Weekly journal-miner., 1921-08-17

| feature of the recent work of Ari-
 zona's governor can be made to dove
 tail with the aspirations of ex-
 speakers who yesterday afternoon,
 addressed the thlrd annual conven-
 ton of the American Legion.
 First among the speakers was
 Governor Thomas E. Campbell, who
 went over the entire policy of the
 great proposed treaty Of states, for
 the building of irrigation and power projects in the Colorado basin. Then
 came Major Louis T. Grant who
 will direct the consolidated agencies
 for soldier relief under the Sweet bill, and following him came other
 speakers, led by Elmer L. Sherrell, the vocational training officer of the twelfth district. The program, thus,
 was entirely devoted to the future of
 the southwest and the relation of that future to the potential activities of the veterans of the war.
 While discussing the Arizona sol dier settlement act, the governor de clared that while it was not on the cards that the entire program might be developed at this time, 1t was a fact that the start could now be made. He proposed test units, com- munity developments, in which the legion would take a part for the trial of the home and land acquiring movement. There is $50,0G0 in the fund, to be loaned out on easy terms to veterans. There IS not enough, however, to go very far. The gover- nor suggested that number of men throw in together and take the thing over; the money would handle land enough for about GA persons, who could begin operations in some watered section where the state can
 obtain the land. If they work out successfully, their example will un
 doubtedly influence the people to be more generous, even, with the immediate future of the project.
 FARMING IS DESTINY
 OF THE SOUTHWEST
 In many years of service, the gov ernor told the meeting, which was augmented by a large attendance of ladies auxiliary members and other guests, the fact had impressed him that Arizonas future lies with the land-agriculture and its kindred in dustries. Now, the resources of Ari- zona consist almost wholly of mines and they are not only being worked out, but are of fluctuating benefit. At this time, there is nothing going on in this industry, that could sup ply the industrial and economic needs Of a population such as Ari- zona is supporting right now.
 In connection with the develop ment of farming, however, 1t will be necessary to build up transportation and power. These are items as i'm portant as the water for irrigation.
 Within the next 25 or 50 years, farming must begin to match min ing in importance in Arizona.
 HOW LEAGUE GOT ITS
 START AT CONFERENCE
 The governor told the convention how the league of seven states got its start at a conference of gover- nors, where he had expatiated on the future of Arizona as related to the harnessing of the Colorado river. When he had finished, he said, the governors of Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah had told him that those states had lost rights in some of their rivers, and did not propose to grant away irrevocably, their rights in the Colorado, the third largest river in the United States.
 It then became apparent, he said, that any move to develop the river would have to be taken by all the states in the basin, and as 1t would involve a compact of states, the whole proposition would have to be | ratified by the federal government. Although 1t requires long time to start big things, much had been done i'll a short time, to get the league of states under way. Already, | each state had acquired and put into operation, a water commission. A bill had been presented to congress, | been passed and recently signed by | President Harding, recognizing the existence of the league and provld- ing for government cooperation. So, he said 1t is now necessary to bring | the state commissions and the fed eral commissioner together and have them work out the rights of each | state in the assets of the Colorado | river. Follows then, the drafting of | a compact, which, like that at Yer sailles, must be ratified individually | by the states and by the federal gov A series of checks and bal ances will insure fair play.
 TO THE
 LITGuECT DEGPFE
 All states, all communities and all projects in the basin area are selfish, naturally, and want their own hopes realized. But notwith- standing this very evident and hu- man fact, every state is cooperating. The group has 34 senators in Wash ington, wise to the needs of vast expansion program, and desirous of helping. There are only B repre- sentatives, however, for the district only 650,0G0 population. The area is as large as the German empire-244,0OO square miles, yet 1t has a population of only 20 to the mile, while some foreign lands, such as Belgium, have three to six or seven hundred
 Ultimately, millions of acres will De added to the irrigated and pro- iuctive area, to support a population more in keeping with the average across America.