Imperial Valley press., 1930-12-06

and which l have been sponsoring
during my eight years in office,
am announcing my candidacy for
{ reelection to the office of director
from Division No. 2 of the Imperial
Irrigation district at the election
to be held Wednesday, February
4, 1881.
The future of our valley will
largely be determined 10y the deci-
sions made during the next year or
two. No business, industry. or COM
munity can stand still, it must eth
er 40 ahead, make progress, develop
or go backwards: we are at the
cross roads and must soon decide
which course our valley is to take.
It is true that after years Of cease
less work we have obtained the
passage by congress OF the legisla-
ton for the development of the
Colorado river and work has actual
" commenced on one portion OF
the project, Boulder dam. But the
other portion authorized by the leg
islation, the Ali-American canal, IS
vet to be started although the plans
and estimates are being prepared.
There vet remains much to be done
before construction can start ana
to the end of securing the imme-
date construction Of the canal ard
protecting the interests Of the peo-
pie, I pledge myself.
In constructing the canal as pro-
yided for in the Boulder Canyon
project act, the United States gov
ernment is offering to loan us the
funds required to solve our many
problems and place our valley on
a permanent foundation for the
first time in its history; founda-
ton which will endure for all time.
The canal will not only permit us
to look forward to the gradual
growth and development Of our re-
sources but also free us from the
control of a foreign government,
result in creating better feeling
with our neighborS across the inter-
national boundary and remove the
major cause of the political tur-
mol. created by the vast holdings
of America in Mexico, with which
our valley has been faced since its
life blood-water-firSt reached our
soil from the Colorado river.
The United States government Is
willing not only to lend us these
funds but also lend them without
any charge for interest and In ad-
dition not require cent OF repay
ment until the works are completed
and then give us 40 years in which
to pay back the principal, after
which the works are ours. Further
more, it is anticipated that the re-
payment will be graduated, being
lower for the first few years which
will make it easier during the ear
her stages of the development. This
is equivalent to our paying only
2la per cent interest for 40 years and
no principal Surely, our valley
could not refuse such generous Of
fer and especially since it brings
to US realization Of the things Tor
which we have been fighting for
so many years.
Some people have the mistaken
idea that with the construction OF
the canal large bodies Of new lands
will Immediately be brought under
cultivation. 1t is true the canal
will make possible the development
OF new lands but these will be
brought into cultivation only as
economic conditions justify and in
any event, since it will be six years
or more before the canal is COM
pleted, it is safe to say that it will
be a minimum Of 10 years before
there is any considerable amount
of new land irrigated. I am strong
" opposed to any increase in the
irrigated acreage at the present
time
A large ma ajority OF the new lands
are owned by the government and
have been withdrawn from entry;
on the east mesa for example, over
IS per cent of lands are in this
class. Entrys will not be permit
ted until after water is available
and then only as conditions Justi-
fy. First choice will go TO et-serv-
ice men and women, and who are
more deserving of this opportunity
than these men and women who
have served their country.
On the All-American canal there
will be large hydro-power possibih-
ties. The development of this pow
er offers a resource to our valley OF
very great magnitude and without
a question if properly handled for
the maximum benefit of the people
will pay every cent Of the cost OF
the canal. In other words, power
revenues will carry the repayments
/ to the government without any
charge whatever against the land.
The major problem on the canal
system at the present time is that
of silt disposal and in particular
that of the heavier silt or sand
which each year is spreading far
/ ther over the valley, causing in
creasing difficulties in farming as
well as canal maintenance. Because
! of the seriousness of the situation
and the ever increasing cost
amounting now to over half mil
lion dollars annually, am in IA
vor OF lending every effort to Sc.
cure the starting of construction ol
the canal at the earliest practica
date. This is necessary in order
that the facilities for removing the
heavy silt which will be provided
! - 4Io .,a.I, diuorcict, do M r,,au hf