Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-09-24
President Starts Flow Design
ed to Reclaim Hundred and
Forty Thousand Acres of
Land in Western Colorado.
TAFT ENJOYS TYPICAL
WESTERN HOSPITALITY
Colorado Fruit Growers in
Charge Of Days Program;
Tales of Wonderful Crops
Poured Into Executive Ears.



Montrose. colo, Sept. 23.--Prcsl.
don't Taft spent the day on the west
crn slope of the Rocky mountains
and amid q succession OF scenes typ
zeal Of the great western country. In
many respects his day was one of the
most interesting since leaving Bos-
ton.
Late this afternoon Mr. TAFT stood
on the brink of the deepest irrigation
ditch in all the west and far out in
the foothills of the mountains, with
not a SOFT ttlemcnt in sight. made the
electrical connection which started II
flow Of water through the Gunnison
tunnel that VIII reclaim 1000 acres
OF arid lands. 1t was the setting in
operation Of the greatest irrigation
project the United States government
ever has undertaken and tho open
ing was made the occasion of a joy
ous celebration throughout the valley
OF the Uncompaghrc
Before travelling out to the west
portal Of the tunnel ON a little mar
row gauge train, the president visited
the Montrosc county fair, and after
some formal speech making IN which
I've. She n-aye tn" 5oscrncr and sew
cral others participated, he was given
a real touch of western lifc--a relay
race Of cowgirls. Tho race was ar
ranged especially In honor of the
president and was novel and cNcit-
ing affair.
During his travels today the presi-
dent had ample opportunity to study
the effect Of irrigation.
At Grand Junction ana here at
Montrose the president visited the
fruit exhibits of the county fairs and
was told tho almost unbelievable
stories OF the seasons yield The
scene attending the opening Of the
Gmnison tunnel this afternoon was
most picturesque.
ON either side of the deep rayinc
leading away from the portal of the
we're gathered. A little stand had
been erected for the president and his
party right at the edge OF the cut and
looking down 150 feet to the opening |
of the tunnel
The tunnel has been hcwn through
six miles of mountain range and
when the project is completed |
next spring, viii divert the
waters of the Gunnison river now
flowing away in waste to the gulf of
California. to the valley ON this side |
IF the mountains whore minor pri-
tate projects of irrigation already !
lavc told the wonders Of the soil
The vista of rolling hills and bar
'on mountain ranges. the mcSas and |
able lands stretching along the hazy
lorizon, the surrounding acres Of
age and grcasc-Wood, the red light |
If the slanting sun. the black clouds
# curling smoke from a double /
header" train climbing the winding !
pathway Of rails to the 6.00o-foot ole-
-ation at the tunnel mouth, all con-
ributcd to make the scene one to be
by the president as
Unique in all his travels.
During the day Mr.. TAFT was pre-
cnted with a golden key to the city
# Montrose, a gold badge commcm-
rating his visit and gold table bell
{ was with this little bell that the
PRESIDENT opened the tunnel The
weight Of tho belI Whcn set upon a
oppcr plate representing the district
# reclaimed lands made the electrical
which caused squad of
aborcrs several miles away, TO knock
.own the bull,hrads which were hold