Imperial Valley press., 1920-04-10
CANCEL CONTRACT
IS REQU ES1
Continued from page one)

porations such as Imperial irrigation
District now supplying water to 6O,O0G
people and 100000 acres of cultivated
lands, be forced to enter into contract
relations with paper corporation sucn
as Laguna Water company in carrying
out the terms of contract in which 1t
had no voice at time OF execution.
"Under most favorable light if All
American canal were completed under
the Rose contract no increased supply
of water could be cheated for irrigation
of 100000 acres of new lands All
available data and records prove that
the maximum acreage of lands is now
under irrigation until such time a.
storage can be provided. Arid lands
committee records show that every or
eanization and all the people of the
valley except only Laguna Water COM
pany endorsed the plan OF constructions
and finance outlined in House Bill:
1853 and urged its passage.
"Only the fact that congress could
not favorablv act this session makes 1t
possible for Rose to secure expression
from few people from the valley favor
ing upholding his contract. Such ex-
pressions based upon fear that con-
gress will not carry into effect by
! legislation recommendations to be
made by interior department nuder
provisions of the Kincaid bill.
"We assert most emphatically that
most Of the signers to message re-
questing you approve Rose contract
ere those who desire to enter public
lands under that contract and that
the overwhelming majority of land
owners Of the valley are against such
action. This board feels confident
congress will act upon report when
made and participate in cost to extent
of it's public lands and dispose of them
to service men and women at cos.
when reclaimed.
Upon recommendation Of the re-
clamation service district has applied
to state bond commission for althori-
~ to issue bonds sufficient to start
wor and connect present system with
Laguna dam.
"Any assertion made that such
proposed construction means aban-
u donment of the plan tc construct en-
tire All-American canal or is, any
way influenced by Mexican landown-
ers is uniOunded and false.
"Unless status Of district contract
is Immediately determined the Yuma
project will refuse consent to NAM
tain wier in river at Hanlon during
construction of Laguna connection and
crop loss aggregating millions will re-
suit. If the departmental approval be
now given to Rose contract no district
bends can be issued to sRI, work. This
very grave crisis should be recognized
by YOUR department.
"Safety of this valley depends upon
government recognition and ASSIST
ance to legally constituted district
which alone is charged with duty anc
responsibility of furnishing water to
the valley. Your department must ac-
cept responsibility. We are doing our
utmost to secure water for our crops
and proceed with new construction
along approved and safe lines. If Rose
and Laguna aWter company are equit-
ably entitled to money compensation
the district will pay the uriount de-
termned by your department after in
vestigation of their claims.
Imperial Irrigation District"
The following is a copy OF a teic>
gram sent to the secretary by Bryce
Aten Post of the American Legion:
Gel Centre, Cal, April 8, 1920.
Secretary of Interior,
Washington, d. c.
"Boyce Aten Post No. 25, American
Legion believes that in opening Eas:
Side Mesa lands preference should be
given former service men and financial
arrangements such that land will be
available to men with limited means.
1t confidently expects you to safeguard
these principles in whatever action yot
may take with view TO ultimate dis.
ros.tion Of these lands.
&c. w. Barry, Sec -.=cy.