The Florence tribune., 1900-12-15
NATIONAL IRRIGATION.
The interior Department Favors the
 San Carlos Dam.
Reclamation of the Arid Lands Receives Much Attention in Secretary Hitch
 cocks Report.

reviews eXhaustlvely the work of Ills department, as performed by the vari- ous bureaus and offices, all of which he states are in satisfactory oLdition.
 The matter of a proper water supply for the Pima Indians on the Gilai River reservation in Arizona has re- ceived much attention. The Secretary says: When the lands around the res ervation were sparsely settled, the h. dians could obtain sufficient supply of water to irrigate enough of the reservation to raise crops for their sup port. As the country settled up, the water in the river was appropriated by 1 the settlers above the reservation, so that during the last few years the river has been almost dry on the reser- vation during the irrigation season. Proper legal proceedings to stop the diversion of water from the Indians have been taken; they are, however, only entitled to so much of the waters of the river us they have been accustomed to use, and this amount it has been found impossible to deter mine.
 The result of an investigation of the water supply, made under the direc- tion of the Geological Survey, showed that there was no method of obtain ing sufficient supply of water, except by the construction of dam and reser- yoir at some point on the river above the reservation. The estimate for the entire work, including damages for right of way and diversion dam at the head of the Florence Canal, was $l ,038,- 926. The reservoir is estimated to be of sufficient capacity to irrigate l0Q,- 900 acres in addition to the lands of the Indians. As the valuation of. a perpetual water right is not less than $l0 per acre in Arizona, the value of the lands reclaimed, in addition to the Indian lands, would be equal to the proposed appropriation.
 During the last session of Congress 8 bill tH. B. 3733) to authorize the con struction of reservoir near San Carlos to provide water for irrigating Sacatou reservation and for other purposes was introduced and favorably reported upon by the department, but failed to become law. An appropriation
 however, was made of $30,0O0 for tht temporary support of the Indians oi the Pima agency. Steps were immedi
 ately taken to ascertain the extent oi
 the destitution of these Indians
 Temporary aid has beeen afforded them, and seeds for planting, to enabl, them to supply crops next season have been furnished; and means fo supplying water for irrigating par of the land of reservation are now un 1 der consideration.
 These Indians have heretofore beel self-supporting, and if provided with . sufficient water supply can withou
 doubt support themselves in comfor
 with no pecuniary assistance from tn
 government; otherwise it is likely tha
 appropriations for their support mus
 be continued indefinitely.
 Secretary Hitchcock says: q cor
 cur in the recommendation of Cover
 nor Murphy, of Arizona, that Congres make the necessary appropriation fc the construction of reservoir on th Gila River at San Carlos site in orde |. that the Indians on the Gila Rive Reservation may be supplied wit
 adequate water for irrigation and thu be made self-supporting. The rese voir would, in addition to supply in : the Indians, afford irrigation watt Z for large number of white settler on the public lands between the rese voir site and the reservation"
 GENERAL IRRIGATION.
 The subject of the reclamation ar = utilization of the arid public domai a has received more attention during th i last year than at any previous time. ( large correspondence in relation ther q to has arisen in those bureaus of u j department which have to do wi facts bearing upon the. water suppl T the location of reservoir sites, and t < methods and cost of bringing water ( the arid land. The interest of t q public has been manifested in prac {! cal way by the formation in differe parts of the country of associatio
 designed to promote the examinati
 of the resources of the country in oS waters and forests. Large sums u- money have been subscribed for the
 semination of information concerni { this matter and for cooperating W ( various bureaus, notably the Geolo {! cal Survey. The appropriation for [
 division of hydrography, in this bure
 was increased by the last Congr from $5O,0OO to $100,OOO A S N |