Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1902-01-27

OUTLOOK is. unquestionably the
FOR scheme of national irri-
NATIONAL. CATION, or, rather. ma
IRRIGATION. t;onal appropriations for
storage reservoirs. The
people feel that the government can
with as much propriety aid in the re-
clamation of the arid lands as it can
aid in the internal Improvement of
rivers and harbors. The great popu-
larity of the plan being conceded, The
Republican. if it held to no higher
ideals than to play the ume-server.
might seek to win additional approval
for itself from the public by deceiv-
ing it's readers into the belief that the
government is about to embark in the
great undertaking which SO long has
been under agitation. But The Repub-
lican happens to be a newspaper, and
TO hold to the conviction that it is the
first duty of a newspaper to tell the
truth That it has established a repu-
tation for furnishing news that is re
liable. for giving straight facts to its
renders, is borne. out by its steadily
increasing circulation.
In discharge of this highest duty OF
telling the facts. this paper has not
hesitated to tell the people of the Salt
River valley the unwelcome truth that
so far as they are concerned, TO hope
for federal appropriation for the ben
eft of the farms now in cultivation is
TO hug a delusion. absolutely. and that
the chances are not more than even
for an appropriation for the San Carlos
reservoir for the Indians. Perhaps it
would be the popular thing for awhile.
for The Republican to tell the people
of this community that it merely re-
auires strong effort on their part to
obtain an appropriation for reservoir.
the appropriation to be returned by
them in instruments to the govern
ment and for the time being every
body would be happy. But how about
the awakening? How about a few
years hence. when with bankruptcy
for the valley in sight. the citizens
should begin to concentrate their wrath
against the false prophets who had led
them into the wilderness in pursuit of
n rainbow? Upon the arrival of that
epoch the happiness would not be for
those who had been willing to sacrifice
the welfare of the valley for the ben
eft of temporary popularity or to gain
selfish ends. The Republican will GER
tainly take no part in fostering de-
fusion which must inevitably end in
disaster to everybody.
In pursuance of the policy of telling
the truth, we present on another page
advices from Washington this morn
ing which leave no room for doubt as
10 the situation. The matter is from
one of the most reliable correspondents
at the national capital: one. moreover,
who is an enthusiast without reserve
in favor of the policy of national irri-
cation. If local prophets of salvation
for this valley through government aid
can find encouragement in the facts,
theirs is the practical faith which
would undertake to extract moonbeams
from cucumbers.
In further presentation of the stu
alton at Washington as it actually is.
we subjoin a special dispatch to the st.
Louis Globe-Democrat of January %:
Friends of the projects for the i'm
provement of rivers and harbors in
different sections of the nation have
become much concerned over the atti-
tude which certain friends of national
irrigation legislation have assumed in
the last few days. Some of the more
ardent advocates of irrigation legisla-
ton are threatening to attempt to add
their bill as a rider to the rivers and
in faf
to consider their measure. Members
of the rivers and harbors committee in
the house and friends of improvements
under consideration by that committee
fear that such action would result in
the killing of the rivers and harbors
bill and thus delay important improve
Inents that have been suspended. owing
10 the failure of the bill to pass the
senate at the last session of congress.
With the opening of the present ses-
zion of congress sentiment among the
tionaI aid for irrigation projects than
il has ever been before. But there has
1een a change in sentiment within the
last few days. The demand for public
extensions of the rural free
mail delivery and other legislation of a
general character has been SO great
have commenced to carefully
study the revenues and available sums
for appropriation and are beginning to
eliminate measures that have been
looked upon with favor. From this
view point the eastern members in the
house have lost much of their enthus-
asm for irrigation legislation and
1any of them are outspoken in their
,T position to 1T.
NJ .Inbers of the house rivers and har-
1ors committee are extremely anxious
% secL-e legislation at the present sss-
sion. improvements calling for the ex-
,enditures OF millions are pending |