New-York tribune., 1909-09-24
OPENS GREAT GUNNISON
TRRIG1fTTON TUNNEL.
Gorcrnmcnt's Most Important Rec
hmafion Project Will Make I40,-
000 .fcres of -frid Land Fertile.

:, 1..,ri.al connection which started a flood
- ,.,,er through the Gunnson irrigation tun-
ra which viii reclaim 10000 acres of arid
laDa The greatest irrigation project the United
States government has ever undertaken was
r,,t in operation. and the opening was made the
occasion of joyous celebration throughout the
Tncompahgre Valley
The President passed the day on the western
sr,,,o Of the Rocky Mountains. amid scenes
,,-rical Of the great Western country. In many
res,arts g, was one Of the most interesting
ssvs he has had since leaving Boston.
BEFORE going 10 the west portal Of the tunne!
ON a little narrow gauge train the President
visited the Montrose County Fair, and after
some formal speechmaking. in which he and
,be Mayor and the Governor and several others
took part. he saw relay race of cowgirls. II
Was arranged especially in honor of the Presi-
dent and was a novel and exciting affair
girl Of sixteen was matched against two Older
riders and having the syTs9athy OF the crowd
with her from the start won the race OF two
ana orle-half miles with three changes OF horses.
bv almost a quarter of a mile. The girl, Miss
Bertha Elsie Hull. wore knickerbockers. while
the TWO older riders wore undivided skirts. The
ir7pedinont Of the latter turned the tide Of the
contest and with the second change OF horses
li,,le Miss Hull was gallopirg along so far in
front
All three Of the riders We're presented TO the
President who went into the Judges stand on
,fe fair ground track 10 see the race.
SEES EFFECT OF IRRIGATION.
In his travels to-day the President had ample
otporturity To study the effect Of irrigation For
q long time HIS train ran through stretches OF
country where. as far as the eye could reach. the
only vegetation in sight consisted Of a few
greascwood bushes or sage brush Then out OF
4 rocky canyon the train suddenly would rush
into an oasis where waving green fields OF al
falfa and miles OF orchards with trees laden
vt,h fruit told Of the marvellous change
wrought ly the touch Of water.
Al Grand Junction and here at MOntrose the
President visited the fruit exhibits at the county
fairs and heard the almost unbelievable story
Of the seasons crops Gigantic peaches apples.
pears rlums grapes and almost every other
known fruit well as enormous samples Of the
vegetables q the district were shown 10 him.
The scene at the opening Of the Gunnison
tunnel was picturesque. On either side Of the
deep ravine. leading away from the portal OF
the great bore several thousand persons were
gathered 4 little stand had been erected for
the President and his party right at the edge
Of the cut and looking down $50 feet 10 the
opening Of the tunnel The tunnel which has
range, will divert the waters Of the Gunnison
River now flowing away in waste, TO the valley
On this side OF the mountains. where minor
private irrigation projects already have told the
wonders Of the soil.
The vista Of rolling hills and the barren
mountain ranges, the mesas and tabelands
stretching along the hazy horizon. the sur
rouRdng acres Of sagebrush and greasewood,
the red light q the slanting sun. the black
clouds of curling smoke fom "dOubleheader"
train climbing up the winding pathway Of rails
70 the elevation Of six thousand feet at the
tunnels Iaouth-al combined 20 make the scene
one 10 De- remembered by The President
unique in an his travels.
THE OPENING OF THE TUNNEL.
10 the city of Montrose a gold
badge oom-.--... i. lis risit and gold table
bel were presented 20 NJ taft With this little
bel the President opened the tunnel. The
weight 81 she bell when set on a copper plate
representing the district Of reclaimed lands,
made the electrical connection which caused a
squad ~ la5orers several miles away TO knock
down t-G haIhheads which were holding back
lie waters lre river AS the muddy wall Of
water poured noisilv ogt Of the concrete hole the
crowd cheered
IN al Lis Speeches to-day. including the last
ole, delivered tonight in Elks Park following a
Faiace and a disII..v OF fireworks the President
spoke On irrigation. He promised at Grand
junction 10 look promptly into the completion Of
tle Grand Valley, HighIine. ditch project
'Hete' which was begun a year ago by Secre-
l@iy GARFIELD on partnership arrangement be-
tween the government and the land owners.
secretary Ballinger ordered the work stopped.
ana was upheld by Attorney General Wicker
slan who declared the contract and the Car
neia currency certificates. which had been
ISSUED Tor work performed TO be illegal
SHERIFF IN FIGHT
OAe Ettle incident marred the Presidents
N'slt That was at the close of the tunnel open
ilg thls afternoon. when one Of the thirty two
Noofado sheriffs who have accompanied the
PRESIDENT across the state got into an alterca-
ZION with II. L. Daniels. superintendent OF the
tunnel when he trying 10 shake hands with
ti- President. Mr.. Daniels was knocked down
and for time trouble was threatened, as his
Hlencs we're quick TO resent the action of the
oI'oer who in the scuffie drew an enormous
pistol from his belt. The President heard the
eu"rrelling, and stopped for moment as he
was On his way 10 the train. He told there
was nothing serious however, and proceeded
secretary Ballinger. who is accompanying the
PRESIDENT also spoke here tonight. He
'eired 70 the subject OF reclamation, however
only IN a general way. and his talk brief
owing To a sore throat
Al Grand Junction early in the afternoon the
resident shook hands with several Ute Indians.
Oi'e q them being Chipele. the widow of Ouray.
one Of The famous chiefs Of this section.
PRESIDENT on RECLAMATION
In his speech al Grand Junction MI Taft
ssid.
u seems 20 me. as look back upon my course
% %L,f entered Colorado that there has been
soHlils out a How II speech but as the won