Show VOCA ns PlAN I 0 DECIDE MERIT MERITi i f PROJECTS Work Would Have Committee ApI Appointed Ap- Ap pointed I on Proposals WASHINGTON ASHINGTON March 6 e AP- AP of a committee to deIde dede deide de- de Ide de on the merits of or propos proposed d rec- rec matlon projects was favored by secretary Work of t the Interior de detriment de- de today In a letter sent to toh h McNary of or the senate committee He ted a year 10 program to cover covet construction of or the projects ap- ap roved by the committee The committee would be com- com of or the chairmen of or the sent sen- sen t house committees on reclamation mation aion don the chairmen of or the comI com- com I ees on appropriation of or the sen- sen house the director of or the and the secretary of the In- In riot The secretary referred to the ten- ten tive year 10 construction program in the annual report of or the bureau of reclamation reclamation for 1924 which provided for the expenditure expenditure ex ex- ex- ex of SLOWER PROGRESS PROGRESS SS It Is evident ho said that this program Involves an exp expenditure considerably In excess of or the probable probable able ble Income Unless some of these projects are to be displaced the construction program will have to tobe tobe tobe be largely extended and the rate of or progress on particular projects made much slower than Wan Is desira desira- ble During the present congress little or no consideration has been given to the financial situation The bureau Is being c continually urged to recommend projects not included In the tentative program A number number number num num- ber of or these projects rave pave ave great merit There is widespread belief belle that the selection of or new projects is largely governed by personal con con- It remains to be made clear th that t this Is not true In addition addi addi- tion there Is much to be gained by bya a co and carefully thought out program of development development develop develop- ment the preparation of which would be participated in by congress congress congress con con- gress this department and the budget bureau Such a program when adopted should be adhered to until changed by congressional au au- au- au Secretary Work York then suggested that Senator Mc McNary ary communicate with the senate and arid house and re request request request re- re quest the appointment of the special special special cial Joint committee which he pro pro- poses In order to work out a scheme of construction for the purpose purpose purpose pur pur- pose of keeping the amount of ot ex expenditures expenditures expenditures ex- ex for the next ten years rears within safe limits the secretary added a list of or projects for asked which appropriations have been asked at this session of or congress and which does not Include the ten tentative program program pro- pro gram stated In the report of 1924 These projects with the estimated costs are as follows Red Bluff Tex Alma Alma- gordo N. N M. M Butte and Deer Creek Cal Cat Orland Westland Ore Stanfield Ore Stanfield extension Methow Okanogan Okanogan Okanogan gan Wash Washington district Gooding Ida Casper Alcova Wyo Wo 13 and Saratoga Wyo 2 OTHER REQUESTS In addition to these requests have been made for the construction of or projects at Trinity River Tex Prairie Mont and for tor additional work on the Rio Grande project In Texas for all of or which no estimates are available The secretary said that tI at there was no prospect of the annual Income for reclamation funds being In Increased increased increased in- in creased and that during the last year receipts were b below balow loW those hose of the year ear previous if proper deduction ware accounted for If It the number of or projects were In Increased Increased increased In- In creased he said the work would be prolonged and general dissatisfaction tion Ion caused over the delay The senate Irrigation committee today oday gave Its approval to the bill compromising the viewpoints of l Secretary Work York and senators from the Western states on the question of or aid for settlers on reclamation projects EXPERIMENT FUND Under the compromise Instead of or states furnishing aid ald as Secretary Work had suggested would be e set aside out of the general reclamation reclamation rec- rec fund fr financing settlers on two experimental projects Secretary Secretary Secretary Sec Sec- Work ork would be directed to advance not In excess of for each farm for or the making o of at permanent permanent permanent per per- manent improvements and the purchase purchase purchase pur pur- chase of or livestock k Under the bill at least one years year's actual farming faiming experience would be necessary for settlers who must possess at least 1500 In cash or farm equipment or both at af the time the contract Is made for tor the purchase of a farm on ona ona ona a reclamation project This bill will be offered as an amendment to the Interior department department depart depart- m ment t appropriation bill blU and ana Is de designed designed designed de- de signed to replace provisions under which no additional funds would be spent on the Sun River project In Montana the Spanish Springs project In Nevada and th the Owyhee Vale and Baker projects in Oregon until the states had entered into a contract with the secretary of or the interior to finance settlers |