Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-05-13

The convention Of water users and
business men of the Rio Grande
valley which began its sessions at the
Commercial club here Wednesday aft
ornoon. terminated yesterday after
noon by the adoption Of resolutions
strongly endorsing the building Of the
Elephant Butte project, instead of OPP
pusing il, as a certain faction APP
reared to favor the day before. The
resolutions stated that it was the
opinion Of the convention that the
Rio Grande contained enough water
ior all and asked the secretary of the
interior to modify the ruling Of the
reclamation service with reference to
the Withdrawing Of all unappropriated
waters for the big project to the
south.
This condition Of affairs was
brought about Yesterday morning,
when Col w. S Hopewel George
Arnot and d. J. Rankin. leaders of
the faction opposed to \. b McMillen
and Francis +. Wood, succeeded in
having seated the delegation from
Dona Ana county. together with del
ceatcs from other sections Of the
territory, including r, +. TWitchell
Of san Miguel county.
A better understanding of tho real
points at issue, was secured during
various eaucuscs las' ~ lght, and when
the eOmHittn" s. met yes
terday NOR =. u,auteu message
to the secretary OF the interior which
was entirely different from the reso-
buttons contemplated at the first
meeting of the convention. The reso-
lutipns Wore such that they met the
approval Of Az parties and factipns
in the convention and when they
were presented ut 3 o'clock in the aft
ernOon, they were adopted by unan-
imous vote and situation which
threatened to snIf the north and
south sections Of the yalle9 into op-
posn,g i.ctious. VAS nappii> aNert@d.
The only amendment Offered to the
resolutions was proposed by r. T.
TWltchell. who wanted the resolutions
directed To the head OF authority, the
honorable secretary of the interior.
THa chansc WAS made by common
CONSENT
II bpcame apparent Yesterday that
the whole affair had arisen over
misunderstanding Of the real condi
tions and the apparently hostile at1i-
tudc Of few members Of the con-
vcntton towards the big irrigation
project was forced into the back
ground by the weight of public SEN
timcht
The resolutions adopted were as
follows.
The Resolutions.
Resolved, That the development of
New Mexico requires the fullest aud
most Intelligent use Of all the waters
Of the territory in order to increase
the area Of production.
We rejoice at the success of the en-
terpriscs under public control, as il
lustrated in the valley of the Pecos
and by the Leesburg diversion dam
and at the development Of irrigation
by private means i'm san Juan county,
IN SAN Miguel and ColfaX counties and
other sections of the territory. and
urge the earliest possible completion
Of the Elephant Butte project which |
we recognize as one of the most inn
poriant Of the enterprises undertaken .
by the United states government
Resolved THAT enterprises which /
VIII develop the natural resources of I
New Mexico. by placing water upon /
lands now arid and useless ana trans I
forming them into useful fields /
should be encouraged and fostcred in |
every Way ANA for this reason no un 7
necessary obstacles should be placed .
In the way Of their progress and com /
pleti0n
We believe that the amount Of /
water in the Rio Grande is ample t. /
supply all needs of the Elephant 1
Rutte project, without interfering /
Wllh legitimate enterprises for devel- I
ppment higher up the river. Investi- /
cation has satisfied US that the use .
Tor local irrigation. between the COL
"lado line and the Elephant Butte
project of the water needed for that
purpose, will have no detrimental ef-
rect on the water supply at san
AarciaL but viii rather tend to con-
serve and equalize il.
Under these circumstances. we be-
iieNe that the conditions now affect
ing irrigation in the center and north
ol the Rio Grande valley. are unnec-
eSsarily rctarding increased agricul-
tNral and horticultural Development
IN those sections: and we ask Of the
honorable secretary Of the interior
mat the appropriation of water here
lotore made by the government for
lhc Elephant Butte project, be so
modified as not To Interfere with inn
portant and meritorious irrigation en-
ltfprlscs in shc Rio Grande valley
Tor tho benefit of the people and the
ms rease OF their population and
wealth, in accordance with the pro-
visions Of section 40. chapter 40. Of
thr laws of New Mexico of 1907.
While considered fair and impartial
\ was the consensus of opinion among
.hv delegates to the convention, that
.ne resolutions amply urged the claims
i the water users north of the big
project and at the same time avoided
.nc useless and undiplomatic reflec-
''on upon the Elephant Butte and the
p"onl" 10 be benefited thereby.
The chief feature of the meeting
.tSterday Was the acrimonious reply (
n colonel w 5. Hopewcn To A. e
NcMillen. when Mr.. Hopewcll asked
20 have the convention thrown open
ma "il delegates interested in the
SUBJECT. seated with power To vote.
Ex-Governor L. r. Prince who ure-
s'ued as chairman OF the convention,
i'ied successfully IN the role of arhi-
.I"tor ana il was largely owing TO his
l'ei and fairness that the controversy
-hNed So satisfactorily
men the convention assembled az