Arizona republican., 1922-05-11

gathered here with hundreds OF
prominent citizens from PHOENIX and
Tucson and other cities, to witness
the formal dedication Of the Florence
diversion dam, constructed by the en-
gineers of the Indian service.
TWO Civilizations
Two civilizations greeted each 9TH
er here in the desert, Pagan and
Christian, Caciques and their people,
descendants Of the first irrigation
farmers of our country, pioneers gray
and bent with years, whose memo
ries run back to the days OF the
stage coach and pony express. Cow
boys, miners merchants. bankers,
lawyers, state officials, women and
children lined the banks of the river
rejoicing in the successful completion
of a structure which is an enduring
assurance of future prosperity for
many valley ranches. The dedicatory
exercises took place at the great
gates through which the turbulent
stream will be directed to the canals
on both sides OF the river.
Many From Phoenix
Phoenix was represented at the
dedication by large crowd of peo-
pie who arrived on special train
at II O'Clock, swelling the total OF
The program OF speeches by prom
inent men from various parts of the
state and representatives of the fed >
cral government was one of the best
that ever has been held in Arizona
upon such an auspicious occasion.
Leading the program, a number OF
letters and telegranls Of felicitatien
from the leaders of the government
at Washington were read by Judge
O. j. Baugln. chairman Of the day.
Congratulatory messages were read
from President Harding, Secretary
Fall, Governor Campbell, Senator
Ashurst, Congressman Hayden, w. M.
Reed, chief engineer of the u. s.
Indian service: e. 3. Merritt, also of
the Indian bureau, and p. o. McCor-
mack. vice president of the Southern
Pacific railroad.
President Harding's message was
directed to Major c. +. Olberg, assis-
tant chief engineer of the Indian
service, who is in complete charge of
building the Florence diversion dam.
1t was as follows:
From President Harding
Washington. D. c., May s.
"My Dear Major:
u learn that on May 10 there
ia to be the dedication of the
Florence dam on which work has
long been in progress. want
to extend my congratulations to
all federal employees who had a
part in the work and to the citi-
gems of Arizona who will assem-
BILE to celebrate its successful
conclusion.
"The construction of this great
engineering work exemplities =.
L. ~& lrsAS
of yourself and your able assis-
tants. The great Southwest
takes . notable forward stride
on the day when this structure
is dedicated, for its erection
marks the close Of many years
of strife and disputation between
the Indians and the white man
regarding the distribution OF the
waters of the Gila river.
"WARREN G. HARDING"
A telegram from Secretary of the
Interior Albert d. Fall began with a
message of congratulation to the
people of the Florence district and to
the men who built the dam.
Secretary Fall Talks
TT is most fitting" Secretary Fall S
message stated, that Arizonians
should celebrate the completion OF
the Florence dam, the first important
unit of the great Gila River project.
The dedication of this structure to-
day was made possible by the get
together spirit of two races-Indian
and white man. and the same mutual
itv of interest in the future win in
sure speedily the undertaking of the
larger task of providing storage and
irrigation works for extensive areas
now vacant and untitled. In this en-
deavor the department of the interior
is in hearty accord.
.'The ella valley is on the thresh-
old of a new era of development and
progress. the magnitude of which