The Imperial press., 1905-09-16
THE USE OF THE COLORADO

the Federal Court at Denver, Colorado. In refusing to enjoln d railroad company from budding through and claiming the two most important reservoir sites III
 the Un1ted States. The conflict has been between the ReClamd- ton Service and tue railway company, the former trying to protect the reservoIr sites for use i'll impounding the flood waters of the Colorado river so it can be used i'll the irrigation of vast areas of arid land III this state and Arizona: The railway com pany's object is to defeat the pos Sibility of d large publicly owned electrical plant which might some day be located at these dams and furnish heat, light and pow CT to the people of Colorado at rates that would loosen the clutches of the coal and oil trusts. It Is d fight between the new civ ilization of use for the benefit of man and the old order of graft and nouoDolistic control. The Reclama tion Service is fighting for the complete utilization of the greatest asset in arid Ameri- ca, the Colorado river, Their success means the redemption of every acre of arid land in Cali fornia and Arizona that can be reached byitS waters. A million acres will be added to our pro- ductive area and wealth to at least Fifty million dollars. Homes will be created and peace and plenty will dwell therein. The possibilities in the way of wealth and commerce that can be devel- oped by the waters of this river are so vast and the blessings that may arise from its complete use are so great that the most power tul pen is unable to portray them. On the completion of the works planned by the Reclamation Ser vice on this rlver. depends not only the development of all the arid lands along or tributary to its lower course, ut also the suc- cess and safety of those who are already irrigating with its wat CTS. The railway company at present has the advantage. By using puppet Judge they have overrode the Reclamation Service in the local courts, and announce their intention to proceed with construction and take possession Of the canyons that are the keys t. these reservoir sites. Their success will mean that the mag ntficent plans for human progress evolved by the reclamation ser vice and based on the highest use of the Colorado river shall be de- fea ted, that the hopes of the land less millions shall be dashed to earth. aud that the Colorado riv- ar shall contin for all time to q ssh in maddeuiug torrent during midsummer and dwindle to d rtv- met at other Seasons. Not 0nl V tntt there shall be no further D -0sresS but that the users ot the wlt.r ol the To yer Colorado will b nena ed, not onlv in the per mtn.ncy aud safety of their 'rrl' y,tlou works, but in their water Tirnts as wei. The situation Is ol, which vitaIlY concerns every ole interested in the development 8. tue country on the Colorado below the Grand Canvon, and tie great importance of the mat t.- urges that prompt and de ctSive stand b. taken regarding it The ethics O. the public ser
 vi:e hampers the Re ;lamation ot-
 6.ills ftom publicly discussing sl:1 matters, so the gratters tor
 mp iopoiS,kave a great advantage
 blt this case is so clear and ha:
 reached 50 acute stage that the
 virtue of their position is quit
 apparent. Let the people organ