Imperial Valley press., 1914-06-15
Permanent Control
of Colorado Necessary

vi OO1Ol CtSAO 4NOOOOCCIl v
The greatest need of the present in Imperial Valley
is definite constructive policy
So far as the work of the irrigation district goes
is constructive 1t looks TO the issuance of bonds for
the purchase Of the irrigation system and to provide
half million dollars for contingencies that may arise in
the protection of the Valley from the encroachment of
the Colorado river
But it is an absolute necessity that we 90 beyond
that and find method whereby there can be built the
levee proposed by engineers and which General William
L. Marshall has declared would absolutely protect this
valley for a hundred years.
This valley has simply got to have works along the
river which will for put end to suspicion
of the security and when that perpetual protection can
be obtained at cost of not than two three per
cent of the total values in the valley it is sheer docy
not to provide it.
There are so many interests concerned however,
that it may require considerable negotiation to arrive
at agreement basis of procedure, but open dis
cusson in the hope of Fastening decision the Press has
submitted to the several interests proposed basis of
procedure.
The Press Plan
The proposal Of this journal is that Congress be
asked to pass an emergency measure, appropria
ton of one million dollars and that the Southern Pacific
Company shall construe this appropriation as settle
ment of it's claim for closing the break in the river
that the irrigation district shall raise half million
dollars and the of the Mexican irrigated lands
shall raise two hundred thousand dollars this entire
of 100000 to be used the construction of the requr
ed evee which is to be rock lined and made enduring
beyond all question.
Governments Attitude
Secretary of the Interior Lane General Marshall
and others have given this valley to understand that the
would not make further appropriations for
the control of the Colorado and vet the fact remains
that the most eminent irrigation engineer in the world
few days since visited the valley to prepare report
consulting engineer, to Secretary Lane, the needs
of the river.
1t is further a fact that while Congress has not
been willing to make appropriation to reimburse the
Southern Pacific Company for its closure of the break
and there is little likelihood of the appropriation being
made there recognition everywhere of the inherent
justice of the railroads claim, and it would be vastly
easier to secure an appropriation from Congress for
evee construction that appropriation to be construed by
the railroad as settlement of it's claim than it would be
to get direct appropriation for the railroad company
There is not the slightest doubt that all engineers
will report to Secretary Lane the absolute necessity for
immediate construction of this protective evee and of
the ability to construct as to give permanent proec
ton to the valley.
There are forces of immense political influence
which can be brought to bear at Congress to
this appropriation, and which would join the val
ley in vigorous campaign.
Railroads Position
When President Roosevelt urged on the late E. H.
Hartman the necessity for Immediate closure of the
break by the railroad he promised to his influence
to payment from Congress for the work. He did
use his influence but the bill has been paid and
it is probable the railroad company looks pay
ment as forlOrn hope.
1t would appear to be vastly better from the rail
road point of view to have million dollars invested in
levee which would give to the valley including great
railroad interests, complete and permanent protection
than to hold claim against the government the pay
ment of which is extremely doubtful.
People of the Valley
Thus far the people of Imperial valley have from
time to time lost heavily mainly in the destruction of con-
idence but in part through actual physical damage
but they have not directly contributed dollar to the
control of the river until this summer 1t is plan
ned that the irrigation district shall vote bonds in the
of $50O0OO for protective work when needed and the