Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-12-12
Enthusiastic Reception to Governor Curry and Party by
Las Cruces and Dona Ana County Far Exceeds Most
Sangune Expectations and Terrtorys Interest in National
Gathering Here is No Longer Matter of Doubt
WATER USERS WANT 1000 SQUARE
FEET OF SPACE FOR EXHIBITS
The Chief Executive and the Albuquerque Men Are Kept
Busy All Day Receiving Pledges of Support, Answering
Questions and Seeing the Sights of the Fertile Valley
Hundreds Participate in Reception to the Visitors.

Especial Dispatch 10 the Morning Journal. !
Las Cruces, y. NJ, Dec 11.-Thir-
ty-five hundred dollars pledged to the
support of the irrigation congress by
the people of the Mesilla va'.ey.
Two thousand square feet of floor
space requested by these same people
for exhibits and promptly granted.
An exhibition of enthusiasm and a
pledge of hearty support unexcelled
and scarcely equalled by the public
spirit of Albuquerque.
These are few Of the things which
have been accomplished for the six
teenth national irrigation congress
here today. Enthusiasm was expected
in the Mesilla valley and support as
WELL but no one, not even the most
enthusiastic not even Colonel
Twitchell--expected such support as
has been given, and given with a free
dom and an eagerness which demon
strates to the last little doubt that the
Mesilla valley at least understands the
Importance of the irrigation congress
to the territory of New Mexico. This
meeting today too, should remove the
last doubt from the minds of Albu-
querque people as to where the people
of the territory are going to stand on
the irrigation congress, II is a terri
torlal congress. a thing in which the
whole territory is most vitally inter-
ested, and the spirit shown here today
is proof final that the territory un-
derstands and is going TO help with all
its might.
From the time Governor Curry and
his party arrived, at o'clock this
morning, until the close of a reception
given the governor tonight. the party
was kept busy with meetings, drives
to the Agricultural college. drives
through the valley, and in conversa-
tion with the Mesilla valley people.
who are anxious to get all the infor-
nation they can about the irrigation
congress. The Mesilla valley is grow
ing and developing at a tremendous
rate.
The drive through the valley is con-
vinclng, and if II were not the gem
erous public spirit of the Las Cruces
business men, and the valley farmers,
would convince for only prosperous
enterprising, public-spirited people
who are going ahead, can show the
spirit shown here today. II is Just
the start in the work of raising funds
and insuring exhibits for the irriga-
tion congress, but 1t is a mighty good
start. The party. which arrived this
morning. included Governor Curry.
Chairman Hopewell. OF the board OF
control of the congress; Co mel
Twitchell. DR.. G. w. Harrison, Il. II.
McCord, of the Mesilla Valley ID, vel
opment company: Rev T.. Moo ""
Gray and H. b. Hening. IL was met
at the station by the officers of the
Elephant Butte Water Users associa-
ton, and the officers. and many mem
bers of the Las Cruces chamber OF
commerce. Carriages were waiting
and the party was escorted to the
business district, where Governor Cur
~ spent an hour la meeting old
friends and making new ones.
The First Meeting.
The first meeting was held in the
office of President II. B. Holt. of the
Elephant Butte Water Users associa-
tion, and was between Governor Cur
ry. Chairman Hopewell and party,
and the officers and executive com
mittee of the Elephant Butte Water
Users association. Speeches were
made by Chairman HOpewell and Col
Onel Twitchell. the latter clinching
the Importance of the irrigation con-
gress in his usual forceful way. Mr..
Holt and r. L. Young, president of
the chamber of commerce, also spoke
and gave ample assurance Of the atti-
tude OF the water users and the Las
Cruces business men toward the con-
gress, including resolution which
the water users adopted by unani-
nous vote asking for two thousand
square feet OF floor space. II was
quickly granted. and the Mesiila valley
was given first choice Of space as the
first formal applicant This was sup
plemented at the afternoon meeting at
which the people I'm unanimous vote
agreed to raise $500 toward bearing
the expenses Of the congress
Following the morning meeting the
entire party was driven 70 the Agri-
cultural college. where the governor
was conducted through the buildings
by DR. r. r. Mcbride. president of
the board Of regents. and President
Luther Foster. The governor eN-
pressed satisfaction at conditions 90
the college.
Then followed a luncheon al the
Park hotel. az which twenty we're
present At its close the governor
spoke briefly in response 10 an invita-
tion from Mr.. Holt. referring 20 the
statehood cause and 10 the irrigation
congress. Rev. r. Mcqueen Gray
also spoke briefly. expressing the
opinion that the Pecos valley would
take the lead IN the irrigation con-
gress work
The party adjourned from the hotel
direct TO the Maccabee hali. where
2.000 people had gathered. With
them were all the school children of
Las Cruces. 70 whom the governor
made a brief address. and also the ca
dets OF the Agricultural college. who