The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1922-12-27

tSH OpFlHBb pioJeSi has ptSh pioubhe
to a point where its building is but
a matter OF short time, came to the
Fallen people through Associated
Press dispatches from Washington,
ID. c., in which 1t is stated that a new
contract has been authorized for a
power lease at the Lahontan dam by
the department of the interior. The
Canyon Power Company, holding a
ten year lease which expires In two
years, is TO have the same renewed
for another term of ten years.
The governors Office In Carson
confirmed the statement made from
Washington, going SO far as to state
that the plan of lease has been ap-
proved by Secretary Fall which prac-
tically puts an end to controversy on
the matter.
In this conection 1t is stated that
through the new lease the Nevada
Valleys Power Company and the par
ent company, the Canyon Power
Company. relinquishes its applied
rights TO water power on the Truckee
river at Vista, which has been a
source of contest by the reclamation
service for a number of years. Under
the contract the power company Is
TO make improvements at Lahontan
and also grants a higher revenue to
the reclamation service for the pow
er purchased.
A Long Fight
me night for the development of
Spanish Springs and the relinquish-
ment of the power rights on the
Truckee has been a long and bitter
fight First the reclamation service
contested the so-called rights as
granted by the state engineer to the
company; then many influential cit
liens OF Fallon and the project water
users, have steadfastly fought the
promotion and consumation OF this
additional factor of the original New
lands project. The objectors of this
valley have from the first based
their fight on further costs to them
selves, and the project farmeis; that
the power right was not right, and
that the power from the first be-
longed to the people OF the district.
Many stormy sessions have resulted
with approyals and disapprovals OF
schemes bearing on the development
OF the water and power by the gov
ernment. especially the leasing fea-
ture of the power to the Canyon
Power people, who In turn sub-leased
to the distributing company, where
power Is delivered to Loyelock, Haz-
en- and other sections.
Protestants Take Action
AT session of the Truckee-Car-
son Irrigation district, in which the
board OF directors held stormy SEES
sion, resolution was passed approy-
ing the contract as between the gov
ernment and the power company,
but with number of notifications.
At meeting of the board on Aug.
14th, this action was questioned and
again put to vote. II being sus-
tanned. Failing In obtaining re-
consideration, a number OF those
prominent in the business and farm
life telegraphed to secretary FAN
asking that any action be held up
pending a hearing from the majority
OF the water users. This petition
was signed by men representing
10000 acres within the project.
Project manager Richardson i'm
mediately defended the action OF the
board of directors and In his state
ment said that the contract would
yield to the reclamation service
$4,000 per annum besides paying
into the operating and maintenance
fund from $4,000 tos6,000 per an
mum. He further stated that the
secretary of the interior has signi-
fled his intention to start work on
Spanish Springs reservoir as soon as
this matter has been adjusted. On
the other hand those opposed to the
movement contended that the power
company had no rights, and was
merely holding 1t as a club over the
irrigation district for the extension
OF their lease.
Rescind Action
Those who objected to the grant
ing of the lease as proposed met
again on December and rescinded
the action of the previous meeting
The action coming as a vigorous pro-
test from water users over the DIS
trict. Petitions from Old River
Sheckler. Harmon. and Island dis
tricts were presented, while repre-
sentatives from Union and saltwater
were present and entered their pro-
tests.
At the same meeting II. A. Clark,
representing the city OF Fallon, fiieo
written protest on the part OF the
city. stating that the city protested
any lease unless 1t was specified that
the city of Fallon should at all times
have a preferred right to sufficient
electrical energy to supply require.
ments on its distributing system, ana
that the city should not be required
to pay more than has been paid un-
der prior or existing contracts.
Since the last meeting the pro-
testants and others interested have