davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
CONTRACT
ON CANAL
DUE SOON
District Officials Will
Confer Sunday With
Reclamation Heads.
HOPE FOR APPROVAL
Minor Points To Be Ad-
justed Before Final Ac-
ceptance.

The entire board of directors to-
gether with other officers of the
Irrigation District, left shortly after
noon today for Los Angeles to enter
into what will probably be the last
conference with u. S. Reclamation
Service repi esentatives prior to TIE
submission of the proposed ALL
American canal contract to the
secretary Of the interior.
Board members sYen: all daY yes
torday and this morning in Creek
ing the tentative draft of the con-
tract, paragraph by paragraph, in
preparation for the final conference
with Judge p w. Dent, assistant
commissioner OF the reclane Ion
service, and r.. j. Coffey, district
counsel for the western area of the
reclamation service. Judge Dent
will probably leave Immediately af-
ter the conclusion OF tomorrow's
conference for Washington. carry
ing with him the completed draft
as agreed upon tentatively by the
Irrigation District board and the
two reclamation service men.
The contract as now drafted pro-
vides for diversion of $4,000 aecond
feet of water at Imperial dam. a
diversion dam that is to be located
several miles above Laguna Dam on
the Colorado river. This $1,000 Sec
ond feet of water will be carried
in main canal west of the Color
ado river down to Siphon Drop.
From Siphon Drop the Yuma Rec
lamation project is expected to take
its share of the water in the canal,
not TO exceed 1000 second feet.
q Then, the contract provides. the
canal will continue to Pilot Knob,
thence across the sand hills, car
rying a maximum of 10000 second
feet to point in the east side mesa
where the Coachella canal takes
off. The main canal will continue
in general westerly direction to
Calexico and across to the west side
main canal, connecting with the
present irrigation canal works to
serve the present irrigated area of
the district. and lands on the west
mesa. The Coachella canal will
carry around the east side of SAL
ton Sea and around the Coachella
Valley to the west side.
Method of Finance
Another important provision of
the contract is the method of fin
ancing the project. A maximum
figure of $38,50o,000 is set by the
federal government as being the
absolute limit of the districts Oh
legation to the government for con-
structing the canal, Imperial" dam
and incidental structures. but only
the actual cost will be repaid. The
estimate is s33 3,500000 including the
entire project. Repayment to the
government, according to terms of
the tentative contract, will occur in
annual payments beginning approx
imately one year after the secre-
tarv of interior has formally noti-
fled the district that the canal to
Imperial and Coachella valleys is
Continued on page -
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
PROPRIETOR OF
WINE SUPPLIES
FINED IN COURT

A. PiaZzi, arrested by Sheriff
George L. Campbell yesterday morn
ing on the east side of the Alamo
river near the Holtville to Imperial
road, yesterday afternoon paid fine
of $500 after entering plea of
guilty to possession of liquor before
S. M. Smyser, Holtville justice.
The fine was the largest that
could be levied against against him
in a justice court. Evidence that
Piazzi was q wholesale dealer sup
plying minor bootleggers in his dis
trict was plentiful, said Sheriff
Campbell last night.
Raiding the ranch house occupied
by Piazzi, Campbell and Deputies
Ernest Clay, w. S. Keating, and
Harold Gillett discovered more than
1900 gallons wine, 20 dozen beer, a
small quantity of vermouth, one
1900 gallon vat, one 1000 gallon vat,
four tons of raisins and a half ton
of figs.
One of the vats was full of mash.
Wine was contained in barrels
stacked about the room. The raid
netted what is believed to be the
largest liquor haul ever made in
this county.
D. H. Wolford, deputy district at
torney, was called to Holtville to
represent the district attorneys
office when Piazzi was taken be-
fore Judge Smyser. Piazzi was TAX
en- directly from the scene of the
raid into justice court, fined, paid
his fine with a certified check, and
was released.
With Piazzi when he was raided
were two other men. One was a
neighbor who had just arrived on a
visit, while the other was looking
for work, and had stopped at the
ranch.
The sheriff and his deputies. af-
ter Piazzi pleaded guilty, returned
to the scene and destroyed the
wine and other liquor. Taking it
as the speediest way of allowing
the liquor to run out, the officers
shot holes into the barrels and 9TH
er containers.
The Alamo river ran liquor for
q WHILE" said one of the officers
last night.
Before the officers departed Pi-
azZi took occasion to remark gen.
tly on an idea engendered by the
raid.
In my country" he told Sheriff
Campbell, "all the robbers take to
the hills. In this country it is dif-
ferent. All the robbers take to the
court house."
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
CHANGES
URGED BY
ADVISORS
Present Valuation of Land
By District Considered
Basically Fair.
NEEDS ADJUST N G
Board Recommends Ap-
pOintment Of Special
Group To Fix Values.

