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Show Sen. A. V. Watkins Played Big Part In Areas Growth by: Arthur V. Watkins I have been invited by the publisher of the Times to do an article on the development and industrial growth of Orem, and its relationship to the Provo River Reclamation Project, more popularly known as "Deer Creek," and the location of the Geneva Steel Plant on the west-em west-em borders of the City of Orem. Or-em. How did all this come about? I am reminded of the old saying, say-ing, Things don't just happen, they are brought about and these developments were no exception excep-tion to the rule. DEER CREEK AND GENEVA The Deer Creek Project came first, and even though it was only partially completed when the war began, it made possible the location lo-cation of the Geneva Steel Plant in Utah. For, be it remembered, that a firm supply of water in large quantities was a prime requisite for Geneva. It might have gone to some other state, even though central Utah had many advantages advan-tages for the plant, if the water supply hadn't also been present. (A large water supply free from objectionable impurities, such as suspended soil 'that's why Utah Lake water wouldn't do', soDeer Creek reservoir was a sure supply sup-ply of clear mountain water, and it was the answer.) Many years ago in the days when Senator Reed Smoot was at the height of his power, wat-er, wat-er, users (irrigationists) who would under the reclamation law be required to pay back the cost of construction of the Deer Creek Project, were unorganized and apparently not converted to the project. This was true although al-though the project was popular with the general public as it is todiy IN THE TALKING STAGE But it was in the talking stage only. No one seemed able to get it down to earth, to get it underway. un-derway. It remained in that status until the 1929 depression came along. The drouth period which Arthur V. Watkins . coincided with the depression, once more brought Deer Creek to the front. The project was again authorized author-ized with two objectives in mind. First t to get more water available, avail-able, and secondly to provide employment. em-ployment. The U.S. Treasury was wide open in those days for any kind of make-work projects. It was at this point I was brought into the picture. I was assigned the job of organizing and qualifying quali-fying the water users, and getting get-ting the project under contract. In other words to get out of the realm of talk, into the field of action - to get into construction. Then followed a period of heartbreaking discouragement. One irigation company after another, an-other, although previously having hav-ing generally favored the project, pro-ject, turned it down. They wanted want-ed none of it. There were three exceptions, these signed contracts con-tracts for water. Because of the project's size it was decided that irrigationists alone could not pay for it. Cities Cit-ies in central Utah needing a water supply became interested, but because of Utah's constitutional constitu-tional provisions it was held that cities could not subscribe for water directly, because to do so would exceed the limit of their permitted indebtedness. To meet this situation Calif or nias Metropolitan Met-ropolitan district law wa borrowed bor-rowed and modified to meet Ut ah's constitutional needs, anTas modified was enacted by the Leg islature. I argued the case in the Utah supreme court to test the law's constitutionality. (Several lawyers assited me in this test.) Metropolitan 'districts were organized or-ganized in Salt Lake, Provo, and other central Utah cities. In Salt Lake City the district organization organiza-tion won by a narrow margin of 600 votes, with 10,000 taxpayers tax-payers voting. CAMPAIGN FOR DEER CREEK But our troubles were not over. ov-er. A vigorous ca'mpaign had to be undertaken to educate city taxpayers and irrigationists to the value of the project, and to the fact that somebody had to a-gree a-gree to pay for it before it could be constructed. Whatever talents I possessed in organization matters mat-ters and in writing and arguing had to be used to the limit. Local Lo-cal newspapers in the northern part of Utah county allowed me to use practically all of their space in at least one issue of their papers to argue the case for Deer Creek and the necessity neces-sity of creating metropolitan districts for each town which could contract for water. I also wrote a number of articles, ar-ticles, including several editorials, editor-ials, for a Salt Lake Daily. The opposition in that city was determined de-termined and formidable. Success came . at last. Construction Con-struction began on the project and it was far enough along when Geneva Steel came knocking at our doors, to be counted on as a firm source of water supply for that Industrial Plant. Because Be-cause of this relationship to Geneva Gen-eva Steel it will probably rate as one of Utah's water and industrial in-dustrial development since Pioneer times. I repeat, without with-out "Deer Creek" there wouldn't have been a Geneva Steel Plant. And, this development made possible pos-sible the doubling of the population popu-lation of most of the cities in central Utah. mm SHOT nag 1 AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES ...and "charge it" with BankAmericard. With your First Security BankAmericard you can charge a wide variety of wonderful gifts for Mother at so many places even take her out to dinner, too. Give her your best she deserves it! ORGANIZED FOR DEFENSE When World War II began in Europe in 1939 and our race to build defense plants got under way I conceived the idea that the cities and towns of Utah County ought to take a joint interest in-terest in presenting the advantages advan-tages of Utah county as a location loca-tion for a defense industry. I therefore urged that a Utah county Defense Industry. Committee, consisting of Mayors, and other representatives of the principal cities and towns in the county, be organized. The suggestion was adopted and I was elected chairman chair-man of this committee. The group became very active in selling the advantages of Utah county as an iron and steel center to the War Production Board in Washington. Wash-ington. Details on possible sites were forwarded totheWPB. Geneva