Tombstone epitaph., 1921-06-05
THE IRRIGATION BILL


OF the big interests of the north. is alone in oppo-
sition to House Bill 49, the irrigation bill which ''u-
known interests are attempting to snberse under the
Suse or referendum IN order that the taxpayers OF
the state will not have chance it's merits
a special election to be held in November
In recent issue the Gazette goes into long winded
discussion headed taxation in which it attempts to
show how heavy the bonded indebtedness will be
the bill is ratified. from which the state will
cover claiming that irrigation districts slow in bring
ing returns.
The argument of the Gazette is too silly to cause
worthy notice for if had been for the Roose
welt Dam the Salt River valley today would not be deve
oped to much greater extent than it twenyfi
years ago
Reclamation is what has built the Salt River Valley
and reclamation Will build valleys Arizona
1t is just for this purpose that House Bill SO
imously passed by the last legislature putting the pro-
posal up to the people special election this coming
November in order that needed reclamation projects
pending might not be delayed another in waiting for
the next general election in 1922.
There is not single Ota of argument against
reclamation that will stand the acid is not
the verge of bankruptcy state about to
to the bowwOws despite the howl of the Gazette, which,
who well acquainted with the development that
followed the Salt River Valley with the completion of
the Roosevelt dam.
The agricultural possibilities of this state are nlim-
tied with the coming of reclamation and legislation
which has been sorey needed, is now at hand
Now that the truth about the submarine attack to
referendum the bill is becoming known crculators of
that petition which would thwart the election having
a hard time getting signature at 40 cents per
IL
and development of Arizona reclamation heart will
sign whenever the petition is presented.
Here in Cochise county, right at home, the San Pc
dro Valley Commercial Club is taking active part in pre-
Whiting the unknown interests from securing sigma
All that needs to be known Is the truth and If
enough people are acquainted with the straightforward
purport of the bill the signatures will not be obtained and
the bill will be ratified by an overwhelming majority IN
November Then the door will be open needed reclama
ton and the Charleston dam Will be one of the first pro
jects to be built.
The proposed Charleston Dam makes all of Cochise
county directly interested in House Bill 3d. which was
fostered and introduced by COchse county Repre-
sentative Ray B. Krebs of Tombstone. for in the build
ing of the Charleston Dam millions of dollars will be add
ed to the assessed valuation of this already rich county
This increased wealth will remain for hundreds Of
years whereas the mines, which at present furnish
with our greatest wealth, will day be exhausted
We must learn that cannot depend on them forever
Heretofore they have paid the greater part of
but the recent suspension of operations will teach
few things about the carrying of the tax burden OF which
have bothered ourselves The burden has been
shifted the mining companies and have been
tent with the imagination that the well would go
dry Should the metal market continue in its present
sad state for much longer period than anticipated
will have folly in ignoring our agricultural re-
sources which stand ready to be drawn upon any time
This is the throughout Arizona. Agriculture
backed bv reclamation will be the salvation of the
when the mines will no longer produce the bulk of our
wealth.
II requires no great amount of foresight to be of
that fact Common ''hOrse sense should inspire to
prepare for that time And let our preparation program
ie one of reclamation that is safe and sound
that affords the opportunity of gaining everything
with nothing to lose.
In connection with the fight which is being waged
to prevent the referendum of the measure the action of
the Cochise County Board of Supervisors in pedging
their support to the farmers through resolutions passed
by that BODY Yesterday is to be commended 1t is hoped
that other public officials throughout the state who have
the interest of Arizona at heart will take similar stand
and lend their assistance in preventing the defeat of the
purpose of the reclamation measure by those whose pr
sposcs mercenary.
Railroads must reduce expense go into the hands
of receivers Well let them begin by cutting out half