AS result of several weeks of
study and investigation, the valu-
alton advisory body in session at
Imperial Irrigation district head
quarters yesterday afternoon passed
the following resolution and recon-
mendation:
We, the Committee of Is appoint
ed for the purpose of investigating
the present valuations placed on
lands in the Imperial Irrigation Dis
trict for assessment purposes. after
studying maps and other data furn-
ished us by the board Of directors
and the assessor of the Imperial Ir-
rigation District, have reached the
conclusion that while the present
assessment as a whole is basically
fair, many irregularities and in
equalities exist therein. To correct
these irregularities and inequalities
we suggest:
First: That the Imperial Irriga-
ton District provide for the en-
ployment of six persons not now on
the payroll of the district, all Of
whom are familiar with and under
stand the various types of soil Of
the valley and other conditions
which would naturally enter into
the valuation of land, to fix q fair
and equitable valuation upon each
and every parcel of land in the
district using the present assessment
roll as basis; that the assessment
roll so arrived at shall be used by
the Imperial Irrigation District as
SCISSOR for the levying of district
taxes until changed for good and
sufficient reasons; that of the six
persons employed as above provided,
one of the six shall be put in charge
of the work who shall supervise.
coordinate and finally. approve the
findings of the others before being
submitted to the assessor, thus in
suring the use of a common STAN
dard of valuation throughout.
Second. That no agricultural
land should be assessed for more
than $3.50 per acre, and in view OF
the fact that it costs the district
in excess of 50 per acre for the ac-
tual delivery of water to the lands
in addition to all fixed charges, we
recommend that no land which Is
receiving water for irrigation for
merchantable crops be assessed for
less than $40 per acre.
Providing the Imperial Irrigation
District directors favor the accept
ance of foregoing resolution, that
this committee offers it's services in
the selection of the six men tc
make the proposed re-valuation.
1t was recommended:
That the district take tax deeds
on all delinquent property three
years after sale, make appraisement
of same and sell same to the high
est bidder, subject to the appraise-
ment.
The body adjourned to await the
call of the chairman.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
COAST SPEAKERS
ADDRESS VALLEY
CHAMBERS MEET

John Austin, past president of
the Los Angeles Chamber of Com
merce, was the main speaker at the
Associated Chambers Of Commerce
meeting in INLAND last night at
which time between so and 60 val
ley residents gathered for the reg
ular session of the associated body
He discussed e-apportionment and
economics.
Charles P. Bayer, field secretary
of the same body, spoke briefly OF
the advantages of cooperation. JAS
per Travers of Ell Centro talked of
the road situation in Imperial
county and of thep rogram for de-
velopment of local highways.
An excellent musical program
was presented during the evening,
the numbers being varied in nature
Discussion Of plan for the plant
ing of fan and date palms along
valley highways took place during
the evening. Palms are better
adapted to the climate and soil
than other trees, it was explained,
and could be grown with less care.
According to the plans, the pal,ns
are to be grown from seed at the
county farm and cared for by the
county for year after planting
After that period, the trees would
be placed in care of the state.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
WALTERS TO Be
BROUGHT HERE
FROM DELANO

Arrested by the Delano chief Of
police on a five year old murder
indictment by the Imperial county
grand jury. A. D. Walters, alias
Tnree-finger Blackie, will be re-
turned to the county Jail here to-
morrow in custody of George Evans.
deputy sheriff.
Evans left Ell Centre yesterday
for Delano to take charge OF Wall
tcrS. who is under indictment for
the alleged murder February 70.
1926, of Charles Abel in Calipatria.
A telegram was received et the
sherift's office last night from
Walters brother in Texas, asking
particulars OF the trouble" the ac-
cuSed is in. Details of the charge
against Walters were wired t. his
brother.
Howard johnson is now serving
term in San Quentin penitentiary
for the same crime with which
Walters is charged. The two we're
indicted by the county grand jury.
Johnson was arrested following the
drunken brawl that resulted in
Abels death, but Walters could
never be located. A jury found
johnson guilty of second degree
murder.
Soon after Walters arrives at the
county Jail here he will be taken
before the superior court for ar
raignment and plea. 1t will not be
necessary to hold preliminary
hearing in justice court, because OF
the grand jury indictment.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
COURT ORDERS
ROBERTSON TO
STATES PRISON

