Imperial Valley press., 1914-06-27

good fortune at the convention this
morning to strike the chord which
met popular approval, when he urged
that the entire matter of river con-
troll he referred to the irrigation dis.
trict, and this compromise measure
was passed by unanimous consent.
This came after warm discussion as
to whether steps should be taken al
once or postponed until December, to
get an appropriation from congress
and by this action the directors OF
the irrigation district are asked to act
according to their judgment.
There were those present who be-
lieved the movement to take quick ac-
ton toward the appropriation was ir
the nature of antagonism to the ir-
rigation district, and rather than be
put in the position of opposing the
district, which they all favored, those
who favored quick action concurred
with the proposal of Mr. Jones, and
the matter went through by unani-
nous consent.
Adolph Shenk of Calexico made a
strong appeal for doing nothing to-
ward getting an appropriation until
there has been perfected the purchase
of the irrigation system by the dis
trict so as to give an official bear
ing en- the subject.
Dan V. holland strongly supported
the original motion, agreeing with
Mr.. Shenk that the valley has no Or
ganization that is accepted as COM
pletely representative, but arguing
that such an executive committee as
is proposed would be representative.
Mark Rose, with the consent of the
second, withdrew his amendment, with
view to opposing the original mo-
tion.
]. J. Simmons made a strong ap-
peal for the irrigation district and
argued that movement at this time
to carry the issue to congress would
distract attention from the campaign
for signatures to the bond petition.
Supervisor Boyce of Calexico also
spoke in behalf of centralizing effort
en- behalf of the district.
1t was at this point that Philo
Jones suggested that, insomuch as the
sentiment of the convention apparent
ly is in favor of centralizing effort
in the irrigation district, it would be
well to refer the whole matter to the
district, and, carrying out the idea
Mr.. Sterling withdrew his motion, and
o. B. Tout put the idea of Mr.. Jones
in the form of motion, which car
ried unanimously, the supporters of
quick action and those of delay both
supporting the measure.
During the discussion w. P. Mans
field of Brawley, who has opposed the
district, but admitted he might be con-
verted if he knew the nature of the
proposed purchase, asked for informa-
ton.
This led Attorney Conkling of the
irrigation district to make a state
ment, in which he said the Southern
Pacific is owner of the Sociedad, or
the Mexican side of the California
Development Company; that it has a
judgment against the California De-
velopment Company for about ST.
100000; that there is 100000 in the
hands of the receiver of the Califor
mia Development Company that will
pass with the company; that the
Southern Pacific Company also owns
81 per cent of the stock of the Cali
fornia Development Company, and the
irrigation district has telegram
which constitutes valid written
agreement from the president of the
Southern Pacific Company agreeing to
sell to the district all the railroad $
interests in the irrigation district on
both sides of the line, excepting the
agricultural lands in Mexico, for ST.
100000, payment to be made in bonds
at per cent interest.
Following this John D. Reavis of
inland made statement of the in
terest of his people in the solution
of the irrigation problems of the val
ley.
1t was 1O:45 this morning when
E. E. Bennett, president of the I'M
perial Valley Chamber of Commerce,
called the convention to order.
At that hour Holt opera house was
three-quarters filled, and additional
arrivals soon filled the house com.
pletely.
Mr.. Bennett stated his reasons for
asking other organizations to join
with the Valley Chamber of Com
merce in calling the mass meeting.
He stated that for six weeks peo-
pie had been calling for some united
L. A