Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-02-24

1 Idtktil says III OuNiliilliS Allt SilbdllOii
in a, letter, the report of the inspector |
from the general land office was
simply made with view of assisting |
people who had holdings in the pro-
iect and to ascertain whether the gov
eminent would be justified in accept |
ing yearly proofs on their desert en-
tries from the settlers in and contig- |
uous to the King Hill project, when
the only evidence of a water right
which the settlers had was a contract
with the irrigation company. This
conclusion he draws from casual
reading of the report.
Those interested in the project will
have to bear in mind that owing to the
demands for appropriations for the en-
largement of the army and navy and
for the completion of the irrigation
projects which have heretofore been
/ started the progress to secure favor
able action with regard to the King
Hill project. will necessarily be slow
Added to this is the further drawback
that when the reclamation act was
passed in 1902 it was said the various
projects then being considered would
/ not require over $20,O0O,00o to build
and complete. Up to this time over
! S1o0, OOO, 900 has been expended and it
I is estimated it will take another $780,
! 100000 to fully complete the irrigation
works upon the various projects This
has aroused opposition. Floor Leader
/ Mann and Representative Fordney of
Michigan, have taken the floor in the
house of representatives and com
planned against the presentations
made in 1902 and the vast sums of
money expended. Their influence is
great in the lower house. Therefore it
is going to take patient and persistent
work to secure friendly consideration
of pending measures. 1t will probably
be difficult even to secure the appro-
priation to acquire the necessary ex-
animation and reports on the project
Reclamation Service Friendly.
Fortunately the reclamation service
and the head department at Washing
ton arc friendly to both the King Hill
and the Black Canyon projects and
win he glad to make the necessary in
vestigations to see that both are
placed on their feet. The law pro-
vides the receipts of all sales Of public
lands. including mineral lands, shall go
to the reclamation fund and be used
only for the purpose OF reclamation Of
arid lands. From 1902 to 1914 the. re-
ceipts from these sales run in the
neighborhood of 100000 a year, but
last year they dropped off to $4,000 600
This necessarily limits the scope of
the operations Of the reclamation de-
partmcnt even in the handling of prof.
Gets already under construction and
It is now apparent, says Congressman
McCracken. It will be necessary to ask
the government to make future APP
propriations out of the general treas
ury. Approaching the friendship of
the reclamation service and determined
to take advantage of all favorable OPP
portunities Congressman McCracken
proposes to fight every inch Of the way
in behalf of the King Hill and the
Black Canyon bills. He will canvass
every member of the irrigation and
arid lands bills personally and will
generally act as the friend in court
,. of the King Hill and Black Canyon
settlers.
What Bill Provides.
Tho provisions of the King Hill bill
introduced by Congressman McCracken
follow:
BE 1t enacted by the senate and
house of representatives OF the United
States OF America assembled, that the
secretary of the interior is hereby au-
thorizcd and directed TO negotiate with
the state of Idaho for the purchase and
conveyance to the United States of all
the irrigation works, water rights, and
other properties which are in any wise
connected with what is known as the
King Hin irrigation system in south
eru Idaho. and the amount to he paid
therefor shall be the value. at the time
of transfer. OF the physical property Ia
he turned over. not exceeding tho
amount paid therefor by the state OF
Idaho, with reasonable interest. In
connection with such transfer there will
be a complete adjustment to the sat
isfaction of the secretary Of the in
! terror Of ali rights or claims against
said property or in any way connected
herewith. and Of all rights claimed OF
behalf of said system.
! Asks for Appropriation.
Section .. That there is hereby ap-
propriated. out Of any funds in TIN
treasury not otherwise appropriated
the sum Of S.......,. for the purchase
Of the said system and for the repair
e. and reconstruction thereof so tina
water may be delivered for thu prorc
Irrigation Of the lands which may bt
served thcrcfrom. Before amy paymcn
is made for said property the person
owning or holding land under the sal,
irrigation system shall make contract
@ satisfactory to the secretary Of the in
y terror to secure payment to the Unite,
T. States for the entire amount expcndc,
st by the United states for the purcha Sc
o repair, reconstruction. and operation
E I