Frank Robertson, convicted of
grand theft in superior court, was
denied probation by Judge A. c..
Finney today and sentenced to San
Quentin penitentiary for the term
prescribed by law, from one to Is
years.
when attorneys for the defense gave
when attorneys for the defense gave
bertson be released from the coun-
notice of appeal and asked that Ro-
ty Jail on bond pending decision on
the appeal. Bond was set at $2500
Probation was denied after argu-
ments that took up almost the en-
tire morning session of court.
Robertson was convicted of grand
theft after buying 900 chickens from
j. c. Poe, giving Poe a check for
half the chickens, and later stop
ping payment on the check. This
was after Robertson had taken the
chickens paid for by the check.
A civil suit in Judge Vaughn N.
Thompson's department of the su-
perior court, involving the same
transaction, resulted in judgment in
favor of Poe against the defendant
and P. A. Robertson, brother of
Frank. The fact that the civil
Judgment has not yet been paid
was one factor in determining the
court today to deny probation to
Frank Robertson.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
SCHOOL MATTERS
DISCUSSED AT
TRUSTEES MEET

In the words of c. B. Collins,
county superintendent of schools,
the purpose of the annual trustees
meeting held yesterday morning in
the Wilson school auditorium was
ITO find what others are doing that
we may make the most of the
schools in our charge"
The program opened with music
by the Wilson school girls glee club,
the boys glee club, and the school
orchestra, all under the direction of
Mrs. C. w. Remele. The children
gave delightful group of musical
numbers, all of which were capably
performed.
DR.. Warren F. S. Fox, county
health officer, spoke on How the
Public Health Service Can Bene-
fit the Schools" Elmer Searle of
San Diego discussed the problems
of consolidated purchasing, and Ell
mer Heald, district attorney, those
of budgets.
A round table discussion covering
many topics occupied the remainder
of the session, such problems as Am
ericanization policy, records and
regular meetings, compensation in
surance, budgets, cafeteria opera
ton, district boundaries, kindergar-
tens, building funds, and the best
methods of cutting expenses with
out hurting the schools, being dis
cussed at this time.
1t was urged that a wider use be
made of the county purchasing
agents office but no compulsory
features were attached to the re-
quest.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
FIRING SQUAD
PROPOSED FOR
DEATH PENALTY
GOlden's Measure Would
Substitute Rifles For
Hangman's Moose.
BY HOMER l.. ROBERTS
United Press Staff Correspondent

SACRAMENTO, Cal, April 25.
U.H-The firing squad would be
substituted for the hangman'
moose in California under bill pre-
pared for introduction in the legis-
lature today by Assemblyman Mil
ton M. Golden, Hollywood.
The new attack on he states pre-
sent system of hanging convicted
murderers came after a bill by Sem
ators Charles H. Deuel., Chico: Dan
E. Williams, Chinese Camp, and
Joseph l.. Pedrotti, Los Angeles,
had been presented, calling for sub
stitution of lethal gas for the gal
lows
Assemblyman William B. Horn
blower, Los Angeles, author of the
bill to abolish capital punishment
and substitute life imprisonment
without parole, attacked the two
other proposed methods of execution
as smoke screens, thrown up to
hide the real ISSUE"
Another step in the age-old bat
tie of the city of San Francisco
to get control of its SIS 100000 har-
Dor was taken in the assembly late
yesterday, when it passed a bill
shifting control from the state to
city. The vote was "A to II.
Passage of this bill by the Senate
is virtually assured, after which it
goes to Governor Rolph for sigma
ture. Proponents of the measure
declared he will approve it.
The legislature wrote its seventh
investigation into the 1881 records
yesterday when it ordered a COM
mitee of three to conduct an in
quiry into the $4,000 site selected
for the new state prison for women,
in Kern county.
Lieutenant Governor Frank F.
Merriam appointed Senators Walter
H. Duval, Santa Paula; John L. Mo-
ran, Corning, and Henry E. Care
ter Los Angeles, to leave Sacrament
to May /. for Bakersfield to make
an inquiry as to whether the pri-
son site has an adequate water sup
ply. Building operations will be
held up temporarily pending their
report.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
BIBBENS SLAYER
REPORTED KNOWN
TO AUTHORI les
Coast Crime Blamed Up
on Underworld Desire
For Revenge.

