Imperial press and farmer., 1902-02-15


 having spent the past third of a cen. tury In Southern California. most of the time in the newspaper business, has had good opportunity to see the desert converted into gardens and all kali plains transformed into rich az ricultural sections.
 When. therefore some socalled ex- pert proposes to place block In the way of progress because of some fine spun theories that he thinks ought to command respect at expense of the country's development. he loses no time in marshal a force of choice English words in defense of his na- tive State and its future development.
 The following article from the Los Angeles Journal of Monday, February 3rd. k an able presentation of the case. and We commend 1t 10 the care full consideration of the reader:
 The Journal has no contract either to boost. apologize for. or defend pri- yate undertakings for gain. whether inaugurated by individuals or corpor. ations. But the enterprise of the I'm pcrial Land Co. which seeks to re- claim a large area In the delta of the Colorado. Is quasi public enterprise. with possibilities Of more than or dlnary interest and importance to the future of this section. and Is there fore entitled to fair treatment at the hands of the press. whose first duty should be to extend the glad hand 10 every movement making for material development.
 The land holdings of the corporation In question are in San Diego County. near the Mexican line. They embrace thousands of acres. the bulk of which is believed 10 be suitable for cultiya- ton. A comprehensive system of ir- Igation has been inaugurated, q con siderable number of subdivisions have been made ranches purchased and placed under cultivation. q town started. and orderly government es- tablished Only last week thousand acres or more were purchased for colony which is to at once locate upon the ground and endeayor to make 1t blossom. The scheme has had very hopeful look IL has promised much for the southern end of the State. It goes without the saying that every acre of ground that can be brought under cultivation adds to the wealth of the country. Every toiler is a dis tinct asset. Hence individual and cor porate enterprises like that of the I'm. perial Company become q matter of quasi public concern. That was req son enough for felicitating the cor poration in question upon hts fine prospects. It is sufficient warrant for deporing the fact that 1t is likely to suffer. and it's progress to be i'm. peded by the promulgation of a cir cular by the Agricultural Department of the Government condemning DOT tion of its holdings as unfit for culti- vation. and warning settlers not to locate upon 1t.
 Expert" testimony has come to be the laughing stock of the legal pro fession. lt is the bane of the profes- sion of mining Expert witnesses can be found to produce any kind of testi- money required in given case. When this gentry are introduced at a trial, whether it be for murder in the first degree or for the appointment of a receiver for Q mining property. or for an injunction against a rail road. all hopes of an impartial verdict are dlssipated The expert not only vexes the lawyers and the court. but befuddles the jury. and minimizes the chances of just decision. lt is con. .aI.a that Shla Ia nm anomaly