Arizona republican., 1903-05-26
A LANDOWNERS LETTER
Is Ready Himself and Urges Others to
 Join the s.R.V.W.U.A

To the Land. owners of Salt River
 Valley:
 I am here in the interest of my hold ings in our valley. and what is my in .terest is yours Let me say briefly that Col Rizer. MT Newell and MT. Hollster were most kind and gener- ous both in time and courtesy. IL was made plain to me that the government cannot and win not attempt to deal with individuals in the matter of water storage. I. too. have felt this from the first. The reason I have not signed is that I did not fully understand the lien clause and the true relationship O; the Water Users association to the government, but now I believe l do. and shall. as soon as I return complete my connection with the Water Users association as per their circular of March 10. 1903.
 My reasons for SO doing are as fol- lowe:
 First. the officials named above tell me 'wc must and shall be dealt witH, honorably and justly. by the associa ton, which will represent all the land- owners"
 Second. they. the parties referred to, have examined into and have become acquainted with the board of gov ernors" and they speak most kindly of them all. especially of their president.
 Third, we must be represented by an association. and as the government ap- proves Of the one, named and will see that it protects us, l am willing to surrender my interests into their han6s.
 Fourth. we want water. and we will have it if we will step promptly to the front and march under this leadership. This is my belief. and I am ready ito march,
 Fifth-I have seen the model of the great dam and I am stimulated to write as I do. It will be. when com pleted, an object lesson that the worlds people will study. It will con serve for our use such volume Of wa ter that we will all have a tenfold in- crease, as whole. and what we want is that our valley. not a special piece of land. be benefited Then the united wealth will De ours, and those who feel secure by prio- rights will have their share in the general prosperity Of the garden spot of Arizona, viz: the Salt River valley; and l venture to say the land under the Maricopa or the Tempe canals will pay O better rate on their investments than they now do by fully 25 per cent. for few can calculate the good that will come when all lands are fully producing and we have ways and means for disposing of our products. which will not be till a quantity sufficient is produced to bring the factory or make the market.
 The dam will be above ground 250 feet. with a base or foundation of 25 feet or total of 275 feet from rock to roadway; the width of base, 150 feet; width of top, 20 feet. The ample wasteways secure protection, and as the pressure is as against an arch. We will have the ability to store this volume of life for all time to come md do it safely. The above figures had just been completed and were handed me by Col. Rizer.
 Let's give up individual ideas to the broader ones of the association. that the government officials are satisfied with. The sooner we do it. the better for us all Let's hoist our flag and let that flag have on it such words as will tell the good secretary of the in- terior, and Mir Walcott. too that we are q united people. having in view on- ly the good of our valley and it's many people, who are not landowners, and not of certain individuals. Then We will soon see work commenced and be- fore long have water enough and for all. Very respectfully.
 R. J. BRISCOE.
 Washington. D. C., May 1S 1903.