The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1922-02-24
MEX RIVER VALLEY NOT
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF
IRRIGATION PROJECTS
REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES
RECLAMATION SERVICE SHOWS THAT H
VALLEY USES WATER FOR U TWENTY.sIx
PER CENT OF THE TOTAL IRRIGABLE LAND
INTERESTING EPORT FOLLOWS:

years., the first installment being re-
ouired on December / Of the year in
which the Public Notice is issued.
8, It has been claimed by a num-
Der of landowners that such an issue
Of Public Notice would impose a great
hardship on those whose lands are not
fully under cultivation, particularly
those holding lands in excess of 100
acres, since several years probably
would be required for the disposal OF
these lands without undue sacrifice.
In the case of some lands having
heavy soil, it is claimed also, that
several years will be required to
bring the lands into a condition OF
maximum production. In the mean
time the annual payments Of the con-
struction charges, as we'll as the OPP
Grafton and maintenance charges on
all of these lands would have to be
made, or would become delinquent and
would accumulate against the lands,
thus resulting in an increased diff
Guilty in the disposal of the lands, as
we'll as in the financial embarrass-
ment of the owners thereof.
8. The construction charge per acre
which should be announced in the Pub
lie Notice, if such should be issued,
would be based on the cost of the pro-
ject when completed, or if any pro-
posed future work were not included
in the determination of the cost per
acre as announced in the Public No.
tice, it would be necessary that the
majority of the landowners and entry
men authorize by vote an increase in
the announced constructio charge suf-
ficient to cover the cost of any ad.
ditional work desired before such ad'
ditional work could be performed
Such an authorization by vote of the
majority Of the landowners and entry
men is a requirement of Section 4 Of
the Reclamation Extension Act.
10. In order to hasten the develop
ment of the portions of the project fol
which has been so long available, ant
in order to place such portions Of tn
project on a paying basis as soon a
possible, thus eliminating, or at leas
reducing to a minimum, any addition
to the operation and maintenance dc
ficit, it had been expected to ope
> under public notice, early in 1922, tn
; Glasgow Division and a part Of tn
Malta Division to which water can b
furnished from Nelson Reservoir
However, after careful considerable
of the existing conditios, as herein
before outlined, and of the presen
general agricultural and financial con
ditions, it was deemed inadvisable
issue such a public notice at this tim
and in letter of December 81, 1921, tn
Director of the Reclamation Servie
I recommended to the Secretary of tn
Interior a substitute plan, whereundt
{ the conditions could be met in a mai
u ner believed to be most a~dvantageo,
l both for the landowners as a who
> and the Government. The interests
{ the farmer obviously are the interes
of the United States, for it is evide
e that the return to the Government
II it's investment is dependent upon Il
success of the farmer.
II. The plan recommended to t
Secretary by the Director in his lett
i of December 81, 1921, was approx
q by the First Assistant Secretary
~ the Interior and is as follows:
Vi (a) The continuation Of the prese