The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-06-22

BOISE, Idaho, June 21.-Learning
} changes being made in the itinerary
for President Harding's western trip,
the Idaho Reclamation association,
J through its manager, Guy Flenner,
wired the president urging him to in
clude in his trip a view Of practical
Irrigation through the application OF
stored water.
1t was suggested that this could DO
done, and apparently without inter-
ferring with the announced itinerary,
by visit to Arrow Rock dam, tho
highest in the world, which would
give the president first hand con-
ception Of the wonderful Of conser-
walton from stored water.
when I learned that the presi-
dents itinerary might not have been
definitely fixed as. to all Details" said
Mr.. Flenner, II thought 1t pertinent
to suggest "a trip to Arrow Rock,
where he could see for the first time
a government irrigation reservoir
and observe the benefits flowing
therefrom."
Bearing on American Falls
Such an observation, in our judg-
ment, would greatly stimulate presI-
Dental interest in reclamation ana
especially in storage, and would have
a powerful bearing on the American
Falls project, which might be delay
ed by departmental or congressional
action or lack of action, unless the
president takes hand. The effect
upon the American Falls project of
such a INSTALLATION as proposed
would prove specially valuable In
view of the recent check upon the
progress of the undertaking in Wash
ington.
Indian Land Controversy
''The decision of Secretary Work 70
refer the question of sale of Indian
lands needed for the American Falls
reservoir site to congress is, of course
a disappointment but it should not in
terfere seriously with the work az
American Falls. No doubt congress
will grant the authorization. Mean
time, II the pending contracts with the
big district and the power company
shall be signed by the secretary, ap-
proval of the project should be COM
pleted and the government approp-
ration Of $1,000,0OO, available until
June 80, should be released. This
would make possible the commence
ment of work soon on the removal OF
the town of American Falls. II, how.
ever, final approval must await con-
gressional decision on the sale Of
the Indian lands, there may be full
years delay.
"Build Now; Talk Afterward.o
Our position has been indicated
by our representations to officials to
go ahead and build the reservoir and
talk to the Indian land owners, and
any other land owners, afterwards, il
necessary 1t is regretable that con-
1itions exist that make it possible to
have this great project held I'D be-
cause Of Indian land valuations. II
he Indian land owners are to have
more money than the appraisals pro-
pose, it is logical to assume that the
,wners OF other lands and especially
hooC III IhC toWu VI AHcTlCdn fdllS,
should have more.
These owners Of property in Am
'rican Falls have been offered an ar
'itrary figure, much less than the
property has actually cost them
possibly less than fourth Of thar
it is apparently up to them
o accept or fight condemnation suits.
FOR the most part, however, they have
cceeded, with splendid spirit, in the
interest Of speedy consumation of thfs
ital project.
1.-THE Indian representatives appar-
ntly are not so deeply concerned.
I'm my opinion the owners of In
ian lands have been offered a price
s high as has been offered the others
erhaps higher, taking into consider
ton the character of the property