Imperial Valley press., 1914-08-10

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at once-and the federal government
is the only one that can do it."
Temporary headquarters for the
committee were established at the
Hollenbeck Hotel Immediately follow
ing the meeting. A conference will
be held there today to decide on the
form of the memorial and the course
Of action. Nothing definite will be
done, however, until the committee
reaches Washington, though memori-
ais Tor presentation to congress and
the secretary of the interior will
probably be drafted while the COM
mlttee is en- route east.
Former Senator Flint will not ac-
company the committee east, but will
follow within week or ten days.
TeIegrSms were sent yesterday by
the Chamber of Commerce to the
Southland's representatives in con-
gress, urging them to meet the COM
mittee on its arrival at the confer
Cnce.
Though the committee is nearly n
unit in the belief that congress
should be asked to appropriate at
least $1,500,00O for the flood control
work. Former Senator Flint voiced
the view that it will be we'll for the
committee to leave the sum to the
discretion of Secretary of the Interior
Lane.
I'VE are going to have hard row
to hoe, at the best he said. "This
committee will be welcomed effusive-
ly, and then when it asks for COM
mittee appointments and names the
sum desired there will be some one
to seize hold of our figures and use
them as club against US.
"About the first question they will
ask will be why we didn't get in be-
fore it became necessary to ask that
the work be done under an emer-
gency appropriation.
"Well, | can answer. that" re-
marked Mr.. Conk.ing. "The reason
is that 10 one realized until two
months ago that the Colorado river
had become a menace that will
threaten US with the next high wa
ter. Why, Volcano lake isn't lake
any more. 1t is part of the bed of
the river and the current runs as
strong there as it does in any part
Of the lower reaches of the river 1t
means that the Colorado river has
built itself up until the levees
wouldn't even protect US against a
freshet."
at is an emergency measure, al
right thoughtfully remarked Mr.
Booth. "But we want to go to Wash
ington with dispassionate array OF
facts and figures that will convince
even the most skeptical"
On arrival in. Washington the com
mittee will probably first have a con
ference with our representatives ant
then see Secretary of the Interior
Lane
LANE can be depended on" OBJ
served Mr. Jess, "to take broad
view of the whole situation and dc
the right thing. IF he is with us, and
I am sure he will be, we will have {
lower on our side"
LARGO coIIeetiop of posoc will he
taken along. Included will be maps
showing the present course of the
river compared with its course in the
rast, and others showing the advisa.
Lility of constructing thirty-fve miles
Of levee below Hanlon's Heading tc
throw the Colorado river back into it,
old channel and away from the low
country which it menaces to the west
and northwest
Various members of the Imperia
Valley delegation are so eager fol-
action that they wanted the commit
tee TO leave last night for Washing
ton. IT was finally decided, however
tC wait until tomorrow for the re-
plies from San Diego, San Bernar
dino, Riverside and Yuma, and mean
while get the Imperial Valleys CASE
in shape for presentation to con.
gress.
A telegram was received last even