Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1915-01-08

of 50 handling the states lands as
TO accomplish these two objects at
one time-to effect the definite con-
crete purpose Tor which the grants
We're designed, and to do it by such
a wise, systematic process as will
correct, through the medium of pros
porous, happy producers, what it ad-
mittedly a most striking deficiency
in population. Having defined and
connected up this great and univer-
sally recognized need with the i'm
pOrtant obligation imposed by con-
gress, and possessing the means of
supplying the one and discharging the
other Arizona should henceforth
recognize their unity, and under no
circumstances permit their separation
in any plan that may be considered
knowing the full dimensions of its
undertaking, the state should give
no heed to proposals that will fall
short of that undertakings full ac-
complishment.
Arizona is the owner of 1850, 900
the endowment of the states public
institutions. These lands are being
selected with reference to carefully
estimated possibilities for high de-
velopment. Also, in each surveyed
unreserved township are four sections
granted for the benefit of the COM
mon schools. The location of this
land is fixed and it could not there
fore be chosen for particular advan-
lA;x -,
the state it averages well. A fair
proportion of it can claim odds favor
ing development equal to the institu-
tiOnal lands, and most of it has dis
tinct and profitable uses. These mil
lions of acres contain a final and
favorable answer to the demand for
more people-not for people merely,
but for satisfied citizens hundreds
of thousands of happy homes are
potentialiZed, the energy of com
merce there lies latent, and where
stretches the desert are scattered the
seeds of cities
Arizona's Golden Opportunity.
The situation presents to Arizona
an open door to distinction in the
ton. With land problem created by
the ownership of millions of acres
and a population problem which
comes of the natural SparSenesS of
semi arid country, pressing for So
luton simultaneously, the opportunity
for notable achievement is as con-
spicuous as the responsibility is
ITnf6rtfJn1tpl the Giagt
course, and therefore the likeliest to
be pursued, leads sheep-like along
the rut of outgrown and decayed
federal and state land policies. but
the course of courses for Arizona
the young and vigorous, the conf
dent and clear visioned, unbound by
tradition, unhampered by precedent,
is to urge forth on new and sud
den track. Circumstances are Won
derfully propitious. if not indeed pro-
vidential. There is little in the way
of existing restrictive statutes to be
dealt with: in the absence of data a
land policy has not been attempted,
and therefore not bungled; the popu-
lation problem has been dealt with
only along stereotyped, and generally
ineffective lines; the ground is clear,
the end to be achieved plain, the
means at hand, Arizona has her
chance.
No InfIexible Policy
THE commission is aware that the
people are at present mainly divided
into what may be termed two schools
of thought and their respective views
concerning a state land policy are as
far apart as the northern and southern
poles. One schOOl-and it is the oldest
school-holds to the view that land is
land" wherever located, and regardless
of varying conditions; that it is only
valuable to the state as II represents So
much money. the amount of which is al
once determinable by multiplying the
acreage by the price, and that it should
be converted into money, without re-
spect to the future or to any other con-
siderations. as speedily as possible.
This schools tocsin is, Get the land
into private ownership; get it on the
tax-rolls, create wealth: and in sound
ing it no thought is taken of the pos
sibilty that less precipitation and more
investigation might discover a method
whereby the same results could be
achieved with more certainty and to
far greater degree. to say nothing of
other and incalculable benefits.
The other school, composed of citi-
zens whose aims are running in the
right direction. objects to the sale of
any state land. now or ever. on the
theory that the enhancement in value
which time will bring will more than
compensated for the forswearing of
early revenues. and provide insurance
against the squandering of the states
inheritance. This school recognizes
the states trust. and applies to it a
puritanical rather than q practical in
depreciation. It's shibboleth. Conserve
the fortune granted to the State, is
uttered without sufficient reflection
that there is no conservation equal to
that which assists in development. eX
pansion and progress which, while it
does not destroy, neither stagnates. but
builds, and creates, and multiplies.
ITO neither of these schools does the
commission belong. and yet it claims
stock in both To the articles of
neither does it subscribe, and yet it
go to the extremes of the one or the
other, and yet it reaches farther than
the two combined. The proposition to
create wealth it applauds, and the plea
for conservation il commendS because