Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-26

Shall one city be permitted to usurp the rights of
another and establish protectorate it?
This question is at the bottom of a bill pending in
the state Legislature. It is known the Lyon BILL
measure introduced by Senator Lyon of Los Angeles
county at the request of the Public Service Commission
of the city of Los Angeles.
The bill in question is the sequel to suit tried
in the courts at San Francisco and settled adversely
to the plaintiffs in the action, namely, the Public
Service Commission of the City OF Los Angeles. In
that suit the Commission claimed the right to condemn
and appropriate the right power properties owned
by the Southern Sierras Power Company in what is
known Owens River Gorge The Southern Sierras
Company had acquired this for the purpose of
making it a part of the companys great sys-
tenn of power development and distribution. AS
is generally known it is upon this company
the people of Imperial Valley depend for
their light and power. What, therefore, Los Angeles
undertaking to do to take control of I'M
peral Valleys of light and power. The appel
late denied it the right to do this 1t said the
proceeding contrary to the laws of the state of Cal
ifornia. Los Angeles was defeated.
Nothing daunted by this failure in its efforts to
acquire municipal jurisdiction Imperial Valley
and other territory served in like manner the dligent
and determined Public Service Commission of the city
of Los Angeles, wants the law amended to suit its
graspng purpose. This matter is of such Importance
to Imperial Valley that the voice of this valley should
be listened to- We have heretofore called attention to
it and wish to do again
The provision it is sought to repeal by the Lyon
bill is declaring that private property appropriat-
ed to the of any county, city and county incorpor-
ated city or town municipal water district may not
be taken by any other county, city and county incor
porated city town municipal water district while
such property appropriated and used for the pub
lie purposes for which it has been appropriated"
This like fair and just provision of law 1t is
sound and equitable business proposition Then why
repeal it and substitute an amendment that will change
the whole scheme and transfer to the jurisdiction of
Los Angeles what falls within the jurisdiction of
the state This is the of the whole matter the
Press views it.
The city of Los Angeles through its Public Service
commission is ambitious to absorb full control of
power and light in the whole of Southern California.
This commission is doing its utmost to get possession
of all power privileges of the proposed Boulder Can
yon dam. It's fine Italian hand is in every move.
The Lyon bill is further evidence that it is not
looking single point to insure control in every
1t may be that Imperial Valley interests would be
in as benevolent hands if they confided to Los
Angeles as if they were lodged in the hands of the
State of California they But Imperial Val
ley not yet ready to surrender adherence to the state
This valley is part of California 1T IS not now and
never will be part of Los Angeles. Now we can deal
with power problems through the State Railway
commission having control of power rates and service.
The voters of this valley help to elect the members Of
that commission. The Los Angeles commission is
law unto itself 1t is not responsible in any to
the state with respect to its municipal power rights.
1t is little Monte Carlo, in which the lordly men,
bers of the Public Service Commission all Princes
of Monaco playing for big stakes expressed in terms
of killowatts and amperes. When have been benev
alenty assimated by them will have to go to them,
cap in hand, asking favors from foreign potentates
with whom we have no relation except to do their
bidding.
The Lyon bill sets forth that when Los Angeles
assumes control it may furnish "the substantial
of the service Heretofore furnished etc This sounds
equivalent of the service heretofore furnished, etc.
This sounds reasonable but why, ask, should
trade plan in which part for one which is
wholly alien? And why may? Why not must?
Imperial Valley is not asking that Los Angeles
tablish protectorate or suzeranty over it.
KEEPING FAITH
We must all subscribe to the bluff and blunt
Dioba l;e