davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
0 OK T RS0 \
WILL HOLD
BIG FLOOD
WA TER
Levee Has Been So Strength
ened That 1t is Expected
to Stand Abnormal Pres
sure Reported Coming.

! Heavy winter SHOWS in the noun
tains forming the Colorado river water
shed were reported from Denver Mon
day to be fast melting under the in
fluence of the warm weather. and a
consequent pouring into the Colorado
of vast volumes of water which were
not expected. The Denver dispatch
stated that the amount of water going
into the river would raise the flood to
about 10000 second feet at the
mouth.
There is no Immediate danger of
break in the Ockerson levee according
to persons who yesterday inspected
the protective work which is being
done by the Imperial Irrigation Dis
trlct, and it is the belief that the leyee
will hold indefinitely unless the COL
orado river tops the levee or rat
hole" allows the water to start through
or under the protective works.
A small amount of back water
stands against the levee in some
places about half way between C. y.
junction and the end Of the railroad
tracks in the vicinity of Mile Post lG.
and on the lower end where the revet-
ment has been strengthened the river
ms running against the base Of tie
levee. the current having a velocisy
of about five miles an hour.
Hundreds of tons of rock have been
added to the face of the levee, ard
a considerable quantity has been
placed against the inside of the levec.
While the danger of levee break
IS always present durin gthe period Of
the crest of the summer flood of THE
Colorado river. it is not nearly so great
tNhls year as it has been in former
years because Of the greater strength
OF the levee and the Improvement BY
the irrigation district of the organiZa-
ton which has charge Of the protee.
alve work. The district is said to be
Hn better shape physically to handle
the river conditions this year than 1t
was during the flood of 1920 when sew
eral breaks in the levee caused quite a
Ecare throughout Imperial Valley.
The guage at Yuma Yesterday
! showed the river standing at PALS a.
Ilagainst 24.60 last Friday, when the
! discharge was 66,2OO second feet. The
discharge yesterday was 81 400 second
"a hours.
Reports received yesterday from
Denver were to the effect that a flood
crest of approximately 10000 second
feet could be expected on or before
June 10. which is about $4,000 second
rect greater than was Anticipated 10.
cally, the estimates here being that
the peak of the flood would bring the
discharge to about 5000 second feet.
contingent, of course. on the amount
of sunshine and rainfall in the noun
ttains. The rise of the river has been
very gradual. and because Of this fact
optimism has prevailed, but even with
the forecast of much greater river
it is believed generally that the river
can be held at the Ockerson levee at
any point where a break might en-
danger the agricultural lands to the
north and west.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
Il BUILDINGS
ARE BURNED At
CO. HOSPITAL
Explosion Of Distiii0te in Cook
House Starts Disastrous Fire
Early This MOrr;Rn.

The Imperial county hospital was
almost entirely destroyed by fire short
~ after 4 o'clock this morning, the re-
sulting loss to buildings and contents
being estimated at between S12 90 and
SIS, 900.
Eleven buildings in all were burned
with their contents. No one was in
jured in the fire, the % patients being
treated there were all carried to safety
by the nurses and attendants on duty
at the time.
The fire was caused by the explosion
Of distillate in the fire box of the big
cook range in the mess hall of the in
stitution, and, rapidly spread to the
other buildings.
Three automobiles and large guam
tity of supplies for the drug room and
commissary of the hospital which had
just been received late yesterday after
noon were lost.
Two buildings We're saved, the resi-
dence of Superintendent Y. n. Adams
and the nurses home. Both of these
have been Communicated for the care
of the inmates. Mr.. Adams home is
being used for cook house and the
nurses home has been turned into a
temporary hospital.
AS near as can be determined the
explosion occurred between $3.50 and
a. M, shortly after night Waterman
S. De Laney had lighted the range in
the kitchen. The noise of the explosion
quickly aroused nurses and attendants
who were on the job fighting the fire
and rescuing the sick within five min
utes after it happened.
The heaviest loss to the county is
represented in the cook house and en-
CINE house. Insurance to the amount
Of $4,000 was carried by the county
on the buildings destroyed. Mrs. Della
p. Parks, insurance agent, stated to a
representative of The Press that an
adjuster would be here Friday morn
ing to settle the! loss.
All food supplies were consumed by
the flames and Superintendent Adams
had to drive to town in a borrowed
Ford before anyone could have break
fast at the farm. Mrs. M. J. Gleason,
Mrs. D. NJ. Miller and Mary Romero,
nurses, are deserving of great credit
for the heroism displayed during the
fire. Each of them carried unassiste!
heavy male patients from the burning
buildings.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

