Imperial Valley press., 1923-10-31
HARDING'S DEATH
BLOW. TO CAUSE
OF BIG PROJECT
CONTINUED from mage y

.iect rs paramount necessity for the
development OF the Southwest, was
4 particularly hard blow to the
valley s ambitions
II has therefore become necessary
TO do over again, = large portion
OF the work that has already been
done. Congressman Swing is con-
fident, however, that it can be
done. No man in high official
capae city ut Washington, who has
been made familiar with the po-
tential possibilities which will ac-
crue from the development of the
Colorado river has failed to become
= staunch supporter of the Boulder
Canyon project and for this reason
he feels sure that President Coolidge
will eventually become friend of
the project. 1t win take hard and
consistent work to get him to the
position where Pres. Harding was
with reference to the reclamation
of the Colorado, but there is no rea.
son TO believe that it cannot be
done.
He considered it unfortunate
that the squabble between Secretary
of the Interior Work, and the Re-
clamation Service may prove "a han
dicap for the project. In vigorous
terms he defended the reclamation
service, stating it has built more
dams than any other agency in the
world and can point with pride to
the fact that not one of its dams
has ever gone ont. 1t has under
estimated the cost OF projects in
some instances, but no building
job has vet been undertaken, even
to the building of a small home,
that did not eventually require more
money than was at first supposed
and he considered it no reflection
on the reclamation service.
He deplored the lack of interest
shown la the Boulder Canyon pro
ject by the state administration,
and pointed to the recent conference
before the Federal Power Commits.
sion as evidence of this failing.
With the exception of Cal each of
the governors of the seven states
affected by the Santa Fe pact was
ct this Washington con-
ference. Despite the fact that Cali
fornia is the state most vitallv in
terested in the development of the
Colorado, j. sent no official repre-
sentative to the conference. The
stated has too long looked upon
the Boulder Canyon project as
matter of local interest to Imperial
Valley only, and an active cam
paign is necessary right in our own
state TO eounteract this attitude.
Refused Girand Permit
After a fall discussion Of the
project, the Federal Power Com
has refused permanent
permit to the Grand interests.
private corporation that seeks to
obtain control Of theColorado.
River development, and while
it is possible that a temporary
permit may be extended for a per-
iod Of IS months, it is to be hoped
that Congress will in the meantime
take action on the project.
Congressman Swing called atten-
ton to the endorsement of the pro-
iect by the national conventions of
the United Spanish War Veterans
and the American Legion as proof
that disinterested body of men
can see the merit in the PROPOSE
ton and reviewed the work done
by Imperial Valley delegates at the
Legion convention in obtaining un-
animous endorsement of the project
by that body. -s....
In his closing remarks, Congress
man Swing praised the support Civ
Ell him by the people of Imperial
Valley and in particular by the
Imperial Irrigation District. He has
been assured by each of the five
directors that the district is behind
the Boulder Canyon dam fight to a
finish. He bitterly condemned any
attempt by the people of Imperial
Valley to curtail the expenditure of
The districts money in furthering
the work required to obtain favor.
able action by Congress on the
project. Without mincing words, he
stated that short sighted people
have sought TO prevent the district
from spending money necessary to
larry on the campaign of education
and propaganda which is vital 10
the success of the desired legislation
and warned the people of the val
ey that if these misguided persons
succeeded, the result would be
nothing short of disastrous to the
Boulder Canyon project.
He expressed his pleasure al the
opportunity given him during the
summer to meet with the home
folks again and stated it is his
10 return to Washington
prepared to carry on the fight
harder than ever before.
Congressman Swing was present
I'd to the meeting by Charles +.
scott president of the Chamber of
Commerce, who assured him at the
conclusion of his address that he
ielt sure the people are in accord
With the work of the congressman.