The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1921-08-23
CONGRESSMAN SAYS
STATEMENTS UNTRUE
GIVES HIS ESTIMATES FROM
REAL FIGURES-MR. FRENCH
ON RECLAMATION.

The attention of Congressman Bur-
ton l.. French has been called to state
ments that are being quite widely
published in the west as to the situa-
tion touching reclamation funds
available for expenditure during the
current year and the statement that
there are millions of dollars tied up in
buried funds that are being withheld.
Mr.. French wrote to the Star Mirror
Tuesday:
Il believe that the foregoing state
ments may be misleading and that
the true situation should be set forth.
The amount of money carried in
the last appropriation bill for recla-
nation work was $20,266, 100000. This
amount was, of course, based upon es-
Inmates OF receipts to the reclamation
fund and while the amount was indi-
Gated In figures there is always in
cluded the provision that the amount
is appropriated subject to the maxi
mum receipts to the funds. That be-
ing the case, if the receipts for the
funds during the fiscal year are con-
siderably less than the amount ap-
proprlated, the amount appropriated
automatically must be regarded as
Identical with the receipts.
''Since the estimates for the appro-
prlations were made, most serious
disappointments have occurred in the
amounts received from various
sources for reclamation work. We
had confidently counted on exceed
ingly large amounts from oil leases.
The turn that has occurred in the oil
business has reduced these funds
millions of dollars. This item repre-
cantc tho lornoct co,,rco Of Jiconpnint
ment in revenues usable for the re-
fund. To some extent, the
reclamation fund available for the
current year is diminished by delays
in the payment of construction
THE total depletion in receipts will
probably be between six and seven
million dollars-making total
amount available for the current year
IF thirteen or fourteen million dollars.
Of this amount, one million will need
10 be paid into the Treasury as a part
If refund now due on account of the
oan made from the Treasury to the
fund some years ago.
That cuts the amount available for
his year to between twelve and thir-
een million dollars instead of about
,wenty million.
NECESSARILY most new construction
work will be delayed unless the Fed
.ral Government shall make advances
o the fund and at this time that does
lot seem at all likely. The expendi-
ure of funds will largely center
Iround operations and maintenance,
With some small amounts used for
most necessary advance work.
with regard to moneys buried IN
hidden places that should be made
would say that there must
e some wrong impression touching
he exact situation.
''It is true that certain leases and
that should net money to
he reclamation fund are tied up by
litigation, or are in process of ajudica-
ion in the Department. AS the cases
re favorably adjusted, the moneys
re released at once that should go to
he reclamation fund and there Is
very disposition on the part of the
department. and on the part of Con-
.ress to expend the money coming to
he fund as soon as it may be wisely
expended and not permit it to pile up
n the Treasury This tendency is in
icated by the fact that the Congress
asst spring authorized expenditures
ar in excess of what will probably
g the actual revenues.
"As for the Smith-McNary bill, l
elieve sentiment is shaping up for its
,assage. l do not believe it will be
ossible to press the measure to pas
age during the Extra Session of Con-
-ress because of the serious financial
onditions of the country, but / do be-
eve that matters are shaping up SO
hat it will be possible to put the
MEASURE thru during the regular
ession.
Il try to let my judgment run close
o the facts and not be disturbed by
ny hopes and wishes and l believe
ny estimate of the situation repre-
ents conditions as they now appear.
Representative Smith, Senator Nc
larry, and other members of Congress
n both the Senate and House are
ending every energy looking to the
dvancement of the Smith McNary
leasure."