Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-30
IDAHO At THE
TOP OF COLUMN
IN IRRIGATION
Hundred Million Dollars
Represented in the Work
of Retaining Arid Land
in Gem State.
State Has Passed the Period
of Reckless Promotion and
Enterprises are Now on
Solid Foundation = New
Districts Proposed.

Solid Foundation = New
Districts Proposed.
Idaho continues to stand at the top
of the column OF arid states in the
amount of land reclaimed and the
amount of money invested in irriga-
ton. projects. In these gigantic en-
terprises, the sum of 800. 100000 is
represented. Experts, who have COM
pared the Idaho projects with those
In other states, claim that while Idaho
was one Of the last to build them on
a large scale, it profited by the mis-
takes Of others and can lay claim to
having the. most model canals and sys-
tenn Of lateral distributing bitches of
any state where irrigation projects
were built.
CAREY ACT ASSISTS.
The majority of its projects were
built under the Carey act, which made
possible their construction. The state
has now passed through the period
where reckless promoters sought to
get rich quick from the sales of ex-
cessive water rights on large projects.
The courts have now settled water
disputes on several of the large pro-
jects to the interests of the settlers
and prosperous ranchers now enjoy
life on practically all of the projects.
This year has witnessed new develop
ment in irrigation. Several new irri-
CATION districts are now under consid-
Grafton, chief of which is the Boise
Mora comprising some $4,000 acres
| within few miles of the state capitol.
This district proposes to secure its
| water from the great Arrowrock res
ervoir through a pumping system, the
lift being figured at approximately so
feet. Most of the land owners of this
| sagebrush tract have petitioned for its
creation.
lTALLMAN INAUGERATES POLICY.
During the year step was taken
| that is destined, ultimately, to be the
salvation Of "a number of projects
which have been struggling along in
face Of financial reverses. The rec
lamation service. through the depart
ment of the interior, took over the
King Hill project which was organ
lied under the Carey act. Congress
passed an amendment to the appro-
priation bill setting aside 100000 for
that project, and the reclamation serv-
ice will supervise its expenditure and
so complete the irrigation system as
to place the project on Its feet. the
state purchased this project under the
hammer after the promoters failed tc
make a success of it. For two years
the state advanced the money to re-
pair the project works and deliver
water to the settlers. Last fall 1t pro-
posed that the government take the
project of it's hands which has beer
done. It Is the first time that the de-
partment Of the interior had taken
over A crippled Carey act project.
Another notable event in the history
of irrigation in the state was the visit
of CLAW Tallman, commissioner OF the
general land office to Idaho during the
fall of 1917. Accompanied by the lano
hoard Commissioner Tallman spent q
week inspecting the Twin Falis-oak
lev Twin Falls Salmon river and the
North Side Twin Falls projects, al
three of which were created undei
the Carey act and have had troubles
in water shortage. 1t was the firs
time that a commissioner OF the iano
office had personally inspected Idaho
projects, met with the land BOARD ane
settlers on the lands. Both the boarc
and the settlers took Commissions
Tallman's visit as clear indication
NJ the desire of the department tt
keen in close touch with the projects
and the settlers thereon. 1t also re-
suited in a number of perplexing prob
llems being settled to the satisfaction Of
all concerned. The acreage in the Oak
LEV and Salmon River projects was re-
duced so as to assure more water te
the settlers for irrigation purposes.
There were many thousands of dol
lars spent on the improvements ant
maintenance Of projects but no new
projects were launched. Among those
which the land board saw fit to canoe
was the West End Twin Falls pro1ec
because of failure to comply with tn
states contract complete the irriga'
ton system and deliver water to the