The Elbert County tribune., 1919-04-18

privilege. For that, today, you are
suing him. This, 1 am told. is your
complaint"
His abrupt pause betrayed a con-
fused murmur of voices. De Ia Vegas
polite ear tried to differentiate the
phrases There was tumble of sound.
De la Vega looked inquiringly at 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 a 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 acres? Thousands of acres"
Instantly others were on their feet
Thousands of acres. Ruin" One man
was shouting himself apoplectc.
Babcock's gavel sounded sharp
staccato on the table.
thousands of acres" De la Vega
was unruhled. "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 a quaint word came to
his need. "a mutual bereavement. 1t
did not occur to us to accuse you of
our troubles. Your damage suits panied
and astonished us. But they gave US
also suggestion"
The rustllbg and the murmurs sud
denly ceased. A presclent hush wait
ed on De la Vega. "You have been nd
vised to sue us. To sue us for giving
you that concession. Therefore, the
only answer is for us to withdraw that
concessionl You accuse us, for CIV
ing 1t to you. That concession is val
liable. What else can we do? 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 to
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-
cesslon Is valuablel Other arrange
ments viii probably be made SO that
the valley will be given water. would
like to take your answer to my govern
ment."
1t was several seconds before the
house got its breath. The import of
the diplomats words was astounding.
great bass voice, "Betrayedp His
l H.. n
ar. 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 their
game" "The concessionp "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
unreadable. sweet smile on his face.
His eyes were on Babcock, who was
valnly clamoring for order. program
that meeting"
Hollister was trying to make him
self heard to Barton over two rows of
seats, but his voice was like a childs
on an ocean beach. Barton was sur
rounded by eager anxious men. The
audience had split into circles of
haranguing centers. 1t was impossible
to get attention. Hardin could see Mar
shall pull Babcock by the tails of his
coat. Unwillingly, he could see Bah
cock allow the crowd five minutes by
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.
1--WE won't let them in" Grace was
believing, "the valley won't stand for
it."
''Take your medicine" numbered
the big organ of Barton. 81 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
gavel calling for attention. This time
he was heard.
De la Vega approached the foot
lights, a questioning look on his face.
I'VE 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.
"We can't answer for all the ranchers."
Eyes, you can," screamed Grace,
iurnuinp nm ond dorun lilo a bahann