Imperial Valley press., 1919-11-17
Those long, long rails to YOU"
Valley Mans Words

.sasS
"A. talk that made deep impression
upon all San Diegans was that of
Frank Hevener, president of the AS
sociated Chambers of Commerce of
the Imperial valley.
eve Valleyites are here today to
take our part in the marriage cere-
mony of San Diego and the Imperial
valley" he said "Not many years
ago there was nothing but a trail
leading from San Diego to the east
and the most dangerous part of that
trail was the desert that is now our
rich valley" l
The speaker then reviewed the his
tory Of the Valley--its ups and downs,
and told of its present greatness. He
said that crops valued at $4,000 600
were shipped out of the Valley last
year. The new railroad, he declared
will take care of much of these crops
and for that reason the people Of the
Valley owe great debt to Mr.. Spreck-
els. Mr.. Hevener invited all citizens
of San Diego to the Valley December
4 and 5, when the Valley folks will
celebrate the running of the first train
over the road, December /.
"The Valley shipped out 5000 car
loads Of melons last summer" said
the speaker. "The railroads had all
they could do to remove the great
crops of milo maize and cotton. So
you see, the new railroad will have
plenty to do. We are going to in
crease the Valley with the greatest
irrigation system in the world. This
means that we will have twice OF
three times as many irrigated acres
as we now have. That's why we need
the railroad. We see great city
growing up on San Diego bay. We
expect to make San Diego our play
ground. We hope that San Diego
feels the same spirit that we feel in
commercial and social way. We
bid you a great welcome to the Valley
and will greet you with open arms
and give you place in our hearts
We realize what we owe to Mr.
Spreckels for giving us this road"
Kettner Is Welcomed
Congressman William Kettner was
given a rousing welcome by San Diego
and Imperial valley citizens who are
residents of the district he represents
at Washington. .
'I want to say only few words,
said Congressman Kettner, but those
few words will be to the point.
hope to express by my feelings tht
way l feel on this glorious occasion
And feel sure that all Of you people
feel as happy as I do. 4f
"You have often heard the remarl
that San Diego is one-man town
Personally l feel nroud to live in Sar
Diego when it is referred to as one
man town. .3.s.
81 will tell you the reason why.
"When the world war broke out
you will remember that one leader
was needed and the man selected was
General Foch. When this country en-
tered the struggle for democracy, the
same policy was followed, and Presi
dent Wilson was selected to lead this
great nation.
Needed Such Leader
"And so it is with this great rail
road. One leader was needed, and a:
result we are enjoying the pleasure
of watching the driving of the COLDER
spike which will link together th'
great valley of Imperial and the grea
city Of San Diego.
"San Diego is fortunate to hav'
such a great leader as Mr.. Spreckels
and if / were to enumerate all th'
great things he has done for this glOr
ious city of ours it would take th'
entire afternoon.
"This afternoon you can't give ou]
great leader, Mr.. Spreckels, enough
glory. 1t was he who raised the
money to complete this great railroad
1t was his grit that built the roaC
through these great mountains wher
disaster was almost evident.
"Now it is up to you citizens OF
NSan Diego and Imperial valley to say
whether the great railroad will be
successful or not. Let US all give
him what traffic we can. 50 he can
prove to those who doubted in his
wonderful foresight that the road will
be and is success. If we permit the
enemy to get in its deadly work, it
will not be long before the road will
be placed in the discard.
"Mr. Spreckels has performed his
duty, now let US perform ours.
"Let us give him the credit and
glorv this very afternoon and not wait
until after he is dead to distribute
bouquets of praise"
Governor Cantu Cheered
Governor Esteban Cantu of Lower
California was loudly cheered when
he was introduced by Chairman
Krauber. The governor made splen-
did speech, which was delivered in
Spanish and interpreted by one Of his
countrymen. In closing, he suggested
three cheers and a tiger for MIR.
Spreckels, which were given with a