White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1919-02-16
Local Businessen Organize
to Promote Water Project
Government Biologists Report Agricultural Possibilities
Steptoe Valley Results in Eastern Nevada Reclamation
Association---Aims to Receive Federal Assistance

Saturday night at the City Hall
the Eastern Nevada Reclamation As
sociation met to appoint a delegate
to send to Washington for the pur-
pose of bringing to the attention of
the Agricultural department the nat
ural advantages of White Pine coun-
ty under the reclamation project of
the federal government.
A. b. Witcher was elected as the
representative Who will so TO Wash
ington IL the necessity should appear
for a personal representative to meet
with the senators and Secretary Lane
At the present time it was deemed
advisable to try anu line up the work
by telegraph.
The finance committee reported
good success in it's work of canvass
ing the city for funds and will make
full report at the meeting Monday
night.
Organization and bylaws we're
submitted by the committee appoint
ed to handle the matter which will
be considered at the next meeting.
Mayor ABB Witcher was elected
president; w. A. Leonard, vice presi-
dent; Thomas A. Bath, treasurer, and
@. s. Hoag. secretary. A committe
on finance was appointed with the
following members: d. C. Mcdonald,
y. H. Gallagher and s. c. Patrick.
A constitution and bylaws for the
organization will be drawn up by G.
IS. Hoag. D. C. Mcdonald and G. A.
Eddy.
The association has determined to
enroll members and charge the an
nual sum of $40 as dues and for the
purpose of promoting the work local
iy and at Washington.
Secretary Lane is now drafting a
bill which will carry an appropria-
tion of 100000 200 to be expended
in reclamation and drainage projects
Throughout the United States. This
bill will apply to land all over the
country; swamp land in Florida and
desert land throughout the west. Ne
vada is entitled to fair share of this
appropriation and it is believed that
local effort made at once will bring
about the desired result.
Owing TO the fact that the Geolog-
ical Survey has selected Steptoe Val
ley as one of. the first locations in
which to make an investigation of
the possibilities of the reclamation
system, local interest has reached a
high point of enthusiasm.
Experiments have resulted in estab-
fishing The fact that water TO the
volume of 400 gallons per minute
could be pumped at depth of rs
feet, while a thousand gallons per
minute could be obtained at depth
of 100 feet. This amount of water
is declared to be sufficient to irrigate
zoe acres. Such a volume of water,
combined with a central power plant
to furnish the power for pumping,
would make the old valley bloom
like a rose.
There are approximately $4,000
acres of land in Steptoc valley. be-
tween Currie and Bullwhacker sud-
nit. where the water level lies ten
to fifty feet under the surface. and
the 200, 900 acre feet of water TO be
had annually is sufficient for this
acreage.
White Pine County has 100000
acres capable of water development.
C. w. Riddell of the survey has for
period of nine months been in
charge of the experimental work in
this valley and has reached the scien-
tific conclusion that Stoptoe valley
will prove to be one of the cheapest
and quickest locations in which the
government can achieve its objective
to provide homes for the thousands
Of returned soldiers who seek the life
of the rancher.
Mr.. Riddell stated that land around
Fallon Is now selling for $4,000 per
acre, and is not of as good quality as
the land In this county, being more
alkaline.
Mr. Riddell addressed the first
meeting held by the citizens and his
enthusiasm was so real that the con-
taeion spread rapidly and an organ
ization of boosters was formed on the
spot.