Imperial Valley press., 1926-03-09
BOOSTS COLORADO RIVER PROJECT

The Washington Times, in common with othe
powerful eastern newspapers, continues to boost IN
cause Of Imperial Valley and the Southland IN II
fight for Colorado river protection, reclamation AM
development. Under the heading of Boulder Dan
Project Should Go Through Congress, the Times re
Gently published another editorial follows:
Seven important Western and Southwestern
States are interested in the Colorado River, and
every of them will profit by its development.
Competent engineers, from Secretary Hoover
down. estimate the annual waste in millions of
dollars and the water, unlike coal and oil, once
gone to the ocean is gone forever. No power can
be developed no crops can be raised from the
waters now going embarrassed to the Gulf OF Call
fornia in Mexico. That is the primary reason why
the legislation pending in Congress, and hav-
ing the Endorsement of members of the Cabinet,
should be enacted without further delay.
There is humanitarian also. Sixty
thousand people and s100,000,oO0 in property be-
low level annually subjected to the
treacherous flood waters of this stream. The river
carries tremendous silt deposits and its bed is ele
waited foot each year. Silt levees are at present
keeping the water off the Imperial and Coachella
Valley in California and they must also be raised
foot each year, but an end will come some time
possibly this year
The Republican and Democratic platforms
two years ago indorsed such legislation Pres-
dent Coolidge has repeatedly referred to it as be-
ing necessary. Secretaries Hoover and Work have
been specially energetic, and the bill now before
Congress embodies their recommendations.
The bill affords the only means by which
the upper states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and
New Mexico secure protection for their future
water rights, because it, in effect ratfes the Colo
rado River compact by six Of the States interested
in this great watershed. The bill does not add
penny to the taxes of any Eastern, Central or
Mid-Western communities. The S125 900 bond
issue necessary will be repaid to the Government
within twenty-five years from the sale of hydro
electric power and water from irrigation and do
mestic use
The legislation means the construction of the
Boulder Dam. thereby creating great storage res
ervoir that will equate the flow OF the stream and
relieve the flood menace. 1t provides for mil
lion horsepower hvdro-electric plant, and mar
ket for that power is already assured. It provides
for an all-Amerlcan canal which will serve the
dual purpose of making Imperial Valley indepen-
dent of Mexico and, at the same time, furnish
medium by which the stored water can be used in
the United States instead of having that valuable
asset go to foreign country where it would be
quickly captured that nearly 100000 acres of
land may be reclaimed to produce crops competi-
tive to those within the United States
Americas duty and obligation to her own cit
liens should always be paramount and Congress
should never overlook an opportunity for service
SO useful and valuable as this Boulder Dam pro-
ject promises to be.
With all these facts in mind, it is absurd to hint
that the Administration is merely making pes-
ture for political effect in holding out the bright
ray of hope that the bill will be passed at this
session. The people of the regions affected have
1ath in the sincerity of the Administration and
know that it has the power to press this legisla-
ton through Congress before adjournment