The Delta independent., 1917-04-27
Reclamation Men
Meet at Olathe


Olathe last Saturday was perhaps the
largest in attendance of any in the his
tory of the association.
The meeting had two principal con
tentions: The delay of opening until
costs terms OF construction could be
more fully appealed for to he govern
ment; the further consideration of the
cost provision as it is now summed
up by the government.
After opening of the meeting by
President McClannahan and prelimi
nary, talks. the following resoltion
was offered, which, before adjourn
ment, was adopted by quite a large
majority:
Resolved that the action of the
Board of Directors in appointing a
Water Users Board of Review Of the
ratified and the Board OF Directors
be and are hereby authorized to ap-
point committees. employ counsel. and
take all steps necessary in their pudg-
ment to vigorously present the inter
ests of this association to the Secre-
tary of the Interior and to pay the ex-
pense hereof For this purpose and
TO pay the general expense OF 1917. an
assessment Of Eight Cents tsc) per
acre is hereby made
Speeches we're made by Catlin
Bruce. Bell, obert. McClannahan. OF
the association. followed by Reclama-
tion Director Davis and Reclamation
Attorney King.
The speakers for the water users
urged what they claimed was 10 have
been the original cost price Of the
land, s25 per acre. clearly showing that
the added cost OF the project which
might raise the cost to the amount of
$50 per acre would create a hardship
upon many OF the settlers which they
might be unable to overcome. In this
particular the legal character Of the
original contract was fully discussed
Judge Bell with tears in his voice.
told how he was the man who had
first put the ''PT in Pay. by suggest
ing a price OF so an acre for the land
within project area at a time when
project work was being discussed by
the government with free water He
made his point of argument so plain
that the service said: III it's good
thing for Uncompahgre II must be also
a good thing for the other projects. so
We can perhaps do better by the repay
m-pt plan TO the government for the
costs of these projects" And thus
the good work has gone on and on
until the government is now expecting
all improved land is worth. for this
partially reclaimed area.
Manager Davis proceeded to throw
more cold water on the enthusiasm
and hopes of the water users than
the Gunnisn tunnel runs. when he told
them just what they. through their
board. had agreed to do. and pulled
the correspondence which he read. to
prove IL. This correspondence devel.
oped pleadings for the completion OF
the project at a time when II appeared
10 lag with the promise that the water
users would repay the cost back to
the government He spoke OF the easy
terms given. covering twenty years
for paying out: of the personal pledges
given by Congressman Taylor for the
honesty and good intentions of the
users. etc.
Attorney King followed with an
amicable speech. telling the users he
was their attorney. working the best
he could for both rineir interests and
the interests OF the government, which
caused n smiel.
This covered the bulk OF the pro
ceedings Saturday. conference
meeting was held Sunday at Mont.
rose. at which II is said those present
became in closer touch with the repre-.
sentatves OF the government. and the
promise was obtained that the open.
ing would not be undertaken before
the matters at interest could he laid
before the Secretary OF the Interior
provided this should be done before
the first of September.
Independent has always been of the
opinion that the matter OF reclama-
ton OF desert lands should be done. n
done at all, Mt the expense OF the
government. the same as other i'm
provements and national betterments
are conducted. The government has
done this in the matter OF rivers and