Arizona republican., 1903-03-27
MR WALCOT1'S PLANS
Arranging for His Tour Over the
 Valley.

Director Charles D. Walcott ol the United States Geological survey or whose arrival mention was made yes terday morning, spent yesterday get ting acquainted with Phoenix. lie met many of the leading citizens, p2rucu- larly those who are taking the most active interest in the matter or water storage, and spent sometime WalklIf about the city, but the day was altoN gether spent rather quietly, as his journey west had tired him and h9 wanted to rest a little prevlous to entering upon his proposed tour of the valley. Last evening he and his family accepted the hospitality of Mir. and Mrs. George H. Maxwell, and Mrs. Wal colt and children will probably be their guests during NIr. Walcott's visit up the river.
 MT. Walcott has partially outlined his itinerary for the next few days, but proabbly he will not leave the city be- fore Saturday. and his plans are not yet fully arranged. He will. however. make the trip up to the mouth of the Verde first. He has invited Mir. Fowler to ac- company him on his tour and he ac-
 
 that all who are familiar with the rela- tions between this valley and the gov- crnment officials will appreciate as be- ing perfectly in order. That stipulation was made that MT. Walcott should do the planning, direct the tour and indi- cate what he desired to see and where he desired to go. MT. Fowler will then assist him in every way possible in car 1 rying out the plans. acting as guide rather than host The importance of | this policy lies in the fact that the pee i pie Of this valley are to ask the govern rnent. through MT. Walcott. for an in estimable favor. Therefore it is the 1 desire of the people to take the gov crnment officials into their omplet- ! confidence in respect of conditions. ] There is nothing to conceal and the sen- 1 timent generally felt is that the fuller l the information of the representatives Of the government relative to local con- ditions the stronger will be the inclina- 1 ton to grant the favor sought for. And more important still is the Quieting of i the tongue of criticism. Whatever an 1 official does he will be criticised by I somebody. and it is desired that no per son shall have cause to intimate that NIr. Walcott or any other official who visits the valley was hypnOtized, shown i only the favorable side of the case, or ! that any objectionable features or dis couraging conditions were concealed i from him.
 The people feel that the Tonto reser- voir enterprise is a meritoricus one, and in view of the fact that the gov 1 ;+ approval nothing but entire rrankness between the government and the hene- fciaries is advisable.
 The citizens of Phoenix are anxious
 to extend to Mir. Walcott every possible 1 courtesy, and he can have anything he asks for. but they do not desire tG make any Inappropriate demCnstrr-
 ton.
 In the matter of signing for stock in the Water Users association the work l continues at the rate Of about 1000 i acres rally. It should be faster than
 that, but that will eventually bring sUc- l cess. and the officers of the association feel that it will be better not to urge
 the matter particularly for the next
 week or two. allowing the people to
 study over the facts already presented during the visit of MT Walcott, and
 then before he leaves if possible secure
 from him an address to the people iI mass meeting. It is desirous of course i that landowners should sign Gs fast as possible, but there is a feeling that nc
 undue pressure should be brought tC 1 bear. for it is inconceivable how q pros pective water user could refuse to sisr
 after listening to the address the asso- citation feels sure Mir. Walcott will make after viewing conditions, if he can pc
 prevailed upon to talk at all.