American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-02-17
GREAT IRRIGATION
DISTRICT PLANNED
FOR SOUTH IDAHO
UNITED EFFORT TO BE MADE TO
BOND FOR NECESSARY AMOUNTS
TO GUARANTEE PAYMENTS, RE-
SUITS OF MEETING FRIDAY.
REPRESENTATIVES THERE

State Reclamation Department Behind
MOvement-FlennerA Appointed MAN.
ager Of Immense Campaign of Edu-
cation and Development.
To meet what is regarded as the
gravest crisis in the history of Idaho
conference of representatives of ir-
rigation companies and districts in
the Snake River valley, was held in
Pocatello Friday with state officials
and men prominently identified with
the Idaho Reclamation association.
The object of the conference was to
save the great American Falls project.
An agreement was reached to under
take the formation of a gigantic dis
trict, for the purposes of financing the
obligations of irrigation companies to
the government in connection with
the American Falls project, and with
out interfering in any manner with the
present or future operating end of any
irrigation organization.
The district will include all ter
ritory embraced within these contracts
excepting sections already organized
as irrigation districts under the laws
of Idaho.
This means, if the results desired
may be obtained, that the whole
strength of practically the entire
Snake River Valley will be thrown
behind the financing of the America
behind the financing of the American
Falls project insofar as privately own
ed lands are required to participate
Are All Delinquent
Every company and district coll
tracing with the government in con-
nection with the American Falls en-
terprise is delinquent in its payments,
due solely to general financial condi-
tions plus the low rate of farm pro-
duce prevailing during the unusual
season of 1921.
Secretary of the Interior Fall re-
fused to approve the pivotal contract
with the power company, which gives
the government it's rights ON Snake
river water, unless these obligations
were met.
This created an incompatible crisis
for Idaho, involving the abandonment
of the American Falls project.
To meet it the Idaho Reclamation
association called the conference
which held sessions afternoon and
evening Friday.
Various means of financing were
discussed and it was finally agreed
that the most effective and economi-
cal plan, as well as the most speedy OF
consummation, was to organize u
blanket district and issue bonds,
which it was stated would find a
ready and favorable market, to sup
ply funds necessary to meet the terms
of the contract with the government.
Governor Davis and Attorney Gen
lafs fsoI nracnnftn
the state government. B. E. Stoute-
myers, district council for Idaho of
the reclamation serviie, with other
reclamation officials including Barry
Dibble, project manager of the Ameri-
can Falls project, were on hand to give
counsel as requested. President
Howard of the Idaho Reclamation as
sociaion, Guy Flenner, its manager,
and Directors l. E. Rockwell, of Bell
evue; P. G. Meredith of Buhl, w. H.
Gibson of Mountain Home and Joe
: Young of Pocatello represented the
association.
} Around one hundred representatives
of the various contracting companies
? and districts were present and the
3 meeting was in their hands after the
/ pTeliminaries, which included a brief
: address of welcome by H. M. Wolf,
e representing the Pocatello Chamber of
: Commerce, the host of the occasion,
and remarks by president Howard OF
t the Idaho association, who called the
: meeting to order. Hon. Peter G. John
e son of Blackfoot, was elected to pre-
side over the proceedings and Miss
e E. Glasser was made secretary.
y Doomed If No Action
a kilograms to the manager of the
: Idaho Reclamation association and to
representatives of the government
d from Congressman Addison T. Smith
= and A. p Davis, director of the reclaim.
t alton, service at Washington were reaC
/ stating that unless the contracting
IS companies met their obligations the
: American Falls project would collapse
q After full discussion of the con
s ditions in the various districts ans
e the sentiment of the farmers therein
a committee on resolutions was elec
ted to crystalline the desires of tn,
- meeting, composed of one representa-
tive of each of the contracting com
% panies and districts. This COMMITTEE
81 commencing the formation of blan
Is ket district for financing purpose
II only and in no manner to interfer
RI with the operations OF any organiza
D tion. The report was unanimously ad
re opted,
8. The responsibility for carrying o
st the campaign was delegated to tn
z