The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-02-10
FARMER AYERS
DISTRICT BEST
] R c AM zAT|0N
c. J. Antrim Points Out
Arguments Favoring a
Change of Boise Pro-
ject Management.

The matter of drainage, so neces-
sary to the continued welfare of the
Boise project, is in my judgment so
closely connected with the proper
management and control of the pro-
ject as to depend very largely upon
the formation of an irrigation dis
trict," declared c. J. Antrim, a pro-
ject farmer, before the Kiwanis club
Thursday.
An association or district is mere
ly form of government management
and in the opinion of many disinter-
ested attorneys, as we'll as by direct
statement of reclamation officials at
Washington in no way affects the
contracts or rights now held by the
settlers. We have a private corpora
ton today with certain rights, bad,
good or Indifferent. If we become an
irrigation district tomorrow we have
merely changed our form of manage
ment and retain exactly the same
rights"
Mr.. Antrim spoke in some detail
presenting his views of the irrigation
MISREPRESENTATION controversy, and
holding that an irrigation district is
best for the Boise project.
Irrigation district forms of organiza-
ton are in use generally and recog-
nized as the best possible form OF
management for projects that can be
devised, according to Mr. Antrim
The present board, under an associa-
ton contract, has only advisory pow
ers in its relation to the reclamation
service, according to Mr.. Antrim.
Since at present, there is a lack of
harmony between the association and
the reclamation service, it is plain
to be seen that 1.-THE association
can have little usefulness" declared
Mr.. Antrim.
Mr. Antrim pointed out that the
organization of an irrigation district
will also serve to permit liberalized
loans on project lands, particularly UNI
der the farm loan act All lands un-
der the project, operated under an ir-
rigation district, will be compelled to
pay just preparation of all costs and
expenses. This is not true under the
association plan, according to Mr.
Antrim.
Economy of management is another
argument presented by Mr.. Antrim in
support of an irrigation district Over
head costs now run through the Boise
office, to Denver and thence to Wash
ington, according to Mr.. Antrim. OPP
Grating under board of probably five
directors, the irrigation district would
be relieved of all this overhead Tex
pense, according to Mr.. Antrim. The
only thing the government would ex-
pect would be payments due it. This
Is the experience of other irrigation
districts in the Boise valley, Mr.. An
trim said
Speaking of drainage, Mr.. Antrim
said:
"The best plan that has been ar
rived at as yet is to assess the proper.
ty ST. per acre for drainage under the
guise of maintenance and operation
the proceeds to be used for construct
ing drains. The assessment in 1921
covered $4,000 acres and was expect
ed to bring in $l3s.000. | was in
formed by the u, S. R, S. at Bots,
Yesterday that the amount collected &c
date is $4,000 in round numbers, Will
such a poor record of payment ant
no way to force collection, no further
comment is needed to show that drain
age paid for in this manner will b.
long deferred. Under the district form
n contract could be entered into will
the government to go ahead and com
plete the drainage promptly and tn
district would have power to levy ant
collect funds. More than 10000 acre
have already become water logged AM
useless and the seeped area is rapid
" extending. The same inefficien
plan now being used can be continues
for the little that it is worth until
contract can be made and then tn
work could be rapidly pushed.
80 far as the election of officer
and directors is concerned, the last al
nual meeting recently held serves as II
own comment on this, The culumativ
system of voting under the private col
poration laws admits and permits a
kinds of abuses in the election of d