Imperial Valley press., 1920-02-28

dell plan in place of the present
Kettner bill.
This decision was brought about by
the fact that the best way out is the
best way for all.
Director r. d. McPherrin again in a
mastery manner explained the situa.
ton at Washington which brought
| about the present unfortunate situa-
| ton. He stated that in his opinion the
Mondell substitute is the best the valley
can do at this time and that next con-
gresS the delegation can be back in
Washington demanding that congress
carry out its pledge, as given in the
Mondell bill.
Perhaps the most potent factor in in
fluencins the feeling at the meeting
was the reading by President Vaughn
Thompson of Boyce Aten Post of two
kilograms. one from Walter b. Kibbey
at Washington. containing the results
of an interview with the national legis-
lative committee of the American le-
gion, and the other from the committee
itself
1t was made plain in these kilograms
that the committee indorses the soldier
settlement feature of the Kettner bill in
an IIldnneI, Dut tndI tne
bill is regarded in some respects as a
purely local measure and that the ma
tional legislative committee of the
American Legion believes that it would
be hurtful to the cause of other soldier
legislation to insist that this bill be
brought on the floor and acted on at
this time as a legion measure.
The legislative committee declined to
demand that the bill be brought on the
floor.
In the discussion which followed it
was apparent that the legion posts of
the valley believe it unwise to attempt
to override the wishes of the national
committee.
This was the general feeling.
Much of the morning was spent in
asking Mr.. McPherrin questions of
many kinds. All of these he explained
concisely and clearly.
In the afternoon Consulting Engineer
{. f. Grunsky gave a long talk and
urged the acceptance of the recommen-
dation of the valley committee. After
his first talk he was closely questioned
about many angles OF the water situa.
ton and answered these questions.
Late this afternoon the meeting was
still in progress. the general feeling
being that the Mondell plan would be
accepted and the talk more veering to
the next step N helping solve the veX-
ing questions.
There seemed to be present more of a
desire for the valley to build its sys-
TEN itself than ever before.
The following telegram regarding
Secretary Lanes attitude on the Mon
dell bill was received this morning:
Washington, ID. c., Feb, 27, 1920.
Imperial Irrigation District, FL Cen
tro, Calf:
Secretary Lane filed report on Kin
kad bill with committee. Report calls
attention to report of engineers and ex-
pense to valley. Says report was on
engineering features mostly and Kin
kaid bill will authorize more general
study of character of lands and their
availability for irrigation together with
number of other important details
Report concludes: In view OF the con.
ditions regarding the possibility OF
passing an appropriation for construc-
ton of the works as presented by com
mittee it seems to me that the best
thing which can be done at the present
time to advance the interests Of this
proposition. which | regard as meri-
torious, would be to appropriate further
moneys for the necessary negotiations
which would be preliminary 10 con-
struction. | therefore suggest favor.
able action on the bill.
WALTER II. KiBBY."