Arizona republican., 1910-07-15
VOTE ON THE
 POWER PLANS Water Users Association
 Election Thursday AN IMPORTANT QUESTION Affirmative Action Neces- sary, Mere Acquiescence
 Not Sufficient-Letter of Secretary Including a Statement By L. c. Hill

 tion of the Water Users association for the acceptance or rejection of the plan for the construction of the new Crosscut canal and the proposed power houses. The association pro- poses during this week to wage as vigorous campaign of education as possible and to that end Secretary Van der Veer is mailing to each member of the association a letter explanatory of the plan, together with some Of the reasons why the administration of the association believes it should be adopted. Incorporated in his letter is another letter written by Supervising Engineer Hill during his recent trip east. furnishing further details and estimates showing the advisability of the plan.
 In general the plan has been much discussed and there seems to be no material opposition. to it, nevertheless there is a possibility that it's adoption might fail through general apathy. as other desirable enterprises have done. Should it fail of adoption it will be through the negligence of its propon ents rather than any efforts If it's op ponents, if there be any. For that req son if is desired to keep the matter in the public eye until after election, July 21. Illustrative of this point, Sec retary Van der Veer said yesterday that there are many water users who have heard so much about the plan and are so we'll satisfied with it, that they have taken it for granted that it is already adopted and many inquiries have been received asking when the payments will become due, some all ready having arranged to make these payments. That is most encouraging so far as the popularity of the plan Is concerned. but the danger is that it is just that class of people who will not take the trouble to vote next Thursday
 It is therefore desirable to impress on all the members that while the plan has been approved by other powers that be, the people themselves have not yet endorsed it, and if they desire to enjoy the benefits they should all be on hand election dayt It is not enough to merely have no objection, but affirmative action must be taken, d two-thirds vote being required.
  velops all those who favor the move should turn out and hustle just as though there were a fight on. The thoughtful will appreciate that not only will the plan if it carries enable the proper completion of the project with the assurance of greater reve- nue thereafter, but it will cut the as- sessment for the next two years down to s2.50 per annum instead of the s4.5O per annum they would otherwise prob ably have to begin paying next year. in addition to the annual cost of incl dental expenses. It is commended, therefore as being for the best inter- est of both the economist and the op- portunist Following is MT. Van de Veers letter:
 Phoenix. Ariz.. July II, 1910. To the Shareholders. Salt River Valley
 Water Users Association:
 By direction of the council and the board Of governors the following is submitted for your information and careful considerations:
 In accordance with the articles of incorporation and the bylaws a spe- cial election has been called for Thurs day, July 21st, to decide whether the association shall undertake the build ing of canals and power plants in or der to speedily complete the Salt river project.
 Briefly the plan is to construct a new cross-cut from the Arizona canal, at Scottsdale, south to Hole-in- the Rock, there to connect with the Grand canal which will be extended to it. At the place where the cross-cut drops into the Grand will be built a power plant to generate 5000 horsepower
 second power plant will be built at a point. between the South canal and the Consolidated, with the neces- sary connecting canal, to generate 2,500 horsepower. From this will be built transmission line to connect with the main switching station on the Roose- welt power line east of Mesa.
 At the Arizona Falls will be put in new machinery to increase the capa- city of the power plant to 700 horse power
 A short canal will be built to con- meet the Grand canal with the West end of the Salt canal two miles west of Alhambra. fr-t
 It is proposed to do all this work at the expense of the association, up on the receipt of competitive bids, nn- der plans and supervision of the recia- nation service, the work to be paid for by means of special assessments of $2.25 an acre for two years. In con- sideration of the work being under taken in this manner the secretary of the interior agrees to defer the off cial opening of the project for two years from the time of ratification of | this proposition, or until the fall of | 1912. In the meantime the use of the reservoir will be continued as at pres ent. with the probable addition of Class c lands as fast as the distributing sys- tenn can be enlarged to serve them,