White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-01-07
WENATcHEE ENGINEER
APPOINTED RECEIVER

Marvin Chase of Wenatchee was
appointed receiver for the Consumers
Ditch company and the Black Rock
Power &. Irrigation company by Judge
Webster in the Federal court in Spo-
kane, Monday. The appointment was
made following hearing on the petit
ton filed by the two companies ask
ing that such action be taken. The
petition was supported by affidavits of
officers of the companies setting out
that they were without funds or the
means of raising them and that they
would be unable fer that reason to
operate during the coming season.
The two companies were represent
ed at the hearing by their local mana
ger, Charles M. Sanford, and their
attorney Elmer e, Todd of Seattle.
The water right owners were repre-
sented by two members of their COM
m;ttee, ]. F. Bleakley and 2. ].
O'Leary, and their attorney, Judge
Carroll B. Graves Of Seattle. Four of
the water right owners who appealed
from the Webster decree in the suit to
quiet title and which appeal was dis
missed by the Circuit Court recently,
were also present These were w. S.
Webber, c. F. Wooten, Dave Hart
man and B. Salvini. Upon invitation
Mr. Wooten presented their views on
the receivership to the Court Follow
ing the arguments on the petition the
Court said he saw no way out Of the
difficulty other than through a receiv-
ership and asked counsel if they had
any Suggestions as to whom he should
names receiver Judge Graves then
asked for a few minutes in which to
confer with. his clients and in the re-
cess that followed all Of the water
right owners present went into con-
ference and agreed upon Mr.. Chase.
When court reconvened, Judge Graves
presented Mr.. Chase's name. No OBJ
icctions being raised by Mr.. Todd,
the Court then named Mr.. Chase re-
ceiver, fixing his bond at $4,000. In
making the appointment, the Court
said he knew cf no one with better
general qualifications for this parti-
oular job than Mr.. Chase.
Fred M We'll, special agent for the
Milwaukee railroad, also attended the
hearing.
The property involved in the receiv-
ership all of th4 instrumentaiAties
used in supplying water to the land and
includes the power plant at Priest
Rapids, the pumping plant at Coyote
Rarlds, the transmission line from
Priest Rapids TO the pumping plant
and the main canal and all laterals.
The property of the Agathon Land
company, which includes the contracts
for sale Of land and water rights, was
not placed under the jurisdiction of the
receiver but this may be done later If
i, is deemed advisable
1t is expected that about two weeks
will be required in which to prepare
and sign the order appointing the re-
ceiyer and the securing and the filing
Of the bond Mr.. Chase has announ-
ced his acceptance and will be pre-
pared to take charge as soon as the
necessary order and bond are of record.
Mr.. Chase is an engineer by profess
sion and served seven or eight years
as State Hydraulic Engineer. He has
had considerable experience on different
irrigation projects in tie state and has
an orchard of his own at Wenatchee
and is familiar with the various prob
lens that confront the average irriga-
tionist. He is more or less acquainted
with this project having had charge
of the engineering work here last sum-
meT in determining the cost for rehab-
ilitating the whole irrigation system
when an attempt was made to work out
a settlement with the companies.
ALI Of the employees Of the two
companies have been let out and how
many of them will be reemployed
under the receivership is a matter
entirely up to Mr.. Chase.
The hope, of the water right own
ers is that the maintenance charge
this year shall be kept down as low
as possible and to bring this about, !,
cnly such Improvement or repairs as
are absolutely necessary should be I'M
dertaken by the receiver. 1t is also
toped that funds for operation can be
raised under some plan by which the
right owners can finance themselves
and if possible, handle the receivers
certificates that it will probably be
necessary to issue. In the event that
such certificates have to be handed
by third party, it is further hoped
that that third party be friendly one.
But above all of the hopes and de-
sires in the minds of nearly every
water right owner, is the hope that
during the receivership some method
or rlsn of settlement can be evolved
that will forever end this litigation |
and controversy that has kept ane
district in constant state of agita-
ton.
ROAD FUNDS LIMITED