Imperial Valley press., 1912-08-13

ton of Imperial irrigation district
valid: the other rendering it impos-
sible for further attacks upon its or
ganization to be made except through
proceedings brought by the attorney
general OF the state, and even this
must be brought within one year af-
ter the district was organized. Such
period has expired and further attack
along this line is now impossible
These two acts by the legislature and
the favorable decision by the supreme
court of California exhausted the re-
sources of the state.
Then it was that the directors
deemed it necessary to turn for aid to
our federal government. Assistance
was especially needed along the fol-
lowing lines:
A ruling by the secretary of the in
! terror by means OF which the Imperial
irrigation district is given authority to
collect from unpatented lands their
prOportionate share of expenses in
Cured in securing developing and
maintaining the system.
Owing to the topography of the re-
gion. the major portion of our supply
system must traverse Mexican terri
tory. The control Of the supply canal
| by rival interests, are apparently hos
tile TO the best interests of the water
users convinced them that the only
satisfactory solution OF the difficulty
was permanent ownership by the peo-
pie of Imperial valley. Such owner
ship presupposes adequate control and
should be secured on a reasonable
basis. The control OF the system by
hostile interests. the confusion caused
by multiplied court proceedings, some
American, some Mexican, and the fur
ther fact that the Imperial irrigation
district is public corporation, Or
ganized under the state laws, rendered
it necessary for us TO appeal for re-
lief TO the department of state at
Washington.
The third request was for federal
appropriation to be use in controlling
the Colorado river.
Upon arriving at Washington your
representative Immediately got in
communication with our congressman
and the work received the utmost con-
sideration at their hands. Our own rep
resentative, Mr.. Smith, was too ill to
permit my calling upon him. This is
all the more to be regretted as his
position was such as to have enabled
him to render US great assistance had
his health permitted.
Although Imperial valley was not
included in his district, Representa-
tive Stephens of Los Angeles was al
ways ready to assist, as were Repre-
sentativeS Needham and Raker
1t was to Senator Works, however,
that requests for help were most fire.
1-l1
upon a senator are numerous and his
work arduous, l invariably found Mr.
Works ready 10 counsel and advise
His personal interest in our problems
and familiarity with them, together
with his legal knowledge and judicial
temperament. fitted him especially to
render the help he so freely gave The
people of Imperial valley are under
great obligations 10 Senator Works.
At the suggestion of Senator Works
memorials We're addressed to the pres
ident, asking for an appropriation, and
also that immediate steps be taken
looking toward the securing of
treaty with Mexico.
At the same time request was
made to the department of the interior
for the des{Eed ruling governing hold
ers of unpatented lands. This request
was granted and the ruling made, as
has already been reported, thereby re-
moving one of the most serious objec-
lons to the irrigation district.
The president referred to the de-
partment of state the request for an
appropriation, as the money, if Sc
cured. would be expended in a foreign
territory. The state department re-
quested that our demand for this ap-
preparation be deferred until next ses
sion of congress if the delay would not
jeopardize the safety Of the valley
The department made this request be-
cause it was feared that a debate in
congress over the matter might seri-
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