fhe council. the street superintendent
and the inspector who enforce the pro-
visions of the specifications.
Upon the inspector, more than any
other individual or group of men, de-
ponds the carrying out of the contracts
and specifications. He must first be
free from the control of the contract
or: he further must know the nature
of the work and what constitutes good
construction.
"The inspector on this work, in my
opinion. is not competent to perform
the duties assigned him and he has
permitted work to be done that should
not be allowed and faulty construction
is the result. There We're marked de-
viations from the specifications on the
Sandalwood street work and the work
is of poor quality and not what was
called for in the contract.
Il have pointed out these and Other
things to the members of the council
and have repeatedly requested tha
the inspector be discharged and a com
petent man appointed as the whole jol
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
STRAW VOTE IS
SUGGESTED TO
MAKE CHOICE
Var Veterans Favor Plebiscite
on Successor to j. s. RrOlUn
as IRRIGATION Director.

When directors Of the Imperial Irri-
cation District accepted the resigna-
ton of Director j. Stanley Brown after
"a recall petition had been filed last
Tuesday they precipitated q contro-
versy which may resolve itself into
litigation in the courts over the choice
of a successor. Such action is init
mated on the part Of the opponents of
Roy f. Breedlove, who is said to be
the choice Of a majority of the county
supervisors for the position, who wan;
the choice left to the voters Of the FL
Centre district, of whom Director
Brown was the representative.
The county supervisors failed to
take official cognizance of the resig-
nation at a special meeting Yesterday,
the meeting having been called for an
other purpose, but when they meet in
regular session next Monday it is said
that the question will be taken up.
1t is the contention Of some of those
who are opposed to an appointment
being made by the board of supervis-
Ors that four county supervisors from
other districts should not arbitrarily
force a director upon the Ell Centre
ul9Ii IcI "ltHout llfSl learning lHe WISH
es of the voters of that district, and
to that end it is suggested that a
straw vote be taken throughout the
district to determine the choice of
the taxpayers. This method of decid-
ing upon an appointee for the direc-
torate was approved last night at
Of the Associated Veterans of
All American Wars, at which large
number of members OF the American
Legion and United Spanish War Vet
Grams was present.
1t is said that two of the supervisors
have expressed preference for having
the choice of a successor made By the
straw vote method, while two others
are noncommittal and the fifth is said
to be undecided.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
HIGH WAY Is
FORMAL !
0 PE: \ |: !
I OOAy
Calexico and Ell Centre Join
in Monster Celebration of
Completion of Paved Road
Between Two Cities.

Scores of motorists from al! parts
of Imperial Valley turned out this aft
srnoon to participate in the ceremonies
attending the formal opening of the
new county highway between CaleXico
and Ell Centre. for which an elaborate
program was carried out without a
hitch. The pleasure Of the momentous
occasion was materially increased by
the ideal weather conditions, the sun
being obscured most of the afternoon
by light clouds which took the edge off
the heat.
The celebration was begun at Cal
eXicO when long caravan CT automo-
biles headed by City Marshal +. S.
Boucher paraded TO Ell Centre and
were greeted with music, cheers and
the sound of many automobiles. After
q parade through the streets Of this
city the Calexico parade was escorted
to the city park by the FL Centre dele
cation headed by the band, city and
county officials and members of q
number of organizations. After hear
ing short speeches by Mayor Casey
Abbott of CaleXico and others Dromin-
ent in public life of the border munich
patty the motorists of both cities
paraded to Heber where the two cities
We're formally united under a pretty
arch, erected for the occasion by the
people of Heber. The joining of the
two cities was svmbolizcd by the tying
Of floral rope by Mayor Sones Of FL
Centre and Mayor Abbott of CaIeXico,
assisted by young women Of Heber.
From Heber the procession moved to
CaleXico where a parade was staged
and addresses made by Mayor Sones
of this city and other prominent citi
Gems expressed Ell Centres apprecia-
ton of the benefits derived through
the opening of the new pavement.
Dozens Of organizations which are
identified with public Improvement in
Imperial Valley were represented in
the celebration, a leading part beng
taken by the Associated Chambers Of
Commerce of Imperial Valley and the
Chambers of Commerce of El Centre
and CaleXico by whom the celebration
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
K | D n A Pc {
GIRLS ARE
BACK 4 7
HOME
Pair Found by Calexico Con-
stable After Being Held
Prisoners Below Line by
Mexican Bandit Gang.

