The Imperial press., 1905-08-19

the head managers of the Southern Pacific were issud some days since to stop the waters of the Colorado river from running wild into Salton Sink and overhowing the main line of that company This flow of water from the river has been going on for some time, the situation gradually assuming a more and more serious aspect, and various tentative methods being ad- vanced for it's control until matters reached climax about the first of this month.
 At that time it was decided finally that the methods that had been em- ploved to control the flow of water from the Colorado were inadequate ;s.'d impracticable. Also that the scheme of raising the track and Undressing 1t with sacks of sand was futile, that travel over the main tracks must be abandoned, and a shoo-tiy, or tempor- ary track built with all possible speed, or else the railroad would go out of commission and overland traffic be sus- pended.
 The steady and unrelenting rise ot the water in the Salton Sea, the mile after mile of track engulfed beneath its waves the failure of the plans of the engineers to control the flow of the Colorado river into the Saiton Sea, put the railroad company up against such q situation as has never been paraileled in the annals of railroading in the world.
 Here they were with rising sea, menacing their track ont on desert ninety miles away from the proper channel of any real river. In this crisis in the situation it was decided to bnlld temporary tracks on higher ground on which to operate their trains, and to give over a number of miles of the main line to the hungry maw of the desert sea. And meantime, to concentrate their efforts at the Colorado river, ninety miles away from the place they wish to remedy. So now, in order to save the track from the Salton Sea, tLe Southern Pacific is crOwding the work at the Colorado river. This they are doing in number of ways and all of them are effective.
 The California Development Com panv, through its Mexican corporation, has franchise to take water out of the Colorado river in Mexico for delivery in both Mexico and the United States for use in irrigation. As part of this concession they are required to con struct and maintain headgates, levees and controlling works for the diversion of water from the Colorado river, and its delivery in both countries.
 Through recent changes in the man. agement of botia companies, California Development Company and Mexican Company, they are now controlled by the Southern Pacific.
 The Southern Pacific also has, m the Inter California Railroad company, q concession to build a railroad through Mexico from Mexicaii to the line at Hanlons. It is therefore clear that the railroad people have tIe control of privileges and franchises sufficient to give them abundant power to control the situation on the Colorado river. But it is whispered that Mir. Randolph, the presidentSf the California Develop ment Company, during his recent visit to the City of Mexico, secured such additional rights as will permit his company to construct levee from Hanlons to Black Mountains, distance of sixty miles, and completely shut out the overflow from the Colorado river, Volcano lake, New river and all other sources.
 The Colorado River Land Company, who owns a million acres below the line. is said to be entirely agreeable to this program, as it will enable that com pany to have an immense area flooded every year, thereby insuring plenty of wild feed for its cattle after the water subsides, and the levee will also insure it & large area, immune from floods, on which to raise feed by irrigation to carry the cattle during the time