Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-01-02
Congressman Smith Intro
duced Bill in Congress
Providing for the Raising
of Funds to Carry on Rec
lamation Work.
ONLY AVAILABLE
SYSTEM AT PRESENT
Members Of Congress From
Other Than Public Lands
States Opposed to Appro-
priations for Construction
of New Projects.

Congressman Addison T. Smith has
introduced in the house of representa-
tives OF the present congress bill
which outlines a plan he believes win
procure ample money through the sale
of irrigation district bonds at a low
rate of interest, for the construction of
irrigation projects. He states in COM
munications received here that the de-
pleted condition of the United States
reclamation fund will make it impos-
sible to take up any new projects of
any magnitude for many years, and
there is determined opposition on the
part of senators and representatives
outside of the public land states to is
sue bonds, or appropriating money di-
rect fro mthe treasury, to reclaim pub
lie lands.
There Is no question" says Con-
gresham Smith. but that sufficient
water to irrigate hundreds Of thou
sands of acres of arid land could be
made available by building diversion
dams, and the construction of reser-
voirs, if the funds could be procured.
which would afford homes for millions
Of people and add materially to the
food supply of the country"
CAN PURCHASE BONDS.
The bill proposed by Congressman
McCracken provided for the payment
out of the reclamation fund the sum of
100000 per annum commencing July
l, 1917, to be known as the reclamation
guaranty fund, for a period of years, OF
until it reaches s10,o00,00o. This is to
be used to reimburse the United States
treasury for any costs, losses or ex-I
penses which may be incurred under
the provisions of the act.
When the secretary of the interior
determined certain lands can be ir-
rigated or swamp lands drained, is
practicable and advisable districts
may be formed to include the lands and
these districts may issue bonds, he may
accept such bonds and advance funds
on them, the United States securing the
interest from them. The interior de-
partment is given supervision over the
expenditure of the funds, similar to the
provisions of the reclamation act. If
there is surplus from the funds rails
ed in the disposal of the bonds 1t may
be used to irrigate additional lands.
The bill concludes with the follow
ing provisions:
That for lands so sold contracts of
sale shall be issued subject to the con-
dition that within two years after the
date of notice by the secretary of the
interior that water is available for the
irrigation of such farm unit, or drain
age capacity is available therefor that
the purchaser shall have cleared
(where clearing is required1, drained.
cultivated, prepared for irrigation or
agricultural uses, in the manner re-
quired by the secretary of the interior
at least eno-eighth Of theh irrigable or
reclaimable acreage of such farm unit
and made proof of the irrigation or
drainage thereof, satisfactory to the
secretary of the interior; one fourth
of the irrigable or reclaimable acreage
shall be reclaimed and drained within
three years, three eights within four
years, and one half within five years
after the date of such notice by theh
secretary of the interior. Upon proof
satisfactory to the secretary of the in |
terror, of the reclamation and drainage
of one-half the irrig-bfe or reclaimable
acreage at any time before or after
said period of five years, patent shall
issue to the purchaser or his assignee
holding an assignment duly filed in the
local land office, but should such pur-
chaser fail to make proof in any year
of the irrigation, drainage, and recla- I
nation of the acreage as herein re-
auired or to Lake proof of the irriga- +
ton, reclamation, and drainage of one
half the irrigable and reclaimable ac- |
reage within a period of 10 years, then I
such contract together with all pay
ments made thereon, shall be subject |
to forfeiture by the secretary of the in
terror. and the land shall revert to the !
United States to be again appraised
and sold in like manner as hereinbe-
fore provided.
That from the money received from
such sales Of land the expense of APP
praisement and sale paid from the rec |
lamation or project fund shall be de- I
Quoted and the balance shall be turned
into the reclamation fund. and may, in !
the discretion of the secretary of the |
interior. be used in the construction of /
proposed projects either under this act |
or under the reclamation law.
That the unpatented Ian Is of the
United States within the limits of any |
district with which contract is made
by the secretary Of the interior shall I
be subject to tn provisions Of the act |
entitled "An act to promote the recla-
nation of arid lands. approved August
II. 1916" (Thirty- ninth statutes. page
506).
That the secretary D. the interior is
hereby authorized to perform any and
all acts and to make such rules and
regulations as may be necessary and
proper for the purpose of carrying the
provisions Of this act into fri force
ard off