Imperial Valley press., 1921-10-21
N 'PHERR|N IS
D P T|M|SM
ITSELF IN
VIE v s
Irrigation Director Talks on
Boulder Canyon, Annual
Budget and the Absorp-
tion of Mutual Companies

Roy D. McPherrin, member Of the
board of directors of the Imperial Ir-
ligation District, through his home
town paper, the Imperial Enterprise
has given the people of the valley an
expression of his views upon the
water situation in the valley. ranging
from the Boulder Canyon project, to
criticisms of the board and ABSORPTION
Of the mutual companies.
Mr.. McPherrin said in regard to the
Boulder dam project:
"The decision of Secretary Fall to
hold conference in the Southwest,
probably at San Diego, in the early
/; part Of November of this year, was
a very happy solution Of much mis-
understood and important determina-
ton by the district board. All of the
directors of the board desire that tie
government by appropriate legislation
and financing undertake the construc-
ton Of the Boulder Canyon storage
dam and the all-American canal. Our
present understanding is that Secre-
! tary Fall will recommend this pro-
gram to congress. and we believe that
| his recommendation when made will
have the backing of President Hard
| ing and his administration. 1t is
: the intention of the board at the time
Of the hearing before Secretary FAN to
, urge this program. 1t was believed
that this could most effectively be
done by the attendance of all directors
at the conference. The determination
of the secretary to hold the conference
in the Southwest renders this proceed
lure possible without entailing the con-
siderable expense which would have
been incurred had the conference been
held in Washington. Secretary Falls
| telegram clearly indicates that he has
a definite program in mind and that, he
expects to urge congress to act, de-
tinitely in regard thereto during its
present session. If the people Of the
valley will await with patience until
the secretary has definitely announced
his program we have every reason to
believe that the hope we have so long
cherished for the regulation of flood
and storage of water for irrigation and
the construction of an all American
canal for the irrigation of many thou
sands of acres of land which can be de-
dicated to the use of service men car
be realized in the near future"
When asked about the criticism
which had been made by various peo-
pie and organiza tions throughout the
valley, he said that, the board was in
full accord with any legitimate effort
to save expense.
"The board of directors" he said,
"are in most hearty accord with the
prevailing feeling that every legiti-
mate curtailment of expense in opera
ton of the districts business should
be made. In formulating the budget
for operation for the ensuing year an
effort was made to provide funds suf-
ficient only for the efficient operation
of the canal system and its mainten-
ance without deterioration. No en-
largements, requirements. extensions
or capital investments of any charac-
ter were provided for except only in
the matter of the control of the livel
by means of the Pescadero cut, and a
fund with which machinery can be pro-
yided for the commencement of an an
nual and well-considered plan for
i drainage in those parts of the district
which are affected by a rising water
table. The price of water delivered b.
the district through the mutual water
companies remains at 85 cents per foot
as heretofore, and the tax rate has
been reduced from $3.50 to $110 PEI
$1OO of valuation, reduction of 81
per cent. Very large reductions have
been made in operating costs. salaries
paid to employees and in reduction Of
personnel. The board will in ever!
possible way through the fiscal yeal
put into effect other economies wher
|, ever it can be done without injury tx
the service or to the properties admin