The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1909-10-21
Secretary BaiIinger in
Yuma

IN the history Of Yuma. during
the past vfar, WAS Monday, Oc-
Uober Is. winch was marked by
the ViSis of Secretary of the In
terror Richard A. Ballinger, as
we'll as officials of the territory
and of the reclamation service.
T. FL. Newell, director of the
reclamation service, and Chief
Engineer A. 2. Davis, who were
expected 10 join the Ballinger
party here, were unavoidably
delayed along the route, but
Louis G. Hill, supervising engi-
neer of the southern division,
arrived from the east on Sunday
night, as did also Geo. u. Young,
secretary of the territory and
acting governor.
Mr.. Ballinger arrived on the
$50 train from the west Monday
morning and was met at the sta
ton by a large delegation of
Yuma citizens and a brass band,
which evinced the hearty well
come to the "Gate City of the
Great Southwest. The SecYe-
tary and small party were the
guests of Project Engineer Sell
lew at reclamation headquarters
for breakfast, after which trip
was made to Laguna dam, where
the great work of the govern
ment was thoroughly inspected.
The party to the dam included,
besides the guest of honor and
officials of the local project,
Messrs. Seliew and Lawson,
President Garvin and Secretary
Stitt of the Water Users Asso-
citation, President G. d. Baker
and Messrs. Splitter and San
guinetti of the Commercial Club,
Senator Hogan of Kentucky,
o. G.. Willis of the Sun, and Geo.
Fishbaugh.
At the dam Secretary Balm
ger expressed himself to the
effect that ten years of constant
Study ever the proposition in
Washington eoald not have so
enlightened hiE as to the real
work accomplished under the d.
fection of the government as his
brief inspection had done.
Returning from the dam, the
party boarded a launch and were
taken down the river to the low
er heading of the Imperial canal,
luncheon being served en- route.
After an inspection of the pro-
tective and diversion works of
the California Development Co.,
a landing vas effected on the
Arizona side of the Colorado
river and waiting automobiles
whirled the guests over the
Yuma valley as far as Somerton,
the tour consuming the afternoon.
Upon his return to reclamation
headquarters Mr.. Ballinger ac-
corded several informal inter
views to interested land owners,
before attending the banquet at
the Southern Pacific Hotel. This
proved to be one of the most
elaborate functions ever witness
ed in Yuma. Great credit must
be given the Water Users ASso-
citation and the Commercial Club
for the perfection of arrange
mentS and the SmoothaeSS with
which the entire affair was con-
dncted. Proprietor Curtis of the
hotel is also deserving of unlim-
lted praise for the appetizing
and bountiful menu provided
upon short notice and for the
artistic manner in which tables
and decorations were arranged
ia the hotel dining room.
Covers were laid for over one
hundred people, representing
the varied interests of the CON-
munity but of one accord ia the
desire to show regard for the
distinguished guest.
Milford Winsor officiated as
POSTMASTER gracefully, intro
ducing the various speakers in
happy fashion. Attorney Rob
ertson responded to the first
toast. "Our Guest" and was fol-
lowed by the speaker of the
evening, Secretary Ballinger
Mr.. Ballinger'S remarks were
characterized by a directness and