Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-01-12
NO KNOCKERS FOR
|MES|LLA VALLEY
Governor Hager-
man Tells of Push
and Enterprise.
CITIZENS WIDE AWAKE
Good Road to Ell Paso---Y,
M. c. A. Building--.Big
Irrigation Project.

u
Governor Hagerman, who has jus
returned from Las Cruces where h
attended the Good Roads convention
and was present at the laying of th
corner stone of the new Y. VI. c. A
building at the College of Agricultur,
and Mechanic Arts, pays a high CON
pliment to the people of the Mesillt
Valley.
They have no use for llnocke
lown there he said, 'and every MAJ
is apparently putting his shoulder tt
che wheel in an effort to build up ant
develop that secton of New Mexico
It is a spirit that is refreshing t.
sec.
81 attended the Coed Roads con
vention composed of delegates from
El Paso County, Texas, and Dona Ant
County, New Mexico The enthus
iasm displayed there was good to be
hold.
THE object of this convention was
TO secure a good road from Las Cru
ces TO Ell Paso At first sight it might
appear that such a road would only
be for the benefit of Ell Paso and
detrimental TO the merchants of Las
Cruces.
Farmers Want Better Road.
''F'rom the statements of the dele
gates however. quite the reverse ap.
pears to be true. The farmers of the
Mesllla Valley say that if they had
4 good road, they could dispose of
their surplus crops to better advantage
than under present conditions where
by they are forced 10 ship at a high
freight rate
"'rhis road will be- quite a necessi-
ty, | understand, when the Leasburg
diversion dam at Penasco Rock. is
completed, forming the first unit in
the great Elephant Butte project
which will trrigate thousands and
thousands of acres of rich land.
Farmers in the Mesilla Valley
stated before the convention, that Ell
Paso was the natural market for their
produce and they cited, statistics to
show THAT even during the past year
when the crops were not as large as
at other times, they would have made
considerable more money had they
had a good road to the Pass City. The
farmers are very anxious that the
road should be built as soon as possi-
bic.
Visit to Mesila Park.
81 had pleasant and instructive
time at Las Cruces. Wednesday !
drove to Mesilla Park where ! was
present at the laying of the corner
stone of the new Y. M. c. A. building
which will be a handsome structure
and credit to the College Of Agri-
culture and Mechanic Arts. | visited
the college also and had an interest
ing talk with members of the faculty.
The battalion of cadets was reviewed
and drilled exceedingly we'll, show
ing marked Improvement since the
last time saw them.
"The ceremonies OF the corner stone
laying were most appropriate and were
well arranged and executed.
Big Diversion Dam Interesting Sight.
Il think the most interesting sight
at present is the big diversion dam.
In company with several hundred
people from Las Cruces and Ell Paso,
was taken to Penasco Rock, where
Engineer Hall of the Reclamation
service of the U. S. government, eX
planned the great project in detail. |
have not time to tell you all l. learn.
ed about the subject of irrigation, but
[ was greatly interested. Although
l light rain fell portion of the time,
we walked for a considerable distance
looking at the various parts of the
project under construction. Engineer
Hall stated that he expected to have
water ready for distribution to the
ranchers early this spring in time to
AXE care of the crops.
"The land in the vicinity of the di-
version dam, is spotted with the tents
If the workmen, engineers and team
sters and it gave one the impression
hat small army engaged in field
work, was encamped on the spot.
Upon returning to Las Cruces,
here was very brilliant and enjoy
Ible ball in the big rink.
Everything possible was done by
he people of the City of the Crosses
or my comfort and entertainment. !
I'm doubly glad ! went and ! expect
n the near future again to visit Las
Jruces.
Il like the spirit the people of the
1esilla Valley display in the develop
nent of the resources of Dona Ana |
'ounty and the upbuilding of trade
elations.
"The people of El Paso, SO I am
old, are somewhat isolated from the
of their state and conse-
uently feel a sort of kinship with
he residents of Dona Ana County.
ME business interests on both sides
# the line. appear to be working i'm
armony for the universal good and
mutual benefit of each other. One
rho sees such a spirit manifested as
t was In the Good Roads conven-
ion. can not help but admire 1t. I
ertainly wish success and prosperity
D the people Of the Mesilla Valley
q T. II. L.. IL. "