The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1923-06-21
Chairman of Subj Committee
on Appropriations
Visits KenneWick
rs GETTING DATA
ON RECLAMATION
Says He Does Not Know
What will be Result of
Davis Dismissal

Congressman Cramton of Michigan,
spent the night in Kennewick and this
morning was taken on trip over the
Highlands and out across some of the
arid lands included in the Kennewick
Unit of the U. S. Yakima reclama-
ton project.
Congressman Cramton is chairman
Of the house subcommittee handling
appropriations for the interior de-
partment, including the reclamation
and Indian services He is on spec
ial tour thru the West for the pur-
pose of Investigating reclamation, bu-
reau Of mines, and government parks
as all coming within the jurisdiction
Of the interior department.
Congressman Cramton spent yes
terday in the upper valley and was
accompanied by Congressman John
W. Summers, who left for his home
in Walla Walla last night and j. L.
Lytle, manager of the Yakima pro-
ject The party was met here by
Manager Smelling of the Umatilla
project and Congressman Cramton
will spend today in the Hermiston
district.
Congressman Cramton frankly adj
mitted that he is "up in the air" be-
cause of the summary dismissal of
Arthur p. Davis as director Of the
reclamation service. eve don't know
where we are or what the result of
the reorganization of the reclamation
service will be-" declared
the congressman. Members of con-
gress, especially those on the appro-
priations committee, had the greatest
confidence in Director Davis. We
relied very largely upon his Judgment
and his recommendations were invar-
iably favorably acted upon. I dare
say that had Mr.. Davis included in
his next budget an item for the con-
struction of the Kennewick unit, the
appropriation would have been voted
by congress. / can't say what the
result will be now"
Congressman Cramton was emphat-
ic upon one point. The governments
money expended on reclamation pro-
jects must inure to the benefit OF
the settler who goes on the land and
improves it and not to the owner OF
lands held for sale and speculation.
"The only possible justification for
the government to borrow money and
pay interest on it, and then in turn
lend it to the reclamation districts
without interest is that the money is
to be used to enable American citizens
to establish homes on the now arid
areas and not to enable the present
owners to sell their lands at enhanced
values.
"For this reason" declared the con-
gresham, "a valuation should be fix
ed on every acre of land in every re-
clamation project and the terms of
sale should prohibit the purchaser
from reselling it for reasonable
period of years. am not saying that
this should or must be done on the
Kennewick project, but am stating
what I believe should be the general
policy of the government on all re-
clamation projects.
Il am heartily in favor of more
development in reclamation. Not all
Oh the members of congress from the
eastern states are in favor of it, and
the greatest obstacle to securing fav-
orable action by congress is the atti-
'ude OF some individuals and COM
munlties in the West who look upon
.ne federal treasury as Christmas
uee where gifts and favors are to be
0usht. The government should un-
eftake no project which cannot pay
vi itself and eventually return to the
eoSernment every cent taken from the
tasufy. The policy of constant ex-
sioh that have been sought by some
o!ects has not only lessened the
aoie reclamation funds but has
Aehed the confidence of congress
= Tue feasibility of reclamation"
eoagressman Cramton closely
Of f.ioned ~ M. NJ. Moulton, secretary
., hennewick Irrigation district,
:" the ownership of lands in the