The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-21

ory telegram 10 Il. IL. Hartman, prad-
dent OF the Union Pacific Railroad COM
pany. and a controlling influence In the
California Development company, calling
upon him TO close a break at once in the
banks OF the Colorado river, flood
waters from which threaten to inundate
hundreds OF square miles OF territory in
southern California and TO create a per-
manent lake covering a large and valu-
able area.
Mr. Roosevelt after an Investigation
reached the conclusion that the re-
sponsibillty for this damage rests upon
Mr.. Hartman. Mr.. Hartman disclaimed
responsibility. but in response to the
presidents telegram promised to do what
he could to meet the situation, trusting
that he would have the assistance of
the government. The president ex-
pressed to Mr.. Hartman by telegraph
his delight at Mr.. Harriman's attitude In
the matter.
The California Development company
Is operating IN Mexican territory under
a concession from the Mexican govern
ment and it is said that 20 the construo-
tion of works on the southern side Of tho
border the overflow OF the Colorado
river, which now threaten disaster, Is
due.
A telegram was received from Mr.. Har-
rman Wednesday asking that the United
States reclamation service erect works on
tho river where break has occurred to
prevent disastrous results when high
water comes, as 81 probably Will come
very soon.
For the consideration Of this appeal
the president called into conference with
-. .z1..rrN NHal
survey Chief Engineer Newell OF the re-
clamation service and Senator Flint OF
California. They talked over the Harri-
man appeal and a similar application
from Gov. Pardee OF California. AT the
close OF the conference the presids MT
sent the following telegram TO Mr.. Harri-
man:
ORDER TO HARTMAN.
Replying to yours. 18TH. reclamation
service cannot enter upon work without
authority OF congress and suitable con-
Vention with Mexico. Congress ad1ourns
today for holidays; impossible to secure
action at present 1t IL incumbent upon
you 20 close break again. Question or
future permanent maintenance can then
DO taken up
Reclamation service engineers available
FOR consultation. This Is all the aid that
there is in the power Of the government
to render. and IL seems TO me clear that
lt is the imperative uuNN OF the tdllAVlHid
Development company 10 close this break
at once The dangers ultimately due only
TO the action OF that company In the past
IN making heading completed In October,
1904 in Mexican territory.
The present crisis can at this moment
only TO he met by the action OF the COM
pany which is ultimately responsible for
Il. and that action should be taken with
out an hours delay. Through the de-
partment OF state I am endeavoring to
secure such action by the Mexican gov
ernment as will enable congress in It's
turn 10 act But at present congress can
do nothing without such action by the
Mexican government This Is a matter
OF such vital Importance that I wish TO
repeat that there is not the slightest ex-
cuse for the California Development COM
pany waiting an hour for the action or
the government IL is their dutx 10 meet
the present danger immediately and then
this government will take up with them
ms 1t has already taken up with Mexico
the question OF providing In permanent
shape against the recurrence OF the dan.
ger"
At the same time the president tele-
rraphed the governor OF California as
follows:
MESSAGE TO GOVERNOR.
Telegram received. Am doing every
thing In my power i'm matter. Break IL
ON Mexican soil and we have absolutely
no power 20 do anything until permission
Is granted by Mexico. We are hurrying
forward in every way the negotiations for
such permission. Until IL is granted con-
gress cannot act. have notified the Cal
ifornia Development company that Is IA
TIA clear duty to act, as IL has the power,
and as the entire damage arises from tho
work which it began on Mexican soil. out
side the jurisdiction OF the United States,
in October, 1904. It is the clear duty OF the
California Development company TO meet
the immediate danger Then this govern
ment will take mp with them as we'll as
with Mexico the question OF permanent
protection OF our people"
MEXfCO'S ATTITUDE.
The necessary negotiations with Mexico
looking toward action by congress seem
likely 10 succeed. as indicated by tho fol-
lowing letter addressed 70 Director wal
cott OF the geological survey by the pres
idPnL today
"Mexlco has behaved admirably and
has expressed willingness 20 do any
thing within reason that we desire in the
Colorado river break matter. OF course
Mexico is not TO do the work. The i'm
mediate work must be done by MIR. Har-
riman's company. as pointed out in my
telegram TO him. But we should be pre-
pared 10 put definite request before
congress Immediately upon It's reassem-
bling. To do that must OF course know
what Just separate or Joint responsible
ties there should be ms regards this coln-
try and the California Development com.
pany Please formulate a plan at the
earliest possible moment. submitting Il 10
the state department so that Mexico can
he fully informed"
Last evening the president received the
following reply from Mr.. Hartman:
HARTMAN REPLY
Replying TO your telegram, this date,
you seem 10 be under the impression that
the California Development company Is a
Southern Pacific enterprise This is erro-
neous. 1t had nothing to do with its
work or the opening Of the canal. We
are not interested I'm it's stock and I'm no
way control st. We have lent IL some
money 20 assist IN dealing with the situa-
ton. What the Southern Pacific company
has done was for tho protection Of the
settlers as well as Of its tracks, but We
have determined to move the tracks on
20 higher ground. anyway However, in
view OF your message, / am giving au-
thority TO the Southern Pacific officers In
the West TO proceed at once with efforts
10 repair the break. trusting that the
government, as soon as you can procure
the necessary congressional authority,
will assist US with the burden"