Bisbee daily review., 1903-03-19
IRRIGATION PROBLEM
 ON SAN PEDRO
HON. GEO. A. MAXWELL MAKES
 A VISIT TO BENSON
He Delivers An Address-The San Pedro Valley Association is Do- ing Good Work-Resuits Follow.

(Benson Press.)
 Hon. Geo. H. Maxwell and family arrived in Benson on Thursday after noon last and were mec at the depot by a delegation and escorted to the hotel, then the committee, composed of Messrs. J. S. Merrill, J N. Curtiss, Nj Cosby and W. C. Ferris, procured a rig and took MT. Maxwell up the San Pedro valley and showed him mum erous artesian wells.
 MT Maxwell marveled al the possl bilities of the valley when he saw the green alfalfa fields being irrigated by the artesian wells. He said that the associations endeavor to secure government aid 70 develop artesian water and to construct the reservoir, would meet with his hearty support, and that he would work energetically in our behalf.
 At ' o'clock a mass meeting was called to order in K. of P. hall and Mir Maxwell addressed a fair sized audience for over two hours on the irrigation problem, and the speech was most interesting from beginning 10 end In his remarks be brought out the objects of the national association of which body he is executive chair man. He explained in full detail the law as passed by congress last year, which provides government aid to re claim arid lands. It is the intention of the government to furnish homes for the industrious husbandmaD, and not the speculative land grabbers. He communities where well titled farms prevailed. A forty-acre far cutivat- ed to it's utmost capacity, vas more than the big farm.
 MT. Maxwell gave the association much encouragement by stating that the work thus far done was in the right direction, and he thought i8 WAS only a matter of short time before the government would send surveyors here and the great work would be be gun.
 At the conclusion of his address. sr Maxwell was given a rousing vote of thanks by the audience.
 The members of the San Pedro Val ley Development association feel very grateful to MT. Maxwell for his eRorts in their behalf.
 MT. Maxwell will visit us again in the near future, when the government come.
 It is only step by step will we be able to get government aid to develop water for our arid lands. The work is being carried on increasingly by the San Pedro Valley Development asso- citation. As soon as one point is dis. posed of, another is taken up
 The artesian well proposition is a 1 new one for the Washington officials and they are acting cautiously in the matter. but We believe they will be able to interpret the law in our favor. 1
 Hon. NJ. A. Smith is doing good work for the association in Washing ton, and the latest reply he has re- ceived, which is from Director wslcott Is as follows:
 Hon. M. A. Smith. House Of Repre- sentatives. Washington, D. C.. Sir:-t Your letter of February 24th, aa dessed to the Honorable. the secretary {; of the interior. has been referred to ] me for consideration, and such action ] as may be deemed advisable. With i It you inclose letter from Ar. ". c. l Ferris, secretary Of the San Pedro 1 Valley Development association. dated i, February 10th. He calls attention to 1, the importance of developing artesian i wells. copy of the letter will be l referred to the reclamation service for 1 consideration. There are a number | of points. however. concerning the 1. matter which are not clear. especially { as regards the interpretation of the I law in relation to artesian wells. A request for an opinion has been aseked | upon the matter and future action will 1 depend somewhat upon this. Very re- spectfully,
 Chas D. Walcott" !"
 The section of law under which the