Arizona republican., 1902-06-10

comply with the requirements of the
bill, and an election could be held. 1t
has been further explained by Mr.
Heard's critics that he assumed that
the contracts once entered into with
the south side canals, and the election
called, the intense anxiety to obtain
the north side to vote for the bonds,
even though the contracts were unjust
to the water consumers under the
north side canals.
This would seem to be pure moon
shine, for no sane man would expect
the bonds to carry unless all sections
of the valley had been treated with
equal and absolute fairness in formu-
lating the contracts for the water SER
vice. But it is nothing unusual to see
selfish men over-reach themselves or
embark upon exceedingly absurd enter
prises. 1t may be, therefore, that Mr..
Heard, by reason of his accidental ad-
vantage of position on the storage
commission, is bent on feathering his
nest at the expense of the valley gen.
orally, but we can hardly believe it.
We prefer to believe that he is simply
acting with bad Judgment. Those best
acquainted with him would readily
agree that his is not a mind receptive
to reason. His temperament is one of
sanguine self-esteem. Doubtless. he
considers that he knows more about
the water problem of the valley than
anybody else here. This popularity
has been noted in more than one late
conner from the east. Old residents of
NIT that the water questions have
many complications. But it is strange
ly true that any smooth talking late
arrival who dwells on his own great
ness and tells the people that they
don't understand the irrigation prob
lem and that he knows all about it,
is accepted at his own measure by our
good natured citiZens,-for awhile.
But it is time for the people to assert
themselves. even at the length of hurt
ing Mr.. Heard's feelings and giving
him to understand that he is a very
insignificant and very much distrusted
member of the community. 1t may be
painful to jolt his egotism. but really
the interests of the valley are more
important. To be sure, if Mr. Heard
sees fit to persist in his course, there
is no way-at present-to head him off.
so far as the present session of con-
gress. now drawing to a close, is con-
cerned. But Mr. Heard has no life
tenure as a member of the commits
sion-and that position alone gives him
substantial influence. The other men,
bers of the commission, when the bill
was at last drawn, with self-respect
and public spirit rendered their resig-
nations. The appointing power, the
judge Of the district court, considered
that the usefulness of the commission
as at present organized was not at an
end. and this was doubtless the opinion
of most citizens. Now, however, there
will be unanimous desire that Mr..
Heard be taken gently by the nape of
his official neck and set outside, among
the common herd. 1t is very evident
that he is best fitted to adorn a private
station.
Whatever his motives may have been.
we believe it cannot be denied that the
deplorable sectional feeling at one time
evident between the people on the north
and south sides of the river was due
to Mr.. Heard's mischievous and unwise
initiative. Happily, this feeling of hos
tility has largely disappeared. Citi-
Zens on both sides of the river have
come to understand each other better.
and to understand that their interests
are one. They realize that storage on
the public ownership or cooperative
plan can only be obtained by considera-
ton of mutual interest and fair dealing
all around. No snap judgment scheme
can go through at the polls. no matter
how cunningly devised. and not one per
cent of the taxpayers on either side OF
the river desire that any attempt in
the way of sharp practice be under
taken.