Arizona republican., 1901-03-12
MIR. MAXWELL HI RE
Visits Phoenix in Response to Invita-
 tion of Water Storage Committee.

MT. GeOrge ii. MaxWeH, secretary ol the executive committee of the Ma tional Irrigation association. arrived In the city for the next week or ten days. He is here In response to the in- vitation extended to him last fall by the Maricopa county water storage committee, and which he has been un- ! able to accept at an earlier day, owing to legislative matters that have been pending in Washington.
 With the exception of his short visit here year ago last December, when he delivered an address on the sub- ject of irrigation at the opera house, this is his only visit to Phoenix since the meeting of the irrigation congress four years ago. He says that since that time. indeed, since his last visit year ago, great progress has been made In the moulding of a sentiment favorable to the government irrigation of arid lands.
 In speaking to reporter for The Republican last night he said that the business men and manufacturers of the east were rapidly falling in with the idea. as they are beginning to req lize what the development of the arid west means to them in the opening up of wider market. The labor organi- zations are also becoming interested as they realize that in times of depres- sion or an overplus of workmen the great west, if open for settlement, will act as safety valve on industrial matters, and no doubt prevent many troubles that would otherwise spring up. But the most notable thing of all, he says, is the growth of the irrigation sentiment in congress.
 He considers that the senate may safely be considered friendly to the west and willing to treat irrigation questions liberally, while there is a rapid changing of opinion in the house in favor of aiding irrigation.
 In illustration of how sentiment has changed in congress, MT. Maxwell gave short resume of the treatment ac- corded irrigation measures in the last two years. He said that the appro- priation in the river and haI bor bill two years ago passed the senate after a hard fight. This year the appropria- ton, in a larger amount passed the senate without dissening vote. Last year the senate raised the appropria- ton of the hydrographic division from si00,000 to s250.000 after a spirited de- bate. several eastern senators strenu- ously objecting. This year 1t was raised from sl00.00O to $200,c0O without a dissenting vote. The San Carlos matter last year failed to get out of the committee. though only s25.0OO was asked for. This year the committee re- ported favorably and raised the appro- priatlon to sl00.co0 arending it to not only complete surveys but to begin work on the foundation fer the dam It passed the senate by large ma jority.
 Up to this session the subject has never been discussed in the house. This year both the irrigation and public lands committees took 1t up and held frequent hearings during the last month of the session and both com mlttees reported favorably on irriga- tion bills creating q construction fund, by setting apart the proceeds of the sale of public lands in the west for that purpose. The bills were reported too late for consideration this session.
 The senate amendments to the ap- propriation bills were defeated in con- ference. partly owing to the vigorous objection of the house conferees to having legislation on this important subject come Tn the shape of riders on the appropriation bills.
 All that is needed, says Mir. Maxwell, Is an organized effort on the part of those residing in the sections interest ed. and he feels sure that some great things can be accomplished at the next session. The only thing to con- tend with Is the lack of information on the subject by members of the lower house. whose entire attention has been taken up by other matters and who when favcraby impressed by meas ure are influenced by some other con gressman. whc has purpose in de- feating the legislation at issue. He says if the proper influences are brought to bear to inform the mem bers of the lower house on the subject, as has been done in the case of the upper house. there will be no trouble.
 Mir. Maxwell will in all probability address the people of the valley on the subject some time during his visit here.