The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-01-17
FERTILE PLAINS OF SNAKE RIVER 1
VALLEY TO Be PUT UNDER IRRIGATION
Local Men Spreading Plans and Gathering
y Data for Big Project. Thoughtful Men
Taking Hold Without Delay
SENDING DELEGATES TO WASHINGTON

The task of gathering data to lay
before congress on which to secure
an appropriation for one Of the big
irrigation projects of the west is pro-
crossing, with new interest and new
help being added every day.
Clerks at Work
At meeting of the board of con-
troll held on Wednesday afternoon, 1t
was found that the work of compiling
information at the Blackfoot land Of
flee might be sufficiently completed
so that the next lap of the work could
be taken up in Washington, and ar
rangements were made to have Judge
I j. H. Andersen leave for the national
capital Wednesday, January %.
There will be great deal of work
to be done there searching the rec
ords ofseveral departments, to secure
the data needed to make a showing
on which to base the request for an
appropriation for preliminary sur
veys. Bingham county will be asked
to appropriate $1,000 for preliminary
work, the state $4,000, and the fed
eral government 100000. About
$1,000 dollars has already been con-
tributed by individuals, and a men,
bership drive by mail is being con-
Quoted to secure funds to keep the
work going. The men who are push
ing the matter are giving of their
own time and money, and only those
doing clerical work are receiving any
compensation. j. II. Andersen's ex-
penses will be paid on this Washing
ton trip, but he gives his time.
Treasurer Gives Bond
Treasurer M. O. Monroe arranged
to give a security bond In the sum Of
$4,000 for the safe keeping OF the
funds, and the board Of control con-
sisting of F. A. Seeger, r. 3. Hughes
and Norman Geyer, tn connection
with the president and secretary, will
audit alb accounts for expenditures.
The purpose OF all present efforts IL
to secure information on which to
base appropriations to be used In get
ting more information thru prelim-
mary surveys for extensions OF the
Dubois project, and storage facilities
for storing the flood waters OF Snake
river during the spring and early
summer for use in watering the semi
arid lands In the Snake river plains
between Snake river on the east, and
Big Lost river, Little Lost river and
Birch creek on the west, comprising
about 100000 acres in Bingham
county, and about million acres in
all. =
Millions Of New Wealth
These lands have no particular
value in their wild state, but are held
at about SO an acre when patented
and plowed. They will be worth
500 an acre when irrigated. On this
line Of reasoning, million acres re-
claimed means an increased wealth
of ninety million dollars added to
| the country, at an exenditure Of per-
haps one-third of that amount, and
the money SO expended will largely
fnd its way into the possession Of the
people OF this valley. The creation
of the new farms will increase the
commercial activities for all time to
come.
Three Meetings Today
A committee made arrangements
to leave Blackfoot at o'clock this
Friday morning, to hold conferences
with business men at Firth, Shelley
and Idaho Falls today, to interest
them in the project, and secure their
cooperation. Idaho Falls is inter-
ested, and President Pike Of the
Rotary club has arranged to enter
tain the Blackfo0t men at q dinner
at the Eleanor hotel today, at which
time matters will be outlined and
further plans laid.
Local Men Laying Hold
On Wednesday evening there was
meeting Of local men at a dinner
at the Eccles hotel, for the purpose
of visiting and discussing anything
; they chose. At the close Of the meal
they spent about five minutes talk
ing about the revision Of the rural
mail routes Of Bingham county, and
two hours talking OF the new irriga-
tion project. A keen interest was
manifested by all present, and all
agreed that conditions are especially
favorable for getting q hearing and
securing results II prompt action is
, taken. There were present at the
: meeting, District Judge F. J. Cowen.
Col. M. A. Fugate, James Christen-
sen and r. G. Bills, Of the board OF
county commissioners. L. G. Collins
} cashier Of the lrst National bank w.
H. Stuffebeam of the Bingham Abb
> stratc company, George M. Jorgensen
> lof the Jorgensen Grocery company,
! III. r. Jones Of the Bingham County
News Byrd Trego of the Idaho Re-
: publican, J. H. Anderson of the firm
. of Thomas & Anderson, lawyers, Ro-
! bert Peterson of Bybee's Grocey, Ira
( Taylor Of the firm of Taylor brothers.
. contractors, 7 A. Seeger OF he
. ISeeger-Bundlie company, G.. ].
3 Rucker salesman If the Bills Auto
D company, Walter Hagen, president
Y and ]. A. Stewart, executive secre-
r tary Of the Snake River Development
: association, Norman Geyer and r. y,
Hughes Of the board Of control and
: Wesley Lantis, foreman at the Re