The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-01-18
LAUD
SECRETARY FOR
DAVIS POSITION
Water Users Assail For
mer Reclamation Di-
rector in Strong Reso-
lutions Passed Mon.

Strong resolutions upholding Secre
tary OF the Interior Hubert Work an'
condemning A. F. Davis, former re
clamation director were passed at th'
annual meeting OF the Payette-Bois'
Water Users association here Mon
day. The resolutions had been ap
proved by the board Tuesday and wer'
submitted to water users for further
action.
Bitter terms are employed to crit
cize Mr.. Davis in the resolution:
which follow;
"Whereas the public press has re.
Gently reported the appearance OF A
p. Davis before a committee in con
gress. on irrigation, and recommended
that no futher funds be expended
under the direction OF the Honorable
Hubert Work, secretary of the in
terror: and
Whereas the said A. p Davis
severely criticised the Hon. Hubert
Work and his policy with respect
to reclamation; and
Whereas this board Of directors,
after immediate contact with the said
A. p. Davis covering 4 period OF ap-
proximaiely twenty years. deems itself
sufficiently advised to comment by
way OF resolution upon the conduct
OF the said A. p Davis and its bear
ing upon reclamation and also upon
the policies which the said Hon. HUI
bert Work is installing with respect
to reclamation; therefore. be it
Resolved that the settlers upon the
Boise project have been pilloried and
practically ruined financially by rely
ing upon the representations made
at various times by the said A. p.
Davis and his associates with respect
to the Boise project and the cost
thereof; that the Boise project was
represented to cost not to exceed
SIS or $50 per acre, and the settlers
Hereunder were charged $50 per acre;
that. whereas the said A. p. Davis
directed the preparation OF, signed
and approved what is known as ex-
hibit tx" in the record OF the Pay
ette-Boise Water Users association
against d. w. Cole, ]. B. Bond and
others, wherein it was sought by the
said A. p. Davis to deprive the Boise
project OF approximately one-third
of the water right necessary and be-
longing thereto and wherein it was
sought by the said A. p. Davis to
charge therefor more than SO per
acre in excess OF the amount the
Government OF the United States had
invested in the Boise project for the
use and benefit of the settlers thereof,
and would have carried out said at
tempt had il not ben for the United
States district court, for the district
of Idaho; and
Whereas, in the early history OF
the Boise project. all OF the old water
right lands within the Pioneer. Nam
pa Meridian and Riverside Irrigation
districts had been signd up for supple
mental water supply from the Boise
project and were accredited for their
then existing water rights at the rate
Of $14 per acre and agreed under said
provisions OF said contracts TO pay
their pro rata share of the cost OF the
Boise project over and above said
sl4 per acre; and
"Whereas the enlargement OF the
New York canal by the government
Of the United States. which said canal
ran along the higher rim OF the Boise
Valley and above all OF said old water
right lands that were to be furnished
with supplemental water supply
aforesaid; and
Whereas, after said waters had
been carried through said New York
canal il was asccrtained by the officers
Of the reclamation service and the
various irrigation district managers
hat the seepage waters coming down
ipon said lands from the New York |
,anal. being one OF the largest canals
n the world with an attending ex-
,essive loss on account OF the enor-
nous amount OF water carried through |
I. that said old waite right lands did
lot longer need a supplemental water
supply except in a very small and linn
ted way. the seepage from said canal
'eing yufiicicnt TO supply the require
nents during the latter part OF the
rigaiion season: and