Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1923-06-21
PRESIDENT HARDING URGED TO
SEE RESERVOIR IN ACTION
Such INSTALLATION, IL was Felt,
Would Help Progress OF Great
Great American Falls Project.
Analysis of Tangie.

i Boise. Idaho.-Learning there was
possibility of some changes being
made in the itinerary for President
Harding's western trip, the Idaho
Reclamation association, through its
manager, Guy Fenner, wired the
president urging him 10 include in
j his trip view of practical irrigation
through application of stored water
1t was suggested that this could be
done, and apparently without serious
| ly interfering with the announced
itinerary, by a visit to Arrow Rock
dam, the highest in the world, which
would give the president first hand
conception OF the wonderful benefits
of conservation from stored water.
when | learned-that the presi-
dents itinerary might not have been
definitely fixed as TO all Details"
said Mr.. Flenner, Il thought it perth
ment to suggest a&rip To Arrow
Rock, where he could see for the
first time government irrigation
reservoir and observe the beenfits
flowing therefrom.
Bearing on American Falls.
Such an observation, in our judg-
ment, would greatly stimulate presi-
Dental interest in reclamation and
especially in storage, and would have
a powerful bearing on the American
Falls project, which might be delayed
action or lack of action, unless the
president takes a hand. The effect up
on the American Falls project of
such INSTALLATION as proposed I
would prove specially valuable in |
progress of the undertaking in Wash !
Indian Land Controversy /
The decision of Secretary Work
to refer the question of sale of Indian
lands needed for the American Falls
reservoir site to congress is, of
a disappointment, but it
should not interfere seriously with
the work at American Falls. No
doubt congress will grant the author
1zation. Meantime, if the pending
contracts with the big district and the
power company shall be signed by
the secretary, approval of the project
should be completed and the govern
ment appropriation of $1,0OO,OOO,
available until June 80, should be re-
leased. This would make possible
the commencement of work soon
on removal of the town of Ameri.
can Falls. If, however, final an
proyal must await congressional de-
cision on the sale of the Indian lands
lhere may be full years delay.
Build Now; Talk Afterwards
Our position has been indicated
by our repres ,,tations to officials RI
go ahead and build the reservoir and
lalk 10 the indian land owners. and
any other land owners, afterwards if
necessary. 1t is regrettable that
conditions exist that make it possible
70 nave this great project held up be-
cause Oh indian land valuations. IF
the indian land owners are to have
more money than the appraisals nro-
pose, 1t is logical to assume that tho
owners of other lands, and especiaJ1y
tnose In the town of American Falls
should have more.
These owners of propertv in
American Falls have been offered 81,
arbitrary figure, much less than tbe
properly mas actually cost them nos
sloiy less than fourth of that cost
ana II is apparently up to them to
accept or fight condemnation snits
+ OF the most part, however, thew
nave acceded, with splendid spirif
II! !. tne interest of speedy consumma-
lion OF this vital project.
me Indian representatives appar-
entity are not so deeply concerned y
IN my opinion the owners of In
ulan lands have been offered a price
as nigh as has been offered the
perhaps higher, taking into
VI 'he