New Britain herald., 1924-11-20
CALIFORNIA FIGHT
 IS ENDED AT LAST Waters Once Again Flow
 Through Aqueduct AGREEMENT IS REACHED
Ranchers Give up Possession of Wa terway on Promise That Scttle- ment of Fcud Will Re Taken up Immediately.

Los Angeles, Calf, Nov. 2o.-The waters of the Los Angeles Acqueduct diverted into Owens lake last Sunday by a raiding party of Owens valley ranchers who seized and opened the Alabama waste gates north of Lone Pine. Inyo county, were turned back into their course by the raiding party early today said dispatch to the Los Angeles Times.
 Settlement Reached.
 The ranchers decision to abandon their announced determination to hold the gates open until state troops were sent or Los Angeles came to their terms was reached at a con- ference of leaders held at Keeler, on the shores of Owens lake, during the night. It was reached, said the Times Despatch, as direct result of the resolution adopted last Tuesday by the Los Angeles Clearing House as- sociation promising its cooperation In promoting a settlement of the wa ter rights feud, providing the gates were closed.
 Control gates were opened when the ranchers decided to bring to a decision their long standing dispute with Los Angeles over diversion for city use of water the ranchers main tained was needed for irrigation.
 About 100 oyerpowered city en- ployes at the waste gates, drove them from the site and turned the water into Owens lake.
 The Los Anglese water supply was not threatened, however, as enough for ninety days was impounded be- low where the acqueduct was cut.
 Situation Was Grave,
 The ranchers stated they would remain on guard at the gates until state militiamen were sent against them, or until Los Angeles capitu- lated they made elaborate prepara- tions for long siege.
 The city did not seek the use of force In ejecting them. however, but instead applied to courts for writs Of eviction.
 Despite the lack of armed aggres. siveness on either side, the situation was described by observers as need, ing but little more to precipitate tha, sction of California into civil war. l fare.
 Governor Richardson withstoot repeated appeals for state soldiers to dislodge the ranchers. Jess Hession District Attorney of lnyo county, was In Sacramento today to urge the gov. ernor again to send troops to pre- vent bloodshed when the ranchers decided to withdraw.
 Still Loiter Nearby Even after the closing Of the gates, the ranchers did not leave the aqueduct, seemingly unable 10 com. prehend that the battle was at ar end. Only the empty apron of the spillWay, down which the city's water supply no longer rushed tc the river bed below, betrayed the fact that the aqueduct deadlock had been broken.
 From the outposts where they had been standing guard, sentinel. drifted in toward the camp fires and flung themselves down for a few moments of sleep before daybreak Immediately after the contro gates were closed telegram was sent to District Attorney Jess Hes. sion of Inyo county who was to ar rive in San Francisco today 10 make an appeal to Governor Richardson for troops.
 Those not in the mood for sleer began preparations for todays bar, becue, which was to have been E feast of defiance, but now took or the character of a genuinely hilari ous celebration, for all who partiCI pated in the vigil at the gates made 1 no secret of their relief. with the