Arizona republican., 1903-05-26
A Foolish Course at Florence.

<1 SSaA o| Ae ASASa~Ss
 If the Florence Blade and some of the leading citizens of Florence wished to do their community the greatest possible injury they could not adopt a more certain method than the line they are pursuing. Of course, the Blade and the citizens referred to wish no harm to come to their people. They really believe that they are working for the best interests of their locality. But without gaining anything at all and without a sensible hope of gaining any thing. they are building up abroad a prejudice against their interests which may prove extremely hurtful hereafter.
 After fully considering both the Tonto Basin and San Carlos reservoir projects, the government has decided to begin work on the Tonto first. Every move by the government officials in the premises has been made openly, and deliberately, and for reasons publicly stated. There has been nothing to con- ceal. Every well-informed person knows that the seleC ton of the Tonto Basin site does not preclude the be- ginning of work at the San Carlos site also. within year or two. The sec retary of the interior is on record as desiring the construction of the San Carlos reservoir at the earliest prac- ticable moment, and from a disinter- ested standpoint anybody would say hn la ac country to be served by the San Carlos reservoir are very fortunate indeed. in having such good prospects for the future
 But because of the action of the sec- retary and the geological survey in fa- yor of the Tonto site for initial work. some of the Florence people are child ishly furious against all the officials mentioned as well as against Phoenix and the Salt River valley, and especial ly are they furious against the Hon. George H. Maxwell. the Hon. B. A. Fowler, and such other citizens of the valley as have taken a leading part in showing the wisdom of including the great Salt River project among the first to be undertaken. So far as we have noted. the only grievance put for ward by these opponents Of Florence sentiment is the allegation that the san Carlos enterprise was agitated first" Truly, childish is the only word which fits the case.
 Affirmatiyely, the Blade and its CO., kickers can do nothing to further the building of the San Carlos dam. But by persistent abuse and accusa ton of honorable officials who have to decide where government reservoirs must be constructed, and by a abuse of such hon orable and influential citizens as MT. Maxwell and MT. Fowler, the Florence contingent may very easily succeed in creating such a prejudice against their community as to make the San Carlos scheme most unwelcOme topic at Washington. It should be remembered that the secretary of the interior, hay ing to decide where these reservoir funds are to be invested, is precisely in the attitude of a banker who is re- quired to invest safely the money in trusted to his care. If a man IS noted for childish and silly performances, he is not preferred customer at the bank. even though the banker may overlook violent abuse of himself. Fortunately for Florence, most of the wild talk lately indulged in will never be heard of in Washington. But such echoes as do reach the capital will be inevitably prejudicial to the aspirations of that community.
 We make these suggestions in the ut most friendship for the Florence peo- pie. They would admit We suppose, that for years The Republican has been a stalwart friend of the San Carlos scheme. If the Blade and its followers continue in their foolish course they will deserve to be considered as silly as those of our own citizens who op- pose the governments plan for storage on the Salt river.
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