The Coconino sun., 1921-08-12

The project to control the waters of tic Colorado River is the greatest single enterprise of it's kind before the American people. Considering all the benefits that the controlled river would bring, it is doubtful if even the Pana- ma Canal is greater factor in pro- noting the wealth of the nation. Mon ey invested in tanning this hitherto untamed giant of the west would be directly returned to the people many fold and, indirectly, the returns would be so enormous that they cannot be calculated or even estimated.
 With such vast potential wealth available to the people the important consideration is that the work be un- dertaken and consummated. Details of construction or financing of the agencies by means of which the waters that are now going to waste shall be nut to work are secondary cOnsidera- tions. 1t is an asset of the people and the benefits will accrue to the peo- pie. The longer the beginning of work is delayed so much longer will the re- ceipt of dividends by the people post poned.
 The Times was long since convinced of the superlative merits of the Colo rado River project as whole. It has for many years advocated the under taking of the project. No other pub lication, probably, has done so much in securing information about the en- terprise and its far-reaching ramifi- cations and in making the information public. Beyond all reasonable doubt the control of the Colorado River will add substantially to the resources and strength of the nation. It will develop the growth of the great southwest more than any other factor and Los Angeles, the metropolis and conner cial center of the west, will benefit to an untold extent.
 With so much at stake, The Times views with alarm the controversy that has arisen as to whether portions of the project shall be undertaken by the power companies or the municipalities. Recognizing the necessity of discus sion and preparation before work of this magnitude can be undertaken, The Times nevertheless sees the dan ger that long-drawn-out and bitter controversy may block the project al together and further postpone for an indefinite number of years the time when the people of the Southwest will come into their magnificent heritage and reap the benefits from it.
 If the people of this day and gener ation would see the realization of one of the brightest and most practical vis- ions of conquest in the amazing his tory of the growth of the United States they must get together in all seriousness and earnestness. They must work in harmony, arranging the details of control and distribution as wisely and equitably as possible, but with the one end in view to get the work started at the earliest possible moment.
 The wisdom of controlling the river is not questioned. The vastness of the wealth that will accrue cannot be doubted. The value of the controlled river in stimulating business has nev- CT been denied. Then shall it be said of the people of the southwest that this wonderful opportunity was lost to them because some of them wrangl- ed over the division of spells not yet earned that the project was strangled in it's time of conception? Yet this IS a danger that threatens. Similar con troversies between states and com munities within states have held the project back in the past. Now, when the value of the controlled river would be greater than ever to the whole community and when the pro- ject is in high favor all over the coun- tiy ia the lime tO end the cOntrover- sial stage of the discussion and to de- wise, in practical, business-like way, now to begin the work and carry it through with the least possible delay.