The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1916-04-20
FEDERAL HELP ASSURED
Congressman McCraeken Gives En-.
couragement on River Canal
iZatiOn


izatiOn.
The Lewiston Commercial club re-
ceived letter from Congressman Nc
Cracken OF Idaho, says the Tribune
last Saturday, in which he gives addi-
t1onal information relative to the
Snake river canalization bill which
passed the house last Tuesday having
been introduced by the congressman
at the suggestion of the Lewiston
club. Mr.. McCracken states that the
specific provisions of the bill, which is
incorporated in the general rivers and
harbors measure, are as follows:
Columbia river from Cello Falls,
Oregon, to the mouth of Snake river
Snake river to Pittsburg Landing,
Idaho, with view to the construction
of locks and dams for navigation;
Clearwater river from it's mouth to
Orofino, and in making such exam
ination and survey the engineer or
engineers having the same in charge
shall take into account any PROPOSE
tion by local interests for participa-
tion In the expenses of said project in
connection with the development of
hydro electric power"
In his letter Congressman McCrack-
en- continues:
"You will observe that this section
gives very broad authority to the en-
gineers who will be called upon to
make the investigation. When the
bill has passed the senate it will be
proper for you to correspond with the
district officer of the board of engin-
GERS at Portland and ask him to make
his report as broad as possible, in
Guiding any references that he may
see fit to make relative to the subject
of irrigation.
"You will also observe that if this
bill passes in its present form a board
of engineers will have full power to
spend such sum of money as it may
/ feel called upon to eXpend in making
the survey and report of your section
of the river. In this matter l am sure
i it will not be difficult to induce the
board of engineers to make such a
survey, that its report to congress
would be favorable to the canaliZation
of the river.
"In the event that this bill should
be amended in the senate it is not like
ly that any amendments will be offer
ed affecting this provision for the sur
vey of the Columbia and Snake riv-
ers."
The broad scope of the bill in the
authority given the engineers makes
the investigation specifically adapt
able to conditions here, where a move
ment is under way to secure dam
either in Snake or Clearwater river.
The United States engineers will not
only secure full data as to canaliza-
tion in its relation to navigation, but
they will have specific authority to-
and are directed to, confer with in.
terests which might desire to install
dams for the development of hydro
electric power. The measure thus puts
the situation here in workable order
in which the direct cooperation Of tht
government is secured through valu
able and authoritative service render
ed by the engineers. In the absence
of such legislation there was no au
thoritative force on the part of th'
federal government to act III suci
matters, and in such absence neces
sarily delay would have been encouh
tered.
3 The work of the engineers Will re
: ceive attention during this summe
t and the report to be made to congress
4 must be submitted during the coming
: year.
l To judge of the Importance OF TN
!, canalization work as viewed Dy u
a United States engineers, it can D.
I stated that they class it as greater Il
t all features than the Cello cana
: which cost $5,OO0,0OO. and it is know
' from earlier preliminary reports the
!. have submitted that they are aireaa
b convinced of the feasibility ana desii
+ ability of the improvement ana WI
' therefore so recommend, thus placin
!. the great project on the continuln
i. contract basis. In the meantime an
e local project involving the installa !
It tion Of power dam would not, !
d view of the McCracken bill, nave
e await the completion OF the entl[
i river canalization plan but coula
y carried forward as unit III hariiioH