, 1923-10-11
FACT FINDING
COMMISSION BUSY
SECRETARY OF INTERIOR WORK HAS
announced PERSONNEL Of Com.
MTTTEE OF INVESTIGATION

The formation of a Fact Finding
Commission to investigate the whole
system of Government methods in
reclaiming arid and semi-arid lands
by irrigation vas announced today
by Secretary of the Interior Work.
Invitations were SEN to seven
citizens Of national reputation and
prominence asking them to serve as
members of the commission and
conduct an intensive study OF the
problem which is characterized as
one of national concern" This is
in ~furtherance Of a policy instituted
last April.
Included in the list are a former
Secretary of the Interior, the head
Of the United States Chamber Of
Commerce, an author and engineer
on Reclamation and Irrigation Of
international note, two former gov
ernors Of Western States. the presi-
dent of the American Farm Bureau
Federation. and a well-known col
lege president Of western agricul-
tural institutions.
The Secretary OF the Interior in
outlining the reclamation situation
declares that "it is generally report
ed that relatively few Of the or
fginal settlers on projects now re-
main on them as water USERS" He
also cites the fact that zone hun
dred thirty-four millions Of govern
.ment money have been expended"
for reclamation and but fourteen
millions have been returned" while
"six millions are due and unpaid"
Leading citizens Of the United
States invited to serve on the COM
mission include:
julius Barnes. president United
States Chamber of c m m r
Washington. D. C.
Oscar e. Bradfute, president OF
American Farm Bureau Federation.
xenia. Ohio.
Hon. James r. GARFIELD, former
Secretary Of the Interior. Cleveland.
Ohio.
Elwood Mead, engineer and
author Of works on irrigation and
reclamation. 373e Bancroft Way,
Berkeley. California
Former Governor Thomas E..
Campbell Of Arizona. Phoenix, Aris.
Former Governor David w. Davis
o idaho. Commissioner Of Reela.
nation.
d. John A. Wldtsoe. former
president Of State University and
State Agricultural College Of Utah.
Salt Lake City. Utah.
The Commission. according to the
DLns. will b furnished with suit
soie offices In the Department Of
the Interior building and all neces-
sary data, information and courte-
Gus assistance given the members
By the Bureau of Reclamation in
their Investigation.
Tho letter OF invitation sent for
ward today By the Secretary of the
Interior 10 ~ follows:
The purpose OF this letter In to
invite o to serve with six other
men having national confidence. on
Fact Finding Commission, to
make an intensive study Of the
policy. application and operation Of
Government methods Of reciaimins
arid lands BY irrigation. which has
ocome . matter Of national con.
corn.
1t 10 generally reported that rel.
atively few OF the original settlers
ON projects now remain on them a.
water users. One hundred thirty
four millions Of Government money
have been expended. Fourteen mil.
lions have been returned and six
millions are due and unpaid a. Of
December u. 1881 TO which must,
vee soon. be added computation Tor
the present calendar year.
Time extsosions Tor payment OIL
ooth construction and maintesance
charges have @esn asked which, n
sraated. vosl6 multiply deferred
aanual payments. Il IL feared, BE-
voeA the ultimate ability Of the set
siee 70 pay. entailing probable ioss
Of his home and 70 the Government
he Io00 Of the taves1msnt.
The purpose Of this inquiry. In
Which very mnch hope you may
participate. = 70 hate the processes
'oe adminstratos OF tbs trust re-
Viewed By men Of affairs applying
I1Aeir best thought to this important
Boveen0ental agency.
Reclamation has done mueh to-
sard the development OF the west
bst Il now clearly require4 70 -