The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-21
PRESIDENT PLEASED
Hartman Agrees to Carry
Out ROOSeyelt'S Orders.
COLORADO RIVER CONTROVERSY
FLAMES California Development Com
Pany for Flood, and While Rail-
road Magnate Denies Any ResDon-
sibiIity i'm the Matter, He Promises.
TO Obey Instructions.

President Roosevelt yesterday after
noon sent peremDtOry telegram to e
II. Hartman. president Of the Union Pa
clhc Railroad Company and a controlling
influence in the California Development
Company, calling on him TO dam the
Hood waters from the Colorado River,
which threaten 10 inundate hundreds Of
square miles Of territory in Southern
California. and to create a permanent
lake, covering large and valuable area.
MI Roosevelt, after an Investigation
reached q conclusion that the response
bility for this damage rests upon Mr..
Hartman
The California eyelopment Company is
operating in Mexican territory, under
concession from the Mexican government.
and it is said TO be due to the construc-
ton Of works in the southern side Of the
border that the overflow of the Colorado
River now threatens disaster
A telegram was received from Mr..
Hartman Wednesday, asking that the
United States Reclamation Service erect
works on the river where "a break has
occurred, TO prevent disastrous results
when high water comes. as it probably
viii come very soon. For the considera-
ton OK this appeal the President called
into conference with him yesterday morn
ing Director Walcott, Of the Geological
Survey. and Chief Engineer Newell, Of
the Reclamation Service, and Senator
Flint of California. They talked over
the Hartman appeal and similar ap-
Message TO Hartman.
At the close Of the conference the Pres
idcnt sent the following telegram to Mr.
Hartman:
Mr. T. H. Hartman, 10 Broadway, New
York:
Replying to yours OF 18th, Reclama-
ton Service cannot enter upon work with
out authority Of Congress and suitable
convention with Mexico. Congress ad-
journs to-day for holidays Impossible to
secure action at present II is incumbent
upon you 20 close break again. Question
of future permanent maintenance can
then be taken up. Reclamation engineers
available for consultation That is all the
aid that there is in the power of the gov
20 i4illtllA Lb lfllAtlr anu II eltllle 10 me
clear that it is the imperative duty of
the California 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.
1894 in Mexican territory The present
crisis can at this moment only be met by
the action OF the company which is ulti-
mately responsible for il. and that action
should be taken without an hours delay
Through the Department of State / am
endeavoring TO secure such action by the
Mexican government as viii enable Con
gress I'm it's turn 10 act But at present
Congress can DO nothing without such
action by the Mexican government.
This IS matter of such vital i'm
pOrtanCe that ! wish 10 repeat that there
is not the slightest excuse foY the Cali
fcruia Development Company waiting an
hour for the action of the government II
is its duty % meet the present danger
Immediately. and then this government
VIII take up with il. as 1T has already
taken up with Mexico, the question Of
providing in permanent shape against the
recurrence of the danger.
ma. ra-