Arizona republican., 1902-12-16
Tonto Basin Reservoir.

MT. Arthur P Davis, C. F., one of the most famous Photographers ana en- gineers of the United States geological eurvev will give an illustrated lecture in Phoenix tonight, on the subject Of inc Tonto Basin reservoir. The address will be repeated tomorrow night at Tempe. we understand. These lectures are free. and should be heard by every citizen of the Salt River valley.
 Possibly a majority of the residents of the valley have never taken the trouble to inform themselves fully con- corning the proposed great reservoir on Salt river, upon the construction of which the future growth and prosperity of Phoenix and the valley so largely depend It is known in a general way, of course, that in the Tonto Basin there is au admirable reservoir site, and that at the point where, the Salt river leaves the basin and enters the canyon there is a superior dam site. Beyond these facts. however, general knowledge Is more or less incomplete. To he sure. details have been printed over and over again. but the average reader never troubles himself to analyze figures, and seldom remembers clearly the chief points of importance. And, unfor- tunately, it is from ranchers possessing the least information that the most ob- jectlons are heard when any pToposi- ton is before the people in reference to the storage problem. MT. Dav:s is familiar with all the physical and en- gineering features of the project, and as he is a pleasing speaker his talk will be both instructive and entertain ing. Those who imagine that they know something objectionable to the plan of storing water in the Tonto res ervoir should take care to be on hand tonight.
 It should be understood that MT. Da- wis does not assume to speak for the secretary of the interior, who will have to decide whether this reservoir shall be constructed by the government. Not even the secretary himself can say what his decision will be until the ap- plication from the water consumers of this valley has been properly presented. But when Secretary Hitchcock does take up the question of the Tonto res ervoir, he will be guided to great ex- tent by the information and recom- mendations laid before him by Director Walcott of the geological survey. MT. Walcott in turn looks to MT. Frederick Haynes Newell and MT. Arthur P. Davis when he wishes reliable and ex- pert information on irrigation ques- tions. Mir. Davis and his chief, MT. Newell, are the most eminent hydro graphers and irrigation engineers in the service of the survey. A special aptitude for the work, and years of investigation in Arizona, have equipped MT. Davis with a familiar Knowledge of the storage possibilities In this ter ritory. No man in the United States is in better position to inform the ranch owners of the valley in the emergency which now confronts them.
 Baldly stated, the question before the ranch owner is, Can he afford to obligate himself to pay s12.5O an acre Cor thereabouts) in ten annual install ments to the government for reser- voir, he to become joint owner of the reservoir with the other water con- sumers when the governments outlay has been repaid.
 Mir. Davis is in a position to satisfy every intelligent mind on this ques- tion. He is in a position to show that the water is available for storage; that it can be stored for the price estimated, and that when stored and drawn upon the irrigated fields of the valley it will yield such returns to every purchaser as will make the payment of $12.5O an acre the most profitable investment ever found in western agriculture
 For may weeks public spirited com mittee has been at work on plans which