Arizona republican., 1907-09-12
WINTER WATER RATES
 SEASONS OPENING
Reasons For a Difference in Change to Members of the w. U. A. and Those Who Are Not.

tofore to the prices that will be charged the farmers under the north side canals the coming winter season, for irrigating water. by the govern ment which now owns the canals and has charge of the distributing service. Further details have been learned and it is well that the farmers be given as much notice as possible. though the official announcement has not been made.
 The charge for water for the winter season will be s1 per acre for mem bers of the Salt River Valley Water Users association and s1.25 for those who are not members. In the winter season there is usually a surplus of water which it is very desirable to utilize if possible. . This Is known as flood water and will be that quan- tity that shall con<e down the river. above a certain flow. yet to be off cialy determined. which will, care for the necessities of those who have bought water regularly for the sea son. This regular flow measurement will be fixed at certainly not less than 50.OoO inches and probably not above 50. 900.
 The surplus or flood water may be small or large. depending on the sea son. It has been customary however to sell this water to those who care to take the risk on the supply. Many grain men consider it a good gamble and plant quite extensively of certain crops. to depend upon this flow. The government of course does not guar antee delivery of water to them un- less there Is a surplus. though within reasonable limits it is not very haz- ardous. To those who want this sur plus water the price will be fifty cents an acre to members of the association and sevCnty-fiye cents to those who are not members. The selling period for the winter season will begin Oc. tober 1 as the summer delivery ends September 30. The sale of flood wat CT may be made any time after Oc- tober 1st whenever it is desired.
 The question has been asked by one or two who have inquired concerning winter water. why it is that the gov ernment should make a distinction in the prices of water. between the mem bers and those not members of the association. That there may be- no misunderstanding or unfair criticism of the government the explanation is made in advance as follows: The ca nals are now owned by the govern ment. bought in trust for the farmers of this valley who belong to the as sociation and who have pledged their lands to eventually pay back their purchase price. The members of the association are therefore in partner fr. hn in everything else pertaining to the local project. Rather. the association is the prospective buyer and has mortgaged itself to the government which is acting as the intermediary or promoter and putting up its own mon ey until the deal finally goes through and the Roosevelt dam Is built and paid for.
 Water users who do not belong to the association are paying no part of this expense nor are their lands pleds- ed to pay it eventually. The asso- citation is just as necessary a part of the reclamation project as the Roose- welt dam. and it costs money to run it. The members are paying the annual assessment that provide, this money. Those not members paY nothing. Un-
 less they are charged more for water delivery than the members are, they
 would have all the benefits of the members who made storage and an ample supply possible. with none of
 the costs. worry trouble or expense. The difference in the charge Is not
 greatly more than the cost of run
 ming the association for a single year. Continued year after year 1t would be. And here the truth Is borne home
 From the very inception of the project
 the water users have been urged to join the association and cooperate to
 secure storage. and told they would
 be immeasurably better off in the end
 The recalcitrants who have to this
 good hour refused to unite with the
 association can now begpl>;o see their
 mistake and if they are wise they will
 get on the waiting list while there Is
 yet an opportunity. and join the as- sociation just as soon as they have the chance. No more equitable arrange
 ment could be conceived Rd if tn,
 outsiders were dealing with a private corporation instead of beneficeni government and their magnanimous fellow citizens, they would be in luck