Arizona republican., 1919-04-02
WATER USERS AT ELECTION DEFEAT
 AMENDMENT PLAN
Latest Returns Indicate Proposed Amendment for Drainage System Beaten Many Changes in Gov ernors' Board

Defeat of the proposed drainage amendment by a maOrity of between HOO and 1900 at the Salt River Valley Water Users association annual cleo tion yesterday seemed imminent from unofficial returns tabulated by Secre- tary Charles Van der Neer late last night. Results from all save one poll ing places in the valley had been re- ceived from election officials when re- suits were finally announced. Only four members Of the board of govern Ors were reelected, this marking the most radical change ever made in the governing body of the association. Three councilmen were reelected for q period of three years.
 In the proposed constitutional amendment, the association sought to engage in drainage enterprise to re- lieye the water logged condition of thousands of acres in the valley. The high water level in many sections of the project is even now threatening total destruction of these lands and the association endeavored to secure an amendment to the constitution that work might be carried on to relieve this condition.
 Official returns from all save the first district gave majority of ap- proximately 1900 in favor of the pro posed amendment Few minutes before closing last night, however, Secretary Van der Veer received estimates as to the vote in No 1 district, Peoria be- ing the polling place in that district. Estimated figures from two different sources were identical, showing a ma jority of approximately 5000 against the proposed amendment in that dis trict. Thus it seems that the amend ment has been defeated by q majority of almost 1900 votes.
 Drainage System at Stake
 At an election last year, land own CTS of the valley heartily endorsed a system of pumping plants, which were designed to relieve the high water level in the valley. However, the election provided that these pumps were to be installed for the purpose of adding materially to the water supply and the pumps cannot be operated primarily Tor the purpose of reducing the water level That must be a secondary con- Sideration under the terms of the cleo lion.
 The election yesterday was to de termine whether or not the association could engage in a drainage enterprise whereby the underground water coulc be pumped without utilizing the same for irrigation purposes or withou turning it back into the canals, ditche. or laterals.
 Cautiously enough, most of the dis tricts which voted the heaviest agains the amendment were those which arr in greatest need of such protection t their lands. Officials of the Wate Users association are at a loss to ac count for this result.
 It was known some days prior to tn election that there was some opposi ton and a great deal of misunder standing relative to the proposal, bu it was thought that the situation ha materially cleared during the past fey days.
 Six of the ten districts voted in favo of the proposal, but top-heavy maiori ties in two of the remaining four dis tricts more than offset this advantag, In the first district, for example. tn land owners were almost unanimousl opposed to the movement, the vot there being estimated at 400 for an S400 against, or more than eight { one against. In the fifth district, tn largest voting district of the day. tn