Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-02-11
TO NORTH SIDE AND IDAHO
PROJECT USERS

Ihe problem OF now TO hnance the
building of the American Falls Reser-
voir and secure to the North Side and
Idaho Project the advantage growing
out of this enterprise as well as to
make possible the full development OF
all of the land on this project capable
of farm use, has occupied a large part
of my time since our last annual meet
ing.
So far as the plans are concerned,
they have been fairly well worked out
80 that we know what can be done, but
how to get the money with which to do
all this, has been a much harder prob
lem especially the way markets have
gone
think we now have the solution OF
that problem and I wish to put it be-
fore you for your help, if you approve
! In discussion with one of the lead
/ ing Bond Houses last summer as to
why money could not be had for irri-
cation development in Idaho, at which
many reasons were given all OF which
went back to the unfortunate history
OF many of the large projects and the
endless litigation which usually fol-
lowed, I was asked in what way irri-
cation differed from drainage so far az
| financing was concerned. I was told OF
the early history OF drainage in the
Middle West and that the experience
of those who put up the money was
quite similar 10 the history of frriga-
ton in Idaho, most of it was lost It
was recognized however, that lands
must be drained and that a way must
be found to finance it. Growing out OF
this those states finally adopted the
County Unit plan. This worked out
fine in actual practice since which tinae
they have had no trouble to secure the
money for any meritorious project.
The County issued its bonds and col
lected as taxes the amount from the
lands benefited That, in a nutshell,
was the plan. In Minnesota over
twenty-five million dollars in County
bonds have been issued for drainagn
and over one hundred fifty million
dollars have been added to the vaIus
of farm lands as the result
Acting on this suggestion, a copy OF
the Minnesota laws was obtained AMI
careful study made of how they
had worked out We became satisfied
that this could be applied TO irrigation
in Idaho and a number of prominent
lawyers were set TO work to prepar.
law for Idaho. This work has been
done, it has been approved by the L.
S. Reclamation service;-in fact their
attorneys have helped prepare this Law.
1t is approved by some of the larEs
bond houses who say they would br-
such bonds; it is approved by tn.
Governor. Attorney General and Con-
missioner of Reclamation of Idaho, and
has been introduced into this legisIa
ture, and We should all insist upon is
passage. The plan in brief is as fc
lows:
l. A petition must be signed IL
twenty-five per cent or one hundred
people in any county whose farms
would be charged for the work. settir.s-
forth the irrigation needs of the lanr1
In the County and a general plan f.
the work, and such general inform
ton as may be necessary in any cas-.
This may cover an increased wat :
supply, reservoir construction, canal
Improvement enlargement or exte-
sion, or new canals. or such other iI,,
provement as will add to the generf
good Of the County.
This petition is addressed To IT,
County Commissioners. All expen,4
incident to investigating the woeiz
asked for, must be provided by tha
petitioners, so that it will not be 4
charge upon the funds OF the Count
This is to keep out wild Ca
schemes. Such advances to be return
ed in case bonds are voted.
= The County Commissioners the,
forward the petition to the State
Commissioner of Reclamation, w,l9
must make full and complete inves-
usation in order to advise the County
as to the feasibility and practicability
OF the plan the available water suppIy.
character of work required and an
facts necessary in order that th-
people may know what the work will
cost, what lands will be benfited and
generally may advise the Commission
ers. In case the work is to be under
taken, he has supervision and control
of the works.
An exception is made as to the work
to be done by the q. s. Reclamation
Service, as in the case of American
Falls Reservoir, where the investiga
ton of the Government would be a.
cepted. slai@F
3. If the State Commissioner r.
ports favorably, then the whole county
and two thirds Of those voting are r.
quired to authorize the County in uu-
dertaking the financial obligation.
+ If two-thirds vote for the meas
ure, then the Commissioners must C.
termine the amount of benefit each
tract of land would receive and tho
amount it would have to pay, AMI
notice given TO each one. A time IL
then set by the Court at which each
one could be heard If there be any
objection, and the Court is authorized
to correct any unfair assessment.
8. The County may then from time
to time issue bonds for such amount
as may be needed for the work.
All lands in and County that can 10
irrigated from the proposed work may
be charged herewith. State and Gov
ernment lands may be charged and
subsequent purchasers or entrymen