Imperial Valley press., 1930-06-09
Dam Appropriations
Included In Bill
Continued from Page y

tize the debt TO the federal govern.
ment over 4 period of so years, Nit
chell ruled. The rity of Los Angeles
is bound by contract to take be
tween SO and 50 per cent of the
power generated at Boulder Dam.
In addition, the Interior secretary
would be authorized to supply the
city with additional power if it were
available. The government, on its
part. however, is obligated to supply
the minimum in order to keep the
contracts in force, Mitchell said.
Some members of the appropria
tions committee had questioned the
right of Los Angeles, under its al
tieios of government, to negotiate 4
contract without first taking a vote
of its citizens.
Michel concluded, after examin.
ing this phase of the contract, thai
the city was authorized under its
charter to construct, maintain and
operate Il local power. project. He
held this gave the city the right to
enter into contracts with the govern
ment 10 furnish power to supply
such current from Boulder Dam.
All Requirements Met
The attorney general said that
all requirements of the act have
been me. by Secretary Wilbur in Sc
curing the contracts. His opinion.
after holding the contracts express
firm obligation to pay for elee-
trical energy in definite quantities,
concluded with the statement.
"lhe contracts Tor lease or power
privilege between the United
States. the city of Los Angeles, its
department OF water and power
and the Southern California Edison
Company, Ltd, are in my opinion,
q valid agreement, binding upon the
city and its departments to the ex-
tent of which funds are available
under the provision of the charter
to the department, and is in full
compliance with section ) Of the
Boulder canyon project act, since
the revenues which it will provide
out of such funds are in the judg-
ment of the secretary of the inter
ior, adequate TO meet the require
ments of that section.
"Objection has been made to the
Metropolitan water districts power
contracts on the ground that the
district has not vet voted bonds to
provide funds to Guild the aQueduct
on which this would be used"
1t is unnecessary to consider
which step must precede the other
provision for the aqueduct or pro-
vicion for power and water-in view
Of the sutficenev of the city ag1
company contracts to meet all tf-
quirements of the act. Even if the
squeduet financing were construed
as being a prerequisite, the secre
tary IS reservation Of energy for the
district is within his authority un-
der the second paragraph of Section
of the act. , ..s
Giving consideration only to the
city and company contracts, Nam
of the opinion that all the require-
nents of section of the Boulder
Dam project act which are made
condition precedent to the appro-
priation of money, the making OF
contracts and the commencement OF
work for the construction OF dam
and power plant in Boulder canyon,
lave been fully met and performed
by the secretary of the interior, in
securing the contracts referred to in
his letter.
The notice OF progress towarl
definite action in the matter of tho
Boulder dam which came in the
news dispatches of this morning.
brought an announcement from the
local offices of the Imperial Irriga
ton District, that the District board
OF directors has entered into an q.
greemcnt with the Metropolitan Wa
ter District of Los Angeles wnereby
the former agreement between thes3
two districts relative to the appoint
ment of water and other matters in
cident to the operation of this pro
.iect was re-endorsod. This agree
ment had been entered into several