White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1935-04-04
WHAT OF THE FuTURE7

WHAT OF TIE FUTURE?
Today is not the time to be thinking Of the past
or discussing the present, but to be planning for
the future. The past is behind us, and all our re-
grets for it's golden harvests will not bring it back
The present is here, and while we may bewail it's
difficulties there is little do to change it;
but the future is ahead of us and by proper plan
ming we can realize many benefits that otherwise
would pass us by
There are number of things necessary in this
valley if the future is to bring us hope and pros
perity rather than despair and hardships. We have
recognized them and you have recognized them.
What remains to be done is to carry them into
practice
First in Importance, we believe, in a program
of betternent of the existing situation is the APP
pointment of manager in the local irrigation dis
trict. This matter has been mentioned a number
of times before, and while many of the andown-
ers believe it is necessary, there some who be-
lieve it would increase the costs of operation Of
the district above the possible benefits to be re-
ceived.
In California, where the irrigation district sys
tenn underwent the first period Of development,
it was at first belived that the operation OF the
district could be efficiently handled by the land
owners Of the district themselves, thus saving a
certain sum each year. One after another, how
ever these districts began to deterorate the pro-
perties demanded more costly maintenance, fnan-
cal problems developed, and legal difficulties
encountered. The landowners, seeing that they
could not cope with these problems themselves,
selected capable managers men who had spent
many years in engineerig and agricultural work.
Today, those districts which took such steps are
the successful DISTRICTS while those which endeav
ored to get along without efficient management
either disbanded or in continual difficulties.
And so it has been throughout the entire west
There is not single successful irrigation district
in this state where landowners have enjoyed the
lowest possible maintenance costs, that does not
employ manager for the system.
Successful, efficient operation of an irrigation
district requires capable management by man
qualified through his experience in construction
and farming, and familiarity with the specific
problems of irrigation districts
We believe that it the landowners Of this valley
will discuss this matter with growers under other
districts, they will agree upon the necessity Of
such step.
Another important need, which residents of the
valley should push, is the continuation of the pres
ent oiled highway from Kennewick to Vernita.
Poor roads within the valley have been great OBJ
stacle to the unifcation of the entire district A
good, central highway the entire length of the val
ley will do great deal towards bringing every
together.
An important aspect of such road is that it
will provide another link in the rth-South high
way, linking this district and the lower Yakima
valley with North Central Washington There is
large market in that section for the produce
grown here. And yet, because of lack of transpor-
taton facilities, we must send this produce to mar
kets which are the dumping ground for California
produce, and receive prices which hardly pay for
the transportation alone.
Another step in the improvement of existing
facilities would be the continuation of the present
star route from kennewick to Hartford and White
Bluffs to include Allard, Vernita and Cold Creek,
giving better mail service to all points of the val
ley
the biggest obstacles in the way of development
here Let forget for the moment, the present
and work for brighter future.