American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1921-10-07
RECLAMATION NOT
WELL SUPPORTED
Lack of Cooperation in Valley May
Lead to Diversion of Funds Appro-
priated TO American Falls and 9th
er Snake River Valley Projects.

Reclamation officials confidently
expect that the contract between the
Idaho Power Company an dthe Recla-
nation will be signed by Power Com
pany officials in New York October
18th, at which time there will be a
general melting of Power directors. All
differences in the contracts are be-
lived to have been wiper out by recent
conferences. Following ratification
by the Power Company the contract
will go to the Secretary of the Interior
A, r. Fall for final ratification.
Governor Davis received a copy of
the contract Tuesday and ii is believed
that the state department of Reclama-
tion will sign with little hesitency
Just when the city plans will be
placed before the city council is not
known Mr.. Banks is now alone in
charge at American Falls and he esti-
mates that it will be several days be-
fore he will be able to give his atten-
ton to the plans of the new town
Efficiency Committee Here.
The efficiency committee of the Rec
lamation Service passed through Amer
ican Falls Tuesday on the last lap of
inspection of irrigation projects in the
Snake River Valley. Engineer Barry
Dibble is with the committee repre-
senting the project managers in the
service. The efficiency board sug-
gests methods of improving project
management. utilizing available ar.
preparations, and cutting expenses as
low as possible.
What their attitude toward the
Snake River Valley is, is not known
lat the present time. Engineers in charge
of the Idaho projects endeavored to
point out the fact that the Minidoka
project has returned more money to
the Reclamation Service fund than any
other project in the United States
Other projects in the valley were pro-
portionate in their returns. This was
bona fide evidence that money ex-
pended in Idaho is a good investment
for the Reclamation Service as it is
regarded as good business to expend
money where returns are most rapidly
realized.
Clam0ring For Money.
With many projects clamoring for
financial support regardless of merit,
and with many sections of the west
willing to expend as much as half of
the necessary costs of creating pro-
iects, the efficiency committee finds it.
self in a difficult position. The Snake
River Valley particularly that part
that is to be directly benefited by the
building of the American Falls dam, is
not meeting the Reclamation Service
half way in the sense that otrer pro-
jects are doing so. The companies that
have contracted for the water and
agreed to make regular payments have
already fallen down successive times
on payments. II is not probable that
they will meet their last years obli-
cations until next year. Various less
important matters have arisen to re-
tard work, so that I'm general 1t can
be stated that the Reclamation Service
is not receiving the cooperation neces-
sary to successful and immediate
construction of pending projects, par
ticularly the one at American Falls.
Just what effect this will have on
existing allotments for the American
Falls project remains to be seen, 1t
can be assumed however that unless
the money now available for construc-
ton work here, is used reasonably
fast, il will revert TO a general fund
and be reapportioned among other pro-
jects that are clamoring for aid and
cooperating In a more bona fide man
ner with the Reclamation Service.
There were few local developments
here during the week. Chief electri-
cal engineer, j. NJ Gaylord was here
yesterday in consultation with engi-
neers with regard TO local projects.