Arizona republican., 1909-05-08
THE LARGE AREA
 OA THE SOUTH
Which Would Be Brought Into Re- lation With Phoenix.

To the Editor of The Republican:
 Sir:-The appeal for square deal' that was issued by the Tempe Bridge committee contains many statements that would bar that docu- ment from coming within the meaning of the term, square deal"
 This committee has issued many manifestoes during its short life, ap- parently regardless of color or previ- ous conditions, but knowing the tenn per of the taxpayers of Maricopa county, fully realizing that statements of fact are what they base their con clusions upon, we have refrained from replying to these unsupportable gen. eralities, even in quoting from a statement issued by this committee that Tempe paid only one-twentieth as much taxes as Phoenix, the square deal' manifesto juggled with our figures and made them read. -one-tenth.'' While the question of taxes, by whom paid, does not ma terially enter into this bridge con- trOversy, the greatest benefits to the citizens of Maricopa county being the dominant issue.
 This taxation matter was only raised as an answer to Tempe citizens as to our rights to have a say in the location of a bridge, wherein our taxpayers are so vitally interested. Our purpose in this article is to show the voters of Maricopa county the large area of country that will be tributary to the Center street bridge, also the large acreage that will be benefited by its construction, and the substantial increase of taxable wealth that will follow the erection of this needful bridge An investiga- ton of the lands designated as above the water line by the Tempe commit tee will demonstrate the fact that it is practically all within the cultivable area
 While these homestead lands, amounting to 11,240 acres as shown by the map issued by the Center Street Bridge committee, are not at present under a gravity ditch, quite portion of the acreage is signed up in the Water Users association. and all is within the reservoir dis trict. It is generally admitted that a large area of the Tempe country immediately adjacent to these lands must be drained by pumping without delay; that an excellent location ex- ists where, by a seventy-five foot lift, the surplus underground water now seriously affecting several thousand acres of the Tempe country can be raised and delivered through a pipe line less than one-half mile in length into a high line canal, which by gray ity, will conduct it for the use of the large majority of homestead lands re- ferred to.
 It is also a fact that so practical is the plan, and so urgent the need of its prompt execution, that the representatives of the reclamation service have been giving the matter serious consideration, as it offers the particular advantage of being of great assistance to the Tempe people by draining their lands, should they come into the Water Users asSociation-as We hope they willard at the same time making an immediate use of this surplus water by pumping onto the high lands for the benefit of the homesteaders settled upon them, thus fulfilling one of the prime objects of the reclamation act. So confident are many of the Tempe people that this high line canal will be built that many of them have taken up home steads or purchased land above any existing gravity ditch.
 The hOmesteaders on the lands near the mountains south of Phoenix abovea the gravity ditch have shown their confidence in the high line ditch, as above outlined, by making excellent permanent improvements upon their claims; comfortable houses. some costing from 5000 to $500 are be- ing built: windmills are being erect ed; one private pumping plant for ir- rigation has already been started. | others are under contemplation, and there is every evidence that tins com munity will become one of the most desirable in the valley
 Thus the evidence is at hand that the immense acreage south of Phoe- ! nix will not only be settled. but will | be one of the most productive sections 1 of the Salt River valley, and contri- ! bute largely to the upbuilding of ! Phoenix and the enlargement of the | assessment roll of this county.
 These people need a bridge; they want some means of communication with the county seat without irnperiI- ! ing their lives and property. Their . trade relations are all with the mer- chants of Phoenix. and if an oppor- !, tunity is given them to develop their , fine fruit and alfalfa lands. many thousands of prosperous farmers will | make homes in this section within | the next two years. 1
 CENTER STREET BRIDGE !
 PUBLICITY COMMITTEE. |