The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-12
FIGHT STARTED
TO RECLAIM
RECLAMATION.
Sweeping Revisions In
Federal Projects Recon-
mended By Committee
by e. b. Macdonald
(By Leased Wire to The Age-Heraldl


WASHINGTON, April 11.--Legis-
lation, completely revising the reclama-
ton act, to prevent Impending dis,
aster" to federal irrigation projects and
place them on scientific basis, has
been recommended to Congress by the
special advisory committee ON reclama-
ton. The economic fate of thousands
of farmers and settlers is involved. This
investigation was undertaken after
widespread complaint.
With three federal projects already
having failed, remedial legislation of a.
permanent character is necessary I'M
mediately or several other projects will
collapse, the report states.
To Avert Disaster
"We believe it possible. however,
the committee declared. ''to correct
conditions on the projects so that inn.
pending disaster may be replaced by
lasting success. This will require
prompt action for the present situa-
ton has grown to such proportions
through two decades that it no longer
can be met by temporary relief meas
ures."
Specific recommendations made in.
the report include:
/. Placing control of projects in the
hands of settlers through formation of
legally organized water users associa-
tions. 81
2. Abandonment of the present 20
year repayment plan, and substitution
of system whereby each project shall
pay on the productive power OF its
lands without any fixed time limit.
3. Grouping lands into zones accord
ing to their productivity and exempt
ing unpr0duei e lands. 1-4s.$ :
A. Transfer Of all unpaid and deferred
charges for construction operation and
maintenance now assessed against farm
units to original construction costs,
payable in the future in order that the
existing heavy burdens may be. light
ened.
To Extend Credit
5. Extension of credit of a years
maintenance and operation charge to
the water users associations to be
charged against the original construc-
tion costs.
g. Creation of a credit fund to enable
new settlers to improve and equip their
land.
Z. Establishment of system whereby
farmers with poor. land can exchange
for better land on the same or other
government projects without cost, ex-
service men to be given the preference
in this matter.
s. Employment of agricultural ex-
perts on all projects to enable settlers
to take the greatest advantage of their
land.
o., Participation by benefting state
governments in the original cost Of con-
struction.
10. Examination of prospective set
tiers fitness before permitting them to
acquire land
II. Through investigation of contem-
plated projects before their authorize
ton with regard to water supply; engi-
-neering features. soil climate, trans
portation facilities, market eenters,
land prices and probable cost Of devel-
opment per acre.
The committee, which adopted this
report unanimously, was composed as
follows:
Thomas e. Campbell, former COVER
nor of Arizona, chairman; DIR. John A.
Widtsoe, former president of Utah State
university, secretary; James r. Gar
field, of Idaho, former secretary of the
interior Elwood Mead, irrigation engi-
neer of California, now chief of the
reclamation service: Oscar Bradfute
of Ohio, president of the American farm
bureau federation, and Clyde C. Daw-
son of Colorado, authority on irriga-
ton law