Ajo Copper News

EDITORIAL

STATE WELL FOR CASA GRANDE

It is to be hoped that the bill will become law proposing to use $10,000 of the State's money for putting down a deep well in the Casa Grande valley in an effort to secure artesian water. If the amount is deemed sufficient for the purpose.

If a success, the well would benefit ex-service men, but we would favor it just the same if it benefit farmers not ex-service men.

The site would be at some point in the valley not under the proposed San Carlos Quij.

Arizona needs more productive farms, and any reasonable aid looking to this end should be encouraged by the State. The Casa Grande valley, furthermore, is one of the State's best bets.

Casa Grande has some good pumping wells. Should the proposed bill become law and result in a good artesian flow, that would be fine.

If there should be no artesian flow. If an insufficient one, but if the water should rise to the surface or close to the surface and mean cheaper and more profitable pumping-- there would be resultant benefits and the money would be well spent.

In this connection, however, we express the hope that the venture so far as the carrying out of the terms of the proposed bill is concerned, will be more successful than some of those in the past--and we think it will be, with the experience of the State heretofore.

As we recall, a similar attempt in the Sulphur Springs valley was not a success. The required depth was not obtained, owing, it is said, to the fact that the site chosen proved up to be good, great mechanical difficulties in the way of drilling appearing. Another attempt in the San Simon valley has resulted in considerable delay. The site was all right, but after three or four years the well is not down to authorized depth. However, drilling has been resumed and is, we believe, going on at the present time rather more hopefully.

One difficulty seems to be, for the State to get competent drillers to attempt the task. Who is to blame --if any one--we do not know, but as an offhand guess we would say that not enough money heretofore has been appropriated for the purpose. It costs a lot of money to put down a well 2000 ft., and perhaps the appropriations have been insufficient. We do not think any State official is in any way culpable; however, experience is helpful and likely the next venture will be more successfully taken hold of in case the funds are sufficient for the task.

Our legislature will no doubt have all the facts at hand and will decide intelligently for the best in regard to the proposed Casa Grande bill.

If the $10,000 is not sufficient, it would be better (if the State is not felt justified in increasing the appropriation), for the lawmakers to vote the bill down rather than go ahead on insufficient funds and be unable to reach the necessary depth.

For it is certain efficient drillers will not be interested if the offer is too low for any profit to them.