Imperial Valley press., 1925-10-31
THE VISITING SENA TORIAL COMMITTEE
AND OUR CAUSE

THE VISITING SENATORIAL COMMITTEE
AND OUR CAUSE
There be doubt that the delegation of
United States senators who visited Imperial Valley
this week in a sympathetic attitude toward the
problem that is of chief interest to our people.
That the public appreciated the unusual courtesy
showed by the irrigation committee of the
ing here make especial inquiry into the facts reat
ing to control and development of the Colorado river
attested by the oupouring the banquet honor
of the visitors and by the large and enthusiastic audi
ences of men and women attending the hearings of the
committee.
Just now there is much discussion of the proprety
and legality of the irrigation district formerly bring
ing to the valley delegation of members of the lower
mouse at the expense of our tax payers Whatever
may be ones opinion of the wisdom of that action there
is no division of sentiment concerning this latest visit
of the senatorial committee that has to deal with the
whole subject of our river development. This commit
tee came OF Its accord, in line with its official
duty. And the committee made determined and pa
tent effort to ascertain the facts concerning Boulder
dam, the allAmercan canal and every other vital fea-
ture connected with the entire project Instead of be-
ing compelled to send witnesses to Washington to es-
thy before the committee the committee had the good
grace to come here and to afford while here every op
ing the case
In behalf of the people of this valley, whose
spokesman the Press is pleased to regard ITSELF this
newspaper heartily thanks the senate committee for its
good work.
1t is proper to state in this connection also. that
primarily to Congressman Phil D. Swing is due the
credit of lifting the project out of its purely local as
pect and making it a real national issue In season
kept the faith He has shown fidelity to the trust re-
posed in him by his friends and neighbors Besides
all this he has displayed high order of ability that
has commanded respect and admiration. And it
should be added that Senator Johnson has backed the
project and the bill providing for it with his great in
fluence and genius To these two men much
Tor the persistent pressing of claims at Wash
ington.
Here the committee of senator's heard from the
men and interests most directly affected by the provi-
slons OF the SwingJohnson BILL That these interests
were well represented before the committee was quite
apparent 1t is not too much to say that none of the
hearings anywhere on the coast impressive as
the ones here At no place they so dramatic
Tor here the spot where has been wrought the mir
acle OF Transforming former subsea desert into an
Eden. The whole setting suggestive both of ro-
nance and tragedy. Some of the original settlers were
present to recte their heroic struggles and drama
TIE the creation of inland empire out of harsh
and forbiddng desert Ranchmen appeared to relate
their simple annals Engineers who have dealt with
every phase of river and shifting sands and who have
explored the Colorado river delta contributed their
scientific knowledge. On the whole was most sat
lsfactory presentation.
There is little doubt in the minds of those who
closely OBSERVED the action of the members of the
committee that if this committee alone had the power
to determine the matter those who have so dearly at
heart the welfare of this valley would get from Wash
lngton practically everything they ask 1t was obvious
that the committee greatly impressed. There an
peared to be unanimous agreement that dam for
HOOD control and protection Of life and property must
be speedily built. This accepted as inevitable and
unavoidable The Press believes the committee will
report out 10 e senate at least that much of the bill
But OF course this is not enough Concden provision
for hydro-electrc Development and the creation of
great industrial expansion here the coast is lop-
cal coroary to the building of the dam Likewise the
construction of the proposed al-American canal is a
factor that must follow There is much more in This
than patriotic sentiment. What the reclamation of
vast acreage will do t. promote prosperity and give
TO worthy eXsodIcrs opportunity create homes for
themselves was strIkingly presented to the commit
Tee 1T was shown, too, by expert testimony that
claims of the physical impossbility to construct a
canal through the sand dunes were unfounded This
can be done much more eXpedouslv and cheapv than
mas been generally believed This phase was well i'm
pressed upon the committee
Inc prospects are encouraging. The committee
has fortified itself with rrefuabe argument We are
confident we shall find in the committee an earnest
advocate OF our With this committee voicing
our economic appeal and our tragic needs We have
iah TO believe majority of the United States senate
will be convinced of them all.
The stage IS being well set Let US here at home
compose our minor differences and stand soldv back
of our friends at Washington.
The Scientific Americans alchemists have failed
to produce gold in laboratory by the German method
But ii doesn't matter. Colds cheap anyway Let