The Delta independent., 1907-02-08
UNCoMPAH&E VALLEY
AND GUhN|S0N TUNNEL
Address Of Hon. l. Y. Mcconnell, Constructing
Engineer, at State Commercial Assn.
Banquet in Denver,

" UCIJVCI.
rk Of constructing the great Gunni-
delivered an address at banquet
state Commercial Assn in Denver
address which will prove of greatest
ncompahgre valley are herewith
says is authority. His reference to
u the two rivers prove inadequate.
Spectus Of the increasing wealth Of
= following completion of the work
on of every citizen. Mr.. Mcdonnell
) states the facts as he sees them.
it can publish nothing that will do
address which follows:
day man sold ten acres of orchard for
$l2.cO. and came into the Uncompah-
gre Valley and bought cheap land. In
ten or twelve years, if am a Judge of
men and conditions, he can sell his new
place at higher rate per acre than he
received for his Grand Valley property.
Had he elected to stay in Grand Valley
nc could have bought raw land cheaply
there and have repeated his experience.
Whenever in Colorado irrigation is
Established. piece of good land with a
water right attached. is positive as
surance of a stable income. a comfort
able home, and competence for the
children. provided the owner has ordin-
AIRY intelligence and industry. The peo-
pie of the Uncompahgre Valley have
the land and the conditions to stand
alongside the established districts. and
|squal them in prosperity and intelh-
gence. Uncle Sam has said that the
water can be provided and that it will
be placed there as soon as SIX i'll and labor
can bring it about. We have faith to
believe that the dawn of new and
permanent prosperity for that country
Is at hand. and that he who goes in now
and possesses the land will reap .an
hundred fold.
l estimate the present value of the
Uncompahgre Valley. ncglecting an tic
ipated increases due to the government
work. at s., 500. 600 and the income from
that land at $3.50. 900 per annum. Five
years after the government projects
begin to deliver water to the lands |
estimate the value of that valley at not
less than SIS, 900. 600. Ten years from
the date of the completion of the work
l estimate the value at $50, 900. 900 and
the income from the lands at from
S3, ,0OO. 900 to s., 900, 900 per annum.
look for the establishment of beet sugar
works, cannericS. strawboard works,
cement and plaster mills. small woolen
mills, packing houses. distillcrics. brew
cries, and wide variety of manufact.
uring interests.
At the present time the great open
ranges of the southern and western
portions Of Colorado offer continual
invitation to stockmcn. Before them.
however. stands pcrpctually the spectre
Of a scarcity of winter feed with the
attendant high price. When such an
emergency arises the Stockman has no
recourse but to throw his stock upon
the market and take whatever price the
market affords. When the Uncompah-
gre project is complete there will be a
reasonable assurance of cheap winter
feed for that section of the state. This
nsn ~ hn 81 t,,y # hn
ranges to their full capacity at all
times. and should treble or quadruple
the range stock production of that Sec
ton. In the line of bloodcd stock no
better opportunity can be found. The
winters are mild. the summers cool, the
altitude sufficient to develop great lung
power. and with good feed and good
water the bloodcd stock industry should
find one Of its most favorable environ
ments.
Agriculture and mining are running a
neck and neck race for supremacy in
Colorado. The mining industry depends
for its activity primarily upon the prob
ability of successful results. Men who
know the state. know that it's mining
possibilities are scarcely touched.
We shall expect. therefore. when the
lands of the Uncompahgrc project come
under cultivation to see marked in
crease in mining operations. and
marked improvement in certain of the
factors which have a direct influence
upon mining operations.
We shall expect the great mining re-
gion Of the San Juan to expand greatly
and the yet undsvslopsd regions of