El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-08-02
High Line Canal Must Be Built;
Upper Valley And Ell PaSO City
Both Need To Haze 1t Finished
By ROBERT KRAKAUER.

4 =
1 line canal committee but ueverthe-
less I have not lost ny interest IN the
project as an individual and particu-
larry have ] not done so as a citizen Of
FL Paso and a taxpayer.
Besides this I have a particular in
terest in the high line canal PROPOSE
tion beyond reasons given above
in that I consider tt a matter of com
munity welfare, and am using the word
community not to apply locally. but
rather to the entire citizenship Of the
upper and lower valleys and all OF
those who have a direct or an indI-
rect interest in the Elephant Butte
dam and the lands that may be
brought under irrigation through the
high line canal project.
The question is one that 7 can not
through lack Of ability and knowledge
discuss in its technical phases. or
from an engineering or mechanical
standpoint. However. IL is my judg-
ment that the public. and by that
mean the people OF Fl paso as well
as those residing in the valleys adj
jacent 10 this city. must realize the
necessity for a high line canal. ana
that an educational campaign OF some
kind must be undertaken so that ev-
cryone may be fully informed on this
plans Going Forward.
II might be the opinion OF many that
this scheme IS dormant ana tnat noun
ing has been done to further it. but
am able 10 state for the present
committee. who have undertaken the
guidance of the matter, that quiet but
effective work has been done and is
being continued
to come frankly before the people and
especially 10 call to the attention OF
the city and county authorities OF ~
Paso, the Water Users associations OF
the upper and lower valleys. as well
as the authorities OF Las Cruces and
ether towns below and above FL Paso
that quite a sum OF money is going
to be needed. and must be forthcom-
ing for the furtheran9e Of the nigh
line canal
This money is to be used for pre-
Iiminary work. the employment Of
consulting engineer and others whose
knowledge must be sought
TO insure absolutely that the ground /
work NAV be compile tely. soundly and
laid.
Must Employ Capable Man
It will be necessary TO employ some
one OF sufficient business ability ana
foresight 10 be able 70 look into the
financial aspects OF the situation. not
oniv as pertaining to the cost OF in
stalation. maintenance, repairs. etc.
but also. and this is Of vital import
ance. to be able to determine definitely
before proceeding with actual Work ;
that the revenue viii be sufficient 70
take care Of the overhead. interest
and depreciation. and at the same time
show a sufficient profit TO the owners I
20 TO say. Of the water TO MAKE u I
worth while for them 20 90 into the
"a
o become partners in the business
Must he Considered Carefully
It IS my estimate and deliberate T
Judgment that the amount or money I
needed for purposes OF this KIND VIII 4
be net less than $4,000 and should 1
mean 10 saw that this sum OF money I
will have to be. or VIII be eNpenqeu ]
all in one wear CT even that all OF II j
will have to be used but positive pro-
vision must be made so that every /
cent necessary to be leEitimately spent /
needed. no matter what the sum may /
be. and no matter in what length OF \
time Il is 10 be spent
This hiEh line canal is not thing
10 be thought Of in the evening put
over the next morning. completed IN
! week and put into operation in a
month. It has never been my opinion
hat IL could be put over successfully
md on the proper basis inside Of two
years, and II may take three, four or
Must BE Built.
I do say, however. most emphatical-
n that no matter how long IL takes.
he high line canal must eventually
b. built and that all OF us in the Rio
srande valley may as well look on the
.ronosition as an absolute necessity
nd one. the benefits OF which will so
much outweigh the cost in money. Ia
,or and trouble that failure 10 do
verifying to demonstrate the leasl-
,iIftv or otherwise Of the high line
anal must not even be contemplated
Nv any right thinking man with some
thought for the future and its prob
ems.
aimed. and IL after the canal is built
md the power plants installed the
whole is to be successful, It is going
10 mean whole hearted and positive