The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-21
CALLS ON HARTMAN
MUST CLOSE BREAK IN COLORADO
 RIVER.
President Roosevelt Says the Southern Paciac Man Waa Directly Re-
 aponsible fer Mak. sr an the First Ks1ace.

Washington, Dec. 20.-President Roosevelt is exerting his efforts to have the break In the Colorado river in Mexico repaired as soon as possible by the California Development Com pany which he deelsres is ultimately lresponsible for Il.
 With this end in view. he today ad- dressed a telegram tcE H. Harriman, at Newa York, rect e eeRas caaA as they now exist and inabintyrto se- cure action by Congress because of the adjournment for the Christmas holt- days The President told Mir. Harri- | man that 1t is incumbent upon him to close the break again, and that action should be taken without an hours de- lay.
 MT. Hartman replied saying that the Southern Pacific had no control of the California Development Company but he would authorize the Southern Pa cific officers to try to repair the break. trusting Congress to take action later to assist with the burden. The Presi- dent gave assurance that he would make accommodations to congress 10 this end.
 It has been repeatedly asserted that unless the break in the river Is prompt Iy repaired, the losses in the Imperial Valley already enormous. would, at conservative estimate reach total loss Of $13.O 000. The President felt that longer delay was not justified in the case. The President in his tele- gram to MT Hartman said;
 Tt Is incumbent on you to close the break again. Question of future main tenance can then be taken up. Recla- nation service engineers are available for consultation This Is all the aid that there is in the power of the gov ernment to render. The dangers ulti- mately due only to the action of that company in the past In making ,head- ing completed In Octoper lsO4' Tn Mex- lean territory.
 "The present crisis can at this mo- ment only be met by the action of the company which is ultimately responsi- ble for 1t. and that action should be taken without an hours delay. Through the Department of state, am endeavoring to secure action by the Mexican government as VIII ehaDle Congress in It's turn to act, but at pres ent Congress can do nothing without such action by the Mexican govern ment This is a matter of such vital importance that I wish to repeat that there is not the slightest excuse for the California Development Company wait ing an hour for the action of the gov- ernment."
 MT. Hartman responded:
 You seem to be under the impress sion that the California Development Company is a Southern Pacific enter prise. This is erroneous We are not interested in it's stock and in no way control it. What the Southern Pacific Company has done was for the pro lection of the settlers as we'll as of It's tracks. but we have determined to move the tracks onto higher ground anyway.
 "However. in view of your message, am giving authority to the Southern Pacific officers in the west to proceed at once with efforts to repair the break, trusting that the government as soon as 1t can procure the neces- sary congressional legislation, will as- sist us with the burden"
 The President answered as follows;
 "Am delighted to receive your tele- gram. Have at once directed the re- clammation service to get Into touch with vou so that as soon as Congress reassembles I can recommend legisla- tion which will provide against a rep etltion of the disaster and make pro- vision for the equitable distribution of the burden"
 President says;
 Mexico has behaved admirably and has expressed the willingness to do Szything within reason that we desire Iii the Colorado river break matter or course Mexico is not to do the work The immediate work must be done by MT Harriman's company, as l pointed out in my telegram to him. But we should be prepared to put a definite re- quest before Congress immediately on it's reassemhling.
 ITO do that, I must Of course know just what separate or -Jont responsi- biities there should be as regards this country and the California develop- ment. Please formulate a plan at the earliest possible moment submitting it to the State Department so that Mex leo can b0 fully informed"