Hide Article Text (OCR)
OROVILLE, WASH., JUNE 4, 1915THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BIG IRRIGATION SYSTEM A CERTAINTYThe Gazette feels that Is it Justified in stating that the great West Okanogan Valley Irrigation system, that hat been under formation and dragging through three years is on the eve of realization. It is no longer a question of construction next fall or next spring, no- a period remote by weeks and months, but a settled fact, to be followed by actual work as soon as contracts can be signed up. So often has the public been disappointed by promises to materialize *n the future that now when negotiations have reached a point that may be said to be final one can hardly realize that the object so important to the development and upbuilding of this upper country has been attained. or at least reached that point where ;ttalnment is almost a settled fact.Recent developments are of the most encouraging nature, and word re- lt;ceived this week from the railroad officials at St. Paul leaves no furtherdoubt in the minds of the directors of the district that the system is at lastto be constructed. Correspondence both by mail and wire has been in progress for several weeks, culminating in a final understanding this week. Ithad been suggested to the railroad people that In lieu of the plans first de- ]cided on of taking water by canal from the Similkameen river several miles west of Oroville that a dam be constructed in the river nearer town, from which the canal could be supplied with the necessary water and at thesame time developing water power of large horse-power capacity, and the sub* 'stitution of metal for wooden flumlng. This plan was decided by the railroad officials to be too expensive for the amount of bond issue, although the dam proposition is to be investigated and may bs adopted if the report of the railroad engineer sent in to investigate proves to be favorable. The building of the system will be in accordance with the plans outlined at the time the sur- vvey was made by Engineer Henny, of the Great Northern, and the offer to let contracts on that basis was put directly up to the directors of the district. There was no hesitency on the part of the directors. That offer was promptly accepted, as it ended all further uncertainties and insured securing the great and vital object that the district has worked so long and earnestly £ to accomplish.The following telegrams tell the whole story briefly but effectually. The first one is from R. Budd. who has had charge of all negotiations on the part of the railroad and states plainly what the railroad officials were willing to do:St. Paul, June 1. 1915. :iTo L. F. Pourtales:Your wire in reply to my letter received. Contractor will not consider using metal flumes on account of additions* expense, nor will he consider construction of dam, unless upon investigation Engineer Stevens finds It can be built without materially increasing cost, and recommends it. Think that syou do not realize that these bonds are so difficult to place that we are in no position to exact anything more from contractor than the completion of project as reported on by Henny, using wooden flume. Do you desire us to proceed on this basis? R. BUDD. CA meeting of the directors of the district was immediately called and the vfollowing succinct telegram was forwarded to St. Paul: pOroville, Wash., June 1, 1915To R. BuddYes. Board accepts proposition as per wire June 1st. i:L. F. POURTALES. VTuesday morning a more important wire was received from E. Riste, who was in St. Paul in conference with che railroad people. It indicated that when the proposition presented by the railroad was accepted no time was lost starting the preliminary work that is to l^ad up to the beginning of actual construction. Mr. Stevens, the engineer mentioned, comes on behalf of the drailroad and contractors, and the plans to be followed in the installation of the system will rest largely upon the report he will make. The wire was as follows:St. Paul, June 2, 1915.To L. F. Pourtales:Engineer Stevens will arrive In Oroviiie Saturday. Engage Zediker for ten days to assist him. Have him bring surveying instruments and be on hand Sunday morning. E. RISTE.It may be stated that Mr. Zediker is the Loomis engineer who assisted Engineer Henny at the time of the original survey on the part of the railroad company. t;These dispatches are the basis of the claim that the system is to be con-structed. and are sufficiently definite to justify the claim. It may be considered fortunate for the people of the valley that the railroad has lent its assistance in placing the bonds. The officials of the Great Northern are directly interested in the development of this country from which the road is to derive benefits that will come with the filling up of the country. It is an assurance that when work once commences that it will be finished, and properly finished.There is every reason for rejoicing among the people of the valley and the residents of Oroville and Tonasket over the promising outlook for the con-summation of the project.UO
Newspaper Details
Oroville Weekly Gazette
Oroville, Washington, US
Fri, Jun 04, 1915
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Victoria -.
WA, USA 08 Oct 2023
Other Publications Near Oroville, Washington
Oroville Weekly Gazette
