The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1922-02-22
FLATHEAD To HAVE
AN APPROPRIATION
Hot Debate on Floor of House Led
BY Mccormick, Wins for
Irrigation System.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 21.-An
attempt to cut the appropriation for
the maintenance of the Flathead In
dian reservation irrigation systems
from 100000 to $4,000 was sue
cessfully fought a few days ago after
one of the hottest debates staged on
the floor of the House this session.
Representative Mccormick of Mon
tana led the forces u~pholding the ap-
preparation which was included in the
interior department bill.
Representative Rhodes, of Missouri.
introduced the amendment intended to
cut the appropriation, and supported
1t with the statement that the $40, 900
with $4,000 previously appropriated
would be adequate for the needs of
the project. Mr.. Mccormick explained
that the $4,000 mentioned referred
solely to the Blackfoot reservation
and had no connection with the Flat
head project. Mr.. Rhodes admitted
that he was in error.
In supporting the maximum appro-
priation, Mr.. Mccormick said:
I'VE have expended some $4,000 900
upon this project, and the question is,
are we going to make the project such
as the government promised the white
settlers when they went out there, or
are Wa oroino 70 s+on ~ H. usIo4 e
a great work for the accomplishment
OF a temporary economy? You have
a large number of white settlers and
you have an increased number of set
tiers going out there at the present
time by virtue of the governments
previous promise that the project
would be completed within a reason
able time. 1t has not been profitable
for farmers, not only in this particu-
lar section, but in other sections of
the country, to cultivate all of their
lands, and you are going to have that
condition facing this country this
year, if the condition of the farmers
In general is not alleviated by legis-
iation or by the general policy of the
administration. You will have that
same condition obtaining in other
parts of the country, much to the
detriment of the people who live in
the more populous regions.
Il do not wish to leave the impress
sion that the lands in the Flathead
region are being abandoned, or eyer
will be abandoned. 1 do. however,
wish TO leave the impression that if
we a be assured of adequate and
continuing appropriations such as will
give notice to prospective settlers that
the government will not be niggardly
in this regard, but will pour out a
greater amount of largess, as it ought
to do, to complete this project, then
you will have contented settlers on
the Fiathead land, and with the aIIev-
iation of the general conditions, you
will have 100 per cent of the land
cultivated"
1t was brought out during the
course Of the debate that the Bureau
of Indian Affairs had issued a state
ment showing that every cent of the
100000 sought to be appropriated
would come back in time to the Unit
ed States treasury. The estimated
cost of the project per acre when COM
pleted will be $3.50, according to
the statement, while the average
value of the land per acre when COM
pleted will be 500.
After arguments for and against
the amendment had been heard for
nearly an hour, a vote was taken, the
amendment defeated, and the appro-
priation of 100000 was passed.