The Arizona sentinel., 1900-04-25
THE DESERT WILL BLOSSOM.
The Work of Reclamation Now Under
 Way.

D. L. Russell left Monday for the scene of operation of the Imperial Water company, in which he is inter ested. c. R. Redwood, the chief engineer, arrived Sunday and accom- panied MT. Russell. There is not the shadow of doubt but what the great enterprise of retaining part of the great Colorado desert will go ahead this year and that rapidly, too. Sever al local men are interested, and if their enthusiasm is any criterion the desert will soon teem with evidences of wealth and luxury.
 There is always a great fascination connected with the settlement of new countries or the new sections of old countries. Ever since the settlement of 4 merica large percentage of the people have been classed as pioneers. The men-and women-have general ly been possessed of great nerve and perseverance. They have loved to blaze their way through the forests and across the plains, or over the deserts to prepare the way for the coming of civilization. The oppor- tunities for new settlements under the Stars and Stripes are not now SO numerous as they were half century ago, and these opportunities are be- coming more scarce each year as the country becomes settled.
 Ard America will yet furnish homes for millions of people; hut before these homes can be established the work of reclamation by means of irrigation systems must be assured. The gov ernment has been asked to take hand at this business, but large bodies move slowly, and while the unwieldy machinery of the government is being set in motion, private enterprise and capital are stepping in and plucking the choicest plums.
 Southern California enterprise and capital have just undertaken this kind of development-the reclamation of the largest and richest track of farm ing and fruit land susceptible of suc- cessful cultivation to be found in the United States. The lands proposed to be reclaimed embrace the area of large-sized state and are contiguous to Yuma and Yuma county.
 An irrigation and land company founded by American citizens under the laws of Mexico, and known as the Sociedad de Irrigation y Terrenos de la Baja California (Sociedad Aronima) is diverting a portion of the waters ot the Colorado river for the purpose ot irrigatIng 100000 acres of land owned by that company in California just below the international boundary line, together with other lands adjacent thereto. The water supply of the Colorado river is more than ample for the work; in fact, this river carries enough water to irrigate S,000,000 acres of land. The water taken out by the Mexican corporation can be easily diverted across the line into California. Therefore mutual water company has been incorporated to secure water from the Mexican cor poration and irrigate large tract Of government land in San Diego coun ty.
 George Chafey, the founder of Etiwanda and Ontario, in San Ber- nardino county, also of the irrigation colonies of Mildura and Remark in South Australia, has been rendered the position of president and general manager of the Mexican Corporation. He has accepted the position and the work of constructing the canal system will be pushed forward rapidly this season under his personal manage ment. Before the next irrigating sys- tenn begins water will be ready for de- livery to all who may want it.
 Extensive surveys have already been made by MT. Redwood, who is exten- siveIy known in California as very com etent and experienced engineer. As one of the heaviest stockholders his active services will be devoted to the great work in carrying out the plans he has so ably outlined.
 Settlers on the lands are assured of all the water they can use at all times of the year, at price that no other section of the country can hope to duplicate. The Mexican corporation can deliver this cheap water because 1t controls such an unlimited supply and because of the perfect organiza- tion of the system. The Mexican Corporation wholesales the water and does not deal with individuals. The individuals, by means of cooperation in mutual water company, eliminate the middle man and his profits and get the water retaIled to them by their own company at wholesale prices.
 To assist in the work of colonizing and settling up his section of country