anaheim-gazette 1908-04-09

IN THE SALT RIVER VALLEY Two Large Rivers Afford an Abundance of Water for Irrigation—Efforts of Settlers to Bring Water Upon the Soil Salt river is the chief tributary of the Gila river, which flows clear across the territory of Arizona. Indeed, it is a question which should be considered the main stream, but below their confluence, about ten miles west of Phoenix, the river bears the name of Gila. The Salt river valley is an indefinite term, but in its popular acceptance means that area bordering the lower thirty-five miles of the river between its mouth and the mouth of the Verde river, its chief tributary. Above that point, the river runs mainly through canyons and valleys, too small to have yet been considered for agricultural purposes. Following up Salt river for approximately fifty miles above the mouth of the Verde river, through these canyons and little flats, one comes to the confluence of Tonto creek, a perpetual stream, and the upper Salt. A half mile below their junction is the site of what was originally known as the Tonto storage dam, since named the Roosevelt storage dam, in honor of the president who signed the Reclamation act, under which the dam is being constructed by the government. This dam will impound water in a comes to the confluence of Tonto creek, a perpetual stream, and the upper Salt. A half mile below their junction is the site of what was originally known as the Tonto storage dam, since named the Roosevelt storage dam, in honor of the president who signed the Reclamation act, under which the dam is being constructed by the government. This dam will impound water in a basin from one to five miles wide and twenty-five miles long, the capacity of the basin being approximately 1,300,000 acre-feet of water, or water enough to cover that many acres one foot deep. Assuming the reservoir to be constantly supplied with ample water, there will be an abundance for 275,000 acres. But the government in its anxiety to estimate conservatively, has for the present insisted that the cultivation of less than 200,000 acres shall be undertaken, so there will be an assured supply of ample water for every acre admitted to the benefits of the reservoir irrigation district. This district will be divided as fast as it shall be demonstrated that it is safe to do so, by reason of an over-supply of water, or pumping from the underground flow by electricity generated at the dam and carried to the valley on transmission lines, or by other processes of water development, some of which are already quite definitely planned for the future. A brief history of the valley is necessary to make conditions clear. A book could be written on its details, but this outline will suffice for this occasion. With irrigation, every fruit, grass, and grain from oranges to apples and from vegetables to oats, that will grow in a cool, temperate or semi-tropical climate, can be successfully cultivated. With its delightful climatic conditions and abundant food supply it is the stockman's paradise, whether his specialty be cattle, horses, swine, sheep, or poultry, or the apiary, if he may be called stock breeder. This commanding physique. He stood was remarkable for his time. His constitution he knew His biography ing and drinking was normal; the malt all the drank it around as in his own and state occuFurthermore Vernon plant house, as wa of wealthy V "In Virginia the re imported from England. Ford's Biography (1) "Quotations from S History of Virginia Colonial Liquor Law Then came the Reclamation in which was embodied a clabbling areas of titled land and areas of government land, its benefits. This was inserted with the Salt River valley its need being urgent and ternment having previously itself of the superlative op ties for the experiment in River valley, owing to an im able dam site at Roosevelt, ed above. An irrigation fruit, grass, and grain from oranges to apples and from vegetables to oats, that will grow in a cool, temperate or semi-tropical climate, can be successfully cultivated. With its delightful climatic conditions and abundant food supply it is the stockman's paradise, whether his specialty be cattle, horses, swine, sheep, or poultry, or the apiary, if bees may be called stock, by agricultural license. The first irrigation ditch was a small one dug in 1868, after legal appropriation of water. The success of the farmers under it as years passed, was the incentive for the organization of many canal companies, one after another, each appropriating all the water possible. There was no legal limit or restrain to enterprise. In a few years there were a dozen big canal systems with conflicting interests, and a total legal appropriation from the river, of many times more water than could be depended upon to annually flow through it, possible of diversion. For the first few years there was great prosperity, but when the above conditions prevailed there was a calamitous reaction. The entire area under the various canal systems had been acquired from the government in private title and there was twice as much land under attempted cultivation as there was available water to irrigate in season, though a vast volume of it passed by toward the ocean in flood time. The conflict of abling areas of titled land and its benefits. This was inserted with the Salt River valley; its need being urgent and the environment having previously itself of the superlative opportunities for the experiment in the River valley, owing to an inable dam site at Roosevelt, named above. An irrigation was formed embracing about acres, or the major part of the river valley and two-thirds lands within it were signed to bership in the Salt river valley users' association, an organ formed at government supersite with which it could deal as representative of all the people which all beneficiaries of irrigation in the valley area holders. The details of itsization, requirements, procedures and benefits, will not be detailed here, save to say that in its administration the secretary of the has final powers for veto or action and it is as perfectly construed the government itself and on similar lines. The purpose follows. The government builds the storage from which water will be relied upon to run down the river to the head of the valley a