Arizona republican., 1912-04-26
Congressional Committee is Seeking Knowledge Relating to That
 Project
SEVERAL MEN
 ON THE STAND
Judge Jamison and Receiver for Canal Company Both Make Denial
 of Charges

State Senator !. r. Brown, preSi- dent of the Casa Grande Valley Water Users association; Alfred Sieboth. re- ceiver for the Casa Grande Canal company; and J. NJ Jamison, of this city. representing the Charles R. Sligh interests in the Casa Grande valley. were the principal witnesses yesterday before the congressional committee. composed of Congressman Hensley. Galloway and Hanna, who are investi- gating the financial affairs of the in- terior department with relation to In dian and reclamation affairs in this section. Judge Burch representing the government, and the members of the committee themselves by numer- ous questions brought out q large number of facts relative to water rights the surpassed rights of the In- dians and the possible infringement of any of those rights which had been guaranteed by the government.
 Much of the investigation related to the status of the Indians living below Florence. The committee was par ticularly anxious. apparently. to know what effect litigation by the whites over water rights there has had upon the privileges of the Indians.
 In response to q question by Chair man Hcnsley. of the investigation committee, Mir. Sieboth said he had been told that his refusal, as receiver for the canal company. to furnish water for the lands under that sys- tenn. had depressed land values. Go- ing further, Mir Sieboth said he had also heard it charged that his ob- iect was to depress land values in order to take financial advantage of the situation. And I have not only heard that statement but I have heard some others a good deal worse" the receiver said
 But" he continued T absolutely refute those charges. There is not a word of truth in them. l did every thing in my power tO maintain the value of the lands down there. It as suredly is not true that I tried to de- press their value in order that might profit through the misfortune of the owners"
 Senator Brown, in his testimony. said he would like for all the conflict ing interests in the Casa Grande to harmonize their differences and get together. He said he felt sure that is the only proper course; and he was certain that if such a course were pursued it would work to the immense advantage of all concerned. And he thought that as a matter of justice, such an agreement should take care of the Indians as well as the whites.
 Nelson. the Pima Indian, who testi-  toned briefly as to what sort of an agreement would be satisfactory to his people He said he had no doubt they would be perfectly contented if their ancient water rights were se- cured to them.
 As is we'll known there has been talk that q secret agreement had been entered into between some Casa Grande canal people for the regula- ton of the water so that the settlers would be driven out and the lands eventually be delivered over to specu- lators Judge JamisOn and MT. Sic both both denied that such an ar rangement ever had been made. Ii was contcnded by Judge Campbell who is one of the attorneys before the committee, that the Sligh inter ests, represented by Judge JamisOn are in fact speculative interests anG that they proceeded in a manner in- imical to the interests of the settlers Judge Jamison, however, said that un- der the Pinal Mutual company the SliEh interests have no holdings fur ther than their land holdings; anC that whatever advantages might ac- crue to those interests under any plar of reclamation would simply be the same as would accrue to any other holders of property there.
 The sessions of the committee arc now held in the Water Users build ing. The change was made from the hotel because the rooms at the temple are better adapted to the purpose.