Imperial Valley press., 1923-11-19

am in possession of information
which, if publicly expressed, would
not rebound particularly to their
advantage.
Chandler has unrelentingly done
everything in his power to prevent
development ever since, believing
that as long as such a condition can
be forced here, just SO long Will his
Mexican lands profit through use
of water without his having to pay
a Just share for same.
9 Opposes Boulder Dam
The viciousness Of the revived eff
fort at this time is prompted by
opposition 10 the Boulder Dam ana
All-American canal, Il measure that
would forever take Imperial Valley
beyond the grasp of such enemies
and make the farmers free and in
dependent in every sense from any
outside power. So long as Amcri-
can people, here in the United
States. must depend for their drink
ing and irrigation waters upon ca
mails passing through Mexico where
such waters pass entirely beyond
the physical and legal control of
( the people of the United States, Just
so long will Chandler retain his
greedy grasp.
4 The editorial in the Los Angeles
Times. mentioned above, referred
to the old system before the I'm
perial Irrigation district took it
over and mis-stated why the receiv-
ership came. Chandler knew, bet
ter than most any one, that the
change came through a desire to
choke off Fps Randolph following
Hartman 5 death. 1t was a poll
teal fight within the ranks of the
southern Pacific, the old feud of
east against the west. The editor
ial dared not make the trae state
ment. Then it followed with refer
ence to the mutual water companies
as a better plan. II did not say
that the land owners were taxed.
through assessments by the mutualS.
with $1,350,000 year nor did it
say that the present operation syS-
tenn is carried on at 80 per cent less
than under the mutual companies.
The whole editorial was glaring
with inaccuracies well known to old
timers in Imperial Valley.
Immediately following the editor
ial came the organization at Braw-
ley headed by former Assemblvman
Frank Beal, Chandler follower,
whose powerful political machine
was so badly smashed last February.
The organization was composed
entirely of Chandler men who vot-
ed against Earl c. Pound, an ardent
All-American canal supporter. Chan
der s acreage was necessarily ad-
ded when they attempted to say
they had 100000 acres in their or
ganization and being Il Chandler
crowd this was natural. The Times
editorial referred to had mentioned
Beal's name and Tommy thought
himself consistent in tickling back.
Sen. shortridge Visits
Then came the visit of the Sena-
tor ShOrtridge and Congressman
Fredericks. These gentlemen were
probably unaware of the embarraSs-
ment they caused by being slipped
so quietly into the valley and out
again. They have been repeatedly
invited by the Imperial Irrigation
district to visit this section openly
and above board. Senator Short
ridge was given a big vote by I'M
perial Valley. He has many sup
porters here who were chagrined
when they learned of the secret
visit but they do not vet believe he |
realized what Chandler, "who
holds California in his vest pocket
was doing to him. It was during
this trip that Chandler hoped to
fill the officials with prejudice /
against their own people and get
them to opDose the Boulder Dam
and especially the All-American ca
nal. How well he succeeded remains
10 be seen.
Then came the - tax suit-a mis- /
nOmer itself because il really means
a tax of $3.50, the same as last wear, +
where the lands are being cult !
waited. The suit was undoubtedly
instigated by the Times crowd. They /
are doing all they can to back it, !
are TRYING to make it appear that
II j. lIlt8dl 10 correct more JndH (
100000 in taxes although the mu-
tuals,, so much beloved by Chandler
collected $1,350,0O0 themselves
without regard to the maintainence
of the system in Mexico, the head |
ing and main canals. If their con
tcntion could be maintained I'm
perial Irrigation District would face
a calamity such as never before. |
The act of 1915, under which it has
been operating, drawn by Judge NJ. /
w. Conkling, has been considered |
just and fair and to have such an
act declared unconstitutional at this !
time would bring dire ruin upon all
of Imperial Vallcy-the thing
Chandler so much desires.
All Of this propaganda, the Times |
hopes, will prevent the passage Of
the legislation for flood protection
for Imperial Valley known as the |
Swing gJohnson bill, for the con
struction Of the Boulder Dam and /
All-American canal-and this will !
be water on the Chandler wheel.
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