East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1921-02-05
FEDERAL AID
CcOD.inued from page ~

explained In detail by Mr. Lewis. VIII
used as illustrations colored maps 0
the Columbia river region from Una
tilla 70 Arlington and a map Of the Co
lumbia Basin district in Washington
As for the John Day irrigation district
Mr. Lewis told Of his own inyestiga
tons into its feasibility.
THE soil is among the finest in ths
world he asserted. "It can largel,
be irrigated. 1t can be developed for
considerably less than 5000 an acre
for Washington, with its large ColUm.
bia Basin project. estimates a cost moi
to exceed sf71 an acre.
"The hope Of the John Day project
lies in the passage OF the Smith
Fletcher bill. now in congress. II
provides that districts. such as the
John Day, may issue bonds, to be
matched by the government. Tho
bonds then shall be held until the dis
trict is developed. later to be sold
This means that the federal govern
ment loans its credits for the encour-
agement and upbullding Of the west
and provides a means of succeeding in
great undertakingsf
Cooperation Necessary.
The potential coal that is represent
ed in the water power OF the Colum-
bia at Uniatilla Rapids was pointed
out by the eminent engineer. He de-
clared that in order to make use of all
this white coal. however. it would be
necessary for the various agencies to
cooperate, as development by any one
agency would be too expensive.
Therefore the probability of elcctrifi-
cation by railroads and the bringing OF
Industries such as the nitrate indus
try must be considered.
idaho has the largest phosphate
beds in the United States, MIR. Lewis
pointed out, but this material is ship
ped 10 Japan in raw state. With
electric furnaces it could be made into
super phosphates. containing 40 TO SO
per cent phosphate. Southern Oregon
lake beds contain vast sodium depos-
its. This material, blended, by cleo
trio furnace. with nitrogen from the
air. could produce cheaply the neces-
Hii HbulAlil NihAttf VI NifAlA SAT- =
petre, to fertilize millions of acres in
this country Oregon's seacoast pro-
duces kelp. rich in potash, which
could be extracted. Germany is now
tlps chief source of potash for the
world. he said.
Fertilizer Industry Probable.
This country uses S500.000 600
,.-n~.i, - ,,,fuor,l Farfflyvars a ..oof
Mr.. Lewis pointed out. Most Of this
is imported. With cheap power and
the raw material so near at hand, Ore
gon could compete with the world in
this one great industry, not to men
ton others which could be Quilt up
The experience of Niagara Falls,
and other points where water
power has been abundantly developed
was related. Oregon is in just as ia
vorable position. the speaker declared.
The water flow is ample for all needs,
raw materials are handy and ocean
ships can almost come to the power
plant to load for the markets of the
world.
In financing and developing such a
vast scheme Mr.. Lewis suggested that
those who take the initiative should
obtain enough power contracts from
industries and possibly railroads to
pay tho interest profits and deprecia-
ton on the investment The persons
using the water for irrigation, he said,
should not be Obliged to make any in
vestment further than building theI
dam and installing the machinery.