The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-09-09
DR.. Il. F. NEWAL'S
REMOVAL ASKED
Resolutions Water Users Urge He Be
Ousted for Good of Project
Other Important Demands

j. l.. Truscott presided at the meet
ing of the Lower Milk River Valley
Water Users association held at Malta
Tuesday evening, and in remarks made
in calling the meeting to order, said
that there was no difficulty expert
enced on the part of any of the water
users, in pointing out who was to
blame for the present condition of
the project. He said emphatically
that DR.. Newall was to blame, and
that the reclamation system of treat
ment of settlers was wrong.
Commissioner Davis, who was pres
ent asked questions and details were
gone into by Mr.. Truscott and other
water users present, for his informa-
ton. 1t was told how President Roos-
evelt had personally directed Newall
to expend $1,OOO,OOO on the project;
! that he used large portion of this
in building a canal on the wrong side
of the St. Marie river, and explained
the mistake by saying that this was
done at the request Of the state de-
partment; that the remainder of the
ready money was diverted to another
project. That all of the canals are
inadequate; that the turn outs are in
the wrong places, often requiring
water to run up hill and other in
stances were referred to showing that
the project construction is scientifi-
cally wrong and in many respects in
efficient.
Speakers also referred to the fact
that DR.. Newall was the representa-
tive of the project in the negotiation
of the treaty with Canada; that he
reported that he had made fair and
beneficial treaty, and that water
rights were settled. That it now ap-
pears such matters are far from final
settlement, and that he muddled mat
ters so that the project is in danger
of losing large share of water tc
which it is naturally entitled.
Complaints as to the present man
agement were also many and import
ant, all tending to show that settlers
were given no consideration by those
in charge of the project work; that
they were considered impediments to
construction and treated so harshly
as to discourage them. Instances of
treatment that was almost brutal were
detailed.
Much of the talk related to the ex-
travagance in all departments of the
administration. 1t was presumed that
all of the items of expense would be a
part of the cost which the settlers
would have to pay eventually, and
should be curtailed, in view of the
fact that the cost was now largely in
excess of the $25 per acre, held out
as an inducement to get them to set
tie on the land, many years ago. The
large fleet of automobiles, the i'm
mense office force, and the many
other useless men on the job, were
referred to; some most laughable and
convincing instances of extravaganza
and incompetency were related.
After more than an hours discus
sion set of resolutions were unani-
mously adopted which will be trans
mitted by messenger direct to the
Secretary of the Interior. After be-
ing voted upon the document was
taken for circulation over the project
in order that it might be signed by
all water users, and cannot be located
at this writing, hence cannot be pre-
sented verbatim. In substance after
reciting detailed facts which were a
scathing indictment of Mr.. Newall
and the Reclamation service, the reso.
lutions demand the removal of DR.
Newall and the reconstruction of the
service along lines that will result in
cooperation with settlers; asking that
the Agricultural department have
charge of the distribution Of water;
and demanding that the project be
finished and the total cost be deter
mined as soon as possible.
The resolution will be published in
these columns as soon as copy can
be procured They will be dispatched
for Washington as soon as the sign
ing is completed.
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