The Florence tribune., 1899-07-15
1. Achance to Begin Work.

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 sTFrom the Los Angeles Times. July lO.l
 No section of the UnitedStat would benefit more than Arizona through a complete and well-considered plan oi Federal irrigation. Such being the ease, it is somewhat surprising to find any support -in that Territory for a plan which would place the arid lands in the possession of individuals, or 'companies, whose only object it would be to reap the greatest financial ben efits. Tt would, however. be a mis- take to suppose majority of the people of Arizona share these views. isOn the contrary. the people of the Territory, as whole, 4are strongly convinced of the desira bilityof Federal irrigation.
 The Photographic Gfice Of the United States Geological Survey, under charge of F. H. Newell, who~is now visiting Los Angeles, has been con aucting series of Investigations re- garding the water supply and storage possibilities of the arid regions of the United States during the past eleven years, Of wbi1h investigations little is known to the general public The members of tbe survey have visited India. Egypt and Italy, and have studied the great irrigation works of the world. All ef the important irri- gatien plants Of the United States have been visited oy its members, plans copied, figures of cost compiled; ;anda1l data relative to the'cost and construc- tion of irrigation work studied and re ported upon. Therquestion of the duty of water and it's application to plants has 'aisosoeeu matter Of carefnl in- .vestigation. These reports have been issued under the title of Water Supply 7and-Irrigation Papers of tho Geological Survey, under the head of Hydrogra- phy. For the past eleven years this department of the survey, sn its study of the topography, geology and hydrography of the United States, has foreseen the ultimate'Eecessity of Fed erel development Of the great arid region, which comprises over one-thrd of the area of our country, and has been preparing for the event. These men, therefore, were particularly qualified todiscuss thisoqaestion, and they have taken 1t upsiR the broad sense which it deserves. Arthur P. Davis was in charge of 'the field work until May, W hen he.wzs recalled to again accom- pany the Isthmian Commission to Nicaragua and to Panama. Since that date-J. B. Lippincott of Los Angeles has been in charge of the field work. From three to six parties are kept in the Reld.
 Hrcm Mr. Lippincott, the hydro grapher for California and Arizona, Tue Times has obtained some interest sag information reeerding the investi- gatious conduessd by the government in Arizona, which is likely to be tho first section where Federal irrigation work will be attempted on B large scale. 1t is possible that She Indian question in the Territory may nave much to do with the selection of site for the first big Federal storage reser- voir in the arid West. Some interest ing information regarding recent gov ernment investigations in Arizona is printed in another column.
 Surely this is an ideal opportunity for thegredemption of the desert and for the relief of humanity. The gov ernment is practically under bonds to protect the Indian in his rights, and it has sold already many acres of land under the Desert Land Act to the whites, which land has been paid for, but which it is impossible to redeem. Here is an opportunity of uniting the sentiment of the East, which pleads for the improvement. of the condition of the Indian, and the sentiment of the West, which pleads with the East for the redemption of the arid land. Cap ital is seeking for work. The public lands are parched with thirst, and the great floods of the mountains of East. ern Arizona are each year rushing iu spasmodic torrents to the sea. Here if
 the best opportunity that has yet pre-. sented itself for the inception of a movement, which must come sooner or later, for the Federal construction oi storage reservoirs. The building up oi this agricultural community will eheapen the cost of farming products and therefore the cost of mining and manufacturing in Arizona, and wili add great territory to the local dis.
 tribution points of Phoenix and Los Angeles. The Southwest should unite
 in demand for this great public
 benefit.
 The greatest worlds fair ever held