The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-09-29
INVESTIGATION OF
AMERICAN FALLS
PROJECT IS MADE
Unless Joint Payment
Program is Followed
Construction Will
Be DELAYED
FACTS PRESENTED
Delay May Cause Work
to Be Postponed for
Some Time

! Some Time
POCATELLO, Idaho.-The fol
lowing statement was issued by Guy
Flenner, managing director Of the
Idaho Reclamation association:
This office has made some in
vestigations as to certain phases Of
the American Falls project and de-
sires to lay before that portion Of
the public directly interested, some
facts that it has collected.
"The American Falls project Is sci
up, as matter of financing, on the
basis of the work being paid for, fol
the most part, thru the joint finan
cial assistance of irrigation com
panies in the Snake river valley and
the federal government thru the
reclamation service.
'In line with this plan, these irri-
cation companies have been re-
quested to pay in certain sums on the
basis of an acreage assessment of
their members into the reclamation
fund, and we find there have been
some objections to this plan, which,
coupled with conditions that have
made payments difficult at this time
on the part of those who favored it.,
has resulted in the payments being
deferred until next year, as we are
informed.
''The information we have from
official sources warrants the state
ment that unless this joint payment
plan can be carried out, the con-
struction of the American Falls dam
will be greatly delayed, If not aban-
donment caused for an indefinite
period. a,s
"The demands upon the reclama-
tion fund are pressing, and the
amount available Is below the esti-
mated receipts. Moreover, consider
able sums of money have been re-
ceived by the reclamation service to
assist in the investigation of pro-
jects, in many cases without contri-
button from the U. s. government.
If these Investigations should de-
velop feasible projects, the parties
interested will, in some cases, act
ually advance the funds for construc-
tion under the same plan as was
promised by the canal systems on the
Snake river. AS the service must
give preference in cases of the latter
kind, any unreasonable delay as to
the American Falls project will
further delay the construction of the
dam.
ut is hoped that the McNary-
Smith appropriation bill can be
passed at the next regular session Of
congress, but If that should be done,
the total amount would not be avail
able at once, and probably not over
$30,000,000 the first year, which ap-
parently is absorbed in advance. The
American Falls project, If participat.
ing in that fund, would be consider
ably delayed, contrasted with the ad-
vancement that is possible under the
present plan.
''In view Of the conditions, we sug-
gest that the most serious considera-
tion be given on the part of the
members of the canal companies to
the pressing needs Of the reclama-
tion service, as bearing upon this
great Idaho development, to the end
that assistance be forthcoming |
when the deferred payment
period referred to in the foregoing
has lapsed.
with this dam constructed, the
Jackson reservoir storage can be
utilized on the land in the upper
Snake river valley, insuring a greater
supply, leaving the lands below to
be supplied from the American Falls |
dam. The benefits to the state at |
large and to all those holding land
or who may reclaim land within the
influence Of this project is so meal
culably immense that one can only
look upon any unnecessary delay as
being extremely costly and hazard
ouS.
1--WE are not desirous of arousing
any controversial spirit among those
who advocate any other means of
financing the project. Our sole pur-
pose is to lay the facts before the in
terested public in a way to point out
The apparent necessity of following a
program that has been laid down,
under which contracts have been en-
,ered into, and which, so far as we
are advised, is to be adhered to.
'The desire of this association Is
% assist in bringing about the sue
,essful contamination of this great
project with the least possible delay
lnder any plan whatsoever, but 1t
seems to us that to fail in coopera-
ion with the program adopted and
carried out, would set the
lock of progress back until the
striking hour of completion would be
lisc0Il ra gin civ n0afn0nad - II