Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-07-22
THERE SHOULD BE SEVERAL
CONSTRUCTED.
Enough Water Passes Down the Valley to
Irrigate the Land-Refers to Some
Facts of History.

IN ~ ~ q 90 thCy llldy SldIlu DIT pres
ent as the opponents of a liberal, fair
minded and comprehensive polio,
touching the proper solution of sal,
problem, they have his hearty indorse
ment and support. I say this advisably
as l believe that such a policy, had |
been pursued in the past by the self
constituted champions of the people O
Ell Paso, would not have INSTRUCTED tn
legitimate and bona fide enterprise 70
the solution of the problem in question
with which I have had the honor to b
connected during the past six years.
On the contrary, had not the narrow
minded and ridiculous policy Of the ad
vocates of the projected internationa
dam at Ell Paso been maintained in op
position to the Elephant Butte dam, thu
latter would now be obtaining some o.
the surplus waters of the Rio Grandt
and delivering it past Ell Paso in lieu O.
the present absolutely dry river bed
This would have been accomplished
without impairing any of the possibil.
tiles for the construction of the Ell Pase
dam.
We are all agreed on the question Of
government aid. But there are some
people in this valley who, from past ex.
perience, will want to know what kind
of aid is going to be given them. The
Rio Grande Dam and Irrigation Com
pany has had government aid to helr
them not to build their dam. They in
cluded $500 Of Ell Paso county money,
which, I believe, was illegally appro-
priated by the county authorities to
fight a company in a foreign jurisdic-
tion.
The interests of the people of New
Mexico and their experience in this
have been and are identical with
those of the above company. They are
painfully aware that govern
aid has been invoked by mis-
taken Ell Paso interests to defeat the
best prospects for an adequate water
supply that they ever had.
Now it is possible that Ell Paso has
come to her senses and experienced a
change of heart in this matter. When
She has demonstrated this to the salts
of the people of New Mexico the
proposed appeal to them for aid will
with better grace. They are likely
be suspicious and may want plans
and specifications" in detail as to what
is desired by Ell Paso. They win want
to know whether the latter is still inter-
ested in and working only for the inter-
national dam; or does her philanthropy
now also contemplate other dams and
storage higher up by which only could
New Mexico desire any benefit?
In view of past misunderstanding it
would be, we'll for the success Of SO
laudable a proposition that the pro-
posed call for a mass meeting be set
in a sufficiently specific and COM
.orehensive that will reveal it's
real desires and purposes. Notwith-
standing that one or two Of your CORE
;pondents were inclined to indulge in
'glittering generalities," platitudes and
some "gush," it is possible that they
nave studied the question in an impair
,ial and predetermined way, and are
lble to offer a plan and specifications
hat will guarantee a proper care Of all
he interests involved. New Mexico will
honor the man who does that.
On behalf of Ell Paso, I am happy to
tate that I know that her obstruction
SITS are in the minority, while the large
majority of her people desire and will
Welcome any enterprise that gives rea-
guarantee Of a better water
I note that one OF your correspondents
n this matter has not been identified
With the majority, and is now author Of
he statement that foreign capital can
lot come to solve this problem. If such
we're really true, he would be one Of
hose whom we would have to thank, as
lie has aided and abetted the suit Of the
which involved the silly
dishonest contention that the Rio
irande is navigable in New Mexico. In
Of the fact that said suit to enjoin
he Rio Grande Irrigation and Land
Company is not finally decided, but has,
Except In one point still open, resulted
entirely favorable to the company, and
ince the question of fact as to the eff
ect Of the condition of the river in New
dexico on the limited navigation below
Rio Grande City will unquestionably
triumphantly for the company,
md remove all existing subterfuges to
prevent building the Elephant Butte
lam, 1t is surprising and unaccountable,
kept IN the ground Of craftsmanship,
hat a gentleman who, 1t is presumed,
hould have some judicial capacity,
hould anticipate the verdict Of the
curtis.
I am not pleading for the Elephant
dam, but simply referring to
ONE facts Of history. / am very much
.fraid that the opposition to the for
ner has practically accomplished it's
bject by the complete decentralization
( the financial backing Of that enter
through the delay incident to the
uit. Let US hope that the next promise
ng enterprise in this direction will not
uffer a like fate from similar causes
If governmental aid can be enlisted to
tempt a comprehensive development
( the water u Of the Rio
irande "a forlorn hope in my opinion),
veil and good, but 1t behooves the in
abitants Of the valley generally to see
hat the direction Of such an enterprise
, not controlled by the men who have
demonstrated their narrow
nindedness and apparent inability to
rasp the broad principles underlying
he problem.