Arizona republican., 1912-03-22


 their mode of argument This idea might suit the land spcculator who does not expect to bear any of the burden. whose sole object is to un- load his holdings. His natural desire will be to let things take their course without undue noise, pocket his profit and jet the next man carry the load. But it does not suit us. We want to know first. what We are justly en- titled to pay: then. if we need an ex- tension, il will be time enough to ask for it.
 The article above referred to says: The contract between the association and tho government provides that the association guarantees the payment for that part of the cost 1I the irr,ca- ton works which shall be apporJioacd by the secretary of the interior to itS shareholders. Pending the determi- nation of this matter it is extremely uplikley that an Investigating commlu tee would make any recommendation looking to our being relieved from any part Of the cost of the project inas- much as that would be an interference
 
 the secretary"
 But there is no ground whatever for supposition on our part that the amount which the secret = shall as sign as a charge against Us will be anything less than the total cost of the project. In fact, We may be ab- souteiy certain that such will be the charge unless We can show congress that suCa I q arge is unjust.
 Now comes an amazing statement in the sane article. "E.e1. therefore. if the committee migh. fiEl the cost of the project excessive. unless 1t can be shown that the cost of tho p-ojCct is greater than it's value. it would probably not look with laN"r upon our request to be relieved from such excessive cost.
 Landowner. does this statemer- ap- peal to you? Even though you may be called upon tc pay $3 when $l judici- ously expended would have comp lishel .he same result, yC,t a''. not tf protest because the ultimate benefit might be worth s to you. Do you or does any sane man pursue this course in the ordinary affairs of life? IT you did. how long would it be before You became bankrupt?
 We are told further, thai: 'To push for an investigation at this time Woul's probably subject us to the charge "l bad faith and desire to repudiatc ;t least a portion of our obligation
 This is the statement evolved by thirteen presumably intelligent men for the edification of at least an equal ly intelligent community. We are to be accused of bad faith and a desire to rcpudiatc because. when we are charged with six anj three-quarter million dollars more than We bar gained for. We ask for an accounting. Are we expected to walk up 10 the door of the reclamation office anu throw six and three-qdarter millions over the transom? Well. not yet
 We of the Landowners Protective association believe that this project has cost and is costing. very much more than it ought to. We want it's affairs investigated now, and the leaks stopped.
 Ii is a common remark that govern mcnt work costs twice as much aS any. other. and it is unfortunately true that there is a substantial foundation for this belief When such is the case, if can arise from but one or more or three causes. viz. the incompetence, extravagance or dishonesty of those m charge. Ii We have suffered from any one or more of these causes, we SuO- init that it is a proper subject for con cressional investigation, and II such investigation reveals the fact We de mand for ourselves redress at the hands of the government. We beheNe that our president aRl board of gov ernors should have asked for this ln- vestigation on it's own motion. ana should have done it years ago.
 IT vou. landowners. believe that we should have the investigation that Is being asked for. that we may know why this work has cost six and three quarter million dollars more than the estimate: if you believe that we are right in asking to be relieved from the unnecessary portion of the cost. then the obvious course is to elect new governing board; elect the men who are pledged to use their best efforts to secure the objects which we seek. and whose names appear elsewhere Tn this paper.
 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE LAND
 OWNERS PROTECTIVE ASSOCI-
 ALTON.
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