Imperial Valley press., 1921-07-30
BEGINNING OF GREAT FIGHT


law, are held to strict accountability
"If Los Angeles heads the enter.
prise as it is trying to do, there will
be no strict accountability placed on a
small board Of men but political ac-
countability to thousands Of voters
busy with others affairs.
"The honied phrases of the Los An
geles speakers, their humility and
Difference to Imperial Valleys needs
tonight is absurd. We know that Los
Angeles power plan is to file on every
right in California that it can control
for its own people. What is surplus is
what the inland counties can scramble
for with Los Angeles in control"
Mr. West then described the distrust
of other counties toward Los Angeles,
graphically enumerating Los Angeles
depredations in the San Joaquin valley
in Mono county. where the grand jury
is trying to stop the "power pirates"
in Inyo county, in Riverside and San
Bernardino.
The bombshell in Mr.. Vests dis
course came when he described form
of contemplated contract which he
had seen, and which Los Angeles hopes
to make with the government, stating
that he had, seen these words in ref
erence to the Boulder Canyon develop
ment:
"Though other interests may come
in, minimum of 80 per cent Of all
power that can be developed shall go
to Los Angeles"
"The balance of California will have
to fight it out for the remainder" Mr..
West charged, and the Los Angeles
Representatives failed to refute the
accusation.
The inroads of Los Angeles in the
territory of the Southern Sierras
Power company and the political ex-
pedients used in the game of "freeze-
out" played by the city were revealed,
! in the Owens River Gorge.
Power secured by Los Angeles must
be held for the paramount use of the
people of Los Angeles The city can
not contract for a definite term with
! individuals outside it's boundaries.
Los Angeles today has developed
less than $4,000 horse power. 1t now
controls $4,000 horse power. Yet
it is trying to get more. Its present
demands are for about $4,000 horse
power.
"The Colorado river, developed by a
combination of municipalities headed
by Los Angeles, will be victimized by
delays. Legislation, sanction by the
voters of the several cities, condemna-
tions, suits testing the legality OF the
bonds fought through several courts.
political control of construction and
operation. graft-all mean that val
liable years must pass and the demands
of potential users 60 unsatisfied while
cities spend million during long per-
iod of no service and no income. -.
"On the other hand, it is possible
to combine corporations successful in
the power business, who can raise
the money needed to do the work, and
can enlist the talents of the best en-
gineers. ....,,,.. -,
"Speed is necessary to remove the
menace. Appoint committee to keep
expense down and get cooperation.
Taxpayers of Los Angeles will never
vote bonds to develop water for I'M
peral Valley. Under sane plan of
corporation development, Imperial
Valley will not have to spend one cent
until the water and power are deliv-
cred on its lands"
Dwight F. Towne, representing the
San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce
and the Wholesalers & Manufacturers
association of that city, stated: "We
are skeptical Of Los Angeles. That
city wants us to spend more money
than we can raise by bonding our
selves into bankruptcy, and then wait
wears. to get our share of the Colorado
River power"
Charles d. Hamilton, chairman of
the board of supervisors of Riverside
county, congratulated Imperial Valley
business men on the splendid loyalty
shown in the spirit of the meeting.
Riverside county considers this
problem the most serious it ever has
had to face and Los Angeles attitude
a menace to our prosperity.
"If Los Angeles is successful it will
put our Coachella Valley back where it
was-the domain of the jackrabbit, the
sagebrush and the sidewinder-and cut
$4,000,000 off our assessment roll"
A dozen speakers from the floor
showed a keen appreciation OF the
"speed and economy" points made by
Mr.. West, and though courteous to the
Los Angeles delegation, indicated their
unwavering loyalty to the needs OF
this valley. '"
Chairman l.. M. Hutchinson, read
the report of the special committee
composed ef Messrs. Pruett. Keller,
Woods, Worthington, w. H. Best, c.
w. Brockman, Ralph Anderson, Harry
Dyke, Frank Beal, B ID. Irvine, c. l.
Shaw. C. F. Boertz, J. D. Moughmel
and L. A. Barnum. On their recon-
mendation, he announced his intention
of appointing committee of five tc
cooperate with the Imperial Irrigation
District along the lines suggested by
Mr.. West, to get quick action on the
| Colorado.
Among those who attended the Cali
| patria meeting and the supper served
=, tLo DooVxy Thaatov. hofnra tho od.