Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1920-03-05

lands after they are reclaimed.
1t was not very many years ago
that water rights costing $4,000 an acre
were deemed to be rather beyond the
limit of feasibility. 1 can very well
remember at the time I came to the
SIinidolla Project, it was thought that
water rights on the land around Bur-
ley, which were finally fixed at some
thing over $4,000 an acre, were more
than the land would bear. That diff
ficulty has been answered and answer
ed very decidedly. There are a good
many projects in the state that are
now being discussed and being planned
where the water right is bound to run
over 100000 an acre. and yet these are
not regarded as out of the question.
As time changes our ideas changc
with them. and the developments that
seem hardly possible at all become of
very ready accomplishment.
After all it is the cost Of getting
these waters on the land that will
probably Indicate the line that we must
follow in our irrigation development.
If we can, each time we build a
project, build the best project that is
available. we are always building the
best project and we are always work
ing on safe ground.
The shortage of water during 's19
panies along the Snake River to
think about securing more water for
lines was initiated in the Upper
lyines was initiated in the Upper
Snake River valley and committee
was appointed some months ago to
find the most feasible location to take
care of their requirements. After
careful consideration and consultation,
this committee reported in favor of
the American Falls site as being the
most feasible at the present time
That was quite shock to a great
many of the Canal companies who had
taken a leading part in proposing this
development because they were above
American Falls. and the question has
caused some controversy as to whether
it would be advisable for these COM
panies to put in a reservoir at Amer
lean Falls and put their storage below
the point where they needed TO get
out the water
AS the situation expands on the
Snake River, it seems highly desirable I
that storage should be developed on /
each of the forks 1t is already de- ,
veloped on the South fork at Jackson I
Lake, and from the Jackson Lake
these companies who initiat-
ed this movement expect to get their
water by exchange for equal rights at
American Falls So these companies
through their committees called upon
the Reclamation Service q while ago,
10 submit q form of contract under
which the Reclamation Service would
lct in the capacity of a contractor, if
you choose to call it so, to build for
Ill these companies q storage reser-
Toir, and to American Falls we look
,or this purpose. I don't intend to go
nto the matter of details as to the
plan of organization that is being
worked out, but all of us are vitality
Interested in the conclusion that is
cached and the results that are OBJ
aimed. l.,
There are other opportunities and ,
ther possibilities that may come along
nee this is under way, and I believe /,
hat by Tar the biggest thing for Idaho .
{ the present time is the fact and the |.
that this reservoir may be
tarted and started in the very near
uture. 1t Is with great deal OF /.
ne newspaper reports are pessimisti- !,
al on the possibilities Of securing
loney from Congress, that plans for
1is development are based entirely g
pom the supply Of the necessary funds =
Y these various comuanies without
nd dependence at all upon Con-
ress.
In other words we can go to Con- =
'ess and say, the people who have o
Established themselves in Idaho ON ir- .
gated lands are not dependent on the >
ltional government. not dependent on
lyone but themselves, but are able to tc
} ahead with the development they \,
ed to perfect their water rights and
AXE their land of the greatest pos
ole value. II that can be done I be- ne
We it will have a very decided
fence upon eastern people generally,
owing the solidity and value of in ev
stments in this part of the country. ar
I'd then, Congress may see the light ",
d come in and provide money for
: storage of waters for public lands.
Ids that are now not taken up, and to-