El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-06-12
PERMANENT RIVER IMPROVEMENT
Il lTasa y N Irrna p


Editor FL Paso Herald;
Your editorial. The Big Dam Safe,
Is both timely and opportune. and re-
veals a condition not generally apPre-
Ciated Some years ago I wrote CHIEF
photographer Newell suggesting the
river in the Mesilla valley be contin-
ued from the point west of Mesquite
station along the foothills west OF san
Miguel La Mesa. Chamoerlno, Ia
Union, and on to the pass above Fl
Paso. leaving all the settlers In the
Mesilla valley practically on the east
side Of the river. 1 received an answer
from the chief engineer at Phoenix
Arizona. informing me the government
would take the matter up when the
surveys of bitches were completed
did not give out to the public the
idea for the reason the public ear was
not then a listening ear. as bridges
across the river were then planned and
carried out. all of them resting on g
sand foundation. Now we are at the
end Of one periodic flood and have the
promise OF another before the waters
are stored behind the big dam, ana
every bridge in the valley has met the
inevitable, and either gone down the
river or becon-e so disabled as to rem
der repairs foolish and a useless eX-
pense.
am requested TO give my ideas in
the Fl PasO Herald and write TINS
article in the hope some tangible and
practicable plan may be adopted ana
adhered TO that viii be in line with
the government idea Of making this
valley and the mesa lands adjoining
the garden spot OF the whole souIh-
west.
First OF all let a mass meeting be
held in the lower valley, say at An
thony or La Mesa, and everybody turn
out and appoint committees to ascer-
tain first the plans Of the government
as to the policy OF the reclamation
service as to bitches and disposition
OF water: then Join together citizens,
railroad company and all hanus-and
LET the enEineers Of the government,
the state engineer and railroad engl-
neers make Joint surveys and con1lne
the river in a straight line along the
foothills west of the valley or along
the riEhtofway of the railroad OF some
more suitable place. preferably west OF
the settlements where no Drldges OF
not more than one viii be needed, and
that on the road from Fl Paso TO Dem
Condemn the land where the river or
big ditch runs and pay for II out OF
any funds. county. state, railroad, gov
ernment. private, etc. The expense IN
CURED by the railroad in maintaining
the track from Mesquite to FL Paso
fo- the last 90 years would more than
nav All the expense Of placing the river
in a straight channel and Keeping II
there No expense has been incurred
north OF Mesquite station, where the
river has been kept west Of the YAH y
a15 in a comparatively straight line.
1t is reported the rOadbed viii be
raised for miles south OF Anthony and
hundreds of rock cars are now being !
used to prevent the track going out I
where the river is meanderlng all over
the valley and coming to the railroad (
At right angles in its freaks at wash I
ing away fields, houses and valuable /
holdings. Then the item Of bridges !
going out and being damaged yearly (
~4Tu
liver in its straight channel Now all !
the farms and Three Saints ditch are !
menaced-
No sane man viii longer advocate /
the foolish plan of bridging a changing /
river on a sand bed
yours for a permanent plan TO con-
troll the river.