Arizona republican., 1919-03-12
HERE
 FROM IMPERIAL
 DYPROJECT.
Twenty Representatives of Assocaited Chambers of Commerce and Water Companies Here ? Days

Twenty leading business men of the Imperial valley, California, spent yes terday in the Salt River valley in the first day of their two-day study of the irrigation and reclamation sys- tens in use here. The inspection will be continued today, after which the Imperial delegation will return to their homes. Last night, at the end of their first days work, the visitors had noth- ing but praise for the garden spot of Arizona.
 On their arrival yesterday morning the delegates were met by commit tee from the chamber of commerce and escorted in motor cars to the Ari- zOna club. where breakfast was served. Most of the morning was spent in a visit with Superintendent Elliott of the local Water Users association, at which the associations reclamation project was thoroughly discussed, MT. Elliott giving the visitors complete information as 10 the project
 Following lunch at the Red Cross tea room, the delegates were taken on motor trip to the Granite Reef dam. making a survey of the work done
 
 way of the power plants. which were also looked over. The days program concluded with a dinner at the Ari- zona club, at which water users and chamber of commerce representatives entertained the Californians
 To Study Irrigation System The purpose of the visit of the Im- perial valley delegates aside from it's purely social aspect. is to make an exhaustive study of the irrigation and reclamation system used in the Salt River valley, as well as to inspect the water organization which directs the system here. It is possible that the local system will be applied in the reorganization, now contemplated, of the Imperial water district, and it is to this end the present inspection is being made.
 Thomas OBrien, veteran rancher of Imperial valley, and for nineteen years active in the Imperial irrigation work, | outlined last night the progress in lrrigating made in the valley, and the desire of the delegation for it's i'm | provement. It is the aim of the dele gation, said MT. O'Brien, to effect some reorganization of the water dis trict of the valley to bring it's irriga- tion project under the federal reclam- ation work, and also lessen the huge | expenses under which the district is operating.
 Irrigation in the Imperial valley was ! first begun about nineteen years ago. 1 with the formation of q mutual water | company. other mutual companies | followed, each organized in some DOT ! tion of the valley by g. number of the ! ranchers and land owners interested. ! Water was purchased from the Cali | fornia Development company. In time the present acreage of half a 1 million was brought under the systems of one or another of the companies.
 Need of Single System ! Seven or eight years ago, however, ] the need of a single water organiza.- 1 ton was felt, and the Imperial water l district established, the twelve mutual 1 companies being represented in the ! district organization. This organiza- tion has remained in effect until the present time.
 According 10 MT. OBrien. the dis | trict organization has not been entire ! ly successful, being greatly handi- | capped with debts. When the com | pany from which the water was first ! bought, and which owned the system | in the valley. went into a receivership 1 the water district in Imperial issued | bonds to the extent of S3, ,O00. .O0O. and bought the canal systems in the valley Additional bonds have been issued and money spent in the work, Mir. O'Brien said, in addition to the water taxes amounting to s700,000 or $500 900 The water rents-the district is forced to pay fifty cents an acre foot for water-total about the same amount per year as the taxes
 According 10 Mir. OBrien and othel members of the delegation, the water system in Imperial valley is soon tC be reorganiZed with a view of elimin. mating the wastage in expense, anC with view Of getting into the fed eral reclamation project. It is witt this reorganization in view that tn, twenty delegates, representing tn, various mutual water companies. tn, chamber of commerce association: and other business enterprises. hay. come to Phoenix to study the water system here.
 Who Are Here
 Iodays program for the Imperia delegates will include an extensiv, Hlp around the valley, which vii complete the inspection being made b- the visitors. They will leave tonigh Tor their homes in the Imperial valley
 The delegates who are Phoenix: Suasts on their inspection:
 r. S. Lack, president Imperial Mn tual Water company, No. s, Brawley G- l.. March, vice president, No. $ company Brawley; W. H. Best, di rector, water company No. 4, Brawlev Peter P. Hovley, president America, State bank, Brawley; G. J. Shank rancher, Brawley; Thos. O'Brieu rancher, Brawley; T. B. Edgar, I'm plement Dealer, Brawley; F. c SchellinG, grocer. Brawley; C. r Boarts, rancher. Brawley; NJ D. Wit ter publisher Brawley News. Braw ley; Arthur Fuller, rancher. Brawley J. l.. Taecker, vice president Wate