Imperial Valley press., 1921-10-03

At FORBES
SLUR IN
VALLEY
Chief of Federal Welfare
Board Quoted as Saying
Valley "NOt a Fit Place to
Live"
American Legion posts of the valley,

American Legion posts of the valley,
civic organizations and business men
generally throughout the valley are
considerably exercised over the report
that Colonel Forbes Of the war service
board has stated that all trainees will
be removed from Imperial Valley
within so days. Hurried calls for
meeting Of the various commercial
Fclubs of the valley, American Legion
Post meetings Dnd long distance con-.
ferences with Los Angeles and San
Diego commercial bodies have been
taking place within the last "a hours
in order to counteract the statement
attributed to the Colonel that Imperial
Valley is not fit place in which to
live.
A year ago when it was announced
that plan was being put over by Nc
Dewitt of Los Angeles, whereby dis
abled ex-service men could work out
Valley, much enthusiasm was ex-
pressed over the matter until it was
learned that the prices to be charged
for the lands were either vague and
uncertain, or else altogether unreas-
enable, and that there were clauses in
the contracts that were hardly fair to
the service men. This brought about
the investigation ordered by then State
Commander Buron s. Fits, and he ap-
pointed a committee to go into the
matter thoroughly and report its find
ings. Months were spent in the work.
The report was finally made and
recommended the adoption Of the plan
as whole, but criticised adversely
many of the terms in the contract, as
being unfair to the men. This resulted
in the abandonment of the project in
Imperial Valley insofar as McDevitt
was concerned, and the trainees We're
left here to work out individual CEN
tracts, which many of them did.
1t was proposed to bring many more
as there were lands available on rea-
sonable basis. Many Imperial Valley
land owners agreed to sell their lands
on terms to the men and to accept the
pay in the earnings from the farms.
The men were to remain under the
care and supervision Of the Federal
Board and the contracts provide that
they can be removed at any time on
the order of the board, with provi-
sion that protected the land owners
against loss to the extent that he could
charge it up to the BOARD, which in
turn would charge it to the rainee
from the latter 500 month ailot-
ment.
When Colonel FORBES took the office
he instructed Colonel Grant at can
Francisco to report Gu Imperial Valley
and the conditions here. Colonel Grant
sent for the local msn in charge. They
went to San Francisco. In the mean
time business men Of the valley
learned of what was going on and
brought before Col. Grant sufficient
evidence to prove to hinA that Imperial
Valley is the ideal place for such
proposition. Col. Grant prepared his
report and was ready to submit it to
Col. Forbes when the latter visited the
Pacific coast. about two weeks ago, but
it is said, Col. Forbes said, in effect;
Don't talk to me about Imperial
Valley; it isn't fit to live in. Every
man will be out of there in 60 days"
This was promptly brought TO the
attention of State Commander Quinn
of the American Legion and he AMI
Forbes had a talk. Forbes repeated
the remark made as above TO QuQinn,
and Quinn is said to have replied, III
YOU do that I'll see that you love your
job"
All Of this information has just
reached the valley, hence the excite
ment of the last "a hours. Telegrams
have been sent TO United States Ser-