Amador ledger., 1907-02-01

unless backed by more capital than
is likely to be placed at the disposal
of irrigating companies. The Imper-
lal valley is too rich a section of
California to be left to the mercies OF
inefficient management and financial
| weakness of the controllers of the
water. Under the circumstances as
they recently developed. the only way
to preserve ard continue the develop
ment of that rich region is for the
United States to take the matter IN
hand.
Already there begins to appear in
Washington letters from settlers in
the Imperial region whose lands have
been inundated by the flood, or who
have been injured in Other ways.
One class of sufferers has appealed to
congressman Smith, who introduced
a bill extending the time for making
final proof on lands located in that
region under the desert land laws
He-proposed to extend the time two
years from the time proof and pay
ment would have become due under
existing law. The committee on
public lands reported the bill favor
ably, seeing no objection to allowing
settlers time to make proof that their
land is under irrigation, which oppor-
tunity is taken away by the raVages of
the Colorado flood. Congressman
Mann of Illinois was the only one TO
make objection, but this he diu in
the face of the explanation of the
committee on public lands. Con-
gresham Smith made most vigorous
fight TO. the bill, but as congressman
Mann insisted on objectiDg, action
had to 60 over ful the present. Con-.
gresham Smith. however, may be
relied upon to use every means to
overcome the objection, and will
receive the help of the delegation.
The interest in irrigation in the
Sacramento valley is increasing Il
more is known of the valley and its
possibilities. A day or two ago tbs
director of the geological survey,
Chas. d. Walcott, told senator Per
kins that the soil of the Sacramento
valley is as good as the best in the
world, and The whole valley is capable
of indefinite development. In fact,
the Sacramento valley is the 1iehe; { !
in California, awaiting only water to
rival in productivness small and rich |
localities which have been brought
under water. lie stated that site
for dam had been selected above
Red Bluff. where the entire Sacra-
mento can be impounded With Lack
reach enough to hold the foods of
co lple Of years. The control of this
stream is therefore assured, and its
flood waters, will not much longer
workshavoc below. This control cf
the water, besides attording irriga-
tion, Will enable the people of the
valley to rid themselves of the
malarial districts which are found
here and there along the upper river.
1t will be possible to close siouchs
and otherwise prevent the overflow of
low lands where stagnant water breeds
malaria. When the project is com
pleted, which the director of the
geological survey says is assured,
there will be mighty change in the
character of the Sacramento valley.
1t may be said that this development
OF the valley has now fairly begun,
for irrigation is now sure to be
established, and California will ex-
hibit to the world another cause for
wonder at marvellous growth and pres
peritY.
The superintendent of the Life Say
ing Service, Major Blakeley, has
written to senator Perkins regarding
the necessity OF the establishment of
life saving station at Half Moon
Bay and at brakes Bay. The rapidly |
increasing commerce of San Francisco
demands Immediate action, and the !
superintendent laid down the case
very strongly. At the last session |
senator Perkins introduced a bill |
providing for station at half Neon /
Bay, and this bill passed the senate,
and is now before the House COM
mittee, where it will be locked after
by congressman Kahn, Hayes and Nc
kiniay. The matter of another
station at Drake's Bay has been
brought TO the attention of the Life
Saving Service here aud request
made that its establishment be recon-
mended, when senator Perkins Will
introduce a bill and push it in the
senate. There is thought to he little
doubt that general superintendent
kimball will approve.
An effort is being made to secure
fer California the next grand encamp-
ment of the regulars and national
guard. Last year the maneuvers
were held at American Lake, Wash
ington, but senator Perkins and Flint
and other members of the delegation
have requested the secretary of war to
select a site in California tor the
camp the coming year. a tract at
Atascadero in San Luis Obispo
county, is the location on which
favorable reports have been made for
4