Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1916-01-07

legations, and Mr.. L. A. Jones, en-
gineer in charge of the survey, re-
peatedly made the fact clear that in
no event would the government I'M
dertake the actual construction, over
sight or financial responsibility for
the project. Recently | had occasion
to write the the Office of Public
Roads and Rural Engineering which
has charge of drainage Investigations
and called attention to the evident
misrepresentation that many people
seemed to have of the governments
intentions. In reply l received the
following letter which clearly states
the facts as l have maintained them.
Washington, d. c., Dec. 20, is.
Mr.. f. f. Elliott,
Boomers Ferry, Idaho.
Dear Sir:
We note from your letter of Dec
IL to Mr.. S. H. McCrory that there
is an opinion among the landowners
in the Kootenai Valley that the con-
struction of drainage improvements
in that section will be undertaken by
the u. S. government, if requested.
Exclusive of some drainage work
done by the Reclamation Service. in
connection with its irrigation pro-
jects We are not informed that drain
age Investigations are conducted by
any branch of the federal service
other than this office. AS Mr.. Nc
Crory has in previous correspondence
explained to you and other persons
interested in the Kootenai Valley pro-
ject, we are not authorized by con-
gress to do any construction work.
The assistance we can give to
land owners is limited to making
studies of conditions and preparing
plans of drainage. In some few in
stances we serve in a limited con-
sulting capacity to districts during
the course of the construction of i'm
provements.
Our engineers have already made
the surveys for the Kootenai Valley
District and as soon as we have a
conference with officials of the Cana
dian government, who are interested
in the project on the Canadian side,
we shall take up the preparation
of the plans and report. After our
report is submitted to the officials of
the district, our relations with the
district must cease, unless, as before
stated, we can serve in a limited con-
sulting capacity. The district must
secure its own engineers and take
charge of all construction work. In
answer to those who are responsible
for the circulation of the reports
which are giving you trouble in the
organization of your district, you
may reply that we can in no way take
part in the construction of the i'm
provements indicated in the report
and plans which we will submit to the
district. We hope that you may be
able to counterfeit the.ofalse senta
ment which has developed in your
district, and that the landowners may
see fit to effect a proper organization
and carry the recommendation of
this office to a satisfactory compile
ton. Very truly yours,
p. st. j. Wilson,
Assistant Director.
/ am publishing this letter because
it makes clear the fact that no mat
ter whether the plans that these gov
eminent officials may suggest in their
report, or some other scheme, be
ultimately adopted, it will be neces-
sary to have district organizations
on the Idaho side established under
the state drainage laws. The ac-
tual construction, oversight and f.
nancing will have to be performed in
accordance with these state laws anc
in no other way is it possible tc
proceed unless a special act of con-
gress could be secured, which, as
have shown, is not likely. If the
valley is ever reclaimed it will bt
by the land owners working together
under the laws of the state and the
cost Of the enterprise will rest en-
tirely upon the lands so reclaimed.
| Z r Elliott