Arizona republican., 1901-02-21

the Tempe road stands an old ruin; of
 what. no man knoweth, ANOTHER though many have spec NEW ulatod But one thing PROJECT. regarding it is known
 tO a certainty, and that is that it's grand proportions mutely tell of former magniticence of which there is m written record. The ruin now covers a space probably l50 feet wide by 800 feet long, and on thS mesa traced the ruins of city. The old time city is now partially under cultivation by the farmers and orchardists of the present day. most of the old walls are obltcr&ted and through it's one time populous center runs the Crosscut ca nal. which skirts the odd ruin in ques- ton.
 Nearly al the big mounds that few years ago could he outlined in this val ley have been dug into and torn to pieces by the spade of the vandal CT the perspiring and ever zealous curio collector whN has robbed them of many treasures. valuable to the archaeologist and ethnologist, and even this huge pile has been scratched over to some extent But in one respect it stands alone Of all the mounds that have been found in the valley it is the only fgh hc trsccd surrounding thc larger struc- turc. IL has in this and other respects pocularity that marks it as being at one time a building of great impor- tancc. Whether the seat cf government of the people that then inhabited the country. house of worship F a pri- vate palace, hone may say, but place of importance and it's value to the sci enitfic sudden all must admit
 That this immense ruin has not long ago been carefully explored by men competent to Go such work is source of regret; that it has so long been spared from the devastating cxplora- tiOns of mere curio hunters is a thing to be grat ,ful for; that steps should be taken at once f-r it's careful and sci entific exploration is the situation as 1t stands at the present time
 pr, J. Miller. president of the Arizo- na Antiquarian society and perhaps the best local authority on such matters, has long had this work in view and has taken some steps for the preservation If the ruin. He appreciates it's great value and has refrdined from disturb ing it in the slightest until some plan was hit upon whereby the work could b. systematically done and it's secrets laid bare to those who could appreciate them. In the course of events the Ar izona Water company gained title to the land m which this vast ruin stands. Through the efforts of pr. Miller and the liberality and broadmndedness of that company three acres on which the ruin sands were deeded to the Anti quarian society, an incorporated body. This Is good as far as it goes, as it places the ruin under the protection of those interested and makes the relic hunter subject to arrest if he goes to digging without authority.
 But Dr. Miller now has plan to pro- pose which is worthy of the careful at tcntiOn of all Phoenix. and which may result in financial profit to the business men of this city as well as adding to the sum total of scientific knowledge. The plan, he feels sure, will be acqui- It is simply this: That every attrac- ton to this valley adds to the influx of visitors, at least in the winter time. Many who now come spend their m 3ney and time trdvoling to the Indian villag- cs, to the falls. to the mountains and orchards and a dozen other places. No new attraction will detract from the old and m attraction would he so pecu- harly interesting as this old ruin, thor ouGhly explored and protected. The citizens and business men can well af ford to spend little money for an en- terprisc that will increase tourist trav- el and multiply the ways in which tourists who do come and can afford to, may spend their money; and excur- siOns to the country always cost some thing for guides liverymen. lunches, and dozen different things.
 Dr Miller propos that if the people of Phoenix will provide the funds for the development and exploration of the