Arizona republican., 1903-02-10
An Encouraging Situation.

The mass meeting in Phoenix yester-
day emphasized the fact that the
water storage question is the most In
teresting subject before the local public
1t also made it clear that the plan
which has been formulated for securing
the construction of the Tonic reservoir
by the government has the practically
unanimous support of the water con-
suners who really need u reservoir
Assuredly, the progress thus far made
is exceedingly encouraging. The point
has now been reached where it may De
said with safety that if the secretary
of the interior can be induced to con-
slider favorably the construction of !
reservoir for this valley there will be
no obstacles at this end of the line.
summer-the task OF unifying the di-
verse interests of the valley and throw
ing them into a compact influence Tor
one object-has been substantially ac-
complished.
This work was stupendous and OF
nature to dishearten the most salguinc-
Acrimonious disputes over various
phases of the water question had gone
on for so many years, and SO many
feuds and factions had been the out
growth. that perhaps a majority of the
people here considered it very impro3a
BILE that a harmonious understanding
on the government reservoir PROPOSE
tior could be reached. That such an
understanding has been reached speaks
volumes for the patience, common sense
and tact of the members of the COM
mittee and of its counsel Judge Kibbey
and Mr.. Maxwell
To be sure, another stage, equally as
critical and fully as problematical, has
yet to be passed-it remains to be as
certained whether the government will
approve the plan or, indeed, any plan
for using the reservoir funds in the
federal treasury for the Salt River
valley under the provisions of the ma
tiCnal irrigation act But the good
work already accomplished promises
well for the future. There are many
reasons for believing that the prospects
for success are at least even. And I'M
questionably if careful preparation, the
wise anticipation of all imagina BILE oD-
jections and persistent energy can bring
cuccess, happy outcome is certain.
The voluntary withdrawal OF the
Tempe district from the association
simplifies and improves the situation
rather than otherwise. That district Is
the one which is in least need of stored
water to supplement the supply already
available, and now that its people nave
concluded that they would prefer to
remain out of the association it violates
no confidence to say that the prospect:
for success at Washington have moi
been lessened. AS a matter of course
it has been the earnest wish of tins
residents of all other sections of the
valley that their neighbors under tine
Tempe canal would cooperate in tht
plan. and prolonged endeavors were
made to that end, and genuine disap
pointment followed their withdrawal
but butiGoh Is HOW DSlleI- llldH i
was before. 1t can now be shown e
the government that the lanes fcl
which reservoir is sought are Land.
which will provide large proportio.
of new homes for settlers.
1t is practically certain now. that i
failure overtakes the great plan for ;
national reservoir it will be solely be
cause the secretary of the interior ha.
not the legal power to use for this val
ley the reservoir funds at his command
under the Hansbrough- Newlands law
1t is not conceivable that the effort cal
fail for any other reason, for all othe
difficulties have been foreseen. And a
TIC the question of the secretary-s power
some of the best lawyers in the countr,
after carefully considering the terms o
Inc act are positive that he has tn
necessary authority.
Drnhths<fnv,- all