Imperial Valley press., 1920-11-27
ASS0C|AT
CHAMBERS
HOLD VITAL
MEETING
Number of Important Cues
tiOns Brought Before the
Bodies at Westm0rland
Last Night; To Name Big
Committee.

The questiO n of supplement-
ing farmers in the Imperial VAL
ley to take the place of the laps
who will undoubtedly leave Cali
fOrnia nj search of other fields in
face of the passage of the recent
exclusion act, passed by the people
of the state of California was
brought to the attention of the
monthly meeting of the Associ-
ated Chambers of Commerce held
held in Westm0rland last night by
Assembly yman-elect Frank Beal,
when he suggested that a commit
tee be appointed by the chamber Of
commerce composed of ten men
to be sent to Europe, particularly
to France and Switzerland to
study the methods of the farmers
in those countries and to enlist,
if possible, colony to come to
the Imperial Valley to engage in
truck farmin gand other industries
now carried on by the Japanese
and which the American farmer
will not handle, but whcih is Wit.
ally important to the growth of
the valley.
In leading up to this point he
stated that already in the valley were
two families in the north end from
France, who came to this section
some years ago. "They are ideal
farmers" he said "and when talking
othem recently they were more than
satisfied with conditions here. They
also stated that they were of the opin-
ion hundreds of their countrymen
would come here if the proper induce
ment could be made them, and the
assurance that they would be desired
by the American people.
1t was not Mr.. Beal's intention of
bringing the poorer clas of Europe
ans to the valley but those who had
a little money who were wiling to
themselves to America
and become American citizens.
"For hundreds Of years these peo-
pie have toiled the soil of France,
Belgium and Switzerland and have
been able to produce an abundance of
from the hilly sections Of
their countries in face of the many
confronting them," it was
explained. Many of them are firing
Of the mother country and would
welcome a chance to come to the
valley, it was said.
In the form Of a motion Mr.. Beal
that a committe of three
be appointed to investigate further
into the plan and present an outline
of their opinion at the next meet
ing. tt was decided however to allow
Mr.. Beal and Frank Hevener, presi-
dent of the Associated Chamber of
Commerce, to select the committee.
The committee had not been ap-
pointed at late hour this afternoon
and their names will be announced at
the first opportunity.
The idea was readily accepted by
the members of the association pres
ent and considered the one feasible
manner in overcoming the difficulty
the truck farming in
dustry in the valley.
The fact that the Belgian, French
man and Swiss are of the Caucasion
race and can assimulate with the
people was brought out
during the discussion Of the question.
Other matters brought to the at
tention of the Associated Chambers
during the evening was the inability
of certain laborers of getting their
pay from cotton men for the picking
of cotton during the past month and
a committee was appointed to invest
igate conditions and to report at
the next meeting.
This was the last meeting Of the
year and according to all that at
tended it was a success in every re-
spect. Every chamber of commerce
in the valley was repre-
sented and every newspaper. Present
from Ell Centre were: j. l.. Travers,
who acted as secretary in the abb
sence of Joseph Seymour, who is in
(Coptipuad an Paoa az