Imperial Valley press., 1923-01-29
Mr.. DAVIS AND THE SANTA FEE PACT

The scrptural injunction not to Judge is perhaps
Many of our sincere people just judging with
out full understanding and SO, according to law, they
are likely ITO be judged with what judgment they
judge 60
Criticism is made of Assembyman Davis for not
registering his vote the joint resolution ratying the
Santa Fe pact; also for not delaying consideration Of
the matter by the California legislature Events may
easily prove that Mr. Davis course was the wise one IN
both respects.
First as to the attitude Of California, any of
the states toward the Santa Fe pact, it must be
thing the other We either for it against it.
We either for Fundamentally not at all. The
principle of the thing is what is involved. The ques
ton s do accept that? If do, it is the duty of
California to accept it promptly and fully Whatever
form opposition might take it would still be OPPOSE
ton Delay obstruction evasion is often more rrita-
ting than open fight. No one s ever deceived by
such 1t is correctly classified opposition
The Santa Fee pact should either be supported because
it is right opposed because it is wrong. Mr. Davis
right in placing the matter before the legislature
at once. III 1t were done it were we'll it were done
quickly" To fully capitalize acceptance OF the
pact it must be ratified in the spirit Of the pact ITSELF
and that is frank attempt to settle the issues upon
. basis of the fundamentals involved and strictly upon
the merits of the case.
Secondly Mr.. Davis is in two-fold relation. He
is representative of the people of Imperial County
and he is state official representing California upon
committee charged with defining the attitude OF the
state federal and Interstate matter 1nforma-
ton before Mr. Davis could not but have confused him
as to the attitude Of his district toward the pact Re-
sporsbe organizations had registered opposite declar
ations. Opposition seemed to have certain support
from the representatives in Washington. In this stua
ton Mr. Davis did his duty in both relations: He saved
his state from being placed in an attitude of opposition
to the pact which would have been plainly indicated
by delay obstruction any other and he with
held Judgment as representative.
The Santa Fe pact is unquestionaby one of the
counrys greatest trumphs Of conference. 1t grew out
of apparent impasse Of conflicting interests. The
alternative endless litigation accomplishing moth
ing but delay Of the thing in which all of Imperial
Valleys interests conferred 1t succeeded because
of the wise diplomacy of Secretary Hoover in elimnat
ing everything but fundamentals The Santa Fe pact
attempted nothing but an adjustment of the main
question involved, namely division Of the waters OF
the Colorado 1t could not have to an agreement
had it attempted adjustment compromise OF all
the sectional and selfish interests involved The repre-
sentaves at Santa Fa recognized that fact and
us this treaty on the merits of the big question.
Now some of our people want to go back and go
all of the ground which the Santa Fe conference
Intentionally avoided because it meant shipwreck for
ton basis of negotiation and political maneuver
ing in the interests of something in particular OF
up the sword shall die by the sword. If take up
the sword of political dickering shall certainly be
slain by it, for it is weapon which has not been
proved" in our hands and we have small chance OF
acquiring the needful skill for success.
If we believe in the wOrthiness OF our cause we
ought not to fear for its ultimate success To deal
frankly with this question will help us rather than
harm TO do a thing which might defeat great an
achievement the Santa Fe pact and to do so by
method which leaves our good faith open to challenge
would be almost certain to earn Tor Imperial Vailey
the hostility of all of those who otherwise would be
Joined with in Of the greatest undertakings OF
this age.
IS We shall some day be very grateful to Assembly
Davis for not permitting to be placed IN such
position and shall take pride in the fact that the
great state of California big enough to play it's
part with other states upon the broad principles at
issue.
s1 UNCLE SAM ACCESSORY TO MURDER?