Imperial Valley press., 1910-02-05

namely the Southern Pacific Company with it's transportation facilities, it's equipment, and control of the Cali fornia Development Company, and sub sidiary companies. The need of rail road facilities and equipment and the international complications are such that the officers of the United States, even with unlimited funds, could not carry on the work with the celerity required. It is only the fact that the pany, acting also as officers of The California Development Company, have been able to apply all it's resources for transportation, motive power, and the operation of the road that has made it possible to control the situa- tion to the extent which they have already done. The Southern Pacific Company is now reported to be work ing strenuously to fill the break through which the Colorado River is flowing westward to the Salton Sea, and, in repairing and building levees to keep out the high water due next March. This work will be more or less of temporary character. Furth- CT construction is necessary and all temporary works must be replaced by permanent structures. It is es- timated that for this additional work | 60 00H cboi,1d hn Iah Tho question as to what sum, if any, should be paid to the Southern Pacific Com pany, for work done since the break of November 4, 1906, is one for fu- ture consideration; for work done prior to that date no claim can be admitted.
 But one practicable course is now open for consideration. The Southern Pacific Company must continue it's work to close the break and restore the river to its proper channel. The United States can then take charge, making the protective works perman- ent and providing for their mainten- ance."
 Prior to the transmission of such message to Congress, the President had certain correspondence with the president of the Southern Pacific Con- pany, by virtue of which the South ern Pacific Company undertook to ex- pend the money necessary to protect the property in Imperial Valley which correspondence was concluded by a tel egram from the President to the pres ident of the Southern Pacific Company as follows:
 Washington, Dec. 20, 1906 MT. E. H. Hartman.
 12O Broadway, New York, N Y
 Am delighted to receive your tele- gram. Have at once directed the Rec lamation Service to get in touch with you, so that as soon as Congress re- assemblies I can recommend legisla- ton which will provide against repe- tition of the disaster and make pro vision for the equitable distribution of the burden
 At the time of this correspondence the Senate and House of Representa- lives were not in session. The con ditions alluded to were those of emer- , gency and required immediate action on a larger scale. This work was un- ; dertaken by The Southern Pacific , Company during the recess of Con gross and was pushed to completion f at an expenditure of about $1,600,000 When Congress reconvened the above 5 message was sent the concluding DOT. t tion whereof was as follows:
 If Congress does not give author take up this work in the way sug. l gested, it must be inferred that it ac.
 quiesces in the abandonment of the 9 work at I4aguna and of all future at tempts to utilize the valuable public . domain in this part of the country. 3 This expenditure so made by tho . Southern Pacific Company must even @ tually be borne by the consumers o @ water in Imperial Valley; whether tn, e irrigation system prevailing in thi l valley be ultimately operated an, Q maintained under the Reclamation . Service of the Government, or by tn = people themselves, the cost of thi work must be borne by the people a The Government has expended man. a millions in its wise policy in pro t tecting various portions of the coun e try from the floods of its great riv
 CTS. We believe, as the President be d lieved, that the burden of this grea Q work should be borne at least in par