Arizona republican., 1903-01-07
Mr, NeweII's Visit.


 The visit of the Hon. Frederick Haynes Newell to the Salt River val lev at this time should have an inn portant bearing on the project for federal reservoir on the Salt river. MT. Newell is the chief hydrographer of the geological survey, and is admittedly the highest authority in the country on the scientific questions connected with practical irrigation. The books writ ten by him on the general subject of irrigation form a respectaie library in themselves. Naturally, the director of the survey and the secretary of the in terior both look to MT. Newell for ex- pert advice when considering questions affecting the reclamation of the arid lands. Indeed. 1t is but natural to as- sume that Mir. NewelPs recommenda tions will govern very largely when the secretary comes to deciding where storage projects shall be undertaken by the government.
 The visit of Mir Newell to this com munity yesterday was a fortunate thing for the valley, because it enabled him to learn at first hand that the peo- pie Of the valley are intensely anxious for the government to construct the Tonto Basin reservoir and are willing to go to any possible length in order to have that project taken up. His visit enabled him to note the energy with which the local committee is working on a plan to be submitted to the secretary. and he could not fail to learn that if the government does un- dertake this great work it will have the hearty cooperation of all the people here.
 It is understood that shortly after congress adjourns Con the 4th of March) the geological survey will lay before the secretary of the interior cer- tain recommendations as to the points most available fer initial work by the government in carrying out the nation al irrigation law. From an engineer ing standpoint, the Tonto Basin reser- voir stands pre-eminent, of course; ev- erybody knows that, and there can be no question as to what the advice of the survey will be on that point. But in deciding what enterprises are the most feasible for the government. the department will not be controlled by engineering features alone. Many other clements enter into the problem. The character of soil, transportation facili- ties, the rapidity with which settlers may go in, and the relative certainty of the investment being recovered, must all have consideration In short, in making up it's recommendations the survey will consider the interests of the government first, and then the in- terests of the general public. Mir New ell and his associates of the survey and for that matter the secretary of the interior himself-may have the kindest feelings possible for a given To- cality and a decided preference there for. and yet, ii the people of that To- cality cannot clearly show that their project is the best, some other place will be selected. It should be borne in mind therefore, that political influence will cut no figure with Mr Newell or with the secretary. If the people here cannot devise q plan which will on it's merits meet the approval of the de- partment. they must prepare for dis appointment.
 Happily, everything is progressing most satisfactorily. spirit of har- mony prevails, and common sense has governed in the proceedings to date. The success already accomplished should be an incentive to greater en- deavor and to a determination to leave nothing undone which may be neces- sary.
 For an organization which has been