White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-02-19
THIS VALLEY HAS POWERFUL ALLY
IN THE MILWAUKEE RAILROAD

IA real IlCSSdkG was OkOo6AS W Liz
residents of this valley Monday by
Milwaukee railroad officials, a mes
sage charged with more promise for
the ultimate working out of economic
conditions here than has probably
ever been given to this district be-
fore. Everyone knows that the solu-
ton of the ditch problem here, to the
end that all of the land below the
canal that wants to take water from
il can be supplied from that source,
is the big hill that must be climbed
if this valley is to come into its own
and to be all. that nature evidently
intended it should be. To aid in this
solution and to give what assistance
they could in working out the minor
problems, R. M. Calkins of Chicago,
vice-president of the Milwaukee,
and H. B. Earring, also a vice-presi-
dent and general manager OF the
western division with headquarters
at Seattle, promised to do every
thing within their power to bring
about a satisfactory adjustment.
They made it clear that they were
not offering any solution nor even
suggestions as to how. the ditch pro-
blem should be settled. That, they
said, was matter for the Hanford
water right owners and those whose
land might be watered by the en-
larged irrigation system to work out.
To this end they urged that all par
ties interested get together; forget
the little petty differences if any such
existed and work together for the
common good in evolving plan to
settle the whole water question.
When that was done, they said, they
stood ready to serve in any way they
could as an intermediary in putting
such plan into effect.
Both Mr.. Calkins and Mr., Earl
ing said that the Milwaukee's inter-
ests WERE. after all, much like those
Of the ranchers. If the community
were growing and the farmers pros
pering that growth and prosperity
would be reflected in the railroad
companys business. If the reverse
conditions exist, then the railroad
company would suffer in like man
ner. In other words they were bust
ness men trying to work. out BUSH
ness proposition, and not philanthro-
pists.
The officials arrived in White
Bluffs in their private cars by special
train about o'clock Monday morn
ing. Arrangements. had been made
for the settlers on the state tracts to
meet the officials and the meeting
was called to order about 10 o'clock
in Liberty hall. In his opening re-
marks Mr.. Calkins stated the mis-
sion of the officials here at this. time
and warned his audience that he did
not want the meeting degraded by
any indulgence in personalities.
Phases of the water question were
discussed for a time but in spite of
Mr.. Callins' warming, which was re-
reated couple of times, some of the
settlers turned loose TRADE Of abuse
on one of the Milwaukee officials.
Mr.. Call<ins and Mr.. Earring then
( picked up their hats and started to
leave the building when some of the
ordinarily calmer minds, egged on
! by the rabid ones, lost their heads
completely and created rather dis
graceful scene. For this the older
residents of the district, as well as
many settlers on the state tracta
themselves, feel that they owe Mr..
Callxins and Mr.. Earling an apology.
Shaun Kelly, one Of the oldest set
tiers on the project, said to the
Spokesman the morning following
the meeting: II was so ashamed at
the way some of the boys acted by
indu1ging in personalities that got
up and left the meeting in disgust"
Others are reported to have made
like statements.
1t seems pity that there are still
a few people who do not seem to
realize they are living in the United
States; that this is the twentieth GEN.
fury and that things are accomplished
more by appeals to mems rea-
son and intelligence than to their
passion or by threats and coercion.
Before leaving for an auto trip to
the Cold Creek country and through
the upper part of the valley after
lunch the officials expressed a desire
to meet with the older settlers and
with only the telephone to resort to,
at $50 crowd estimated at over one
hundred from among the older set
tiers, together with about dozen Of
the business men in town, gathered
at Liberty hall at 4 o'clock to greet
the officials. Edmund Anderson call
ed the meeting to order and nomi-
mated Attorney ]. c. Lloyd to act as
chairman. After expressing the APP
probation of the residents Of the val
ley for the Milwaukee's interest in
affairs here, Mr.. Lloyd called upon
Mr.. Calkins and Mr.. Earring, who
both again restated their desire to as
sist in every way possible in con-
structive development of this district.
Following their talks, Mr.. Lloyd
called on different ones of the farm
ers and business men to express
their views on the Milwaukee's offer
to lend their aid and each and all
responded by giving their whole
->c~~~c~~c>r~c-~cSc-o~ c.c~~c~~~~~~~c~rS~-
Business matters called L. Burns
home last week from contemplated
trip to California after be had reach
ed Portland on his journey south,