Nogales international., 1939-07-22
Nogales Viewed

old Mexico, deep sea fishing, etc.
''There are many worthy prof.
ects in Arizona which have been
neglected for years because no one
considered it their direct response
bility to advance these works"
Secretary Grand writes N the cur
rent issue Of Municipalities News,
official publication of the municipal
league.
'Inasmuch as the development
of the state always has been in
spired by civic leaders, who had
the vision and courage to initiate
and put over projects built in the
past" he continues, "it again falls
upon our municipal officials and
public spirited citizens to take
hold of this problem and advance
the welfare oe the state.
Certain projects are Of a state
wide nature and of such charac-
ter that local sponsorship appears
out Of order," Secretary Grand
adds. However, it is apparent that
state officials in general are not
concerned with these matters and
that some local sponsorship must
appear if the projects are ever to
become realities"
To roint out the possibilities
available in Arizona, as well as to
localize the Importance of the
projects and create a feeling Of
local responsibility and sponsorship,
Mr.. Grand has prepared a tenta-
tive list of projects which would be
of direct benefit to the cities and
towns near which they lie. All of
these projects, he points out, are
of a tv which will produce new
wealth and add new security to the
state. "They are not" he says,
"projects swapping dollars"
Certain outstanding projects of
a statewide nature are classified
by themselves, but also are listed
as the responsibility of certain
cities and towns in order to pro-
vide a sponsor.
Secretary Girand's projects in
clude:
COLORADO RIVER
There is a possibility of irri-
eating 100000 acres of land in
Arizona with water from the Colo
a6o river. This would bring
about a development three times
the size of the Salt River valley.
Most Of this land will lie in the
southwestern portion of the state.
The responsibility for bring
ing about the early cOnstruc-
tiOn of this project rests
squarely with the Colorado
River commission.
F. many years this commission
has been a political sinecure, and
tremendous amounts of money
have been expended for it's opera
tion. The time for talk and in
vestigation has ended. There must
be some direct action and concrete
results in the form of projects un-
der construction. The state is thor
oughly fed up with the fighting,
pickering and politics which have
.enmeshed the Colorado river.
The Colorado River commission
must produce tangible plan and
must accept the responsibility
placed upon it to see that this
plan is put into effect NOW. The
state needs projects and power
not politics; farms-not fights;
water-not waste; Development
not delays.
SEAPORT FOR ARIZONA
One Of the greatest advantages
to the state would be the develop
ment of a seaport. This seaport
could be at Yuma or Rocky Point.
With a direct outlet by water, with
cheap electric power and vast pro-
duction of raw materials, Arizona
can become great manufacture
ing state.
A seaport is doubly necessary
as it is apparent that sooner or
later the powerful interests con-
cerned ill bring about a repeal of
the fourth section of the Interstate
Commerce act. When this day
comes, Arizona will be wholly at
the mercy of California and other
states having water transportation.
Considering that one of the pur-
poses Of constructing Boulder Dam
was the promotion of navigation
on the Colorado river, it might be
possible to bring about this sea-
port development at an early date.
The seaport idea is not the idle
dream it may seem. Portland,
Oregon. is 125 miles from the Pa
cific ocean. Dredges constantly
have to carve a channel up the CO.
lumbia d Willamette rivers from
the sea to Portland. Stockton,
Calf, is some so miles up the San
Joaquin river from San Francisco
bay. yet q ship channel had been
dredged across the delta ls' ds into
the heart Of the city. Houston.
Texas, approximately 60 miles
from the Mexican gulf. was made
\ seaport by dredging a ship chan
mel across the Texas prairie. These
projects have proven conclusively
that shipping channels can be q
success.
NEW INDUSTRIES
Arizona. producing one-third Of
the copper of the United States,
certainly should have a copper re-
finery, wire mill and fabricating
plant.
HOUSING PROJECTS
The opportunities offered by the
United States Housing authority
to provide slum clearance and low
cost housing should be taken ad-
vantage of throughout the state.
AS the welfare of the state depends