The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-06-05

| TO my nation ana got PERMISSION 10 cut
into the river on our territory. Most
gladly did Porfirio Dlaz grant that
privilege. For that, today, you are
suing him. This, l am told, Is your
complaint"
His abrupt pause betrayed a con-
fused murmur Of voices. De la Vegas
polite ear tried to differentiate the
phrases. There was tumble Of sound.
DE Ia Vega looked inquiringly ut Bah
cock, who waved him on.
at has nothing to do with the his
tory, but would like to say in passing
that SO assured were your people of
our friendly feeling toward you that
they did not wait to receive permis-
sion from Mexico TO make the cut
Your people were in hurry. Your
crops were in danger. First the lack
OF water, then too much water dam
aged your valley. A few acres"
A voice from the crowd cried out,
"a few acres2 Thousands Of acres"
Instantly others were on their feet
thousands of acres. Ruin" One man
was shouting himself apoplectic.
Babcock's gavel sounded q sharp
staccatO on the table.
Thousands of ncres." De Ia Vega
was unrufiied. "And more than that.
The valley, 1t must be remembered.
does not stop at the line. Mexican
lands, too, have been secured by the
action, the result of the action Of your
irrigation company. 1t was a mutual" !"
he paused, and quaint word came to
his need. "a mutual bereavement. It
did not occur to US to accuse you OF
our troubles. Your damage suits panied
and astonished us. But they gave us
also q suggestion"
The rustling and the murmurs sud-
denly ceased. A prescient hush wait
ed on De 10 Vega. "You have been ad-
vised to sue us. To sue us for giving
you that concession. Therefore. the
only answer Is for US to withdraw that
concessioni You accuse us, for CIV
ing 1t to you. That concession Is val
uable. What else can we dof Before
your damage suits were filed, we were
approached by others for the same
privilege. II you do not withdraw
your suits. my nation sends word b
you that you may not take water from
the Colorado river through Mexican
soil. You will not be without water
probably long: have said that con-
cession is valuablei Other arrange
J ments will probably be made 30 that
the valley will be given water. I would
J like to take your answer to my govern.
, ment."
II was several seconds before the
house got its breath. The import of
the diplomats words was astounding.
Barton got to his feet. yelling with his
great bass voice, "Betrayedw His
shrunken finger indicated youth with
"R. S." in black letters on his collar.
''The valley has been betrayed"
, In the balcony, the uproar was deaf
enlng. Around Hardin and Brandon
, words were thudding like bullets
Reclamation Service" '"That's thelI
gume." 'The concessionw "They
. won't get It" Betrayed. We are be
trayed."
. Downstairs. Babcock's gavel raped
unheard. Behind the excited figure
welding the stick. sat Marshall, his
Q unreadable, sweet smile on his face
: His eyes were on Babcock, who wal
{ vainly clamoring for order. sProgran
that meeting"
: HOllister was trying to make him
, self heard to Barton over two rows oi
2 seats, but his voice was like q child.
: on IN ocean beach. Barton was sur
: rounded by eager anxious men. TIT
. audience had split into circles o.
haranguing centers. It was impossible
: to get attention. Hardin could see Mar
q shall pull Babcock by the tails Of hli
E coat Unwillingly, he could see Bah
q cock allow the crowd five minutes b!
!. his consulted watch. Then again.. th'
: gavel danced on the table. Marshal
. was still smiling. Babcock's shril
: voice split the din. ,"Order." tn,
: ocean Of voices swallowed him again.
1--WE won't let them in," Grace wa
i believing. ''the valley won't stand TO
n it."
"Take your medicine" thundere,
:. the big organ Of Barton. II warne,
k you. Imperial valley"
Betrayal" groaned the crowd.
t Down in the orchestra. Baston wa
: holding a hurry-up meeting of the wa
Q ter companies. De la Vega ha,
o stepped back and was consulting witt
% Tod Marshall.
II Babcock pulled out his watch. hi
J, gavel calling for attention. This tim
d he was heard.
n De Ia Vega approached the foot
!, lights. questioning look on his face.
x 1--WE ask for little time." begal
+ Barton. Instantly the house was OF
n its feet. 'Withdraw the suits. Civ
% him your answer. Give him our an
q swer. We don't want the Service. Tn
i valley don't want the Service. With
s draw the SUITS"
+ Barton's moon face looked troubled
b 1--WE can't answer for all the ranchers.