The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1920-09-16
BILL WILL PREVENT
RECLAMATION, PLEA
Oregon Gets Less Than Half of What
Is Put Into Fund, Plant. Con-
gress Plans Are Laid.
portland Oregonian)

portland Oregonian)
An extensive programme for the
coming Oregon irrigation congress to
be held in Portland January 7-S was
projected at meeting of the execu-
tive committee of that body at tn I'm
perial hotel yesterday, in which 1t
was decided to change the annual
meeting of the congress from a three
to two-day session and to place the
congress on sound financial basis.
A special attempt will be made dur
ing the coming year to be of service
to the irrigation projects of the state,
1t was announced.
Many details Of the coming cam
paign to be waged In the interests Of
irrigation and land reclamation were
discussed. 1t was pointed out by Wal
ter Z. Meacham of Baker that In the
past Oregon has not received its just
quota of irrigation appropriations
from the national government.
State Gets Small Return.
"All the other states who have con-
tributed to the reclamation and irri-
cation fund through the sale of public
lands have received back more than
they put in, said Mr.. Meacham. Ore
gon has put In $11,000,0OO and has
received back only $4.500.0O0 as COM
pared to Idaho, who put in $1,000
600 and received s23, 100000; Mon
tana, who put in s13, 900 and re-
ceived 100000; Washington,
who put in s7,000,000 and received
$4,000, 600, and Wyoming, who put
in 100000 and received $4,000
O00."
A general discussion was precip-
itated by C. b. Mcconnell of Burns in
his criticism of the proposed initia-
tive measure number 316-317, enti-
tied the Roosevelt bird refuge meas
USE" 1t was pointed out by Mr.. Nc
Connell that the proposed measure
would prevent reclamation of lands
adjoining Harvey lake which are now
included in organized irrigation dis
tricts; It would deprive the state OF
10000 acres OF swamp lands subieo
to irrigation. the sale OF which would
add more than 500, 600 to the school
fund; II would discourage the exten-
sion of railroads westward from
Crane, and would increase the federal
reserves and thus withhold large
areas from the tax list for all time.
Following the discussion, the execu-
tive committee adopted resolution
in which it went on record as being
opposed to the proposed measure and
that its action be given the widest
publicity possible throughout the
state.
Resolutions for Congress.
The meeting yesterday was called
by the chairman of the executive
committee, James NJ. Kyle, OF Stan
field. J, l.. McCallister of Salem was
appointed secretary. A resolutions
committee was appointed to study
resolutions to be presented to the
congress prior to the coming session
of the legislature.
p. j.. Gallagher was appointed
chairman OF the resolutions commit
tee, which included j. l.. McCallister,
secretary, and Walter e. Meacham,
John s. Beall, r. Z. Bradbury. Harry
w. Gard and C. C. Clark,
The question Of the programme for
the coming congress was taken up
and a committee was named to work
out a complete programme for the
coming two-days session Thomas A.
Sweeney was appointed chairman of
the programme committee, which in
cludes f. N. Wallace, James NJ. Kyle,
John s. Beall, and ]. L. McCallister.
Congress Finances Discussed.
The necessity of placing the irri-
cation congress on sound financial
basis was discussed at length, as the
congress has been supported hereto
fore by contributions alone. A unique
plan was proposed whereby the con-
gress should be financed by a pro
rata tax on all the acreage compris-
ing the irrigation projects of the
state. A committee composed of John
s. Beall, c. c. Clark and ]. l., Nc
Callister was appointed with fun
powers to develop plans for the rails
ing of the necessary funds
With the object Of collecting data
relative to the value of lands In the
various projects, and the amount OF
land available, cost of reclamation,
water supply, crops, character Of the
soil and all particular needs of the
various districts, QUESTIONABLE will
be sent out to all the projects of the
state. The data thus collected will be
published in pamphlet form for the
use of all organizations within the
state in replying to inquiries. The
committee appointed to collect the
data and compile the report consists
of John s. Beall, Fred N. Wallace
and J. l.. McCallister.
All members of the executive COM
mittee are leaving for Seattle today
to attend the northwest reclamation
and development congress to be held
in Seattle September 16 and II.
Star Theatcr