Imperial Valley press., 1921-08-20
ANGELEN 0S
TALK NICE
TO VALLEY
FARMERS
Ranchers Very Doubtful
About Hooking Up With
Big Northern City in BOul-
der Creek Dam Project.

Gloomy pictures of the dire circum-
stances in which Imperial Valley will
lind itself in years to come if it ties
up with the power corporations in the
development of power on the Colorado
river were painted for the directors
and guests of the Impeial County
Farm Bureau this morning by Chief
Electrical Engineer Scattergood and
Attorney Howard Robinson Of the
Public Service commission of the city
of Los Angeles at public meeting of
the Farm Bureau. The arguments ad-
vanced by the Los Angeles campaign
ers carried weight with the farmers
but when the meeting was adjourned
at | o'clock most of them were Still
wondering what it was all about and
where Imperial Valley will get off and
how much of an assessment per acre
they will have to pay for the doubtful
privilege of being allowed to partici-
pate in the immense project.
The Farm Bureau directors are a
conservative lot and while they took a
more or less optim.::tic look at the
pertty pictures outlined for the future
in the event that Imperial Valley casts
it's lot with the metropolis of the
Southland, like most of the other ar
guments that have been advanced on
both sides of the subject the talks to-
day are open to contradiction by those
opposed to the municipal project. Had
power corporation representatives been
present there would no doubt have
been numerous contradictions of the
assertions Of the Los Angeles men, but
the farmers invited only one faction
in the fight to talk in order that a
clearer understanding of the situation
might be obtained without the conflict
ing statements from the other. lit is
more than likely that at some future
date the FSrm Bureau may decide to
invite the Southern California Edison
company to tell it's side of the question
Although Mr.. Scattergood and Mr..
Robinson gave very interesting and il
Eliminating talks on the power develop
ment, flood control and irrigation as
poets of the Boulder Canyon PROPOSE
ton, neither made an out and out
statement regarding the lengths TO
which their city is willing to go to-
ward giving Imperial Valley what it
must have in the way of controlling the
river and supplying adequate water,
or what share of the power rights
would accrue to this section.
Summing up the whole mornings
arguments the net result of the meet
ing was practically nil if general in
formation, most of which has already
been impaired to the people of the val
ley, is eliminated. Los Angeles does
not want to put her cards on the table
and show what the city has to offer
until general hearing of all sides has
been had with Secretary of the Inter
ior Albert Fall, according to Mr.. Scat
tergood, and he stated that he does not
believe it would be fair to the govern
ment for Los Angeles to enter into
any pact with Imperial Valley or any
other section until such .<aring has
been held.
The Farm Bureau expects to name a
committee to cooperate with the I'M
peral Irrigation District directors, the
Associated Chambers of Commerce and
other county organizations in arriving
at an understanding of what Imperial
county is to demand when the question
is up for final consideration in a pro-
posed hearing before Secretary of the
Interior Albert B Fall. Like other
county organizal>ns the Farm Bureau
believes that Imperial Valley holds the
whip hand over both adversaries in
the power development controversy
and that the people of this section
should use every available method Of
driving a good bargain and obtain
every possible concession before agree
ing to join with either seeker after the
immense power rights.
. The city of Los Angeles is not TAX
ing an arbitrary stand on any phase
of the power development project, Mr..
Scattergood told the farmers and other
interested citizens who filled the court
(COntinued IN mage tWO,)