The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-08-28
OPERATION IS
GREAT PROBLEM
BEFORE BUREAU
Reclamation Servic e
Turns First to Consid-
Grafton of Present Ac-
tive Projects.

Washington.-The construction per
iod of our reclamation system having
largely passed. the government IS now
centering its attention upon the effort
to make irrigation farming on gov
eminent projects satisfactory to the
settlers from the standpoint of operat-
ing costs and operating income. While
there are yet some existing projects
to be completed and others still to be
undertaken. yet the great problem re-
naming is not so much one OF con-
struction as OF operation.
II is common knowledge in the ives
tern states that construction costs on
government reclamation projects were
higher than anticipated. In fact, it
would be difficult to lind a project
which was constructed within the limit
OF cost estimated by government Off
Gals before the work was undertaken.
Many settlers, who are called upon to
pay the cost OF construction as they
pay for the land, have felt that they
were not treated quite fairly by the
government. 1t was known of course, |
that estimates were not finally bind
ing. Nevertheless, settlers feel injured
when called upon to pay more than
they expected to pay when they went
upon the land.
Since most of the settlers upon the
reclaimed land are still making their
deferred installment payments, and
will be making them for many years
to come, the government feels a spec
ial obligation to do what it can to
help them produce crops at as low
cost as possible and to market those
crops at the best price obtainable. In
the hope OF better accomplishing this
the department of the interior has put ;
practical business man in charge of
the reclamation bureau with an under
standing that he will direct his attcn-
ton particularly to the accomplish
ment of several important reforms.
First of these is the reduction of ov-
erhead costs-costs OF supervision and 5
administration. In this respect the o
government has a large measure of
power. In other respects the govern
ment's part in agricultural activities
on reclamation projects must be very
largely advisory and through volun-
tary cooperation. 1t is planned to aid -"
in securing the establishment of :
,reameries. sugar factories, packing =
plants and other industries which will =
serve the needs OF the settlers on the
projects and extend their dependable =
markets for their products. The rec
amation bureau will also cooperate in
hiding markets and in shipping COM
nodities so that there shall be me-
hum OF marketing expense and a max
mum OF return to the producer. o.,
In addition to this work that has :,
zen undertaken for the special bene- ri
I OF the settlers on projects already 70
the department of the in ~,
rrior. under the management of Sec al
ttdi1 NOihs idS SiNNu uNuOho 81
nat where future projects are under tn
,ken great care shall be exercised to hi;
&C that the cost of construction is m,
rcurately calculated so that when the pr
ork is completed an unexpected and
nestimated burden shall not rest upon all
lie water users by reason OF underes- in
nation of the construction cost. The wi
fective adoption OF that policy will pa
can a more general satisfaction Ia
nong settlers in their relationships on
it'll the government. me
1t is intended that in the future no
oject will be undertaken unless it is shi
ear that the probable cost OF OPP the
alton and maintenance will not be MIG
o heavy a burden for the water us Bo
S to carry with the annual crops (
hich they can reasonably expect to -