Imperial Valley press., 1916-03-28

meeting of the directors of the lrrl-
cation district and the mutual water
companies developed great interest in
the discussion of the plans for de-
velopment of the East Side mesa, but
good spirit prevailed throughout.
President Hamilton, who had pre-
sided when the discussion related to
the finances Of the district, retired
from the chair, and President Will S.
Fawcett of Water Company No. 1 was
elected chairman and r. E. Blair of
Holtville secretary.
A series of kilograms from Attor-
ney Conkling, now in Washington,
was read, advising the district how
to act in opposition to the plans of
the mperial-Laguna Water Com
Iany, now represented in Washington
by Mark Rose, who has made much
progress along the line Of getting a
contract with the Reclamation Serv-
ice. In these dispatches Mr.. Conkling
took the ground that if Rose succeed
ed in his efforts there would be dan
ger of the present users of water los
ing their priority rights.
Porter N. Ferguson introduced the
following resolution:
"Whereas, an agreement has been
reached for a contract between the
United States Reclamation Service
and the Imperial-Laguna Water Com
pany for connection with Laguna
dam, and water supply for the rec
lamation of the Ease Side mesa lands
in Imperial Valley; and
"Whereas, such a contract will not
interfere with the present rights of
the water users and appropriations in
Imperial Valley; ana
"Whereas, the consummation Of
such a contract would be of great ad-
vantage to every taxpayer and prop
erty owner in Imperial county, as it
would add greatly to our taxable val
ues and general prosperity, and vii!
enable a great many people to secure
homes upon the lands thus provided
with water; therefore, be it
"Resolved, by the representatives
of the various mutual water companies
of Imperial Valley, in conference as
sembled, this 9th day of March, 1916,
that we heartily endorse any reason
able contract for the reclamation OF
said lands, which will not jeopardize
the rights of the present users of wa
ter in the Imperial Valley, and we
urge upon the government the approx
al of such a contract and that said
lands be opened to public entry with
out delay"
In introducing his resolution, Mr..
Ferguson said he wished itl known
that in their opposition to the pro-
posal for the reclamation of the mesa
the other directors of the irrigation
district did not represent his ideas.
He said the district had been consid-
ering this matter for two years, and
had accomplished nothing. He de-
clared the district ought to do some
thing besides protest when others
sought to accomplish something.
R.D. McPherrin said he would like
to see the East Side mesa reclaimed,
but he would like to see this done
through connection with the Irrigation
District, and not independent of it,
and he offered the following substi-
tute for Mr.. Ferguson's resolution:
"Resolved, That it is the sense OF
this meeting that the Imperial lrrl-
cation District be requested to enter
into a contract with the Imperial La
guna Water Company providing for
the construction of a canal system
for that company at their expense
and the delivery of water there
through for the irrigation of the East
Side mesa lands, in conformity with
the proposal made by Mr.. Rose under
date of March "a, as outlined in the
telegram addressed by Mr.. Conkllne
to Mr.. w. O. Hamilton, president OF
the Irrigation District"
C. R. lockwood said he was op
posed to the bringing of any water
into the valley for reclamation serv
ice unless it was directly controlled
by the district, but he was anxious
to see every acre of available lant
brought under irrigation.
C. G. Hartsorn made plea for tn
all-American canal, declaring that
would save the country the water TO
100000 acres of land in Mexico, a
against the plan for taking the waite
through Mexico.
Director C. w. Brockman, directo
of the Irrigation District, apparent
replying to Mr.. Ferguson, said tn
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