Imperial Valley press., 1914-06-18
Appeal to Secretary Lane
for His Assistance

the Colorado river?
It is not possible to do this unless the people of the
valley go after it, but if they dc go after it, there is
good fighting chance to win. And if they do not win
the interests in the valley must find some method to
finance this work. and they cannot afford to waste day
in endeavoring to get the money they must have.
No fact is evident than that this work of pro-
tectng the valley from the river must be done before
there is another flood And yet 1t is not evident
that the people of the valley aroused to the need of
the times for if they sufficiently aroused before
this time there would have been meetings held to organ
iZe for the campaign.
The Press has undertaken the task of awakening in
terest in this necessary work. not only among the resi-
dents of the valley but among those outside OF the valley
who be helpful and there is other who do
much to this appropriation Secretary of the
Interior Lane, himself Californian and having authority
the particular line of work which must be DONE To
ascertain the attitude of Mr. Lane, the following
munication has been sent to him.
Gel Centre, CAL. June 49, 1914.-Hon. Franklin K
Lane Secretary of the INTERIOR Washington, D. c.
Dear Sir: In Imperial Valley aware Of the great
interest you have manifested in the control of the Colo
rado river We that you have, to extent
at least, formulated definite policy to that end but
far understand that policy it is dependent
agreement with the Republic of Mexico which is not to
be arrived at in the present disturbed condition of the
Mexican people.
"You have your advisers in connection with the en-
gneerng problems presented and would not presume
to offer any suggestion on that line.
"But there is human factor to be considered, and
feel justified in briefly calling your attention to this
"You will recall that the settlers in this valley have
themselves furnished the capital paid in part to the
California Development Company and in part to the gov
ernment, for the land and it's reclamation.
unlike the regions under the reclamation service
the government did nothing to assist this venture Worse
than that, through the initiative Of William E. Smythc
the reclamation service the then secretary of the nterO
and President Roosevelt feeling that they should
present obstacles to the acquisition Of great irrigation
lights by private corporation conferred and formulated
definite policy of obstruction including asSaing the
water rights of the valley
Without questioning the motives of these men
enthusiasts in conservaton-their acts operated to put
the people of this valley or the whole burden eventually
fell upon them) in position where they must not only
the great natural obstacles to Development but
must meet added obstacles puposey placed in their path
by the government ITSELF
"But whatever objections might have attached to
corporation control passing, the people,
through their irrigation district acquiring the
canal system.
In spite of all obstacles the people of Imperial Val
ley have paid to the government have undertaken to
pay at the rate of $125 acre. approximately million
dollars This will in time be doubled. This is for land
that but for their effort not simply waste but great
obstruction to transportation and the general indus
trial development of the Southwest.
This great national liability has been Transformed
in dozen years. in spite of natural obstruction and gov
cnmenta opposition in it's present crude FORM into
asset of more than fifty millions of dollars.
"a few years since the people here had reason to
believe that the government policy touching Imperial
Valley was to be changed That when congress made
an emergency appropriation of million dollars for pro-
tective work, and though that money wholly lost
through fault of the people, it construed by the
people assumption by the government of the duty
OF controlling the Colorado river and because of that
apparent assumption by the government of that oblga
tion many new settlers entered the valley, and all
tered with new zeal upon the development projects.
That hope has been deferred, however, and the time
has now come you have learned from your engineers
when it must at be determined whether the recama
ton of this valley shall go forward or 60 backward
About million and three-ouarters dollars must be
made available for this work. and this work should be be-
gun in September to make it certain that it will be
peted before the next annual flood in June
The people of this valley have accomplished mar
vels in the past They can work out other marves but