Imperial Valley press., 1925-12-29
Significant Fact

1t Is Il significant lICS ln3t an
fornia is the only one Of the seven
Colorado river states that has not for
years, and that is not now using its
state administration to protect its
citizens in the exercise of their
rights in the river, and aggressively
reaching out for whatever benefit
it can secure from the river.
Official communications issued
from Sacramento up to the present
time have been detrimental rather
than helpful. This work which in
other states is being done by the
state itself, must largely be carried
on by the Imperial Irrigation dis
trict unless our state administration
can be induced to adopt a different
policy.
NY impression is that there is no
opposition to the all-American canal.
except that originating from the
Mexican land owners and those con.
trolled or influenced by them.
Arizona's Objections
Arizona appears TO be the only
interest seriously objecting to the
location of the dam at or near
Boulder canyon. Power company
objections to the dam apparently can
be reduced according TO the amount
of power they are permitted to de-
velop at the dam.
a great deal cannot be accom-.
plished by delegation in Wash.
ington at this time, but / think
that at least one person should be
maintained there to keep the very
favorable present sentiment alive
while other matters are being work
ed out.
/ have reached these conclusions
after having recently visited each
of the Colorado river states and dis
cussed the project with the govern
ors and other officials, and more re,
Gently having spent two weeks in
Washington attending the senate
committee hearings and so far as
possible securing the Washington
viewpoint.
The testimony before the senate
committee is conclusive as to the
urgent need of the legislation, and
as to the feasibility and practibl-
itv both physically and financially
of the entire project. Secretary
HoOver's testimony was clear
forcsful and decidedly helpful
While the up-river states delegates
have in the record insisted they
would continue to oppose any devel.
opment on the river until Arizona
ratified the compact, several of
them have assured me privately that
if California could not work out a
reasonable settlement with Arizona
within comparatively short time
they would reconsider the matter
and assist in working out a plan to
protect not only the up.river states
but California as well and permit
the development to proceed.
Most Solons Friendly
Members Of congress who are in.
formed as to the project are for the
most part friendly to it. President
Coolidge and Secretary Hoover
have each repeatedly publicly ex.
pressed their desire to see the de.
velopment made, and it may be that
conditions will change 50 as to per.
init the legislation in some form to
be passed at this session of con.
gress.
l believe that we should by every
means possible encourage the use
OF water on all new lands now under
canal so that all irrigable lands
within the district will have per.
fected water right which cannot
legally be affected by subsequent di.
versions and which will place us in
a more advantageous position in ne.
gotiating an ALLEGATION of the water
OF the Colorado river as between the
states of the lower basin.