CALEXICO, June 2.-Footsore and
weary, and fearing that they might at
any time be shot down by two MeXi-
cans who kidnapped them last Friday
and held them prisoners on a ranch
Is miles below the border for two days,
Cruz and Jesus Moreno, pretty Mexi-
can girls, aged 16 and IA years, res
pectively, have been found by Con-
stable Frank Crane and returned to
the home of their parents.
Pablo Prieto, Mexican policeman,
has been arrested by the Lower Cali
fornia officials on charge of being
one of the men who kidnapped the girls
after shooting NJ. Sheraf, a Hindu
rancher, near Mt. Signal.
After they had been kidnapped, the
girls say, Prieto beat the elder one
over the head an dabout the body with
his pistol when she tried to escape.
They We're forced by their abductors
to walk about II miles through the
heat and dust. the girls told local of
iicers. and were delivered to a MeXi-
can farmer and his wife, who were
threatened with death if they permit
ted the girls to escape. The kidnapers
also threatened the girls with death If
they attempted to run away.
While the men were gone the girls
explained the situation to their jail
ers, who hid them in two trunks and
when Prieto and his companion re
turned told them that the girls had es-
capped. Vowing vengeans upon the
girls, the kidnapers left, and the girls
were allowed to return to the Ameri-
can side of the line, where the officer
found them and brought them back
here.
The kidnapping took place at the
home of Diwan Singh, Hindu farmer
to whom the elder of the girl was mar
ried about two weeks ago in San Diego
after they had asked him to help them
escape from their parents, who, they
haid. had mistreated them. Diwan
Singh sheltered them for two days and
(COOticund on Oapp 3
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
BOGUS CHECK MEN
BROUGHT TO BOOK

Issuing checks without having suf-
ficieht funds in the bank to cover them
were the cause of Dave Ayala and
Cesar Rivera becoming involuntary
guests of Imperial county and their
arrangement on felony charges. fol-
lowing which both were held for trial
in the superior court.
Ayala is charged with having given
a check for $3G6.25 to the Imperial
General Sales company on April Ia
1920, and escaping with the money
before the lack of funds was discov-
cred. He has been at large for about
n wear when he was arrested in the
central part Of the state recently anc
returned to Imperial county.
Rivera is charged with having giver
a check for 500 to Varney Bros. Co
without having sufficient funds tC
cover it.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

depends upon this man conscientiously
performing his duties. In general Mr..
Sones and Mr.. Pitzer have agreed with
me but informed me that the Inspector
is a relative of Councilman Bragg and
they found it hard to make a change.
finally advised the mayor (Sones
that change must be made in the
inspection or l must resign. | found
it necessary to resign.
"The engineer may put the best of
his knowledge and the best of practice
of which he is capable into his plans
and specifications, but the carrying
out of the work itself must be left
largely to others, over whom. perhaps
he has no control. If the work is
poorly done and subsequently proves
faulty the entire blame is usually at
tached to the engineer by those oval
him. When the council fails to sup
port him in his efforts to secure gooC
construction he has left only one de
Tense for his reputation---an appea
Ito the public
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
REDUCE RATES
NOW IS DEMAND
Of PRESIDENT
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion is Considering Cut for
Benefit of Western GrOUers.

