of the
Reclamation Service have been very active the
insisted that an district be
organized They have gone far to offer pospon
ment of the first payment for year as of induce
ment to organize the irrigation district The activities
of the Reclamation Service officials naturally created
picon in the minds of the landowners The latter as
sumed that irrigation district good thing for
the Reclamation Service, it bad thing for the
users.
The settlers realize that the fight over the cost of
water the Boise Project the Reclamation Service will
be their antagonist The Service will hold that all the
money expended the Boise Project whether it was
squandered not should be refunded the Reclamation
Fund by the settlers In fact the Reclamation Service
must take that position proclaim to the world its
incompeency and dissipation. No government bureau
ever recognized extravaganza and when brought
face to face with them and will The Service
will fight the settlers the last ditch and it is we'll that
this fact is realized by the settlers.
The realization of the position already by the
Reclamation Service and position will hold the very
last brings the point that relief come from the
efforts of the settlers themselves There is no genial
good hearted parsonage called Uncle Sam who will come
gives freely to those who ask orcefuly; and freely
to those who ask while displaying for his benefit good
sized club
The statements of the case given above are made
solely for the purpose of making matters clear in the
minds of everybody interested The time has arrived
when the settlers through their users association
should take steps safeguard their interests Their rights
in the premises substantial and substantially sustain
ed, but should sleep his rights. The first step
to be taken should be the employment of competent legal
counsel The fight that is about to is likely be
long and perhaps hard The best legal talent the state
stakes bg-six million dollars The results