The daily sentinel., 1912-10-22
ate capital would not build the ca

vate capital would not build the ca
nal. II was SecTefHrT Garfield who
visited the Grand valley. took "A De,-
sonal interest IN our project, deu-
nitely promised the construction OF
the canal and placed us on the man.
Our troubles at Washington began
under Secretary Rallinger, whose
masterly campaign Of inactivity fl
naliy yielded to the Interest taken hy
President Taft after his visit to
Grand junction aud 90 the friendly
Instructions OF Secretary Fisher. uu-
der whose orders the first work of
actual construction begins today.
During the period of more than
eight years OF negotiation bg our as
ISOLATION with the authorities at
Washington we have had a friend
tried and true IN Director Newell.
who has been ably assisted by CHIEF
Engineer Davis, BY District Engineers
Mcconnell and Walters and bv Pro-
jeCt Engineers Sands and Miner The
presidents. secretaries and directors
have worked incesslufIv to hasten
the happy event wn are now celehrat-
ling II is impossible TO name an our
friends in the battle for success. but
suffice it to say that In Washington
senator Guggcnhyim and Congress-
mau Taylor have been with MS. while
at home the railroads. both daily pa
pers. the Chamber of Commerce. the
Fifty Thousand Club and our people
almost uuanimous,y have copUerated
to bring to pass Jar early ronstruc-
tion OF this canal 70 rs, therefore,
meet and proper that We should as
semble here today to celebrate the
beginning OF actual construction of
this project.
We welcome tho candidates, state.
district and local representatives. OF
various political PARTIES. who have
come 20 rejoice with us ON this oc-
CaEiuu- Your presence beHneaks your
friendly interest. We interpret your
visit TO mean thpl each and every
one of you who may be selected ass a
servant of the people now and here
pledge your active and loyal support
to this important undertaking. We
have battles vet to fight. There are
those who desire to delay the work.
to Cnjoiu the gOvGrnment-yCu
more, TO destroy utterly this entire
undertaking, If there he one among
you who feels to give aid or comfort
To the enemy, let him speak out free
Is now, or forever hereafter hold his
peace.
our government has adopted the
policy Of the greatest good TO the
greatest number. On this principle
it. has assisted in the construction of
lines of transportation from the At
lautic to the Pacific. encouraged the
development of waterways. construct
cd harbors, established the recluma-
ito nsCriveC, is now building the Pan
anna canal and soon will be draining
the rich swamp lands OF the south.
Who can recount the benefits to flow
from these great undertakings
Looking forward to the near fu-
ture, we know that the early conf
pletion Of this project will double
the tillable and taxable farm area in
our part of the valley OF the Grann
II Will largely increase the DopulI-
ton and taxable property in Patti
sadc and Grand junction, while 1t
viii more than double both in Cliff
ton and Fruita; Ii means thar lur
railroads must double-tracl, their
lines and more than double their
means of freight transportation.
Think OF IT, we now swami the
railroads by giving them from 600
to 5000 cars OF fruit and produce.
What will they do when our own
Grand valley from here to thC Utah
line yields them from l2,00p to 49,
600. cars OF fruit and produce, while
other portions Of western colorado
will yield as much more? Lct the
railroads take notice and warning
now. or they will be unable to keep
pace with the growth of this splendid
country.
"Time forbids NE to say more.
With pleasure ] Yield to other speak
ers.' -