Jerome County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1919-1920, 1920-01-22
WESTERNERS DRAFT
AN ARID LAND BILL
PROPOSE THAT THE TREASURY
DEPARTMENT MAY ADVANCE
NEEDED FUNDS.
Il Would Then be Possible to Proceed
With Projects Which Have Been
Approved and Finance Irrigation
and Drainage Projects.

Washington result of hear
Jugs before committee of congress
and conferences with western SEN
ators and representatives the governors
OF western states and other delegates
from the reclamation association on
January II drafted new bill to be
introduced in congress as a substitute
Tor all reclamation loan bills now
pending.
1t having become evident that con-
gress would not authorize an out and
out loan to the reclamation fund. it is
now proposed in the new bill that the
treasury department may from time 10
time make advances to the reclama-
tion fund. over term of years, up TO
the aggregate of $25OOO0OOO These
advances to be covered by reclama-
ton bonds which shall be issued and
sold as each payment into the recla-
nation fund is made. The bonds will
run for fifty years. bearing interest
at four and half per cent and be
free from federal, state or local tax
alton.
With the money 50 provided, the
secretary Of the interior shall COM
plete existing preparations. proceed
with projects which have been approx
ed but never begun. because OF lack
of funds. and may also take up entire
ly new projects Receipts from all
government irrigation projects shall be
used in paying principal and interest
upon the bonds.
Service Men Are Favored.
The bill further provides that the
secretary of interior. in expanding the
money thus loaned. may enter into
such agreements for cooperation with
states counties irrigation or drainage
districts, municipal corporations, pri-
vate corporations or individuals as he
may deem advantageous. He IS also
empowered to spend part Of this money
in preparing for cultivation Of lands
that are reclaimed, charging the cost
OF this work against the land i'm
proved.
When any new project or unit is
ready for opening, a preference right
of entry for sixty days is to be given
20 soldiers and sailors or widows of
service men, and such lands as are
not entered during the sixty-day
period shall be thrown open to general
entry.
Saturday night the western COVER
nors and their associates met with the
irrigation committees of senate and
house and discussed in detail the draft
of the bill that has been agreed upon
by them.
Saturday afternoon the governors
and other delegates were given joint
hearing by members of the steering
committees Of senate and house.
This Is the first time steering COM
mittee has ever held a hearing open
10 outsiders. to discuss the merits OF
ny legislation, and Senator McCumber.
presiding emphasized this fact, but
said that in view of the distinction Of
those wishing to be heard, they should
take all the time they desired The
hearing lasted more than two hours
Governor Davis of Idaho made the
sire of the west and explaining in a
general way the character OF legisla-
ton sought. He was followed by Gov
errors Campbell of Arizona. Carey Of
Wyoming and former Governor Spry
of Utah. Through all these addresses
ran an appeal for greater cooperation
between the federal government and
the states in building of irrigation
works
One theory advanced with some
force was the desirability OF having
the federal government, with funds
provided by congress, build storage
dams and then contract with the
corporations or individuals to build
distributing systems and get the water
out on to the land.
The westerners, in response to ques
tions, said it was entirely agreeable
that II this plan be followed the fed
oral reclamation service should have
supervisory powers over the construc
tion of projects supplied with water
from government reservoirs.
When they left the capitol. the gov
errors were aware that no definite
stand can be expected from the steer
ing committees until bills have beer
reported by the senate and house ir
rigation committees.
While no promises were elected. tn,
governors are well pleased with tn,
courtesy shown by the steering com
mittees, and are in an optimistic fran,
of mind as regards the future in con
gress.
Ctatietiee m Guherr;otion.