The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1909-06-12
REBUKE LAND TAKERS
MONTE VISTA COMMERCIAL CLUB
GOES ON RECORD AS OPPOSED
TO JOBBERY


There was large attendance at
the meeting of the Monte Vista
Commercial club Monday night.
After general discussion the fol-
lowing resolutions were adopted
unanimously:
Whereas, 1t is reported that certain
Land Companies, namely, The Baca
Grant Development Company, The San
Luis Valley Land and Irrigation Com
pany, The Oklahoma Land and Coloni-
zation Company, and The San Isabel
Land Company, are Offering their lands
in this Valley for sale in small tracts,
principally Of and 10 acres by lot
terry or so-callcd auction" plan Of sale,
giving rise to controversy over their
methods and the character of their
lands, which tends to discrcdit the
lands OF the Valley in general, and high
standing OF its citizens, should they re-
main silent during such controversy,
and
Whereas, 1t is represented that the
literature Of these various Companies is
inaccurate, and misleading in its state
ments and calculated to deceive those
ignorant Of the facts; leading people to
believe among other things. that this is
fruit valley; that families can make a
living upon or 10 acre tracts: that
their various holdings are mainly first
class agricultural lands, in condition for
farming at this time, rs good rs the best
in the valley or, can all or nearly all be
irrigated, but giving no tangible or valid
guarantee Of water for its irrigation. but
leaving the problem Of water supply to
he solved land paid for by the contract
holders, after the Companies have sold
out; and that artesian wells are an i'm
portant factor in irrigation in the Valley.
and
Whereas, Since this controversy has
arisen. various statements concerning
the same, purporting To have been
made by individual, and by Commerc-
ial Bodies Of the Valley, which state
ments are in some cases equivocal and
misleading, and in Others are defensive
of the reputcd methods 81 these Com.
anies. and
Whereas. The general material inter
ests and the settlement 81 the Valley
are in danger 81 great injury from mis-
representation and from methods Of dis
posing 81 lands now WORTHLESS. and
Whereas, The so,si name and reputx-
ton Of the people 81 the Valley for fair
dealing are also involved, therefore
Resolved, That no argument Of expcd.
iency or Of temporary advantage or fear
81 being called knockers" can warrant
the Commercial Club IL Monte Vista in
longer remaining silent. and that il is
but discharging duty il owes To the
people 81 the Valley and 10 the pro,pec.
tive investors and settlers to state the
facts concerning the Valley in general
and the rcputcd representations and
methods ~ above Indicated. IL th--.
lands Companies. in particular. which
facts arr ~ follows.
LIST, That there is in the San Luis
Valley about 2.;0O.OOO acres u land. Of
which about jDm acres is now actu.
ally irrigated by the natural Aow Of the
streams; that this natural How Is all II
Il already appropriated in the irrigation
II these lands. and that no additional
land can IN irrigated without the build.
ing II reservoirs:
md. That Il II conscrvativcly c.timst.
ed that there " water sufficient when
compounded. in reservoirs. to water |. On..
no additional acres II land. hut that
until reservoirs. are built and sufficient
water provided. that this land SOW
without water II now absolutely worth
Ics~. except Tor pasture. and REGARDLESS.
II IL inherent fertility: that our artes.
ian wells, while II immense value in
supplying water Tor domcstic and stock
ussA will irrigatr only small garden
patches, and with possible exception n
three small areas, twherr the How il
unusually stroux), arr utterly made.
quats ens neld irrigation.
I'D, That whilc the roil II the Val.