Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-11
VALUE Of THE
ARIZONA STRIP.
representative Gotham Points Its
Real Worth to This
State.
LAND OWNED BY UTAH RANCHERS
Has Good Stock Range and a Heavy
Growth Of Fine Timber but No
Living Water

Discussing the Arizona strip and it's
value to the state Of Utah, Rep. Cot
tam Of Washington county said to a
News reporter today
"'rhe strip is a mountainous section,
and the land Is owned almost entirely
by Utah ranchers, owing 10 its rugged
nature and the fact that It has no
living water. the only water found be-
ing "A few springs al long distances,
the country has very little chance for
growth and Ia Of practically no value TO
Arizona. I'm years past 1t has been "a
rendezvous for thugs and robbers, and
ranchcrs have been put to no end Of
trouble because OF their depredatlous
II has but one settlement. Fredonia.
while the next nearest point In Arizona
rs kingman, the county seat Of Mo1ave
located about $50 miles distant. st.,
George is seven and a hair miles from
the county line, SO II win he readily
seen that the strip could be better han
died by Utah than by arizona, II has
good stock range and thousands Of
cattle and sheep are fed there every
year The Canaan ranch has lts
location IN this section and
while outlaws have done much
to make life a burden to those
operating there, II is believed that It's
annexation to Utah win solve this
problem, as then Utah officers will be
able to exercise jurisdiction and thus
put an end TO their depredatons.
IN TWO COUNTIES.
The strip belongs to two counties,
Mojave aud Coconino. and I'm addition
10 its ranching facilities, contains a
heavy growth Of fine timber which.
however the interstate law prevents
Utah from taking advantage Of Frank
Petty OF Rockville has been doing
business there for some time past but
recently his lumber was Counscated
and he Is now being held pending trial
for a violation OF the federal statutes.
While he may be guilty Of a technical
violation Of law, his work has been OF
great benefit 90 our country as H. has
enabled us to get lumber for building
purposes at much less expense than
from other sections II is quite prob
able that it's possession by Utah Will
result In a system OF reservoirs which
viii open up the country to irrigation
and settlement In my opinion Utah
would have got the strip two years
ago. II we could have given Arizona
assurance Of support in her efforts to
secure statehood"
GREAT IS DIXIE
Mr. Gotham Is a resident OF ST.
George and as such is a great believer
i'm the possibilities Of Utah's Dixie. The
seedless raisin industry he says Is fast
coming TO the front, Bishop Bunker OF
Bunkersvllle being especially success
ful I'm this direction. There has been
considerable precipitation there Of late,
and the prospects for good crops were
never better. At I.aNirkin there was
two inches Of rain few days ago, and
when the word was sent II was still
stOrming,
This il Mr.. Cottams first experience
as lawmaker but he Is making good
Roadway, nevertheless As "A member
Of the Democratic minority he feels
deeply grateful 10 his Republican col
leagues for courtcsies extended, and
has no desire to antagoni2e them In
any way. MIR. Gotham Is the author OF
n. B. 1874 providing revenue for county
school districts where the revenue from
the state, county and district school tax
is insufficient The measure Is intend
ed To keep the schools open I'm such
districts. and gives county school SUI
peintendents authority 90 draw on the
state funds FOR this purpose, where the
revenue derived does not reach the sum
of $500 The bill carries with II an APP
preparation az $4,000, and II enacted into
law, Will benefit all but three counties
In the state