The Parker post., 1914-10-03
RECLAMATION
BY THE STATE
PROPOSITION TO BOND STATE
FOR FIVE MILLION DOLLARS
FOR THE RECLAMATION OF
ARID LANDS MEETS WITH
FAVOR.

The most important bill coming be-
fore the voters Of Arizona on No
yember 3rd, and one which is worthy
OF the support of every voter, is the
found on pages 80 to So, inclusive,
OF the Publicity Pamphlet now being
sent out by the secretary of state
to every voter. On pages 81 and SO
will be found an argument in favor
OF the bill which should be carefully
read by every one.
Briefly, the bill provides for state
assistance in the reclamation of the
arid lands of the state, and is model
ed somewhat after the national rec
lamatiOn service.
The plan fully worked out means
more, not only for the development
OF Arizona, but of the entire west,
than any other measure brought be-
fore the people of late years. 1t
is equal in Importance to the ma
tional reclamation service. 1t means
that if the state of Arizona works
out the plan successfully all the
other western states will follow the
same plan, and there will be wonder
full development throughout the west.
The measure is statewide in its
scope. Any section can gain the
benefits of the bill, and each step
is carefully set forth in the bill.
Any section desiring state assist
ance will make a prima facie show
ing as to the feasibility of it's un-
dertaking to the state reclamation
commission, which is provided for
in the bill, the commission if sat
isfied that the project is good one,
will have the reclamation engineer
make careful investigation of the
project. If the results of the inves-
tigation by the reclamation engineer
are satisfactory, and the project feas7
may then loan the section the neces-
sary funds to put in their works. All
!. me project will be done by
the people, but at all times will be
under the supervision of the recla-
nation commission to see that the
funds are economically expended, and
that the works are properly con-
structed The benefits to the state
under this bill will be wonderful.
Arizona, it is estimated, has near
ly five million acres of land that can
be reclaimed by irrigation, and un-
der the provisions of this bill it
will be possible to reclaim it, other
wise it will remain desert for years
to come, as we have had more than
our share of the national reclama-
tion funds, and it will be years be-
fore more national funds are avail
able for irrigation work here.
1t requires no expert to figure the
tremendous increase in taxable
wealth and population that would en-
sue as result of-the adoption of
state reclamation policy carefully
worked out All of this increase; in
wealth and population would come
without cent of additional taxes
to the people of Arizona, as the
lanos benefited pay back to the
state every cent advanced for put
ting in the project, with interest
at six per cent. AS the state can
borrow money on it's bonds for
about four per cent the difference
in interest paid by the state, and
that received from lands borrowing
the money, would be sufficient !. not
only 10 pay the expense of running
the reclamation commission, but pro-
vide sinking fund for investigation
and other purposes.
1t is hoped that the people who
are anxious to see Greater Arizona
Will get behind this bill and help
in securing it's passage.