The Coconino sun., 1922-02-10
LET'S BE READY


 If the Southern California Edison company is granted the right to develop hydro electric pow CT on the Colorado river - as The Sun believes it will be - what win it mean to Flagstaff and how ready is Flagstaff to grow to her opportuni- ty? MI
 Flagstaff will double in population in five years. So will many other towns in the state, for that matter But F1agstaffs growth is cer- tain because, added to the new industries cheap and plentiful power will bring, our growth win be greatly helped by being the supply point for the work and the gateway for the many thou sands of people who will annually visit the pro- ject, the biggest of it's kind in the world.
 We will have housing, hotel, street and water problems to solve in connection with this pro- ject if it goes through. The hotel and housing problems will be taken up, probably, by private capital, though we may have to depend on com- munity action for the hotel.
 The water and paving problems are entirely for the community to handle. These two prob lems are urgent right now and demand action without reference to the Edison project. Our natural, certain growth which will be more rapid and certain according as we make the city better place to live in makes it imperative that our water supply be increased and advisable that we keep on with our paving program and after that with additional paving.
 The water question has hung fire long time. It was delayed some by the attempt to promote the Fort Valley project That seems to have been checked to death by the men who gave 1t birth. Then how about the project that The Sun and a majority of our citfezns have all along been boosting for = the Switzer Canyon lake?
 Of course our water supply for the coming year has been assured by the copious storms we have had. How about next year and the year after? What fine thing it would have been if instead of delaying matters we could h. have built the dam last summer and fall. Is there any doubt about it's being full this summer? It would have been filled with the spring thaws and would have been kept full by the overflow during the summer from the city reservoirs, which, as it is, will be wasted.
 And then there are the recreation features it would afford. Lake Mary proved last summer that it can't be depended on for desirable re- sort. It is too far away, anyway, no matter how plentiful and pure water there might be.
 Flagstaff will grow. Better streets and more water are needed If the Edison project goes through they will be very soon and very badly needed Why be behind instead of ahead with necessary improvements?
 With power we will have wool-scouring mill. It is already being talked of by the sheepmen. It is conceivable, indeed probable, that we shall have woolen mil also Other factories will spring up.
 Homes will multiply. Very likeiy, within five years, the road between here and Cliffs will be lined with homes. For it is said to be fact that the Edison company proposes to make Cliffs the unloading point and that the old A. l.. & T. road-bed, which runs in the right direction to a distance of about Is miles from Cliffs will be part of the roadbed for railroad to Lees Fer ny.
 There is something in all this for Flagstaff business men and our people generally to think about. Some of the necessary work should be done at once; and we should not be too late with plans, if we are to keep this Edison develop ment for Flagstaff, for level paved road from here to Cliffs and plenty of water. Growth brings responsibilities. It looks like we are soon to have lot of responsibilities to measure up to if we are to get the full benefit of our oppor- tunities.