Imperial Valley press., 1908-11-28
Imperial Has Passed Seven- teen of Her Sisters in VaI-
 uation of Property
Visiting Editor Finds Progress of Five Years Almost Incredible and Sees Great Future For Apriculture-Des ert Reclamation One of the Worlds Wonders.
Riverside Press]


 The development of the desert em- pire lying to the southeast of the San Jacinto mountains and stretching away to the Colorado River, known as the Imperial Valley, cannot but i'm press the observing visitor as the eighth wonder of the world It would be an unusual sort of person, indeed, who could view unmoved, substan- tial cities and blossoming acres where only barren wastes of sand held un- disputed sway few short years ago.
 The recent visit of the members of the Southern California Editorial As sociation to the various towns of the valley, was a revelation to the news paper men who, although trained to observe and familiar with the results to be obtained by combination of soil and water, climate and intense human energy, were yet unprepared for the well-nigh incredible achieve ments that met their gaze.
 Although only a little more than a year old, California's newest county has passed seventeen of her sisters in total valuation, the actual value of real and personal property being esti- mated at $10,OO0000.
 It would take columns t. cover the amazing things that have been accom- plished in this wonderland of the des- ert during the past few years, but more remarkable undertakings seem yet in contemplation. In the opinion of some there is yet to be developed the leading industry of the valley, and that is cotton. Four thousand acres in the vicinity of Holtville and El Centro have been pledged for the thorough exploitation of this industry.
 The various towns are all wide awake and planning great things. Fl Centro the county seat, which was in- corporated only last April, has issued $25,000 school bonds and $40,000 bonds for a septic sewer system. This system will be adequate to accommo- date a population of 10000, which is the ambition of El Centro's Ten Thous- and Club.
 Much interesting speculation is be- ing indulged in just now with refer ence to the Arizona and Eastern rail road, whose prospective route lies be- tween San Diego and Yuma. It is re- ported that since the election a large force of men has been put to work tunneling in Jacumba pass. Some think Spreckles is representing South ern Pacific interests, while others hold that the Santa Fe is endeavoring to invade the Imperial Valley by running line through to Parker on the Colo rado river All agree that under what soever management, the road would prove great boon by giving the val ley direct outlet to the seaboard
 The recent stirring up of the land office leads to the belief that the re- survey will be completed by the first of the year. and in that case patents would be issued by the settlers short ly afterwards. The immediate result of the acceptance would be the cut ting up of the large holdings into small tracts. Opportunity would thus be afforded the man in moderate cir cumstances to get hold of a farm he could handle safely.
 The valley has been settled by a very high class of people. The pro- portion of those who are college bred is very large, and it is said to be no uncommon thing to hear the strains of classical music issuing from a piano that has found place in little shack scarcely large enough to admit the instrument.
 It is a country of immense under takings, and has seemingly attracted thereto men of intellect and large ca pacities.