Gen-eva was finally chosen; it was one of the sites recommended. When the final decision to build the plant at Geneva was made and difficulty was encountered in purchasing the site from landowners land-owners in the area, I was called call-ed in as an advisor to the R.F.C. and Defense Plant Corporation to help bring the parties together. As a result of suggestions I made, the entire site was purchased pur-chased in a short time. This was probably the only large pro ject in Utah where condemnation condemna-tion suits were unnecessary. As a result, construction of the Plant went forward without delay, and land owners got their money much sooner than if they had waited the outcome of condemnation con-demnation suits. One other Item should be mentioned; men-tioned; as there has been considerable con-siderable good-natured rivalry about which Utah county city has the best claim to the Geneva Plant as its own. With appropriate modesty let . me point out that only one municipality muni-cipality has the plant as an immediate im-mediate neighbor on nearly a mile along one of its boundaries; and it is little more than a hop, step and jump from said boundary to the plant site. It should be kept in mind also that representatives of this same city took the leading part in bringing about both the reclamation reclama-tion project and the steel Plant. It also provides a delightful area nearby where officials and employees em-ployees may dwell in peace and harmony, with most of the advantages ad-vantages of a community which is rapidly acquiring all the advantages ad-vantages of a modern city without losing the charm of a pleasing pleas-ing countryside. (I was about to name the City in a punch line, when I took another an-other look at the mast head on Page I, of the Orem-Geneva American Legion Auxiliary By Dorothy Duncan The women of the American Legion Auxiliary have beenassit-ing beenassit-ing in the V.A. program for returning re-turning veterans and their families fami-lies for over a period of fifty years-after WorldWarIinl918. During World War II the vast potential of service' available through a coordinated volunteer program was early seen, and plans were developed which resulted re-sulted in the establishment of agencies to mold the activities of hundreds of service and welfare wel-fare groups, fraternal and church groups, veterans and civic, groups, local clubs and individuals, individ-uals, into a smooth-working volunteer vol-unteer program for members of the armed forces. Among them is the A.L. Auxiliary. Special Services Program for hospitalized veterans was assisted as-sisted tremendously by the wives and daughter of returned and deceased de-ceased fighting men. The major use of volunteer aid was coordinated coor-dinated under the Veterans Ad- Times, and discovered that just above it under the banner line GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY YEAR these words - HOME OF GENEVA STEEL PLANT - HUB OF UTAH'S UT-AH'S FRUIT INDUSTRY. Thus Publisher Sumner scooped me, no more need be said.) Orem-Geneva Times Thursday, Ma 8,J969 ministration Volunteer Service. This plan is in the Dept. of Medicine and Surgery. Many holidays are made special spec-ial by gifts and programs brought to the hospitals by these ladies, also. The Girl's State program is the pride and joy of the organization. organ-ization. The girl scholars from the local high schools are given giv-en an all expenses paid educational educa-tional extravaganza in governmental govern-mental procedures at Logan, Utah for one week in July. These are also assisted by other local clubs and auxiliaries. The sale of poppies in the spring of each year is another highlight of the season. Each unit orders the amount of poppies they can sell in one day for the time around Memorial Day. The poppies pop-pies are made by the hospitalized veterans themselves, to be sold, and part of the proceeds go to the unit, and the larger part to the very financing of necessities of the Veterans Hospital. The making and labeling of these poppies pop-pies serve a double purpose. They give the patients a worth while activity while also helping to pay their keep. This past year can be a very fond memory to many of our lady members. We started the fiscal year with forty-five members mem-bers including our Junior members. mem-bers. A delightful luncheon at the Golden Apple ECafe initiated the years events. Following closely was the lovely Past President's Tea, sponsored by Ruth Johnson at her home. Books and gifts were sent to Vietnam coordinated by the units from throughout the state. Each of the umfs sponsored and conducted a 'Help the Needy" Christmas Program locally. Gifts Qf money and clothing were given to the Veterans Hospital from our own unit 72. Patients of the mental Hospital have also received gifts and visits from this program. The anniversary anniver-sary party was at the Orem Veterans Vet-erans Building in March. We are assisted by the Men of the A meri- ' can Legion in organizing entertainment enter-tainment and speakers for the joint meetings regularly. We also endorse the Child Welfare Program and assist in the Civil Defense of our city. VALUABLE PHAMPHLET NOW AVAILABLE Do you know what to do when lost in the woods, what water is safe to drink, which wild fruits and nuts are edible, what to do in case of injury, or how to keep your fire safe? The Forest Service has prepared pre-pared a new handy pocket-sized pamphlet to help you have a safe pleasant visit in your National Na-tional Forest. You can get a copy of 'outdoor Safety Tips" at your nearest District Ranger's Rang-er's Office, Sf'rfn.?"i.trh uAtieJ and licensed by Bd"iAm.fn.,) Se'vue Lui ptrfjliun Orem Contractors Build Oram's Golden Happening If FIT MS - TTf , mfTCny ; r1 M '"r;"i' J ' iff II 1 1 : - Tmmm,.-m.mi , , ,, " TT" --aW '-' ' New OremCity Center Now Under Construction J. " ' , ' ' s I r Mir Tin i.. 1 "''" Harold Prestwkh Glen HeaJy AS. Orem City celebrates it's 50th Anniversary, Orem Contractors, PRESTWICH & HEALY are busily at work turning: a long-time dream into the brick and morter of reality When Orem celebrates it's CENTENNIAL CEN-TENNIAL YEAR in 2019, the citizens of that day will still be enjoying the classic beauty and functional utility of the OREM CITY CENTER. Prestwich & Healy Contractors 33 West 400 South - Orem |