The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-01-03
GOVERNMENT BUYS
l6O ACRES FROM
sNATlTORlUM co,
Other Purchases Unde,
Way in American
Falls by Reclama-
ton Service

A contract has been signed an,
arrangements completed for the pur
chase of the first unit of the nev
townslte of American Falls.
| The contract, signed by the Nata
| t0rium Co., for land owned by tha
company, has been approved by tn,
secretary of the interior, for the salt
OF l6O acres of land to the east O.
the present townsite. This will
serve as the anchor unit of the new
city.
To Buy More Land
The government is also negotiat.
ing with other American Falls lane
owners holding property in the same
vicinity and deals are expected to be
closed within the very near future
The reclamation service also
started this week to purchase ap-
proximately sixteen city blocks OF
local property. One deal has already
been closed, and it is believed several
others will be terminated this week.
This strip of land runs thru the
center of American Falls and is that
area on which the base of the dam
will be built.
F. A. Banks declared the value of
this strip was $4,000. He said that
no special Significance could be at
tributed to the fact that the govern
ment started to purchase this one
particular strip first.
"The appraisal work was on bet
ter shape in this section than in any
of the Others" explained Banks, $50
offers were first made here. We had
to start somewhere.
Fair Values Made A..
Banks said that the government
had carefully appraised each parcel
and would offer the owners a price.
Only one offer would be made, the
owner either accepted the
government price or else followed his
property into court where a con-
demnation valuation would be placed
on the property.
"This was the only course left
open to the government, declared
r. M. Patrick, attorney for the recla-
nation service, "as 1t is the govern
ment's desire to close all deals as
quickly as possible and to avoid all
I..
He was of the opinion that the
purchase would be completed-in-
the cash payment of the
roperties-within one month after
negotiations had been first opened.
TNo~es1o,vs-r Kn..,
Legislation is being considered, it
IS said, by the present congress
the reclamation service will
De authorized to transfer titles of
existing American Falls properties |
% the new townsite. This bill, If
passed by congress, will become a
aw before March 4, 1921. At present
he service is only authorized to buy
outright American Falls property.
Considerable legal difficulties are
by government officials in
completing the purchase of city prop
'rty as many citizens, who have al
eady been approached by the gov
'rnment, have expressed, dissatisfac-
ion over the prices offered for their
holdings.
While on the other hand, an equal
lumber have consented to the valua-
ions placed by the government and
lave expressed a desire to complete
regulations Immediately.
Some Object
In most instances, 1t is shown,
where property owners have objected
O government figures, the landown-
RS have been old settlers and have
'uilt homes on which they have ex-
'ended considerable money in i'm
.. ..,
While these homes are of especial
alue to the owners, the government
fficials indicate they are worth a lot
ess on the open market because of
heir age and that it has been the
pen market that the government
as considered in arriving at it's fig
res.
With view towards speeding up
he appraising work, the reclama-
ion service has brought to American
'alls, A. W. Allen, of Boise, for the
urpose of completing the present
7ork under way.-American Falls