12 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



project. Possibly he has watched the bureaucratic red- 

 tape unwind and extend itself until land that he thought 

 himself buying at $20 per acre has been advanced to 

 double that figure and still he has no water to raise 

 crops. Should he be the victim? 



There is a deeper import in this problem than 

 merely the national purse. A nation's honor and in- 

 tegrity are at stake. And the prayers for aid come not 

 from the "heathen across the sea," but from citizens 

 of the United States, whose confidence and trust have 

 been outraged. 



In the light of recent developments it can be 

 plainly discerned that eastern trade barons seek to 

 dominate in the financial as well as the commercial 

 affairs of government. Whether from knowledge or 

 ignorance, the band of "Third Term Boomers" is lend- 

 ing its every assistance to these machinators. 



Westerners who allowed themselves to be worked 

 into a fury by recent declarations of a government 

 employe that there is in existence, or about to be 

 formed, a water power trust, are innocently playing 

 into the hands of their enemies and are thereby add- 

 ing power to those interests that declare government 

 bonds for the completion of reclamation works shall 

 not issue. 



Let the west crush those false friends who seek 

 its endorsement from the rostrum of its conservation 

 congresses, and then slyly barter its support in the 

 dens of political schemery. 



In its initial moves for the preparation, of 

 Pueblo the Eighteenth National Irrigation Con- 



Appoints gress, and the accommodation and enter- 

 Board of tainment of its thousands of visiting dele- 

 Control, gates, Pueblo promises well. There is a 



spirit of energy and far-sightedness about 

 the preliminary steps that indicate the general reputa- 

 tion of enterprise to which Pueblo has already fallen 

 heir among even its western neighbors. 



Early in October the committee of business men, 

 selected to appoint a governing board for the congress, 

 made their report, and it was found that many of the 

 most prominent citizens had cheerfully agreed to assist 

 in the work. At a subsequent meeting of the executive 

 committee it was decided to organize in order to handle 

 the affairs of the congress with greater facility and dis- 

 patch. Officers chosen were: Chairman, J. H. Mc- 

 Corkle; vice-chairman, A. G. Watson; treasurer, Alva 

 Adams; secretary and manager of publicity, R. H. 

 Faxon. A committee was appointed to draft articles for 

 formal incorporation under the state laws. 



It is probable that no former board has entered the 

 field with equal preparation and understanding to that 

 of the Pueblo body. Delegates to the last congress 

 realized that Pueblo was intent upon capturing the 



eighteenth convention, and that it would produce its 

 best efforts in the encouragement of world wide interest 

 in the sessions. 



Men selected for membership on the board of con- 

 trol are of large mental caliber, and their names 

 insure success in the undertaking. Mr. Faxon, who will 

 act as secretary, has already demonstrated his ability 

 as a master of publicity. Officers of the executive board 

 are substantial business men who may be expected to 

 give earnest and constant attention to the duties they 

 have willingly assumed. 



Early in January the board will open its offices in 

 Pueblo. From that time until the date of the congress 

 it is anticipated that the eastern world will hear vari- 

 ous and sundry noises issuing from the state of 

 Colorado. 



Information from various sources proves 

 Warning. that plans are on foot to exploit irrigation 

 projects of questionable merit. The re- 

 ports show that numerous companies have been formed 

 in the West for the express purpose of selling land to 

 residents in central and eastern states on the weekly 

 payment plan. THE IRRIGATION AGE advises its read- 

 ers to be cautious in investments of this character. 



There are many points to be considered in judging 

 the value of an irrigation project. The question of 

 sufficient water supply associated with that of good soil 

 is most essential to the development of any project. 

 Those who contemplate an investment of this character 

 should take ample time to study the question thoroughly. 

 The fact that the land can be bought on small and easy 

 payments is no proof that the soil is good, nor does it 

 guarantee sufficient water. 



People who have made a close study of the subject, 

 know that the basic value of bonds must be scrutinized 

 closely. One prominent operator who has financed sev- 

 eral successful enterprises in different parts of the west, 

 makes the bold statement that many of the promoters 

 who are trying to float irrigation bonds are traveling 

 toward the penitentiary. This is rather an alarming 

 statement and the IRRIGATION AGE hesitates to exploit 

 expressions of this character in the fear that by so doing 

 the legitimate irrigation bond business may be injured. 



It is the intention of this journal in the future to 

 carefully investigate the basic value of all bonds issued 

 upon newly developing tracts, and to give, so far as is 

 within its province, correct information regardless of 

 the firm acting as sales agent. 



It is the opinion of the editor of this journal that 

 it is better to warn its readers now than to condole with 

 them after their money is irretrievably lost. THE IRRI- 

 GATION AGE reiterates that it will surely expose any 

 combination of men who are attempting to sell these se- 

 curities by false representation. 



