Arizona republican., 1903-05-12
PHoENIx. ARIZONA. MAY 12, 1903.
"Tbe First and Biggest Experiment. ''


 President Roosevelt in his speech at the Grand Canyon. speaking of the great benefits which the West-and es- pecialy Arizona-would reap from the governments expenditures under the national irrigation law, said:
 "The first and biggest experiment now in view under that act is the one that we are now trying in Arizona"
 Noted for his felicity of expression, MT. Roosevelt could not possibly have stated the situation more simply or in fewer words. With his usual frankness, the president spoke of reservoir cou- struction by the government as an ''ex- pertinent" albeit nobody in the country has more faith in the successful out come of that experiment than he has. But we invite the particular attention of our Salt River valley readers to the presidents correct statement Of the governments attitude toward the Tonto Basin project He referred to that en- terprise as the first and biggest ex- pertinent now in view and no other words would so clearly state the situa- ton.
 The government has lin view" the construction of the Tonto Basin reser- voir as an experiment fer the benefit of this valley. but circumstances may force the government to change its plans. Should the land owners of the valley be moved by one of those im- pulses of insanity which do sometimes take possession of whole communities, and refuse to accept the bounty so freely offered by the government, the secretary of the interior would decide before the end of summer to do one of two things. The project of a gov ernment reservoir on the Salt river would be abandoned, or the construc- ton would go ahead for the benefit of the public lands in the valley. Either decision would, of course, mean inde- scribable disaster to the land owners under the old canals.
 Fortunately the danger that the land owners would accept insane counsels is over, apparently. Signatures are being made rapidly to the articles of incorporation, and a few weeks mere should see the complete success Of the plan which the government has ap- proved.
 The time has come for plain speak ing. The director of the geological sur vey and the secretary of the interior have approved the plan now before the people, and will consider no other The president of the United States con- graduates the residents of this valley upon their extraordinary good fortune. but men who would have us believe that they are more intelligent, more honest and more solicitous for the pub lie welfare than are the director Of the survey, the secretary of the interior and the president of the United States, are going around with their fingers or their lips saying, "Sh! sh! It's cor poration. Beware! Don't listen to Maxwell and Fowler, the men whose persistence made it possible for you to get the benefits of the national irriga- tion law! Don't listen to Kibbey-he's s nothing but an eminent lawyer! To be sure, after you have joined the corpora tion you yourselves will control it. and the government stands pledged to pro- tect you at every step. but neverthe- less, bewarel It's a corporation."
 Although the success of the plan Is now clearly in sight. such advice as we have quoted is still in circulation. Does it come from selfshness, or dense lg- norance?
 Seventeen states and territories are clamoring to be included among tke first benefciaries of the act to which President Roosevelt alluded. Notwith- standing that five locations have been decided upon for the time being less favored communities are hoping that something may turn up Co cause the secretary to make other selections. In view of the intense eagerness through out the wcs- on this subject, had Mir. Roosevelt's Grand Canyon speech con graduated any other community as the