Arizona republican., 1922-02-15
EN- NTHUS|ASN IS
MARKED DURING
PROGRAM
1000 People View First
Unit Of New Water Sys-
tenn During Barbecue At
Which Program Is Given


Equaling the success of the Verde
gravity flow water system was the
enthusiastic interest shown in the
project by considerably more than
1000 people who motored to the point
of intake yesterday and, in addition
to being enlightened concerning i'm
portant features OF the new water
supply, enjoyed an excellent program
and a generous barbecue. The event
was conducted under the auspices of
the Automobile Club of Arizona and
served as a fitting observance of
Admission Day.
In linking the event with Admis-
sion Day, former Governor r. E.
Sloan said:
The day brings us to reflect upon
the achievements Of the past 10
years. Statistics give us some facts
which are very gratifying but they
fail to tell the entire story. We have
enjoyed an advancement which cam
not be measured by figures"
Among the most noteworthy of
these mplishments, the speaker
declared. is the Verde water system.
Nothing since the building OF the
Roosevelt dam has meant so much
to the city of Phoenix as this soft
water supply" he said. 'Its inn
portance can scarcely be exagger-
ated."
System Is Important
That its importance was generally
recognized became evident early yes
terday morning when the roads lead
ing to the point of intake became
lined with motor cars. One woman
declared that while her husband was
changing tires she counted 240 cars
pass, all Verde bound.
At noon a careful count revealed
a total of 1140 cars parked at the
scene of the barbecue, while hum
dreds OF people good naturedly
jostled for place in the long line
waiting to be served with the savory
neat hot from the immense gridiron
of heavy wire mesh over glowing
embers of mesquite wood.
There was mo- favoritism shown in
that line. The governor of the state,
city officials, men of big business
affairs, women prominent in social
circles. all patiently awaited their
turn to have their paper plates filled
and held out their tin cups for the
steaming coffee with the same eager
ness and the same results that
marked the actions of those sharing
less prominent stations in life. One
of the features of the feed was the
entrance into the lines of a party of
Indians. squaws, braves and little
ones. The wickiups were but a short
distance away For a brief period
they watched the hungry crowd from
a distance, then banished all temerity
and followed the leader.
All food remaining from the bar
becue was turned over to the Asso-
ciated Charities.
Welcomes Visitors
Sidney J. Ross, president Of the
Automobile Club of Arizona after a
short speech Of welcome to the many
visitors, introduced George Purdy
Bullard. who acted as chairman Of
the speakers program. This feature
OF the day was enlEened by answers
which City Engineer L. r. Hitchcock
made to questions pertaining to the
water system.
How long may we expect the
condition." was one question, to
which the city engineer replied:
NO estimate can be made upon
that point. SO far as I know, all
redwood pipe lines are IN good con-
dition today. The oldest one to my
knowledge was laid so years ago and
is still giving satisfactory service, so
there is nothing definite upon which
to base the life of a redwood pipe
line
'If you had the water system TO
rebuild would you use the same
type?" was another question which
brought a decided answer in the af-
firmative.
Los Angeles, Denver and many
other cities have proved the type TO
be very satisfactory, and I do not
know OF any substitute that would
work TO better advantage for phoe-
nix" Mr.. Hitchcock said
ConHratuIates City
j. A. Rountree. director general of
the Bankhead National Highway as
sociation and the United States Good
Roads association, congratulated the
city for its new water system and
commended the Automobile Club of
Arizona for the interest it was arous-
ing in state and civic projects and
improvements.
Following the program the crowd
thronged to the banks OF the deep
cut where work on the intake is
rapidly being completed and watched
workmen place the big concrete
pipes. Each pipe is so inches in
diameter and weighs two and one
half tons. Two drag lines. steam
! derrick and five men cooperate in
this operation. The pipes are low
cred with the steam derrick, the mer
| place them. cover the open joints
with asbestos paper and then thE
! drag lines fill in with dirt.
Visits were made to the sand trap
the construction camp and other
points OF interest along the 81 mile
| line.