New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
TO STOP SALTON BREAK
f.. II. Hartman Tells President He
Will Help the Work.

Washington. Dec. @-President Roosevelt is
ertng his efforts TO have the break in the bank OF
the Colorado River in Mexico repaired as soon as
possible by the California Development Company,
which, he declares Is ultimately responsible for It.
With this end in view he addressed telegram to
2. H Hartman at New York to-day, telling the
conditions as they now exist and the inability 70
secure action by Congress because OF the adjourn
ment for the Christmas holidays The President
told Mr. Hartman that 1t was incumbent upon
him 10 close the break again, and that action
should be taken without an hours delay.
Mr.. Hartman replied. saying the Southern Pa
cifc had control over the California Develop
rnent Company but that he would authorize the
Southern Pacific officers to try repair the break.
trusting Congress TO take action later 70 assist
with the burden. The President gave assurance
he would make recommendation TO Congress TO
this end
President Roossvelts decision in the matter fol-
lowed a conference at the White House. In which
the President, Senator Flint, OF California; CharleS
D. Walcott. the Director OF the Geological Survey.
and Frederick H. Newell, the chief engineer in
charge OF the reclamation service. took part 1t
has been repeatedly asserted that unless the break
in the river. which Is forming the Salton Sea, is
promptly repaired the losses in the Imperial Val
ley, already enormous. would at a conservative
estimate reach SSOOO.OOO The President felt that
longer delay was not justified in the case.
The following is the telegram sent TO Mr. Har-
riman:
The White House. Washington, D. c..
Replying yours 1eth, reclamation service cannot
enter upon work without authority OF Congress and
Journs to-day for holidays; impossible to secure
close break again Question Of future 0erssneSI
maintenance can then be taken up. Reclamation
service engineers available for consultation This
is al the aid that there is in the power of the
Ss e m NJ 70 TenaeE and 1t seems cen to me clear
TTslopnent company TO close this break at once.
o6mnIetsG Tr9 i1 to e past IN making heading
by the action Of the company. which is ultimately
Without an bour sIav ,4ia rb HCoh SouT1 . De taken
Of State I am endeavoring TO secure such action
in it's But at present 'c5 Congress Ges
government D TS % sG1a afs aS09 on ey c the Mexican
POrtance that wish to repeat that there is not
Company waiting hour for the action Of the
II Is their duty 70 meet the present
t9ke up with them, as 1t has already taken up with
shape against the recurre9ee Of the dahger
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
To this Mr.. Hartman responded:
To the President, WASHINGTON
Replying 70 your telegram this date YOU seem to
be under the impression that the California De-
prise This is erroneous It had notSin to DO
o Mth 1e g6fd T IN t m Seas see nd Of the II canal We are
It. We have lent It some money to assist In deal
company has done for the protection Of the
ss as S Te H36 as & Of its tracks but We have de-
anyway. However, in view OF YOUR MESSAGE /
in the West to proceed M o1ee %t 61fs M
pair the break. trusting that the government as
soon as you can procure the necessary Congress
sional legislation, will assist us with the burden
z. H. HARTMAN.
The Presidents answer to Mr.. Hartman follows:
once directed the Recaon gGa seryee to svs s S
touch with you. that Congress- reas-
seTnhles can recommend legislation which will
RTSde assnSt r fSspetG9 S Of the disaster and
burden. THEODORE ROOSEVELT
The President made public the following tele-
gram sent to Governor Pardee Of California dated
to-day:
Telegram received. Am doing everything In my
power In the matter. Break Is on Mexican soil
and have absolutely no power to do anything
until permission Is granted by Mexico We are
such permission Until It is granted Congress- can
not act I have notified the California Develop
ment Company that II is its clear duty to act as
II has the power and the entire damage arises
from the work which II began on Mexican soil |
outside the Jurisdiction of the United States in |
October, 1904 1t Is the clear duty Of California
as we'll as with Mexico the question Of the perma-
nent protection of our people.
In note TO Director WaIcott the President saws.
Mexico has behaved admirably and has expressed |
willingness TO do anything within reason that y-s
desire in the Colorado River break matter OF |
course, Mexico is not to do the work The fums- |
date work must be done by Mr.. Harriman's corr
pany, as l pointed out In my telegram to him |
But should be prepared to put a de6nte reoIIsst
before Congress immediately upon its
To do that / must. of course, know juS1 yrJSSt |
separate or joint responsibilities there should bs %
ment Company. Please formulate a pIaD a. ~ (
earliest possible moment, submitting N To tb 1o
Department so that Mexico can be fully tnrormsJ |