The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-10-24
MAGEE THINKS
WATER ISSUES
ARE CLEAN CUT.
In Open Letter to REM
ington Association
District Controversy
is Stated.

District, Nampa. Idaho.
Dear Sir:
Having read your letter OF Oo;. 9TH.
i'm which you take the liberty o;
replying" to what had to say to
the business men OF Nampa. regard
ing the Boise project problem. ! fail
ed to find wherein you reply to any
material facts Your personal asper-
sions do you no credit | am only
interested in trying to give to the
farmers on project lands both in your
distrio, and under the Association. as
well as the business interests OF this
entire community, the record facts tina,
effect each and everyone OF them anil
us. Thu, was my purpose when
appeared before the business men OF
Nampa.
You purposely evade the issue and
seek to divert attention and create
prejudice by personal reference
What is the issue, 1t is a contest
by the old water right lands, known
as Warren Act Contractors. and as
sisted by Reclamation officials to cheat
the project lands in the Nampa-Meri
dian irrigation district as well as those
under the Association OF their priority
to the use OF the water OF Arrowrock
reservoir.
The local reclamation officials are
no less guilty than are the Warren
Act lands in this nefarious undertake
ing. Ii is high time the owners OF
project lands in your district wake up
to what is going on and instead OF
sitting quietly by or criticizing those
who are making an effort to protect |
the lands that, under the law. have
preference right-these lands being
all OF the project lands-and inform
themselves as 10 the facts.
That they must be misinformed can
be judged by the statement OF your
attorney in the presence OF the Dir
ectors OF the Nampa- Meridian irr;ga-
ton district and the Directors OF the
Payette-Boise Water Users Assoc a.
ton at one of our joint meetings.
Said statement being wholly at var
ence with the facts.
ask you these questions:
First-ls It not true that the b.
100 acres oil old water right lands OF
he Nampa- Meridian irrigation dis
riot in 1906 contracted wirh this as
ISOLATION to take credi, OF Sl4 90 an
Icre for the constructed works AMI
Jay the balance OF the government {
obstruction cost?
Seconds it not true the Pioneer /
irrigation district containing $4,000 S
ores had like contract
Third-It is not true the Riversi L
irrigation disrrid, containing 1900
cres had the same contract? =
Fourth--IIad not these same con- :,
acts been abrogaied at the instance =
the Directors OF these districts and =
SISTED by the local Reclamation Off
ais, would not the construction :"
iarge against the project lands OF :
lie Namna- MERIDIAN irrigation dis .
lot and the Association been abou,
5000 an acre2
fifth-ls it not true that these ir
cation districts slipped from under
government charge of approximate
y 5000, 10000 and for this consider
ION relinquished their full supple
entail water right and that this
Mount was added to the construc
IN costs of the project lands OF
ur district and the Association,
Sixth-ls it not true that had these
water right lands remained under I
c contracts OF 1906 they would have
d a government water right on
rity with project lands'
Seventh-ls it not true that the con-
lets by which they get their stored
tier supply are made under the
arren Acts
not the Warren Act -.
I'd as follows TO wit:
That whenever in carrying out The -
DIVISIONS OF the reclamation law. IN
rage or carrying capacity has been HIN
may be provided in excess OF The 0II
luirements OF the lands to be irri- IIIH
ted under any project, the Secrc- Hi
y OF the Interior. preserving frs ||||E
hit to lands and etnryman under It'll
project. is hereby authorized. upon |||ll
h terms as he may determine to |||Il
just and equitable, to contract Ht
:" ||l
Nine-ls it not true that not with HUI
nding the above provision for
i right for project lands the rs-
nation officials this year when 4
at shortage existed-give to these r
'rren Ac, contractors equal rights
h projecl iands' N||
Ten-Do you think j, fair for these
rtntf f.,ts ta..t.w 49,. ~