Imperial Valley press., 1919-10-02
JOE SEYMOUR
W|THORAWS,
RETURNS
H D N {

The conference at Berkeley,
voted unanimously to back
the kettner Bill and work har-
moniOusly for its passage, accord
ing to telegram from A. NJ. Nell
son this afternoon. Walter Kibbey
and MIR. Nelson were officially ap-
pointed to present the matter to
the state conference of the Ameri-
can Legion a San Francisco, Oct.
8, 9, and 10.
The first developments at the
Mead conference were of vital inn
pOrtance to the valley.
The day was featured by the with
drawal of Joseph F. Seymour, dele
gate from the Ell Centre Chamber Of
Commerce from the conference. Mr..
Seymour's instructions from the local
body were to withdraw if legislation
which in his opinion would delay the
passage of the Kettner bill was adopt
ed. Mr.. Seymour in wires to the val
ley states he believes the bill will be
delayed by the actions taken at the
conference.
The first days results included the
of committee of twen-
ty-five, fifteen of whom were selected
from Imperial Valleys delegation and
the remaining ten from the State dele
gaticn. This committee was appoint
ed to help and secure the aid of con-
gress in adopting the following two
amendments which were adopted by
the committee on resolutions and
amended by the conference committee
of Norboe, state engineer:
from Yuma; Nickerson of
Brawley; Judge Swing of Ell Centre;
DR.. johnson of Ell Centre; Director
). ID. McPherrin of Imperial; Conk-
ling of Ell Centre; Hedrick of Brawley
and Nelson Of Ell Centro.
Following are the amendments in
full:
Your committee recommends that
the kettner bill be amended to provide .
that the State of California shall have
the right at its option for period of
twelve months next after the passage
Of the bill to acquire from the govern
ment by purchase, exchange or other
wise the title to fifty thousand acres
'r any part thereof of the public lands
susceptible of irrigation by the canals
and works mentioned in the bill for
settlement under the provision of the
State Land Act,
Provided, however, that the State
If California or the settlers therein
hall pay the full costs and charges
'er acre provided therein to be paid
or construction and storage purposes
If the Act which shall be assessed bv
he Secretary of the Interior,
Provided that the charge OF ten dol
ars an acre shall not be paid on lands
'eserved for settlement under the
state Land Settlement Act or for SOL
hers settlement.
No. 2.
Your committee recommends that
he kettner bill be amended to provide
hat the lands described in said bill
calming in government ownership and
ying south of the third standard para
lei and east of Imperial irrigation dis
rlct not selected by the State of Cali
ornia shall be set apart and reserv-
d for one year or until water is
'rought to said land for soldiers and
aliors and marines prefential entry
r settlement and also that said bill
hall be amended to provide for a d.
ect appropriation by congress or the
ISSUANCE of government bonds in an
mount sufficient to cover the pro-
'ortional cost of constructions of the
works specified in said bill OF all lands
ying outside of Imperial irrigation
istrict.
The amendments by DR.. Elwood
Mead, w. A. Edgar and M. w. Cork-
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