Arizona republican., 1903-04-18

It is altogether likely that before sun down tonight the people of this valley will be gwen some definite in formation as to whether or not the government is to construct 9 storage reservoir at the Tonto site. The in formation if it be favorable, will
 course have some strings to it for IL takes two to make a bargain and the people of this valley will have to per form their part of the contract. But one man in Arizona knows what that information is and he will lisp nothing till 9:30 o'clock this morning when he will appear before the beard of govern Ors at it's office in the Nicholson build ing. That man is Charles D. WdlcOtt, director of the geological survey, who with E. A. FOwelr, president of the Salt River Valley Water Users asso- citation. returned yesterday morning from a visit to the Tonto site cover ing several days and during which every important detail of this gigantic enterprise was inquired into. Hitherto the people of this valley nave nad every assurance from the government officials of the merit of the Tonto en- terprise from an engineering stand point. Today they will hear an eX-
  trative standpoint. In other words not what the government could and would like to do, but what it will do condi- tionally.
 As all interested are fully aware the secretary of the interior is the man who must speak the word that will change the face of nature in Arizona. Another thing known of all men iIt these parts, is that MT. Walcott is his representative in this matter and under his direction everything that has been accomplished to date, has been done. After inquiring fully into the details while on the ground, MT. Walcott mail ed to the secretary a report of his findings. He is shortly to go to Los Angeles and did not expect response from the secretary relative to his re- port for several days yet. Fortunately however. for the people of this valley Mir. Walcott yesterday afternoon re- ceived a telegram from the secretary saying in effect that his report had been received. carefully examined and heartily endorsed and that f he wished 10 he might make krown. the nature of it to the Water Users association. MT. Walcott immediately told Presi- dent Fowler that he would be pleased II DTS, the acknowledged leaders Of the minority share holders who are op- posed to some provisions of the incor- poration papers of the association and representatives of the pless, at 9:30 o'clock this morning when he would speak to them from the standpoint of the department. What he has to say TO man knows but it is not too much to say that a smile of confidence il- lUmined the face of every man here yesterday who heard the news. It is also not too much to say that should his remarks contain suggestions they will be acted upon with alacrity unless his conclusions should wipe the valley off the map and banish hope fcrever It is desired that those who dissent upon minor features shall be present and given due consideration that in the end there shall be an absolutely com plete harTnonizirg of conditions; that all may know definitely just what can and what cannot he done.
 In conformity with this request mo- tice was sent as quickly and as thor oughly as possible to all concerned and it is expected that every man on the board will be present. The notice is necessarily short for MT. Walcott's iu- ties elsewhere are urgent.
 In connection with this an account oG the operations of the party that spent last week in the reservoir basin will ba interesting though it be necessarily brief. considering the time spent and the importance of the incident.
 As will be remembered Director Wal colt left Phoenix a week ago last Sun day night. He arrived at San Carlos station Monday night. where he me Official Photographer Carkhuf, Mir Duryee of Colton, a cement expert, anj