The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-07-15
NEED OF FAIR.
NESS PROCLAIMED
Citizens of State Cau-
toned to Uphold
Law and Order
WORK TOGETHER

nave Doon received from EQucatlOn
Commissioner Swendsen or other
state officials, who have arrived in
the southern part of.the state to take
charge of the grave water shortage
situation NeYs which has reached
the capitol, however, strengthens the
first reports given out that the state
is facing crisis of huge proportions.
Governor Davis, thru his secretary,
Frank W Brown, will withhold any
further view on the matter until
complete reports concerning the
specific instances of the gravity of
the damage to crops from Commits
sioner Swendsen are received and
digested.
Secretary Brown states that Gov
ernor Davis will insist that law and
order prevail.
Wheat Crop Saved
1t was said at the reclamation
commissioners office that the first
hay crop has been saved and also
that the wheat crop is assured. No
other cuttings of alfalfa will be pro-
duced in the districts where the
water shortage is acute.
1t is considered possible, on Carey
projects where small supply of
water is obtainable, that by the rota-
tion of the supply a portion of the
crops may be saved.
Comparison StrikingS,
A comparison of the flow at this
time last year and at the present
time uncovers shortage of water
that is appalling. The flow into the
Magic reservoir, which supplies the
Idaho irrigation project, On June 1S
of last year was 1850 second-feet of
water, while On the corresponding
date this season the flow was 107
secOnd-feet.
On June 80, 1918, $4,000 acre
feet of water were impounded in the
Magic dam, while this year only 66,-
500 acre-feet were stored in the res
ervoir, and approximately 1000 more
acres of land were under cultivation
and requiring water. g..
Rights on the Big Wood river have
been cut to eighty-five and the Little
under eighty-four.
The absence of facilities for the
storage of water is the keynote of the
proclamation of Governor Davis to
the water users of Idaho. That law
and order must prevail is another
idea upon which the governor lays
much stress, stating that he will in
sist upon a strict enforcement of all
laws upon the statutes of the state.
Text of Proclamation
Following is the proclamation.
"TO the Water Users of Idaho:
"NOt in many years has there been
such a serious water shortage as we
are all facing at this time Thru
lack of proper storage capacity and
the action of the elements, many
thousands of water users in the state
are being placed in position that
calls for broad and unselfish thought.
We face great economic loss as in
dividuals and as a commonwealth.
1t brings out clearly the necessity for
" more storage, but it also teaches us
a lesson, in that we now know more
clearly that we must not waste
water, and its value.
''In issuing this statement have
one objective, and that is to caution
water users that the laws Of this
state are to be upheld. Law and
order must rule in the conduct of
the officials and the individuals. The
bolwing up of headgates and the
stealing of water indicates a deplor-
able condition. AS long as am the
chief executive of this state such laws
as we have on our statute books, re-
lating to every condition, will be
carried out to the best of my ability.
"Let me caution all of you that
this is matter for intelligent think
ing, not only because of water short
age, but intelligent thinking must be
the keynote of the reconstruction
period. I ask for the cooperation
and coordination Of water interests
in this state, in the name Of law and