Los Angeles herald., 1905-06-11
VISITORS ADMIRE
IMPERIAL VALLEY
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
ARE IMPRESSED
HAD SEEN NOTHING LIKE IT
Members Of Party Are Amazed at the
Transformation Wrought In the
Desert by Means Of
Irrigation
Nv Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
BRAwLEY, June 10.-The congress
sional committees on irrigation, the
visiting California delegations and the
citizens of Imperial valley put in
strenuous day. Neither the congress
sional party nor their wives are de-
tered by the dust and heat. and show
an earnest desire to get to the very
bottom of all projects shown them.
The special train arrived at Imperial
at 1880 O'Clock this morning.
The visitors were emphatic in their
praise of the Imperial valley, and not
on their western itinerary, they said,
had they seen accomplished such a
remarkable demonstration of the value
of irrigation. More than 100000 acres
of land are in cultivation on the
American side of the Imperial valley
at this time, and almost as much land
in reach of irrigation. Barley, alfalfa,
sorghum and kaffir corn are among
the staple crops. 1t Is estimated that
there are $4,000 acres in barley and
already 1000 acres are planted to al
falfa. There are $4,000 head of cattle,
including dairy stock, on the American
side of the valley and 10000 head more
on the Mexican side.
No Complications Expected
Referring to the possibility of in
ternational complications in the di-
version of the waters through Mexican
to American soil, members of the COM
mittee stated yesterday that it would
be well to build the canal first and
settle the questions afterwards, as
Mexico was thoroughly in accord with
the policy of the United States in de-
veloping this territory. Senator New
lands of Nevada, the spokesman of the
committees, said in fertility 1t was
second only to the valley of the Nile,
but that 1t possessed advantages
which the Nile could never have.
C. ]. Blanchard of the United States
Geological survey, who has charge of
the party, said:
I'VE expected to find a barren des-
ert here below sea level, with some
few little farms; we expected no such
great agricultural territory as this.
Our visit to California has already
proved an eyeopener and will, I think
do lots of good"
Transformation of Desert
Hamilton Wright of the California
promotion committee said that people
sometimes asked what kept Los An
geles and other southern towns up, and
1oi ipod e,,R3
ricultural country. "If they could see
how the desert has been transformed
into fertile farming land, they would
not ask this question"
Said Mr.. Wright: when we see what
has been done here, we realize the won
derful future Of the great Sacramento
valley when the plans projected for
that valley shall have been carried out.
The Imperial country is an object les
son on the benefits of irrigation"
Governor Pardee, Senator Flint and
Congressman McLachlan and Kahn
are close to the congressional commit
tee, which Is more pleased with Cali
fornia than with any of the western
territory thus far visited.
J. B. Lippincott today announced
that satisfactory bid for the head
gates of the Yuma project at $797 900
had been received. Water for this pro-
ject may ultimately be conducted to
Imperial. The bidders are New York
firm, and it is expected that the bid
will meet with the approval OF the
secretary of the interior.