The Delta independent., 1924-06-20
SECRETARY WORK OUT
LINES RELIEF PLAN
ON PROJECT

Montrose, relative to irrigation pro-
jects:
The Secretary of the Interior. by
regulation of June 2, published in
June number of Reclamation Era. pro-
vides for liberal construction of
Phipps' Relief Bill, now law. Simpli-
fled rules of procedure for making ap-
| plications for relief from individuals
of project units, or entire projects.
pending enactment of permanent legis-
lation as recommended by Fact-F Find
ing Commission, have been promulgat-
ed The fullest possible relief will be
extended where indicated. Give pub
licity.
HUBERT WORK"
The larger portion of the June num-
ber of the Reclamation Era published
monthly by the Department of the In
terror, Bureau of Reclamation, is de-
voted to the publication of extracts
from the reports of the Committee of
Special Advisers on Reclamation. On
the first page is found the text in full
of the Relief Law OF May 8. 1924. with
regulations approved by the Depart
ment, June 2, 1924-a law concerning
water charges, together with rules and
regulations hereunder issued by the
Secretary of the Interior. The law is
just what the name implies, relief
measure, permitting time extension to
individuals or organizations under the
Reclamation projects who comply with
the requirements of the law.
The act authorizes the Secretary to
allow two kinds of time extension on
all reclamation charges due prior to
March 2, 1924. Relief under section l
of the law provides for an extension
of time on such charges for a period
or periods not later than March LIST,
1927; relief under section 2 makes a
provision for water-users who for
various good reasons were unable to
make the payments as required by
section 1 by distributing such charges
equally over the remaining construc-
ton installments due prior to March
| 2, 1924, or to distribute 4 Of such ac-
crued charges over the first half OF
the remaining construction install
ments, and q over the second y OF
such installments. Relief measures
under either section will draw 5eS in
terest on all charges extended, in lieu
of penalties now provided by law, and
in case of default In payment as ex-
tended, and penalties provided by law |
will attach from the date OF such de-
fault
Good business methods and a square |
deal require honest effort on the |
part OF the water-users to repay the |
government at the time the debt is |
due and those who are financially |
able will be expected to make pay
ment promptly. The measure is not |
for those who are able to pay, but II |
is just what the name implies-a re-
lief measure to assist those who are |
unable to meet their obligations at the |
present time
Resulting from recommendations |
contained in this report, bill is now |
pending in Congress to authorize |
Secretary Work to undertake a com
prehensive survey Of each project and |
to make provision for equitable re-
adjustment of all existing accounts, |
which, II enacted, will result in n !
the consideration of this bin, Il has !
been deemed advisable to limit the !
present relief act TO the extensions
provided in section /. However. those |
desiring to make application for long
extension provided by section 2 will
be given an opportunity at date
prior to the time limit to be announc-
ed later.
Relief application may be made in
dividually by any water-user under
the project or collectively by any
legally organized group Of water-users
such as a Water Users' association, by
filing a written request with the pro
| ject clerk, in which is definitely stat |
ed the kind Of charges due. length OF |
desired extension, and condition of |
circumstances which made the request |
necessary.
An official survey Of the Uncom-
pahgre Project will be made in August /,
by George G. Jreutzer recently APP !
pointed Director of Farm Economics
for the Bureau OF Reclamation. who |
made a brief visit TO points I'm the |
valley the first OF the week ITpon his |
return later he will begin compre-
hensive survey OF the project at which
time farmers and business men will be
visited and interviewed Mr. Kreutzer
expects TO get a detailed report OF
water supplies, drainage, refractory
lands, excess lands and holdings. va
cant lands, and ultimate losses. He is
looking forward toward the feasibility
OF the transferral OF operation and
management Of projects to the water
users In the near future.