It is estimated that there will be
l71 cars Of cantaloupes shipped from
the valley today bringing the total for
he season to date up to 766 cars. The
market it light and demond limited
and priced dropping down to mid-sea-
son figures.
Quotations yesterday We're in car
load lots f. o. b. shipping point, ass,
1925 to S3.75; ponies, $275 to SIS.
Melons sold on the eastern markets as
follows:
Cincinnati, standard, $40; ponies,
So. Philadelphia, So to 50 and Sc and
81. New York, standards, SO to $40;
ponies, Sc to 81. Pittsburgh, stan
dards, $40; ponies, So. Chicago, STAN
dards, $40 to SIP; ponies, Sc to SIS.
In the meanwhile the cantaloupe
distributors and growers are becom-
ing uneasy at the slowness of the
movement toward a reduction in east
bound rates on their product and they
are trying to decide upon asome way
that will hasten action on the part Of
the Interstate Commerce commission.
So far this season with the rapidly
increasing volume of business and
the much larger production than last
year there is a grave fear that the
eastern parkets will get into glutted
quickly and bring about dis
aster. Present prices cannot be used
as basis at all as they are all open
ing figures.
Assistant General Freight Agent
was present at the meeting
Of the shippers in the Dunlack hotel at
Brawley this afternoon but made no
except that the Southern Pa
ciiic would not its very best to give
the shippers service and cars, and, in
reply to requests for talk regarding
the freight reduction now being
sought, said he had nothing to say on
that subject, as his function was not
in that direction. C. w. Runge, dis
trict freight and passenger agent, also
attended the meeting.
Now at Washington President Hard
ing, as was stated in The Press of
yesterday, is taking a great deal Of
interest in the rate situation. During
his call on the members of the COM
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
s / ! P PE RS
PR 7 EST
At EXTRA
CHARGE
Southern Pacific Accused by
Growers of Hampering
Shipments by Levying Di-
version Charge of $3.50
Per Car.

LOS ANGELES, June 2.-Discrim-
ination by the Southern Pacific rail
way to prevent, by excessive charges,
the increasing shipments of Imperial
Valley cotton to the western seaboard
at Los Angeles harbor for compress IS
charged in letters received from valley
cotton growers by Traffic Manager l.
r. Peterson of Los Angeles harbor.
a. The letters, sent by MinOpriot & Co.
q Calexico, and the Japan Cotton
Trading Co. of Texas, declare that
ever since the city began to operate
its cotton compress at the harbor, a
year ago, diversion charges Of approx
imately $3.50 a car have been added to
the freight and demurrage charges on
cotton shipments sent to this port for
compress and export.
Mr.. Peterson took the matter up
with H. c. Hallmark, general freight
agent of the Southern Pacific railroad
at Los Angeles, and was informed by
Mr.. Hallmark in letter, that the di-
version charges were proper. Mr.. Hall
mark pointed out that the cotton ship
ments were compelled to await the
arrival of the bills of lading. and
were also shifted to Pacific Electric
freight trains to be taken to the cotton
compress at the outer dock.
Mr.. Peterson, on the other hand,
takes ups the cudgels for the shippers,
and contends that there is no provi-
sion for diversion charges on cotton
shipped from the valley to the Los
Angeles cotton COMPRESS. He admits
that the railway holds the cotton ship
ments after arrival in the yards to
await the bills of lading sent through
the bankers carrying the shipments
for the growers.
He says, however, that this is mere
ly precaution on the part of the rail-
wav officials and should not be
cho~"ed up to the shippers.
"Cotton consigned to the compress
at the harbor has not reached it's des-
tination until it arrives at the COM
press" declares Mr.. Peterson, "and
there is no excuse for the diversion
charges. Such charges act as an in
Jury to exports from Los Angeles har-
Dor and tend to divert shipments of
valley cotton to the East for COMPRESS
and export, with the longer haul by
rail-"
Mr.. Peterson stated he would again
take the matter IN with General
Freight Agent Hallmark. to show him
such diversion charges are erroneous
and if conferences on the matter fail
?n effort will be made to take the case
before the state railroad commission
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
HIS PAINT JOB WAS
MOST UNUSUAL ONE

George Davis must answer in the
Superior court for the theft. Of the
automobile of f. A. Nance Of Imperial
which he is charged with stealing from
an Imperial garage on September y,
last. Bail was fixed at $4,000 In de-
fault of which he was renianded TO jail.
The arrest of Davis was brought
about through the curiosity OF San
Francisco policeman who became svs-
picious of the machine because Of IN
unusual job Of painting which had
been done, il is said, to change ths
appearance Of the machine. Invest
cation of the car led to It's identihea.
ton and the arrest Of Davis May 10
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
THERE'S BRAND NEW
CAR IN TOWN TO-DAY

