Arizona republican., 1904-05-12
Great News From Arizona.

ering a statement issued by the de- partment of the interior concerning the irrigation projects which have been ap- proved by the government, contained these significant paragraphs:
 'The situation in each state and ter ritery is as follows. Arizona-Salt River Valley project under construc- tion at an estimated cost of about 8, OOG.eee
 "California-Yuma project, construc ton approved by secretary, at a cost of about s3.O0O,O00.''
 The construction of the Tonto Basin (salt River valley) reservoir has long been assured of course, but no official announcement had been made that the Yuma project was to be undertaken. The news of the governments action in the matter of the great reclamation scheme in the valley of the Colorado is scarcely less welcome here than was the formal announcement that the res ervoir on the Salt would be construct ed. The Yuma project is an Arizona California enterprise, strictly speak E. its importance to this territory.
 One day ahead of the giving out of the news officially in Washington, MT. J. B. Lippincott. the supervising en- gineer in charge, who resides in Los Angeles, made public the following telegram by giving it to the Los Ange- les Times of Tuesday:
 Washington CD. O May :, 1S94.- J. B. Lippincott, supervising engineer, Los Angeles, Cal; The secretary of the interior has approved an allotment of $3, 100000 for the construction of the Yuma project. Prosecute the work as recommended by the board of consult ing engineers.
 [Signedl F. H. NEWELL
 Chief Engineer"
 For a year or more, MT. Lippincott has been conducting careful investiga- tions of the various problems connect ed with the storage and diversion of the waters of the Colorado. He was eminently qualified for the work, his ability as an engineer and hydrograph- CT being recognized throughout the Pacific coast. He is we'll and favorab- ly known In Arizona, having made the first official investigation of the San Carlos reservoir site. For these req sons his works on the Colorado have been followed with interest. It was stated some time ago that he had found it entirely feasible to divert of (FnlnrQ6n lands on either side of the river in the neighborhood of Yuma, and the action of the government on his recommenda- tions has been awaited with general concern in the territory. Upon giving out MT. Newells telegram MT. Lippin- colt made the following explanation to the Los Angeles Times:
 "The Yuma project referred to in the telegram provides for the construction of public works by the federal govern ment on the Colorado river in the vii cinity of Yuma, both in California and in Arizona. An act of congress was passed at its last session providing for this and the opening of the Yuma In dian reservation in connection with the building of the project; these In- dian lands to be disposed, of by home stead entry under the provisions of the reclamat ton act. Five acres of irrigat- ed land are to, be given to each Indian in lieu of the opening of their reser~ vation.
 This project provides for the initial reclamation of approximately 100000 acres of land along the following lines:
 "G) Their irrigation by means of a series of canals on both sides of the river.
 "(2.) A system of levees extending down both sides of the river to pre- vent overflow.
 "(3) For a system of drainage for the purpose of preventing lands be- coming alkaline and to provide for the removal of seepage water that may accumulate behind the levees.
 While this allotment has been pro- vided for by the secretary of the in- terior from the reclamation fund, it will be absolutely essential for the owners of private lands that will be supplied under this project to comply with the requirements of the law to the extent of entering into absolute contracts for the acceptance of the conditions of this federal act, similar to the plan that has been followed in the Salt River valley near Phoenix. Each private land owner will have to enter into such a contract, giving his land as security for the refunding of these moneys to the federal govern ment. without profit. interest or taxes being charged against the irrigator, in ten annual installments. All hold CTS of land in excess of 160 acres will he absolutely required to dispose of all their excess holdings in order to ob- tain water under the project
 These matters will have to be ad- iusted by the local land owners through their associations, and will not be undertaken by the secretary of the Interior. Thus it may be stated that while the engineering portions of the work have been outlined, plans accept