The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-02-14
Governor Stewart Promises
Support to Irrigation.
Campaign.
----.---------
INDIAN EMPLOYED
TO OPPOSE GRANT
Head of Delegation Admits
Washington Attorney
Hired Him.

Although the senate committee on
Indian affairs yesterday allowed only
$250.000 for reclamation projects on
the Flathead reservation instead of the
$7s0,000 asked and needed. western
Montana's fight for the full amount
will be continued. with the support OF
Governor =. v. Stewart and President
j. NJ. Hamilton OF the state College.
Senator II. l.. Myers yesterday sent
word that the Indians opposing the rec
iamation work had injured themselves
at the senate committees hearing by
admitting their connection with Victor
}. Evans, IA Washington attorney, un-
der contract to stop the project. Sim
uitaneously came the announcement
that Governor Stewart. President
Hamilton and officials of the Great
Western sugar company will back up
the appeal OF the Flathead farmers for
better irrigation facilities.
Food Output Threatened.
Governor Stewart yesterday Informed
d. d. Richards, secretary of the Mis-
soula Chamber OF Commerce. that he
approved the request of the Flathend
people and had telegrap phed his In
doraement to Washington, Restriction
of the reclamation program will reduce
Montanas y output or food. the governor
said. at a time when food Is most need J.
ed. AZ head Of the state council of de
tense the governor viii appeal to the
senate again today,
President Hamilton also sent a tele-
gram to Washington approving III.
$75O. 900 appropriation. Two represent
atiyes Of the college have been on the
Flathead recently ns investigators. and
their findings indicate the need OF ir-
rigatton.
Sugar Company interested.
III the Flathead country is to pro-
duce the sugar beets which the coun-
try needs so badly the farmers there
must have water" said +. A. Wilson
local manager for the Great Western
Sugar company yesterday. Mr.. VIII
son took the matter up with President
petriken OF the company. who will ap-
peal to the sugar commission for ~
Influence.
Meanwhile the Missonla Chamber OF
Commerce and other western Montana
organizations prepared for an inten.
sive campaign to last until the $780,
900 appropriation shall have beer
granted oT tie orHHiS' 'V"'
ator Myers promised tn continue ths
fight for a larger allowance
Indian Hired by Attorney.
Washington, Feb. l3.--Speciai.- The
climax in the bearing before the com
miitee on Indian affairs came toda,
when George Wasson. an indian from
Oregon, admitted under cross -exami.
nation that he was employed by Vic
tor J. Evans, an attorney OF this city
I 10 work among the Flathead Indian'
and persuade them To come to Wash
1ingtnn and oppose the appropriation
/ Of 1856. 900 for the Flathead reclama
tion project
In the previous hearings the fndianI
had made "A favorable impression OF
the committee. but after the Wassol
admission the good faith OF their oppo
sition was questioned. and the com
mIttee finally voted for an appropria
ton Of S250.0O0.
| During his Testimony Wasson salt
that he had secured the position o
counsel for the Indians for Evans. an'
that he WAS acting for and at the In
stance of the attorney In the mission
larry work he had done among the tribe