Arizona republican., 1922-06-21
GA Lb RAJ /
ARIZONA
Will. HELP
PALO VERDE
Pledges Aid In Solution Of
Problems Arising From
Recent Floods Hears
Relief Plans

BLYTHE, Calf, June 20.-"The
state of Arizona has never been
formally approached by the people
of the Palo Verde Valley. seeking
relief from the terms of the injunc-
ton preventing the California COM
munity from doing river work on
the Arizona side OF the Colorado
river. until within the last week
Now that it has been approached,
it is willing to do anything that will
help the Palo Verde people solve
the problems resulting from existing
floods and will extend such courtc-
sizes as will not interfere with rights
in the territory involved nor to the
control of it's lands"
This statement was made here to-
day by Attorney General Galbraith
of Arizona, sitting as chairman Of
the joint committee of California
and Arizona officials to consider the
flood emergency and find a solution
for the intrastate problems involved.
The relief sought was outlined By
members of the board of directors of
the Palo Verde Mutual Water COM
pany, who also are members or di-
rectors of the leyee district and the
drainage district that operate in
the same area. They wanted per-
mission, they explained, to blast out
cuts across three bends in the Colo
RADIO river, shortening and straight
ening the channel, SO the floods now
covering half of the valley may be
checked, and may be drawn off as
early as possible. II the cuts can
be made, they said, they can put in
maize, sorghum and other crops and
still realize something from this
season TO help them meet their re-
construction problem.
Officials of California and Arizona
have spent two days in an inspection
of the flooded districts, the proposed
work and the existing sweep of the
Colorado river along the Palo Verde
valley and against mesa lands of
Arizona and today met in open
session.
President f. r. Williams stated
He said the main thought at present
was TO get quick relief from flood
conditions, but in so doing, 10 spend
the money 50 that permanent bene-
fit might accrue to the district. II. G.
Nueffer, district engineer, told the
commission that if he were per-
mitted to act as he and the district
officials had agreed best at tnis
time, he would begin at the southern
end of Casad cut and blow one thou
sand feet of high ground which, he
said would give a start for a chan
mel that would then scour itself out
He said the lower portion OF the
proposed cut was so low that II
would not require blasting. The
brush and trees taken out, together
with the soil loosened by the shots,
would be carried down stream by the
current, he continued, and be lodged
where they would be advantageous,
without doing any harm.
At the time this work was started,
he said. he would start similar opef-
ations at Raab and Hauser bends,
blasting out the higher portions from
the south end.
This, he said, would so relieve the
situation, that it ought to be possible
TO farm lands. now flooded. by july
Is or August / at the latest.
The expense of the work, he
stated, would be approximately
$40 900 on the Casad cut, about as
much on the Hauser cut and con
siderably less" ON the Raab cut.
Director Charles Van Wort said
the district did not desire 10 take
anv lands from Arizona by the
STRENGTHENING of these bends, all OF
which swing toward California.
Water Commissioner w. S. Norveil
of the Arizona delegation, said that
ofescials of Arizona felt they would
be derelict TO their duty II they
allowed any portion of the lands OF
that state to pass into the control
of California.