Arizona sentinel., 1917-05-03
PUBLIC NOTICE OF YUMA VALLEY UNIT WILL NOT BE WITHDRAWN

April 12 though had been expected for several months neveress fell like clap of thunder from clear sky Right on the heels of this the declaration ot war against Ger many and that followed immediately by appeal from Washington the loyal citizens of the project to redouble their energies in placing their vacant lands in cultivation
 After discussing the quite freely with President Thacker of the Water Users Association telegram Judge Will R. King chief counsel of the Reclamation Ser vice urgently requesting that the public notice be with drawn for least year. thereby encouraging owners ot vacant lands put these lands in cultivation the same terms heretofore enjoyed by land in the valley for up to this farmers of Yuma Valley have been furnished all the they needed 50 per foot whereas under the public notice all those who had already tered into contract for their water will be forced to pay 75 cents per acre foot It struck that this would be usual nducement for the of vacant lands to clear them and comply with the governments appeal to raise food stuff However viewed the matter from pure ly selfish standpoint for my farmer friends in Yuma Val ley did not think of the amount of money the government has spent Yuma Project without having ceived single in return did stop to think how hard pressed Uncle Sam will be during the coming few for cash with which equip his fighting army and SUD- ply the snews of war allies the My only thought place all my farmer friends in Yuma Valley the footing charges though eral occasions had warned them that the public noce would be announced early date which of itself gave them chance to get in on the ground floor.
 My telegraph appeal Judge King sent to Washington. He there but the message for warded him out west where he engaged in official business Five days later my message reached him Poca tello Idaho from where he the following
 Pocatello, Idaho, April 25 1917.
 My Dear Colonel: Replying to your wire of April 2O regret say recommend the withdrawal of pub lie notice The government is paying or losing interest and expense in the for the of democratic the world Let the good citizens of Yuma Project feel they enlisted in the
 
 Uncle Sam spend billions defense delays in order Very sinceey yours,
 Publish if you wsh) WILL R. KING.
 Looking the from Judge Kings standpoint it would indeed seem that NOW IS THE TIME for our good loyal citizens step the front and begin rembursing Uncle Sam for all the many millions he has spent Yuma Project My advice is that you make up your mind begin paying your pro rata at the time set in the public notice If you think the charge is greater than it shouC be- and believe that is the unanimous verdict then pay under protest thereby eservng all your rights fight the thing finish either in the before congress- But when stop consider that Uncle Sam must pay out something like $5OOOOOOOO every month from the end of the European it must at be that he needs every dollar you him. Your first four annual payments are but TWO PER CENT of $75. Long before last payments fall due the question will have been and for all definitely settled So far obtaining for your holdings concerned and dsposing of your excess lands that all amply provided for in the Reclamation law itself
 The recent visit of Dr. Elwood Mead when he had full and free discussion of the subject matter with lead ing farmers and business in the Commercial Club rooms, may possibly result in material modification of the public notice, for he came here that occasion the d representative of Secretary Lane to find out what should be done by the government the planting of increased acreage in foodsuf He greatly impressed with the arguments and statements adduced that meeting and may be that through his good offices we can obtain renewed concessions But be that may would seem that NOW IS THE TIME for farmers to show that they to 1endo nd ofl