Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-05
Mathews Saves Day

Mathews Saves Day
There was probably nothing that had as
much effect in causing the committee to
arrive at the action it took than the state
ments of former City Attorney Mathews
of Los Angeles, showing the interests
some of the 'kickers" had in making
complaint.
William G.. Dehy, P. w. Forbes, Con-
gressman Smith, Leicester G. Hall and f.
G.. Tyrell were the principal supporters or
the contention of the people OF owens
valley. The burden of the complaint was
that after the people had given up their
water rights and other privileges the re-
clamation project had been abandoned in
the interest of the city of Los Angeles
and that the rig'1ts have not been. re-
stored to the people; that it was a viola
ton OF the law in allowing the people TO
lose their filings of water rights, and that
Il was too latS to rectify the matter, as
otf}&f iiilhgs ME been made.
1t was charged reclamation officials had
gone out of the way to help Los Angeles,
and Lippincott was particularly accused
of deception, 1t being alleged that he
recommended the reclamation project
solely for the benefit of Los Angeles while
acting as engineer for the city. Congress
man Smith held that the Inyo people were
not opposed to Los Angeles securing water
for domestic or municipal use from Owens
valley, puL LUdL lilcy QO oOJCSt ~ e'i'O"
ing the water to be used for irrigation
purposes.
Morris Bien of the reclamation service
was the first of the government officials
To respond to the attacks. He said the
records of the reclamation service showed
the matter had been properly invest-
gated, and that the members of the Cal
ifornia delegation in congress were fully
informed Of every step taken. He pointed
1, orIo mat f0f1r
owens valley started the city of Los
Angeles desired water The California
delegation took the subject up with Sec
retary of the Interior Hitchcock and later
II went before congress. The delegation,
including Smith, voted unanimously for
the Los Angeles act. This was the en-
abling act permitting the supplying OF the
water to Los Angeles. Bien said the ac-
tion of the interior department was taken
on the advice of the department OF
justice.
Says Charges Are Unfair
cifford Pinchot, government forester,
and r. H Newell, director Of the reclama-
tion service characterized the charges
as very unfair and without foundation.
Pinchot said President Roosevelt, two
secretaries of the interior and the Cali
fornia representatives in congress had
scrutinzed the project thoroughly and
considered it fair and proper Mr.. Lip
pincott was present but did not speak,
Former City Attorney Mathews making
his defense Mathews said that Lippin-
colt, while in the government employ in
connection with the Owens valley recla-
maHon project knew nothing of the de-
sire of Los Angeles to secure the water.
In fact, he being with the government,
information was kept from him. Secrecy
was desired as it was feared speculat-
ors would take advantage.
Deals Final Blow
The final blow of the "kickers" came
when Mathews said that Leiscester Hall,
one of the chief objectors, was attorney
for the Silver Lake Power and Irrigation
company, and that their notice showed
they had appropriated 100000 inches of
water from Owens valley and were go
ing to take 1t into Nevada for use there.
He added that Los Angeles had only ap-
propriated $4,000 inches.
Shortly after Mathews spoke the ac-
tion was taken, laying the resolution on
the table.
Judge North of Los Angels then in
troduced the resolution indorsing the re-
clamation, forestry service and the Nfor-
estry and irrigation policy of President
Roosevelt and his administration.
Thus ended day of defeat for the
''kickers." while victory perched on the
shoulders of Lippincott and the officials
of the reclamation and forestry service.
In connection with the resolution re-
garding the sulphuric treatment of fruit
1t was the sense of the members of the
committee that further time should be
given to permit government experts to
conclude Investigations on the subject.
Proceedings Mild
The proceedings of the congress were
of the mild order and addresses on prac-
tical irrigation, agriculture and settle-
ment were the features. About the only
important change in the program was
that Truman G. Palmer. scheduled to
speak tomorrow on the Irrigation and
Sugar Beet Culture took the place left
vacant by the failure of Senator Reed
Smoot to appear,
Practical irrigation, agriculture and
settlement We're the features of the ad-
dresses during the sessions of theI
tContinued ON Page rwo.l