Arizona republican., 1902-11-26
Straight Talk From the Secretary.


 with an advance, or press, copy of the annual report made by the Hon. E. A. Hitchcock, secretary of the interior, to President Roosevelt. The report is especially interesting to residents of Arizona, on account of the very full manner in which the secretary dis cusses the national irrigation law en- acted at the last session of congress. We shall quote now that portion which appears to have been written directly at the people of the Salt River val ley:
 There has been no attempt made to lay out in advance rules and regula- tions," says the secretary, but il. has been considered wise to start the work where the difficulties from an engineer ing and legal standpoint appear to be least Each obstacle is to be met aG it arises. Many well-intentioned per sons have raised hypothetical cues tions and problems which would seem to indicate the impossibility of accomp- fishing results under the existing law, but, while there can be no question that difficulties will be encountered, there is no doubt of ultimate success. In particular it has been urged that the state laws should be revised. While it will undoubtedly be necessary for the persons interested to secure improve ments in local laws and customs, yet there are many places where progress can be made without involving radical changes. It seems the part of wisdom to continue where progress is possible with least friction, and not to attempt to anticipate remote contingencies.
 ''The question most frequently asked is, When will construction begin 9 There is desire on the part of all in- terested to see something actually ac- complished The friends of the mova- ment wish to demonstrate that the law is a reality and not theory. The peo- pie to be benefited through increased land values are anxious to see this increase take place at once; but, al- though the clamor for immediate work is insistent, it comes from a com paratively few persons. The great body of the people are anxious that the work shall be done right and that the public funds shall be used to the great est possible advantage, even though some delay may ensue.
 In addition to the mere work of as- certaining facts, such as costs and benefits, there is another class of op- erations which is being carried on quietly but which is of almost equal importance. The people who already have, or think they have, vested rights in water, or who may be benefited by the operation of the law. must, in many cases, concede some of these rights or show their good faith by uniting with the officers of the government in nlak- ing possible some of the more impor- tant enterprises.
 'The process of education along this line is one which must take place slow ly. At first many people have the i'm pression that the department of the interior is coming into the country to spend money recklessly and give away land. It is repetition of the old story of the days following the civil war. when many of our citizens thought they were entitled to forty acres and a mule. Now the cry is forty acres and an as- sured water supply. But the law de- Inands that while the forty acres are given the settler must live upon them for five years and the assured water supply must be paid for at its actual cost without interest. Moreover, the water rights or privileges which may be needed in the construction will not be purchased at fancy prices, but their actual value will be paid, as nearly as 1nis can be ascertained. It is not pro- posed to go into a community, straight en out all the legal difficulties, pay every one what he wishes, anG then give away the results. On the con- trary, if there are legal controversies which interfere or complicate the op- eration of works to be built by the government, these must be adjusted by the people themselves, and there must be presented to the government engi- neers conditions so favorable that the work can be recommended as a possible and desirable one. In short, as far as possible. the people of the communities within or near which works are to be built are expected to meet the officers of the government on a fair business basis. To do this may necessitate much hard work on the part of public spirited men. but it is safe to say in advance that no plans will be approved unless the communities interested have made every reasonable effort to insure the success of the enterprise.
 This fact, the necessity of co-opera tion and mutual assistance, cannot be too strongly dwelt upon, for in almost every part of the country individual and corporate enterprise has already begun work, in a small way at least: and In the planning of the largest and best systems for developing the arid land more or less private land must be included or some interference be had with the flow of streams used by Individuals. Great care is being taken to guard all private vested rights, and at the same time to see that the inter- ests O. the public are protected If. however t is apparent that undue ad- vantage IS being attempted on the part of vested interests. there can be no doubt that the project as a govern