Imperial Valley press., 1914-11-18
TREMENDOUS VICTORY.
THE IRRIGATION COMMISSION.

THE IRRIGATION COMMISSION.
l. Governor Johnson is facing the most important ap-
pontments he has had make chief executive OF the
state.
In the selection of railroad commission there was
involved the issue of restriction and control OF pubic ut
tiles and that important, but the ralfoad commls-
con s not of so great Importance the irrigation COM
mission provided for by amendment TO the
for this commission will have the power to be either
greatest constructive the greatest destructive force
For sixty years this state has been working the
nrohem of water laws starting with the common law OF
England and then, mainly through judicial DECISIONS,
evolving principles adapted to the pecular condons ln
this state of complexities
At last California has reached point when for the
first time in its history, it is fairly clear what are the
rights and duties of each land holder.
This fairly we'll defined concept of law can now be
used as the basis which to build or chaos can be re-
created by undertaking to institute practices not IN mar
mony with principles now accepted
These words are suggested by the fact that In almost
every township in the state person sp1ngng up
who has been zanero of ditch at some time in his life
and is appealing Tor support as MEMBER Oh ls oS'
important commission. =
But the Press hopes and believes that Governor john
son will realize that this is not question OF politics
or of sectonasn but which calls Tor the ablest con-
structve craftsmanship in California.
The progress that has been made in this state in lr
gation development has gone but far enough to Illus
tate the needs-t is but beginning in the greatest phy
steal task presented in the nation and the people of Cali
fona should realize that they must go back to the EARL
est days of Babylon and learn there that the issue con-
utilization OF water IN all ways III WHICH IL MINISTER'S u
lumap wants.
IF the water commission which Governor Johnson IS
to select is to up to its duties 1t will become the
directing factor in this gigantic task and 1t will direct the
constructive work of the future IN harmony with the laws
and practices existent
There has been much contention whether the natural
resources should be developed by the nation or by the
state this contention having in large part grown from
the greed Of private interests in the newer states which
Thought they could best exploit the country under state
laws while national leaders have been striving to conserve
the resources for the benefit of the general public.
There must not be- under the California commission,
any practices which not In the interest OF the whole
people, and the aim OF the commission must De TO cooper
ate with the federal wherever that is possible
case in point is in the utilization OF the water OF
the Colorado river interstate and an international
stream: river which often has heen compared, In its
possible blessings to the human race to the grls the
Enhrates the Ganges and the Nile but where construc
rive craftsmanship of the highest order is needed in work
ing out a comprehensive project for development
The commission will have the most intricate of prob
lens in engineering in legal status in application to
practice and in economics and it will find in each small
community woefu ignorance OF the needs OF the state
as a whole
The greatest danger is that men will be appointed
who have learned their lessons in small sections and have
acquired fixed ideas in their little environment which they
will attempt to apply throughout the state, with the re-
suit that they will destroy the foundation whchthe courts
lave built and they will have applicable substitute
TO offer.
Progressive conservatism is more needed in this
mission than any other branch of the state
What is said above has no bearing the question of
the fitness of any applicant from this county else
where except that it is the duty of Governor johnson to
find for commissioners of broad scope and wide
ouantance with the resources and needs OF the state
gardess of where they may live what their party af
fiations may be-
JAS Matchmaker Visit the Armstrong Nurseries
fine hootha th