Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-05-30
The Irrigation District


Owing TO the fact that few under
stand the laws relative to the or
ganization of an irrigation district
and to the unfortunate wording Of
the notice, also to certain statements
appearing in the North Side News. IT
Is thought best at this time to make
few explanations. In a short ar
ticle il would be impossible to refer
to the law to any great extent
But. let me say. in the beginning
II was never contemplated TO accept
this segregation before the system
was completed. In fact only the
state land board can do this The
only thing the settlers can do is to
protest until they are satisfied that
the canals have sufficient capacity
and the losses are sufficiently elm
mated as to furnish water to irrigate
100000 acres on the entire project
giving every land owner the amount
OF water he is entitled to by the
terms of his contract.
Some time ago. a proposition was
presented to the company. by which
the settlers would purchase the sys-
tenn and complete IL themselves.
Note-This would have required
bonding.
Your only purpose of organization
OF the irrigation district that ] ever
heard expressed was that we should
be so organized as a legal body. to
meet whatever conditions would
arise.
Now. what have We done2 A petit
ton has been circulated and near
ly 10000 acres has been signed up.
Maps have been made. designating
the land TO be improved. and descrip-
tion added. These have been cn file
OF the court at Gooding. The maps
are also on file at my Office and at
F the Office of DR. Simonton, Wendell.
\ placed there for the convenience of
4 the people that they may examine
them and point out any mistake or
omissions which have been made
These petitions. maps and descrip-
tions will be placed before the com
missioners June 3. They viii then
& be on file with them at least four
weeks, at which time there will oe
+ hearing or an examination OF the
b procedure. The commissioners will
Z then set a time for an election al
& least four weeks In advance of such
Fl election. In order to carry two
a thirds of the votes cast. must be fav-
q orable. At this election five direc-
8. tors will also be chosen.
N Chonlt tho district ha orraufyad
a Board of Directors will have no pow
er to incur any debt or liability in
excess OF $4,000 TO meet expense oi
Organization. unless authorized to dc
s so by the electors in an election call
~ ed for that express purpose.
# This being the law. Il is hardly
Il necessary to discuss the question o
81 farm loans. for If IL be true that 1
q bond issue would affect fern loans
H certainly the settlers would not vote
&favorably to "A bond issue.
& In the article II is stated that the
*creation OF the irrigation district vii
&destroy the canal company. l fine
T. I'm the petition the following: "It Il
proposed that the settlers and lane
owners within said district shall ac
X Xjointly and through said irrigation
district In the protection, promotion
ind advancement in the mutua
rights and interests of said settler
|and land owners. ana Il
kro-operate with the North Sid
Canal Co. Limited i'm the operation
pnd management of said irrigated
district. 1t seems the purpose of TN
promoters of the irrigation distric
pot TO ignore. nor antagonize, but Z
Recognize and cooperate with tn
,anal company.
From good authority | am inform
ed that under the state contract. an
Individual contract as well. II woul
be impossible for any organization I
destroy the Canal Co. If they so de
tired. and an Agent of a private loa
company said that under the restri'
ions of our irrigation laws no nc
pf irrigation district could interfer
With farm loans.
A. b. STEVENS.
Sec'y North Side Settlers Union
The effort on the part of a fe