The Delta independent., 1923-10-19
FAcr-FINDINo COMMITTEE
ENTERS UPON INVESTIGATION

taTy Oh the luV6EuUT WOTA NJ OpouLu8
meeting of Fact-Finding Committee to
investigate government reclamation
methods at 10 a. m. Monday. October
Is, at Washington:
Soon after 1 was called upon to
act as Secretary Of the Interior. in
March, 1928, my attention was partic-
ularly directed to conditions relating
to the reclamation projects construed
OF being construed by the Department
in the western States and among
which 1 have lived thirty-five years.
Through complaints from ozsan;za-
tions of water users. individual water
users, reports Of agents. inspectors, Of
fetal records of the Department and
Congress It appeared that nearly all
of the projects were in such condition
that some radical remofrms or i'm
provements must be had IL they were
to be saved, farmers protected from
loss of their homes, and the return of
the money advanced by the Govern
ment for their construction and main
tenance was to be secured.
1.-THE complaints and criticisms
cover a variety Of points, too numer-
GUS to be described here, but included
charges that in many Of the projects
the original estimates under which
settlers were induced to go upon the
projects were from so to 100 per cent
too low, and that the actual cost has
been 50 great that It Is impossible for
the farmers to pay out within the time
and manner fixed by law. or even at
all; that mistakes, engin eering and
otherwise, had been made, which ad-
ded materially to the cost of con-
structed projects; that others had
been undertaken that should never
have been started. that the overhead
costs of the service and many OF the
individual projects. all borne by water
users, were burdensome and excessive.
Under the system used in the Rec
lamation Service I have been unable
to get the figures that appear to be
dependable as to the cost OF individu-
al projects or the total money ex-
pended on all projects.
ut Is represented, taken from the
records OF the bureau, that the Gov
ernment's total investment to June 80,
1928. in round numbers is $1S1.O00. 900,
and It total receipts about sac, ,000, 900.
leaving balance invested and unpaid
of $135. 900. 900.
Tho Reclamation Service. for which
this Department IL responsible. ap-
nual reports on some projects indicate
their insolvency and pending failure
Out Of the 20 projects only one has
met its obligations as they fell due.
Long extensioas Of time for payments
due arc being urged individually and
by projects. The original tweuty-year
period for payment Is expiring on
certain projects and an additional
twenty-year extension IL being asked.
In one instance. such extension is to
be preceded BY fiveyear moratorium.
Reclamation Of arid lands by irri-
CATION from Government funds, as
heretofore practiced. 10 faf1ing on q
majority Of projects as business pro-
cedure and must be promptly read
5usted rs to methods of reimburse
men4 for funds appropriated and for
the purpose Of securing to the settler
permanent home.
Your committee Is requested to
survey the whole subject in its en-
tirety; give to the bureau your opin-
ions concerning our operating methods
that we may avoid errors, and finally
your recommendations which Con-
gress may study and which should ul-
timately preserve the sanctity of con-
tract secure to farmerY safety for
their investments already made and
insure a return Of invested funds.
want to improve and extend the ser.
vice in every way possible. and solicit
your suggestions and recommen-
dations. F
Government reclamation has ac-
complished much. There h a great
field for IL future. Reclamation in
the West by private enterprise was be-
gun thirty years before the Govern
ment began this work and has LARGELY
redeemed the West. Government rec.
lamAtion should make q comparable
showing. relieved az It is. from inter
est charges. which IL the basis OF cal.
culation in all enterprises enjoying
private capital. I am anxious that a
policy may be developed that will safe.
guard the future OF Government recla-
nation which Is my only concern in
this enquiry"
what the farmer needs 10 markets.
He doesn't wish sympathy."-Go Cover.