AZ vs. CA:03 California Exhibits, Vol III; Nos. 114-150

page 22

-22- United States, for irrigation purposes, and it is proposed to divert much larger quantities. There is no doubt that this diversion of water renders less the volume of water in the River below the point of diversion, but there is no navigation below such point of diversion. It may be proper to add that water for irrigation purposes in this section of the country is of enormously greater importance and value than water for navigation is, or ever will be. The country through which the Colorado flows is naturally a barren desert. But under the influence of irrigation, this desert produces magnificent crops of barley, corn, millet, sorghum, alfalfa, etc. Without irrigation, the country is practically uninhabitable; irrigated, it compares favorably with the richest agricultural lands in the United States. Before closing this report I should again call attention to. the fact that this investigation was made partially in consequence of a complaint to the Secretary of State which bore the signature of a private individual. This complaint was dated at Yuma, Arizona, September 30, 1901, and was signed "J. A. Owensby," the writer stating that he was a "miner and prospector." Diligent inquiry in and about Yuma failed to disclose any such person in that locality, or any one who knew or had ever heard of a person by the name of J. A. Owensby. The writer, however, had independent knowledge of the existence of a man by the name of /. A. Ownbey (whose name the writer had seen spelled variously-Ownbey, Owenby and Owensby) who was interested in mining operations in Colorado. Accordingly, thinking that the letter referred to might have been written by this Mr. J. A. Ownbey, I called on him when in Colorado a few days after leaving Arizona. Mr. Ownbey, however, disclaimed the authorship of the letter and stated that he had not been in Yuma