Imperial Valley press., 1920-04-22
5 TEST HOLES
IN z. MILES
NOT ENUF,
PAYNE
Secretary of Interior Gives
Reasons for Rejection of
Mark Roses Contract;
Six Reasons Given.

OOPleS OF secretary OF the lnte-
rior John Barton Payne's decision
in abrOgating the Mark Rose con-
tract have reached the city and the
reasons for his action are specifi-
cally stated in his letter to Mr..
Rose.
After quoting sections of the con-
tract which enable him to reject the
contract for any reason deemed by
him to be sufficient. Secretary Payne
goes on in islletters to say: es
CAS- the department interprets the
contract Of July 6, 1917, it calls for
a report showing a project feasible
in all respects and after careful con-
slderation Of the entire matter, the
conclusion has been reached that your
report of January 80, 1918 fails to
met this condition in the following par
ticulars;
l. No data is submitted for canal
built partially in the Republic of Mex
leo as is required by the last sentence
of subdivision (b) of Sec. /.
2. No data is submitted for any
works, structures and equipment for
power development as required by SUBJ
division (c) of section l.
3. The plan calls for a deep cut
about IL miles in length between Pilot
Knob and international monument No.
PIP where the proposed canal leaves
the international boundary and turns
north. Very little information has
ben obtained of the material in which
this deep cut must be made, there be-
Of nearly II miles. Owing to the depth
location additional pits would be ex-
pensive, but they are necessary for
proper determination of the feasibili-
ty and rest of the project.
4. The plan calls for 240 miles of
canal beyond Monument PIP. On this
no data has been obtained, nor surveys
made, except a traverse line around the
irrigable area. No profiles, cross-sec-
tions or topography nor any plans for
structures, are furnished for this sec
tion of the canal, neither has data been
obtained upon which such structures
could be planned.
5. A soil survey, which is neces-
sary to determine feasibility, has not
been made.
6. The subject of water supply is
dismissed without consideration or
discussion, whereas the question of
providing adequate storage is one of
great Importance.
"1nasmuch as it appears that you
have not presented a practical suffi-
cient plan and scheme of works and
reclamation" your report cannot be
accepted, and it rests with me to decide
whether to require additional surveys
in accordance with alternative (a) of
Section 5 of the contract, or reject
and disapprove the report in accord
ance with alternative (b).
"You are accordingly notified that
alternatively (b) of Section 5 of the
contract of July 6, 1917, is adopted;
the report of January 30, 1918. and
the surveys, specifications and esti-
mates therein given are rejected; and
said contract is declared void.
"Under all the circumstances you
may be equitably-though not legally
entitled to reimbursement for mon
eys legitimately expended in your in
vestigation, to the extent that the re-
suits of such investigation can be util-
lied in any program finally adopted
for the building of an all-American
canal, and while no obligation is OF
can be assumed in this regard the De-
partment will look with favor upon
your reimbursement in connection with
a comprehensive plan to provide ade-
quate irrigation for the lands tribu-
tary to the Colorado River by means
of an all-American canal"