Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-05
OF IMMENSE VAL UE
Concession of Right of Way
Through the Gore Canyon.
INTERESTS OF GOVERNMENT
View of DR.. Wolcott and Engineer
Grunsky.
TOGO WILL NOT VISIT US
Chinese Students In Japan-Colony
Numbers 9,O00-Reconciled to
Objectionable Regulations.
BY WILLIEM E. CURTIS.

b1 WIlil1lEh NOhIios
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
In order that Mr. David H Moffatt of
Denver, Mr.. George Gould and the other
gentlemen who have succeeded in securing
a right-of-way through the Gore canyon of
the Grand river in Colorado for their rail-
road, may fully appreciate the value of the
service which the President has done them,
they should study a report recently made
on this subject by Dr. Charles D. Wolcott,
director of the geological survey. DR.. VOL
colt says:
1.-THE area which can be irrigated from
the proposed reservoir in Gore canyon has
been estimated as being probably as great
as two million acres. These lands are not
only unusually fertile, but, on account of
the climate, will produce crops during prac-
tically the entire year. The Importance of
developing projects on this part of the Colo
RADIO river is, therefore, especially urgent.
This reservoir site Is the only one of
large capacity on the Grand river and as
has been shown, its utilization by the gov
ernment will probably be essential in order
to carry out the plans for trrigating some
two million acres on the lower Colorado
river under the terms of the reclamation
act.
Interests of the Government.
'aThe interests of the government in the
utilization of this reservoir site are unques-
tionahly of greater Importance than those
of either applicant for the right-of-way.
The railroad company would be able to con-
struct it's line in such way as to be above
the possible water line of the reservoir or
could select an entirely different route In
this locality, at perhaps only small add
tional expense: but even If the additional
expense were great, 1t would be but trif1ing
in amount compared to the interests of the
government in the irrigation of two million
acres of land, which would eventually sup
port q population Of at least a. million
people
'Tt Is to be remembered that the appli-
cants make no concession whatever to the
government for the right-of-way given to
them at no expense beyond the cost of pre-
pairing the maps required by the regula-
tons. If. therefore, the decision of the de-
partment as already rendered should be
confirmed In review, with the modification
that the railroad company will be required
to construct its line so that 1t shall not In
terfere with a reservoir site upon the loca-
ton described the railroad company would
not be in position to complain of hardship,
in view of the valuable benefits 1t receives
from the government without charge. The
difference In cost to the railroad company
between the two lines would not be nearly
so great as the loss occasoned by the aban-
donment of fifteen miles already con-
strncted and the additional cost of rebuild
ing an equivalent amount. 1t is not at all
certain that change OF route Wouiu put
the railroad company to any greater ex-
pense than that involved In making the sur
veys."
Mr. C. e. Grunsky. one of the engineers
Of the reclamation service, says: The
lands that would be benefited by storing
water at Kremmling are widely scattered.
It may be noted in a general way that
practically all lands susceptible OF irriga-
ton from Colorado river and not yet irr1-
gated, together with the irrigated and irri-
gable la4ids of Imperial valley, would re-
ceiye more or less benefit. The area of
these lands May be stated approximately
as follows:
Above Grand canyon. ........... GOO acres
Below Grand canyon:
IN Arizona ,.................. 8o4 600 acres
In California ...................4l7.OO 600 acres
Total ........................1 i. 2s1. 600 acres