The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-02-24

gladly did Porfrio Diaz grant that privilege. For that, today, you are suing him. This, I am told, Is your complaint"
 His abrupt pause betrayed a con- fused murmur of voicez. De Ia Vegas polite ear tried to differentiate the phrases. There was tumble of sound. De Ia Vega looked inquiringly at Bab- cock, who waved him on.
 Tt has nothing to do with the his- tory, but I would like to say in passing that so assured were your people of 1ur friendly feeling toward you that they did not wait to receive permis- sion from Mexico to make the cut. Your people were in a hurry. Your crops were In danger. First the lack of water, then too much water dam aged your valley. A few acres-''
 voice from the crowd cried out. "A few acres? Thousands of acres" Instantly others were on their feet. Thousands of acres. Ruin.' One man was shouting himself apoplectic.
 Babcock's gavel sounded a sharp staCcatO on the table.
 "Thousands of acres" De In Vega was unrufIied. And more than that. The valley, it must be remembered, 1oes not stop at the line. Mexican ands, too. have been secured by the action, the result of the action of your irrigation company. It was a mutual" he paused, and a quaint word came to his need. "A mutual bereavement. It did not occur to us to accuse you of our troubles. Your damage suits pained and astonished us. But they gave us also a suggestion"
 The rustling and the murmurs sud denly ceased. A president hush wait ed on De la 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 concessiont You accuse us, for giv- ing it to you. That concession is val uable. What else can we do? Before your damage suits were filed, we were approached by others for the same privilege. If you do not withdraw your suits, my nation sends word to you that you may not take water from the Colorado river through Mexican soil. You will not be without water probably long; I have said that con- cessiOn is valuable! Other arrange ments will probably be made so that the valley will be given water. I would like to take your answer to my govern ment."
 It was several seconds before the house got it's breath. The import of the diplomats words was astounding. Barton got to his feet, yelling with his great bass voice, "Betrayed!" !" 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 ening. Around Hardin and Brandon words were thudding like bullets. Proclamation Service" That's their game" "The concession !'' 'They won't get it." Betrayed. We are be- trayed."
 Downstairs, Babcock's gavel rapped uuheard. Behind the excited figure yielding the stick, sat Marshall, his unreadable, sweet smile on his face. His eyes were on Babcock, who was vainly clamoring for order. Program i that meeting"
 HoIlister was trying to make him. self heard to Barton over two rows of ] seats, but his voice was like a child's 1 on an ocean beach. Barton was sur l rounded by eager anxious men. The | audience had split into circles of haranguing centers. It was impossible i to get attention. Hardin could see Mar | shall pull Babcock by the tails of lis coat. Unwillingly, he could see Bab- cock allow the crowd five minutes by 1 his consulted watch. Then again, the | gavel danced on the table. Marshall was still smiling. Babcock's shrill voice split the din. "Order." The ocean of voices swallowed him again.
 We won't let them in," Grace was believing, "the valley won't stand for 1 it."
 Take your medicine" thundered the big organ of Barton. 'T warned you, Imperial valley"
 Betrayal" groaned the crowd.
 Down in the orchestra, Barton was holding a hurry-up meeting of the wa ter companies. De la Vega had stepped back and was consulting with Tod Marshall.
 Babcock pulled out his watch, his 1 gavel calling for attention. This time [ he was heard.
 De la Vega approached the foot lights, q questioning look on his face.
 ''We ask for a little time," began Barton. Instantly the house was on its feet. "Withdraw the suits. Give him your answer. Give him our an swer. We don't want the Service. The valley don't want the Service. With draw the suits."
 Barton's moon face looked troubled eve can't answer for all the ranchers.'
 "Yes, you can," screamed Grace jumping up and down like a baboon If you don't, I'll answer for them ] Don't you see, it's a trick? It's z trick. I see the hand of the O. P. 1T this'' Friendly hands pulled him dowr into his seat.
 (Continued Tomorrow)
 A little rubbed on cups will take out