Walter Simkin, manager of the I'M
peria Valley Buick Sales Co., of FL
Centre. Buick distributors for Imper-
ial Valley, has just returned from a
conference of Buick dealers held at
the Howard Auto Co. in Los Angeles.
He brought back with him the news
of big cut in Buick prices; also one
of the new 1922 Model Buick touring
cars. 1t was announced at the meet
ing that a new four cylinder Buick
would be on the market in about 80
days and would sell here for about
$1,000.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
MASS MEETING
ON BOND ISSUE

The ordinance submitting to the
voters of Ell Centre, the proposition of
issuing bonds to the amount of $780,
coo for the betterment and extension
of the city water system. is to be dis
cussed by the people at a mass meet
ing to be held next Tuesday evening
at place yet to be selected,
The meeting is called by the mem
Dcrs of the city council and the direc-
tors Of the Chamber of Commerce and
is for the purpose of explaining to the
voters of the city the absolute neces-
sity of building extensive additions to
the present plant and making improve
ments that will give the city adequate
water supply, not only for its present
needs but for the future.
j. l.. Travers, water commissioner
explained to large number of bust
ness men who We're in attendance al
the weekly luncheon of the Chamber
of Commerce yesterday the PROPOSE.
ton as it appeals to the city officials
and Fire Chief c. F. Ferguson, threw
a bombshell into the assemblage wher
he made the statement that FL Centre
with its present water system is only
Is per cent protected from ravage by
fire.
The election to authorize the issu,
of bonds for the rebuilding and eXten
sion of the water plant is called fol
June 9, and there are but few days lief
to present the matter in intelligen
form to the taxpayers and voters, so i
/ is urged upon everyone to attend tn,
mass meeting on Tuesday evening
when the entire proposition will b,
gone into and explained in detail.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
GIANT PROJECT
OF EDISON CO
(By Associated Press

LOS ANGELES, June 2.-The plan
of the Southern California Edison
company for the development of by
dro- electric energy at points along the
Colorado river, application for which
has been filed with the Arizona state
water commissioner, involves the ulti-
mate expenditure of about 100000
900.
The completion of this gigantic pro-
ject means the production Of 4,350,000
horsepower, which is stated to be
equal to half of the present total pro-
duction of the United States.
The company will have a storage
basin for the impounding of the flood
waters of the Colorado 200 miles long
and the area served with power will
include the entire states of Arizona,
Nevada and Utah, over one-half of
Colorado and New Mexico. a fifth of
Idaho and Wyoming and three-quar-
ters Of California.
Elks' Friday noon lunch at 1915.
All visitors invited Re on hand
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

was sponsored and brought to sue
cessful conclusion. The gathering of
automobiles was perhaps the largest
that has ever been seen in Imperial
county. many of the motorists laying
aside their business affairs to take
this method of showing their approval
of the county highway project.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

The United States department of az
riculture is experimenting with a tree
which gives off peculiar poison fatal
to flies. If the experiments prove Z
success, the seeds may be distributed
throughout the country to exterminat
the pests.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

Despite diking and channeling, the
Hoang river of China has, in 1000
years drowned more human beings
than have been killed in all the wars
of the same time. The only proven
tive of floods is in the reforestation of
tie denuded slopes which border the
river valley.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

The members of the Worcester
Mass, nterdenominational Minis ters
association have agreed TO refuse to
solemnize the marriage of any couple
whom they deem unfit for its sacred
responsibilities, and to refuse remar-
riage to the guilty party in divorce
proceedings.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02
Weather Report

Southern California.-Tonigh and
FRIDAY, fair; except cloudy near coast
in early morning; gentle westerly
winds.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

A Chicago judge recently sentenced
two alleged pickpockets to attend
church regularly for six consecutive
months.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

Continued on page 81
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

Elks' Friday noon lunch at 12:15.
All visitors invited. BE on hand.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1921-06-02

Continued on page 3.