Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-05-28
SOME RECLAMATION QUESTIONS.

The Journal believes that the formation of the
Middle Rio Grande Valley association and the carry
ing of its plans should not be done in the DARK
1t feels that every resident in the valley is enute"
to all possible information relative to the project
The Journal intends to allow its columns TO be
used by those who are honestly seeking information
about the plans of the Albuquerque Chamber of
Commerce in that work. 1t will not suppress in
quiries to further its own ideas.
Charles r. Raft Of Los Lunas has addressed 10
the Journal the following list Of questions relative
to the proposal, which the Journal is gladly CIV
ing space:
lis the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
backing the Clark NJ. Carr Drainage association
2-How will the $4,000 funds which they ex-
pect to raise from $40 memberships in the axsocia-
ton be spent? Will an accounting be MADE ana
Slow many salarled men are going to be paid
Who will they be? -,
4-How many dirt farmers to be put on the
pay roll? Or is it only another promoters scheme
SIS the Rio Grande Drainage association plan
a scheme to force drainage upon the farmers ana
land owners of all the counties, or just in Berna-
lilo county, where Mr.. Carr could not finish the
drainage district they proposed to organize there!
6-Do the property owners of Albuquerque and
other incorporated towns pledge themselves anu
to pay their proporonate costs OF 1000 pro
landowner to pay for this expensive improve
ment? Give us direct answers and not eVaslVe
answers.
IF drainage and reclamation will bring pros
perity the valley should all property be taxed for
benefits received? or all business that profits
SIS anybody in the association trying to build
up a political machine? Do they have political
ambitions? And do they expect TO use the associa-
sEWill this Rio Grande association be any bet
ter than the started in 1918? If 1t is any better
why?
Albuquerque take about paying for the benefits they
will receive from flood protection and reclamation
and drainage? Have they or will they make any
etof oav1tS I,nltu ynn will
Ito remove suspicion from the minds of the
farmers and landowners of the whole valley these
questions should be answered and published In the
press. The questions should be answered directly
and not evasively
1.-THE undersigned believes in reclamation and
drainage, and made an inspection trip over the
whole Mesilla valley to get information.
l am asking the above questions for information
for all the people who interested.
Very respectfully,
CHAS r. RAFF.
Los Lunas, New Mexico
Mr. Raft is entitled to be answered in full, and
the Journal herewith prints the following from the
Chamber of Commerce:
ITO the Editor of the Journal
II shall attempt to answer the questions of Mr..
Raft fully possible, and with the utmost
frankness.
1.-THE Chamber of Commerce is backing a
Federal Reclamation project to come into being
when the McNary bill becomes law. What Mr.,
Raft desgnates the Clark NJ Carr drain associa-
tion plan under state laws.
"2-The 900 hoped to be raised by the Mid.
die Rio Grande Valley Reclamation association will
be expended in listing all of the lands in printing
and distributing literature and holding meetings for
the education of the people of the valley so that
they may inteligently determine whether they wish
to take advantage Of the Federal law not. Be-
yond doubt there will be the fullest accounting pub
shed of the expenditures.
"3-As the present organization is temporary
to be replaced by action of the meeting which
will be called of all members of the association on
June 49, 1t is impossible for to say what salaries
will be paid to whom. During the temporary
organization salaries paid; one man, how
ever is employed for month to make list of
all the lands which would be affected by the project
in the four counties. His salary is at the rate OF
5000 for that month for much Of the month as
may be required to do the work. All of the work
other than that Is being done by employees of the
Chamber Of Commerce without pay
Al am not able to say whether any dirt farm
will be on the pay roll or not, That will be a
matter for the permanent organization TO determine
know nothing of any promoters scheme Had
Mr. Carr been able to secure drainage it doubles,
would have increased the value Of his farm, and
OF all other farms affected, from 500 to $500 pc!
above the expense incurred. But this is not a
drainage project 1t is TO have the Federal govern.
ment construct reservoirs for the prevention Of
floods and to furnish an ample supply of water for
the crop season.
"5-It will take concurrence OF so per cent OF
the landowners of the valley to drainage.
They will have complete control of their lands and
can and will do with them they fit. If they
want drainage they will get It, No one can force
it on them The Rio Grande is taking of tina.
matter very effectively and deploraby. unless dams
are constructed to stop the saturation from
the floods
"6-Beyond doubt the property owners Of Albu-
querque and other incorporated will bear their
share Of the rghtful expenses which may be APP
portioned to them because Of flood protection.
1.-THE merchant will be greatly benefited.
whether he real property not. because the
farmers Of the valley will produce much more and
will be able to spend more; but unless the mer-
chant, the lawyer and the doctor real property
they will not be taxed to pay any part OF the OK
penses Of reclamation.
"S--I know of no,one in the association who is
Interested in political machine, or who has politi-
cal ambitions. who would have an office il ont
were handed to him silver platter.
8S "9--There is no way by which the association
started In 1918 can be compared with the tina
IL now being formed. That association was tryint
to function under state laws; this is being
formed to comply with the Federal Reclamation act
The present association. when permanently organ.