Arizona republican., 1903-06-29
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, JUNE %, 1876
No rlistake Has Been Made.

Now that the success of the Salt
River Valley Water Users association
IS assured, It is worth while to remind
every member of the association that
he has made no mistake in joining it.
1t is much easier for everybody to see.
since the hard work is over, that a
vast amount of dust was unnecessarily
kicked up, and that there was much
needless confusion. Undoubtedly, in
view Of conflicting advice, many ranch
ers affixed their signatures while hold
ing mental reservations as to the pro-
priety of their actions, and it is very
likely that some of them are not yet
clear as to the wisdom of adopting the
arrangement which has become known
as the governments plan. Harmony
and good feeling will be promoted if
all members who are still doubtful will
carefully study the articles of incor-
poration 1t will be found in a further
and more unprecedented examination of
which many ranchers remained out of
the association until the last moment
are fully protected in the plan as
adopted.
For example, nearly every objection
has been grounded on the assumption
that too much power was centered in
the association and not enough power
given to the government by the arti-
cles. In other words, Directing ranch
ers insisted, in plain terms. that the
government should directly control the
reservoir and the distribution of water,
and should stand as the protector OF
each individual. And this in fact is
exactly what the plan provides. One
OF the most important clauses in the
entire document is Section ? of Article
". This section is comprised in a SIN
gle sentence, and reads:
For the accomplishment, or to aid
in and promote the Accomplishment, of
the aforesaid purposes or objects, or
any of them, this association shall have
power to enter into any contract or
other arrangement or undertake in
means may be deemed proper or con-
venient therefor, to secure action by or
with the aid of the United States gov
eminent in the construction, erection or
acquisition of any dams. reservoirs.
canals, wells, or other works or prop
erty, or appurtenances necessary there
unto, for the storage, development, di-
version. distribution or delivery of
water to the lands of the shareholders
of this association, or to aid therein;
and to enter into any agreement with
said government which may be APP
proved by the secretary of the interior
or any duly authorized official or rep
resentative CT the interior department
with reference to the collection and
payment to the government of any
and all moneys which may be due the
government under or by reason of
rights issued by the government to
members of this association for the
use of water from any reservoir or ir-
Tigation works acquired or constructed
by said government, or in the acquisi-
ton or construction of which it may
have aided, and to comply with any
conditions, rules or regulations pre-
scribed by congress or by any executive
department or official of said govern
ment lawfully authorized thereunto,
concerning the storage, diversion. de-
livery, application. or use of any water
so stored. developed or delivered to the
shareholders of this association from or
by means of any works constructed or
acquired by the government or in the
construction or acquisition of which
the government may have aided, or
which it may hereafter construct or
acquire or in the construction or ac-
QUESTION Of which it may hereafter
aid"
There can be but one meaning given
to this section. 1t means, simply, that
the association is empowered to deal
with the government on behalf of the
landowners, and that the association
places itself under the direction of the
government.
The secretary of the interior could
not have more complete control of at-
fairs than is accorded to him by this
section.
No landholder, we take it. is afraid
to place his interests under the protec-
ton of the government; but if any
ranchor is afraid that Uncle Sam will
wrong him the luxury of such fears
will have to be permitted.
Hereafter, it may very possibly de-
vclop that the secretary of the interior
will find it advisable to suggest !
amendments TO the existing plan. but |
it is more probable that it viii bs |
found answering every purpose. In |
deed, as time goes on, wonder viii grow !
that men blazing out new path in a |
trackless wilderness and without the |
guidance of a single precedent. were
able to fashion such a perfect and |
equitable instrument,