Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-08-08

ferring to the pleasures of the visit,
etc. then directed himself to a few
subjects pertinent just at this time. He
spoke of the recent attacks on the re-
clamation service which he said he
had not considered worth while to an
swer specifically for the reason that
they had all been made on false prem
ises. The service could not afford to
argue against misstatements that were
founded on alleged facts that were un-
true. He said he felt that 1t was for
the people of this valley and other
places who know the real facts in con-
nection with the work of the service.
to defend IL if they saw fit and he
hoped they would be so inclined. He
said the secretary had thoroughly in
vestigated the matter of the so-called
Water Users Association Consolidated
at Yuma. and had satisfied himself Of
its irregularity or fake and unrepre-
sentative nature. The officials Of the
service he said are at all times ready
to answer any legitimate criticism or
any proper question but when matters
were brought up based on falsehood
and implying the collusion of the Off
cials in charge Of the Laguna project
or the incidents in connection with the
Imperial country, to privately profit
from the funds being expended by the
government. he felt that they had
nothing to say in the matter. Contin-
uing further he said that he did not
contend that the service was without
imperfections and that mistakes had
not been made, but that there had
been any Interior purpose through
which the officials sought to profit was
charge that could not be honestly
than that which might be made by the
friends of the service locally
Mr.. Newell then stated that he would
be glad to answer any questions that
might be asked. Lincoln Fowler asked
when in his opinion. the service would
be ready to allot the lands to receive
stored water. He replied that the date
could not be definitely announced. The
contract calls for the completion of the
dam May l. 1908. but il will be delayed
beyond that time somewhat. probably
until the fall of 1908. However. he
expected the contractor would push
things as fast as he could as he is
under a penalty of $3.50 for every days
delay. The allotment cannot be made
until the project is further along and
local matters still further cleared up.
Among these is the suit of Hurley YER
sus Abbott ct al. the settlement of
which is being patiently waited for.
Captain Christy inquired as to the
, allotment of new lands: that is to
n. e
acres and the lands now in cultiva-
tion amount to 10000 acres. they
would naturally be served first leav-
ing SO, 900 acres of lands as yet uncul-
tivated to come in. The question fol-
lows which of the large area of un-
titled lands of the valley would be
chosen. Mr.. Newell said that question
is one of the most vexatious that the
service will be called upon to answer
and the time for the decision Is not yet
at hand. 1t is designed to postpone it
until II is necessary to specify and
then the matter will be taken up and
given the most careful attention. II is
designed IN a general way to make the
irrigated body as compact as possible,
all things being taken into considera-
ton. But whatever is done will have
20 be done in harmony with the idea of
the local association which will be full
ly consulted and conferred with before
the allotment is made.
There being no further questions.
Mr.. Newell withdrew and Secretary
Garfield entered and was introduced
without delay by President Fowler Mr.
Garfield said he was sorry he was too
busy to have been present to hear Mr..
Newell's remarks but that he had 10
make the most of his brief time here.
He said he was here on a variety of
missions endeavoring to acquaint him
self with the conditions in respect of
all the various interests which CEN
ter in his department and he had
tried to give each its proper attention.
He referred to his visit at the Indian
school and to his pleasurable trip to
Roosevelt. He said he had talked
freely with the local officials in Ari-
zona and with the engineers of the
service and was more than ever i'm
pressed with the wonderful opportuni-
ties at hand in this valley and the ter
ritory generally, opportunities that are
limited only by the amount of money
ioi utNtlopiiltil
A point the secretary emphasized
was the cooperation Of this valley with
the department ever since the recla-
nation work was undertaken. He
said he had been gratified to note that
the people had been ready at all times
to do their part and IL had inspired the
service TO extend its operations in ev-
cry way possible. He expressed the
hope that the residents OF the valley
would use their influence and good Of
fices in presenting to other localities
where projects are just entered upon.
the good results of this cooperation
and also the real meaning of irrigation.
which is more than the mere turning
on of the water. The people in the
east have a very vague idea of irriga-
ton. They picture a vast tract OF land
and imagine there is nothing to do but
open the gates and let the water run
over it, having a poor conception Of
the vast amount of expenditure and eff
fort that is required in all the con-
structions preliminary to making the
ILL IL