The Winslow mail., 1920-05-28
MULFORD WINSOR ON RECLAMA.
TION FOR EX.SERvICE MEN


Yuma. Arizona,
My dear Doctor:
Referring to the subject Of our re-
cent conversation with respect to the
possibilities of procuring land in Ari-
zona for ex-service men. and upon
homes, it affords me pleasure to give
you in writing. at your request and
for such use as you may deem proper,
the views and ideas which l at that
time advanced to you orally.
1t is my opinion formed of pretty
thorough knowledge of the potential
agricultural lands of the state. and
of the practicability of reclaiming the
same, whether by means of storage,
diversion or pumping. that by far the
most feasible project in Arizona from
a soldier settlement point Of view,
and one of the best from an engineer
ing standpoint, is the Colorado River
Indian reservation project. will
briefly describe the project it's status,
and the way in which, and the condi-
tions and terms upon which, in my
judgment it can be made available
for settlement by ex-service men.
The Colorado River Indian reserva-
ton lies mainly in the northwestern
part of Yuma county. though some
10000 acres of it is across the Colo
roda river in Riverside and San Ber-
nardino counties, California. The Ari-
zona area consists of 115,000 acres OF
bottom land and about 125,000 acres
of mesa land of which portion of
the latter is mountainous and unfit
for agriculture, The reclamation pos
sibilities so far as they relate to the
bottom land. have been investigated
by engineers of the United States In
dian Service. and determined to be
entirely feasible AS a matter of fact
the bottom lands are among the
richest in the world. while the mesa
lands also undoubtedly possess great
possibilities,
The reclamation Of this magnifi-
cent tract and the opening of the un-
allotted land for settlement by ex-ser-
vice men will require the act of Con-
gress. Legislation for the opening of
the reservation, though somewhat
without reference to ex-service men,
has been pending for several years
having been introduced by Senator
Ashurst. but it has not yet gained the
necessary momentum to put it across
1t is my very distinct belief that the
proposed legislation could be revamp-
ed. made to fit the situation with ref
erence to the service men. and by a
united pull enacted into law. You
may be certain that I shall be more
than glad to render all of the assist
ance that I can, and in the event thai
the people of Arizona do me the hon
or of electing me governor. I shall as
chef executive urge the plan upon
Congress.
In addition to making this great
body of rich agricultural land avail
able for the ex-service men, in suit
able tracts. the act Of congress neces.
sary to effect that purpose should be
so designed as to provide for coopera-
tion with the state of Arizona under
the terms Of the soldier settlement
law which we now have This bill
was passed by the fourth legislature
and / had the honor of collaborating
with Mrs, j, H, Westover. Of Yuma
one of my colleagues. in it's prepara-
ton. The same bill was introduced
by me in the senate. 1t provides for
farm loans to service men on terms
which will enable earnest men to
make good,
Many ideas have been advanced for
assisting the exservice men and there
appears to be hardly any opposition
to the general theory that something
should be done to show the nations
appreciation of their services. but
nothing has been done and there does
not even appear to be a favorable
prospect of the adoption of any gen.
eral plan. One merit of the PROPOSE
tion advanced herein is that it need
not wait or depend upon agreement
upon general plan, 1t is definite and
concrete and will undoubtedly have
the support not only Of those whose
primary interest is in the soldiers but
also Of all who are concerned in the
States development. While the law
makers of the nation are Chewing the
rag" about abstract principles we can
put to them this definite plan which