diversion dam is also built by the government, by means which the water will be diverted into the canals on both sides of the river. When these works are completed UNTO every generation of Americans George Washington is justly held to the purest figure in history—a superb example of the perfect citizen—a just and noble ruler and “a light for after life.” This commanding personality had a magnificentique. He stood over six feet in his stockings and remarkable for horsemanship, agility and strength the finest gentleman and athlete of his day. His constitution was of iron, and he knew how to keep it so. Biographers declare that in eat: This commanding personality had a magnificent unique. He stood over six feet in his stockings and remarkable for horsemanship, agility and strength the finest gentleman and athlete of his day. His constitution was of iron, and he knew how to keep it so. His biographers declare that in eatand drinking, as in all things, he was normal; enjoying the juice of malt all the days of his life. He tank it around campfires, as well in his own home and upon social state occasions. Furthermore, upon his Mount Vernon plantation he had a brew house, as was the regular custom of wealthy Virginians. In Virginia the richer colonists brewed beer from malt imported from England."—Nat'l Mag. Hist. vol. 16 page 150. Ford's Biography (1900) page 193. Quotations from Samuel Stearns," ibid. History of Virginia, by Roger Beverly. Colonial Liquor Laws [Thomas] page 60. brought litigation and the irrigation season nobody water enough and each thing for it. The result was one of a most favored land body was prosperous. Some the Reclamation law was embodied a clause enas of titled land as well as government land, to enjoy this was inserted mainSalt River valley in view, being urgent and the govhaving previously assured the superlative opportunie experiment in the Salt key, owing to an incomparsite at Roosevelt, mentionAn irrigation district ing completion, probably next fall, the secretary of the interior will specify exactly which lands are to be watered, in the approximate total of 175,000 acres the irrigation of which will be first attempted. The identity of there lands, however, can even now be closely arrived at, and no present settlers will be barred who have acted in good faith, while even more may be taken in. When the government is ready to begin the delivery of water, next fall, it will charge the cost of construction to the Water users' association, and will supervise water delivery. The association will have ten or more years in which to return to the政ment the cost of construction, no have been given thus conditions might be unat least a general way. cultural country, condition main thing. A farmer rich in any country if allike his best years, and thaintended to show why i river valley all years in will be best years. In otries there are numerous consider. In this the allone is water, and that is n An irrigation district and embracing about 300,000 acres in the major part of the Salt River valley and two-thirds of the drain it were signed to memorialize the Salt river valley water association, an organization that government suggestion in it could deal as the repurchase of all the people, and in beneficiaries of national benefit in the valley are stocked. The details of its organic requirements, protections acts, will not be discussed to say that in its administration the interior flowers for veto or approval is perfectly constructed asement itself and planned lines. The purpose follows. The governor builds the storage dam, which water will be released at no run down the river chanhead of the valley where the dam is also being built by government, by means of the water will be diverted canals on both sides when these works are near- no present settlers will be barred who have acted in good faith, while even more may be taken in. When the government is ready to begin the delivery of water, next fall, it will charge the cost of construction to the Water users' association, and will supervise water delivery. The association will have ten or more years in which to return to the government the cost of construction, no interest being charged for the use of the money. All the irrigated lands are mortgaged to the association for these payments and the estimated cost will be $150 per acre, each year for ten years, at end of which time the people owning the land in the reservoir district, will also own the dam, reservoir and diversion works. All this has been accomplished after much labor, in the course of which the government bought out for the people, the larger old canal companies and will reconstruct an economical system for the benefit of the entire valley, using a part of the old ditches. The wa-tea is married to the land. When the ownership of the land changes the water goes with it and the reservoir right as well. The day of priority troubles is over or will be in a few months. There will be actually stored for irrigation much more water than was ever used before, and no acre will be admitted to reservoir rights unless there is water in plenty for its cultivation. The above facts, as stated by Dr. F. E. Stone, are voluminous, but lines like liquid gold It sparkles number dew It quickens with ight lusty beer. Brewed conscienfor over fifty years, from barley ps only. olongs youth and preserves physarm, giving strength to muscle, nd bone A right royal beverthe home. THE PRIME OF ALL BOTTLED BEERS THE PRIME OF ALL BOTTLED BEERS Union Brewing Co. Bottled Only by Union Brewing Co. Anaheim, Cal. seen given thus fully, that this might be understood in a general way. In an agricountry, conditions are the thing. A farmer could get any country if all years were best years, and the above is to show why in the Salt Valley all years in the future best years. In other counhere are numerous things to er. In this the all important water, and that is now settled. B. Dauser Dealer In all Kinds of GRAIN AND FEED Storage Warehouses And Custom Feed Mill in Connection Regular Mill Days, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. LOCATION—South of Santa Fe depot. SEE IT FIRST AT SAN DIEGO April 14th to 18th The great fleet of battleships are due at San Diego April 14th to 18th. Excursion tickets will be sold by the SEE IT FIRST