The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1923-03-07
Preliminary work to
start on Spanish Spring
Reservoir J. T. Rich
ardson goes to Denver
to consult with project
engineer. Gives short
interview on magnitude
OF project extension

Saturday afternoon word was re-
ceived in this city by Senator Vencil
and the reclamation office that the
contract between the Canyon Power
Company and the Department of the
Interior had been signed by Secre-
tary, Fall, 1t being one of his last
official acts before leaving the pres
idential cabinet.
To those who have entered protests
against the contract in it's present
form, and without amendments for
better power concession, the signing
of the contract came as a disappoint-
ment. On the other hand the people
who have advocated the signing as
the foundation for the Spanish
Spring reservoir this final action by
Secretary Fall naturally came as well
come news, as they have maintained
that without his signature, and new
man taking over the office, there
might be extensive delay in what
they have regarded as the ultimate
consumation of the project as a
whole.
A Bitter Fight
Since the day the Canyon Power
people took over the power right on
the Truckee at a point near Vista
there has been fight. Many con-
tending that the right was mythical
while others saw 1t as an obstruction
in the way of further development
With the granting of this vested
right by the state engineer the cor
poration has had the upper hand, and
in order to remove this obstruction
the government has signed a ten
year lease with the power company
to the Lahontan power and electric
plant in exchange for the Vista power
site, the company transferring all
ef its rights in land and power 10 the
department.
Protest Contract
When II became known that such a
contract was framed and likely to re-
ceive approval many of the water
users and project people protested
the plan, maintaing that something
was being given for nothing, and that
a fixed rate for electric service should
be embraced In the contract. 1t was
also maintained that provision
should be made to prevent the fur
ther assessment of any charges
against the people on the Newlands
project in order to carry out the pro-
visions of the building of the Span
ish Springs end of the project.
A mass meeting was held in ShicL
the protestants lost out, they being
outvoted. They In turn at once took
up the matter with the senators and
others at Washington and again filed
protests to the contract and have de-
layed the signature of the retiring
secretary for several months. They
have put up a bitter fight and have
had the backing of many of the water
users, especially In the low lands of
the project, while the bench people
have stood firmly with the original
contract and have insisted that the
signing of 1t was their salvation, as
It would bring additional water when
they needed the flow.
OF recent date a Joint resolution
passed the Legislature asking for ac-
tion by the secretary of the interior.
This brought another argument be-
fore the assembly, Miss Towle being
fer the resolution and the signing ef
sfe contract. Assemblyman Ions was
opposed to its passage without res
ervations. In the vote the lady men,
ber won out. The resolution was
framed by Senator Vencil and passed
the upper house without opposition.
Much Relieved
Following the receipt of the news
of approval in this city Mr.. ]. F.
Richardson In short interview said
Naturally l am much relieved, as
I feared that the contract might &c
over until an indefinite time, as the
new secretary would not be convers.
ant with the case and 1t might re.
open the entire affair which only
meant further delay.
II have endeavored to secure con
cessions both through the depart
n.ent heads and Mr., Adams, o: tis
power company. They both declined
to go any further in the matter. and
only last week Mr.. Adams assured
me that II this did not go through
that his company was ready to spent
$3,000,000 in the construction of {
new power plant at Vista, which
would for all time block Spanish
Springs development. as with that IL
the way the government refused t
act.
I'm my recent talk with Mr.. Adam
in San Francisco I suggested tina