The San Francisco call., 1903-01-28
Bill on Irrigation
Seems to Gain
Ground.
Judge Works Tells
Purpose of the
Measure.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

ALL HEADQUARTERS, SAC
n RAMENTO, Jan. 27-There is still
Y a premonitory rumbling in the
- Legislature of the storm. that is
expected to break when the irri-
cation bill framed by Judge Works is in
troduced. Following is a copy of a letter
in support of the bill sent by Judge
Works to each member of the Southern
California delegation:
A good deal Is being said just now as you
by the California Water and Forest Associa-
ton, among other things that the entire
Southern California delegation is opposed TO
the bill / am somewhat surprised at TINS. as
had taken it that this bill Is particularly
beneficial to this end of the state. much more
than to the northern section because It's
prime object is to conserve the water supply
and distribute it in such way as TO make 1t go
as far as possible. and this is certainly more
important to Southern than to Northern Cali
forna because We have less water than they
Various objections have been made to the bill
most of which are founded upon an entire
mlsconception Of its provisions and their legal
effect For example. the Los Angeles Times
IS opposing the bill the ground that II will
interfere with the national irrigation scheme
Nothing could be farther from the truth. as
will be demonstrated by examination Of the
bill. L wrote an article to the Times explain
hshed in the issue of the 23d inst. which 1
desire to call your special attention 1 feel
sure tndt you VIII give the Dill the Sluuy ana
attention that Its Importance deserves and
cannot believe that you have at this early
time. and without a full discussion OF the bill
itself and before il has been introduced com
mitted yourself irrevocably against it. Ger
tainly the Water and Forest Association does
not desire that the bill should become a law
unless il is going to be beneficial to the State
wish you would do me the personal kindness
TO examine the bill and let know frankly
what you think about It, and il any objections
occur to YOU state to me with equal frankness
what those objections are. and do not be back
ward about stating your views fully and with
out reservation. Speaking for myself per
sonally L want this bill TO be thoroughly un-
derstood if possible and then acted upon in
telligenty and If il is not what II should be,
and cannot be made so by amendment then II
ought not To become a law. nor do I desire
that it should
l have sent letter to the president Of the
Chamber Of Commerce, requesting him to have
the bill carefully and thoroughly investigated
by that body with view to determining the
merits of the bill. and whether il Is subject to
the objections urged against il. and before the
letter could be delivered. 1 am in receipt of a
letter from the secretary OF the chamber say
ing that IL is arranging to have me appear be-
fore the board in the interest Of the bill now
pending before the Legislature We are court
ing the fullest Investigation and criticism Of
the bill and only desire that IL should be
fairly done and that the opposition TO il shall
not be Influenced by the selfish motives of a
few who are endeavoring to bring about its de-
feat AS that class Of contestants OF the
bill. I have prepared pamphlet which you
have sent this same letter to other men,
bers of the Legislature from Los Angeles
County and shall be, glad TO have them con-
Very truly yours. JOHN d. WORKS
The measure seems to be gaining
ground each day and 1t looks as if much
Of the opposition, which is largely based
on fears concerning the bill that have no
reasonable foundation, would disappear
when its provisions are carefully studied.