The Arizona sentinel., 1904-06-29
BACK TO THE DESERT.
All Object Lesson of Interest to Everyone CHI tile Lower Colorado.

We need not go far for an illustra- tion of what may happen to Yuma and Yuma valley if we reject the govern ment offer. Go up the Giit but d few miles from town and find desert that was productive region but few years ago. having an industrious population that cultivated the soil, irrig&ting it from the Gila river The remains of the canals, ditches and bordered fields can be seen for miles, while the ruins of dwelling houses are plentiful. At one place are the ruins of 6 grist mill and of harvesting machinery. The heirs of the former owners are in Yuma to- day.
 What caused al this desolation? Simply the use of the water by other irrigation systems established farther up the river, just as other irrigation systems are projected by the govern ment On the Colorado river above 1 Yuma The officers of the reclama- tion service showed their wisdom in beginning the work of diverting the water at the lowest point practicable and securing right that the projects above will have to respect for all time to come: otherwise we might some time find ourselves without water to irrigate our lands, just as the settlers on the Gila did.
 If on account of the refusal of com paratively few misguided and ill-ad- yised people to slgn the government contracts, we fail to secure the build ing of the Yuma project, with it's water right by act of congress, the cnly au- thority having power to grant such a right, we may in q few years sec the desolation of the Cila duplicated in the Yuma valley. Can anyone who refuses to sign honestly say that this is not the probable result of a failure to accept the government proposal?
 There are many things in which men may differ honestly and still retain each others good will and frienship. but this is not one of them. Do any of those who, fer any reason, refuse to sign, and in that way destroy every hope of the future of this country and conditions, expect to retain the respect and esteem of these they have involved in ruin? Does anyone think he will be loved by his neighbors if by any kind Of hoCus pocus he escapes from pay ing his share of the cost ofa govern mept canal, if one is built, and saddles the cost on to them?
 Men should be careful and thorough ly inform themselves before they enter upon any project that will tax their re- sources; therefore 10 i'll feeling has been ehgendered up to this time against their duty to sign, but it is now so clearly esta blished that refusal to ac- cept the offer Of Uncle Sam will most surely result in direfHl consequences, that patience and charity may be over taxed. People are not inclined to re- gard with equanimitF an act of their fellows that would blast all their hopes of home and comfort dEd render fruit less years Of toil We believe that no Gfe wants to do that b91t it is what they are doing when, on any plea, they refuse 60 sign and thus endaneer the Yuma project. Better give the matter more careful consideration. You may be mistaken in your assumption; your infOrmation may not be correct; one side or the other must be wrong, and I cant conceive that you believe that we are. Your advisers may have misled you. They do that sometimes when they are interested in defeating a pro- ject that does net suit them; or you may think you have cinch-which a little further investigation will clearly show that yoa have not got. ''Be sure you are right, then go ahead;" and in making your decision consider the present state of the Gila valley, at the point previously referred to- and that securing the Yuma project will forever prevent a like condition on the Colo- rado. Respectfully,
 NJ. Winsor.