, 1923-08-24
Reclamation Program

The construction period Of the reclamation sys
tenn having largely passed, the government is now
centering its attention upon the effort to make ir-
~rigation farming on government projects ~satisfac-
tory to the settlers from the standpoint of operat
ing costs and operating income. While there arc
yet some irrigation projects to be completed and
others will be undertaken, yet the great problem
remaining is not SO much one OF construction as
of operation.
1t is common knowledge in the western states
that construction costs of government reclamation
projects were higher than anticipated. In fact, it
would be difficult to find a project which was con
structed within the limit of cost estimated by gov
eminent officials 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 gov
eminent. 1t was known, of course, that estimates
were not finally binding. Nevertheless, settlers feel
injured when called upon to pay more than they ex-
pected to pay when they went upon the land.
Since most of the settlers on the reclaimed land
are still making their deferred installment paw
ments, and will be making them for many years to
come, the government feels a special obligation to
do what II can to help them produce crops at as
low a 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 a practical business man in charge of the
reclamation bureau with an understanding that
he will direct his attention particularly to the ac-
complishment of several important reforms. First
of these is the reduction of overhead costs-costs
of supervision and administration. In this respect
the government has a large measure of power. In
tural activities on reclamation projects must be
largely advisory and through voluntary co-opera.
ton. 1t is planned to aid in securing the establish
ment of creameries, sugar factories, packing plants
and other industries which will serve the needs of
the settlers on reclamation projects and extend
their dependable markets for their products. The
reclamation bureau will also cooperate in finding
markets and in shipping commodities so that there
shall be a minimum of marketing expense and a
maximum of return to the producer.
In addition to this work that has been under.
taken for the special benefit of settlers on prof.
ects already constructed, the department of the
interior under the management Of Secretary Work
has given instructions that where future projects
are undertaken great care shall be exercised to
see that the cost of construction is accurately cal.
culated 80 that when the work is completed an un.
expected and unestimated burden shall not rest up.
on the water users by reason of underestimation
of the construction cost. The effective adoption of
that policy will mean a more general satisfaction
among settlers in their relationships with the gov
eminent.
1t is intended that in the future no project will
be undertaken unless it is clear that the probable
cost of operation and maintenance will not be too
heavy n burden for the water users TO carry with
the annual crops which they can reasonably expect
TO produce,