Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-12-11
u o ef or q II q
Party Given Cor
dial Reception
SOLID FOR STATEHOOD
Executive Pledges Support
in Aid of Elephant
Butte Project.
Special to the New Mexican.

Las Cruces, NJ NJ, Dec. 1.-The
National Irrigation Congress and
statehood received a big boost here
today Governor Curry and the board
of control of the Sixteenth National
Irrigation Congress to be held at Al
buquerque next fall, arrived in Las
Cruces on the south bound Santa Fe
train this morning.
The committee were Chairman
Hopewell, of Hillsboro; 0. N. Marron
b. Spitz, G. w, Harrison, of Albuquer-
que; r. e. Twitchell, of Las Vegas;
G. F. Easley, of Santa Fe, and H. H.
McCord, also Judge A. B. Fall and Fe-
lix Martinez of Ell Paso.
The visitors were met at the train
by the board of directors of the Ele-
phant Butte Water Users Association,
H. B. Holt, president; O. c. Snow,
DR.. w. G. Gerber, M. T. Brown, of
Las Cruces; General B. j. Viljoen and
Claud Thompson, of Berino, William
Palmer, of Garfield, George Lynch, of
Colorado, E. A, Hannum, of La Mesa,
s. p. Stuart of Mesilla Park, A. w,
McClintock of Rincon, and most of
the population of the upper Mesilla
valley, headed by the band. After
cordial greeting the visitors were
taken to the court house where every
body proceeded to get acquainted.
After getting acquainted the visi.
tors were taken for a drive over a
part of the valley between Las Cruces
and Mesilla Park, and then to the
New Mexico Agricultural College. The
visitors were well pleased with the
great development of the valley as
well the college.
Meeting Enthusiastic.
Following the drive the Irrigation
Congress boosters were given a din
ner at the Don Bernardo. At two
o'clock this afternoon general meet
ing was held at the court house which
was crowded. The address of well
come was delivered by the Hon H. B.
Holt, president of the Elephant
Butte Water Users Association, on
behalf of that association and the
people of the valley. Mr.. Holt as
sured the visitors tnat the Mesilla
valley and Dona Ana county, are
heart and soul for the success of the
Sixteenth Irrigation Congress and for
statehood for New Mexico that the
people Of the valley stood ready and
willing to do their part for the sue
cess Of both.
Governor Curry responded on be-
half of the visitors and the terri
tory Of New Mexico, expressing his
pleasure in seeing the great improve
ments in Las Cruces and the valley
and stated he was happy to know that
the Mesilla valley was practically out
of danger from drouth and wash
outs. He expressed his qualification
at the enthusiasm shown by the peo-
pie Of the valley for statehood and
for the success of the Irrigation Con-
gress. He also promised to do all he
can for the Elephant Butte dam pro-
ject in getting bill through the pres.
ent Congress appropriating s2,O00,OOO
for the commencement of the con.
struction work.
Several others spoke after which
a branch of l.le Statehood League was
formed.
This evening a general reception
will be held at the Maccabee hall.
Made Gala Occasion.
The day was a gala day for the Me-
silla valley, and the visitors were
agreeably surprised with their very
enthusiastic reception. Everybody
was glad to meet Governor Curry and
he was glad to meet them. It was the
kind Of reception that does good
and the valley from now on will take
great interest in statehood, and the
Irrigation Congress. The valley is
getting lots Of new people who appre-
ciate the advantages of statehood and