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Show 68 REPORT OF THE OO~IBSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. inspect and compare the line as de6ned in the map of definite location with that recommended by Engineer Mitchell and Agent Teter, and desired an expression of the views of this office on the advantages or otherwise of the proposed changes, topether with mcommendation in the premises. -48 it seemed to Acting Commission& Smith that the cost of the constrnction of the anal , includin-g the flume across the Blackfoot River on the line required by the contract, would not nearly be offset by the construction of two dams as proposed by Inspector McCormick, together with a drop suggested by Mr. Davis, and that the difference in cost should inure to the benefit of the Indians rather than that of the company, he asked Mr. Davis to make an estimate of the relative cost of the line as shown on the map of definite location, and on the lines recommended in his report and that of Inspector NIcCormiek. In response to this request he submitted the following estimate: Sming to the company by abandoning the flume and 8 miles of canal.. ................................................ $20,000 -- Extra expense involved in new line suggested by Mr. Davis: Diverting dam ......................................... 6, (XI0 Drop of 17 feet. ........................................ 2, (XI0 hnddamages .......................................... -6,000 Total ........................................ 14,000 Or a saving to the company of $6,000. = Extra expense involved in new line suggested byInspector McCormick: Two diverting dams .................................... 12,000 Landdamages .......................................... 6,000 Total ............................................ 18,000 Or a saving to the company of $2,000. He aho stated that the company owned about 4 miles of canal on the reservation through which water had theretofore been delivered to the Indians; that practically all of this could be utilized and was then used by the Government as a part of the distributary system, and that it was what was wanted for the purpose. He suggested that if the company would agree to turn over thia canal to the Indians in fee, it would partly compenmte for the saving in construction effected by it under either plan. He estimated this canal to be worth $4,000. September 9, 1896, Acting Commissioner Smith made report upon the reference of the Acting Secretary, in which, in view of the reports of Inspector McCormick and Mr. Davis and the above estimate of the latter, he recommended that the company be advised that its contract would be modified upon the lines suggested by Inspector McCormiek, each of the diverting dams to be of masonry base with flush hoards, unless other material should be indicated by the Government engineer, the company to permit the free and unrestricted nee of the water in the small canal by the Indians during the winter season, for domestic purposes, which canal was to become the property of the Indiana in fee; or it would be modified upon the lines suggested by Mr. Davis, the diverting dam and drop to be of masonry, unleas otherwise directed by the Government engineer, the water power resulting from the drop, the right to eonstrnct mills, buildings, machinery, etc., necessary to the utilization of the same on the right of way of the company, and the right of ingress and egresa to the same to be reserved to the Indiins, the company to permit the free and unrestricted use of water through the drop during the winter season and to abate the sum of $4,000 of the rontraet price. September 30, 1896, the Secretary returned the papers with the statement that he |