The Coconino Sun

REFORM SCHOOL MAY
HAVE FORT GRANT

The measure which has been before the congress of the United States for some weeks past of deeding the Fort Grant military reservation to the state of Arizona for the purpose of an industrial school was signed by President Taft, according to advices received from Gov. Hunt from Washington, and the bill now becomes a law.

The law sets aside 2000 acres of the reservation upon which the abandoned military post is situated for the purpose stated, the selection of the land to be made by the state land commission after the manner in which the other government lands within the state are to be selected by the state commission.

Among the relics of the military occupation of the post are some twenty-six buildings in good repair, many of them large and commodious, which will accommodate many more inmates than the industrial school which is located at Benson now has, with the added advantage of superior climate, better farming land, better water and better surroundings.

When the state commission appointed by Governor Hunt made its report after looking over all available sites for industrial school purposes, it unanimously was in favor of the Fort Grant military reservation.

During the sessions of the legislature an attempt was made by Graham county representatives, believing it impossible to secure the Fort Grant site, to have the school moved to the Cluff ranch as a splendid site. This was opposed by Cochise county and its allies, but the final disposition of the bill was to make provision for the board of control to go into the matter and order the removal if it should see fit. Under these provisions, therefore, since the property is now available, the board of control can move the school without further act of the legislature.