OCR Text |
Show To Insure Contented and Prosperous Homes in Reclamation Projects By E. D. MEAD, United States Bureau of Reclamation. AN KREOXEOUS impression seeme to prevail that there has httn needless delay or opposition to carrying out reclamation projects proj-ects for which appropriations have been made by the last congress. con-gress. The bureau desires to carry out the purposes of the reclamation recla-mation act of December, 1924, and to build projects wherever a sound economic development is assured. It is unwilling, however, to begin construction con-struction of any project until arrangements have been made which will comply with the law and insure contented and prosperous homes when those projects have been built. The situation on old projects, the investigations of the fact finders' committee, and the hearings of the last congress make it evident that there has been too great haste in the past in beginning construction. Failure to settle in advance all the questions which a project presents has resulted in controversies with irrigators which embitter the relation of the government govern-ment and water users after a lapse of 20 years. Another reason for care is the fact that construction costs of new projects are from two to three times what they were 15 years ago and when, all the other projects were built. It becomes a serious question, therefore, whether the value of water in production will equal its cost and this needs to be carefully studied. The great war has doubled the cost of improving and equipping farms and it is necessary that settlers be informed of the capital they will require and that conditions necessary to enable them to make a comfortable living and repay the money invested by the government govern-ment be provided. |