The herald., 1897-09-16
IRRIGATION
Is Arizona's Keystone of
Prosperity
REJUvENATED CANAL SCHEMES
CONVICTS TO DIG THE YUMA
DITCH
REJUvENATED CANAL SCHEMES
Unprecedented Rains Have Come in
the Past Week-Railway Ex-
emption Notices

from De1nG an arid region. Rains un-
precedented have been reported from all
parts of the territory. The cattlemen
cannot estimate their benefit, with lux
uriant grasses coming on the heels of the
highest prices known for their product.
Dry washes throughout the mountains
have been made running streams and
the placer miners have suddenly acquir-
ed industry. General Sherman once re-
marked of Arizona that it was much like
hades; all it needed was cooler climate,
more water and better society. OF
surety the first and second requisites we
now have. Perhaps, too, since Sher-
mans time we have secured the third.
The rains came to climax Saturday.
Here in Phoenix the storm lasted ex.
actly fifty-five minutes. In that time
the weather bureau gauge registered 1.S9
inches precipitation, the heaviest ever
known and of itself above the usual
rainfall for September. Streets and
roads were made rivers and the farms
were lakes. Canals were damaged and
railway embankments were washed, for
the culverts were all too inadequate.
The Salt and Gila rivers, from the
mountain rains, rose to points they had
not reached since the memorable flood OF
1890. For once the cry Of the local irri-
gationists, More water" is stilled.
Aqua FRIA STORAGE
Aided to a degree by Jupiter Pluvius
irrigation affairs are progressing very
favorably indeed In Arizona. For one
thing, it is now assured that the Aqua
Fria water storage scheme is very much
alive The works referred to are locat-
ed on the Aqua Fria river, about thirty
miles north Of Phoenix. There have been
built a substantial storage and diver
sion dam, Of solid masonry, and Sec
ton of canal that is to lead the water off
upon the broad plain northwest Of this
city. The land to be irrigated is all Of
exceptional quality and through it runs
the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix
railway. Work on the enterprise was
abandoned about year ago. The cred
tors, with claims Of about $4,000, got
together, took judgment and execution
and, the six months of redemption time
having expired, would have taken in
the property last Saturday. Last Tues
day, however, President Beardsley OF
the Aqua Fria company, appeared en-
the scene. He was accompanied by ex-
Congressman Fl. G. Morey of Ohio and
an ample sufficiency Of coin. By Satur-
day morning he had paid off every judg-
ment creditor and few who hadn't
judgments. Work is to start again soon
and the original plans Of the enterprise
are to be carried out. These plans en-
brace the construction of great stor-
age reservoir on, the Aqua F'ria, several
miles above the dam already built.
When this is done, it has been figured
the watershed and storage facilities will
be sufficient, in average seasons, to irri-
gate 1000 more acres Of that great ex-
panse usually known. as the Salt River
valley.
THE RIO VERDE SCHEME
For a week or more an irrigation
engineering expert, epresenting London
capital. with the officers Of the COM
pany, has been going over the line and
the plans Of the Rio Verde Canal COM
pany. Upon his report depends the re-
ception of $1,5O0,0 900 of the company's
bonds. This project is mammoth one.
and irrigate 100000 acres of new land
living on the northern and western edges
of the Salt River valley. The canal, the
largest projected in the southwest, is to
be about seventy miles in length. Twenty
miles have already been constructed,
as well as an intake tunnel at the upper
end. The water is to be stored in several
immense reservoirs in the channel of the
Verde river The whole proposition in
wolves an expenditure of about So 1000, O0O
1t has been hanging fire for years,
backed by several wealthy Minnesota
contractors. If the experts report is
favorable the cash will become imme-
diately available and will be placed in
circulation as fast as labor can do the
work Of construction.
M'CORD'S CONDITIONS
Another materializing canal scheme,
one that has political as well as in
dustrial phase, is that of the State Of
Arizona Improvement company, that is
to build great canal near and about
Yuma, by the aid of convicts from the
Yuma penitentary. The convicts are
each to earn 70 cents a day for the terri
tory, pay to be given in the shape of
water rights in the canal so constructed
Gov. Hughes and his board of control
(Which included NJ H. McCord, now gov
ernor) made the contract. 1t was de-
clared iniquitous by Gov. Franklin and
fought by him in the courts. The decis-
ion in the lower court was against the
territory. The case is on the supreme
court calendar for the January term 1t
is not likely. however, that it ever will be
heard. There has been an adjustment
between the governor and Manager Ives
Of the canal company. The convicts
are to be delivered and at the rate of
compensation named. But the executive
has compelled several amendments to
the contract that are very distasteful
to the company. The corporation Is to
give bond for the completion of the
canal, is to do 81 worth of work to every
81 worth done by convicts and is to have
$40. 600 worth of machinery on the ground
before a convict lifts shovelful of dirt
These amendments have all been ac-
cepted and the canal company is now
rustling to start work as soon as possible
A DEMOCRAT APPOINTEE
The governor has been having little
trouble this week over his appointment
Of Ex-Governor L. C., Hughes, to be chan
cellor of the University of Arizona. One
part of the Republican party In Ari-
zona. that part of which the Daily Re-