The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1921-05-18
Shall Farmers
Pay Accruals
Truckee-C Carson Irrigation District
Board to Secure Expressions
On Project Costs

The following letter is being
printed for mailing to all water
users within the Newlands project
in order that a full expression may
be had on the matter of whether
they wish their irrigation district
board to sanction the proposal put
forward by the reclamation service
of the government that the sum of
100000, representing alleged ac-
cruals of past operation and mainte-
nance charges be returned in extra
annual installments extending over
period of 20 years, or whether
they prefer to unite and contest the
stood that the members of the dis
trict board propose to be governed
entirely by the majority expression
on this question.
Fallon, Nevada, May 10, 1921.
May 16, 1921.
Dear Sir: The Board of Direc-
tors of the Truckee-Carson Irriga-
ton District wishes to ascertain the
sentiments of the water users of the
district relative to the matter of in
stituting legal proceedings to pre-
vent the collection from them of the
so-called deficit In the o. & M. col
lections amounting in the total to
about $190,000.00.
This amount represents the diff
! ference between the total cost of op-
i a n faf ~ a
Newlands project and the total
charges against water users for o.
& M. The larger part of this deficit
accumulated during the early years
of the project when there were few
water users and it was impracticable
to collect the full current costs of
operating and maintaining a system
designed and built to serve a much
larger acreage than was then being
served. This deficit began to ac-
cumulate when the project was first
operated and amounted to over
100000 at the end of 1914.
Some time ago the Reclamation
Service offered to contract with the
district TO accept payments in set
tlement of this account after the ex-
piration of the 20 year period OF
construction payments if the dis
trict would guarantee the collec-
tiors bui no agreement was made.
The Reelams ton Service has now
definitely announced its intention or
policy to coll sct all of this total
o., ~ fr]f he l..-
adding a charge each year in excess
of actual current expenses. They
have already credited some surplus
accruals to this account. The at
torneys for this district were asked
to investigate and render an opinion
as to the legality of the practice of
the Reclamation Service In collect
ing on this account. After a thor
ough study of the law and the facts,
they rendered an opinion that no
part of this total amount was legal
ly collectible. In their opinion the
federal courts would nullify this
practice and relieve the water users
of thfs charge If the case were
brought before them and decided
according to law. II is almost GER
tain that the case would have TO be
carried to the supreme court and
that it would be bitterly fought by
the Reclamation Service. A large
expenditure would be necessary for
fees and costs. 1t is possible. how
ever, that part of the expense would
be borne by water users of other
projects with similar interests in the
case.
You are requested to advise the
board by marking, signing and mail
ing the enclosed ballot to show
what action you desire the board to
take in this matter. The votes
should be in our Office before June
9Th. Respectfully,
l.. VAN VOORHIS,
Secretary.
By order of the Board of Di-
ractOrS