SAN DIEGO, Cal, April 25. U.P)-
The identity of the slayer of Mrs.
w. B. Diamond Dolly" Bibbens,
third murder victim in San Diego
within three months, is known, it
was announced today by Police
Captain Paul Hayes.
THE killer is an underworld
character and the motive was un-
derworld revenge" Captain Hayes
declared.
He refused to give additional de-
tails of the Identification or tell
in what manner it was determined.
Authorities in Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Chicago. Detroit. st.
Louis, Sacramento and Las Vegas,
New, have been asked to search for
the suspect, according to Captain
Hayes.
1t was known that letters found
in the apartment where Mrs. Bib
bens was strangled approximately a
week ago and where her pajama-
clad body was found, discovered by
a plumber Thursday night, furn-
ished clews.
Captain Hayes also admitted that
hairs found fastened in the finger
nails OF the victim were valuable
evidence.
A conference attended by police
detectives, deputy sheriffs and state
experts, was held today at which all
evidence in the Bibbens case, the
Louise Teuber Staying. on Black
Mountain and the kidnapping and
murder OF 1O-year-old Virginia
Brooks, was reviewed.
Last night Clarence Morrill,, su-
perintendent of the state bureau of
Identification at Sacramento, dis
cussed the slayings with Sheriff Ed
Cooper. Details of the meeting were
not made public.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WEEK OBSERVED
BY KIWANlAM

Kiwanians obServ Public
schools week at their luncheon at
the Barbara Worth hotel yesterday,
turning the meeting over to B. M.
Gruwell, superintendent OF city
schools.
Gruwell introduced Mrs. c. w.
Remele, elementary music super
visor, who accompanied and direct
ed the Wilson school chorus in sew
eral selections. These numbers were
follower by songs by the girls glee
club and the boys glee club.
Kiwanians expressed their pleas
ure and appreciation by enthusias-
tic applause.
Gruwell discussed school activities
and the modes of education. He eX-
planned that everything possible is
being done to give the children a
good foundation for their later life
in music and public speaking as
we'll as in the regular educational
routine.
The chairman of the golf COM
mittee announced that everything
is in readiness for the Kiwanis-
Rotary golf tournament at the Bar
bara Worth Country club links Sat-
urday and Sunday. The losing club
will entertain the winning club
members and wives at dinner and
bridge.
r. E. Couch, local Kiwanis club
delegate to the national convention
in Miami, Fla. May 4, S, 6, and Z,
was given royal send-off by those
present at yesterdays luncheon.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
Youthful Slayer
Gets New Trial

PHOENIX, April 25. W.D - A
mandate of the Arizona supreme
court directed new trial for Rich
ard Nash Burrows, 20-year-old Chi
cago youth who was convicted of
killing Jack Martin of Mesa. Ariz.,
was on file in superior court here
today.
Lloyd Andrews, county attorney,
said he would petition Immediately
for an early trial date.
Burrows, sentenced to hang after
being convicted of killing and rob-
bing Martin, Mesa salesman. won
an appeal to the supreme court, the
higher court holding that the prose-
cution erred in telling the jury that
the case was. similar to the Leopold
Loeb murder case in Chicago.
The appeal stayed the death SEN
tence which had been imposed on
Burrows.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
VALLEY INVITED
TO VISIT PHOENIX
ROAD CELEBRATION

Since the completion of the Yu-
na-Phoenix link of highway No. 80
is so important to Imperial Valley,
large representation of this COM
munity is expected to join the mo-
torcade to the Arizona capital on
Tuesday.
San Diego. Imperial Valley and
Yuma will band together for the
parade into Phoenix, expecting in
this manner to make a splendid
showing. Local automobiles will
proceed with the San Diego cars to
Yuma Monday night and at 6
O'Clock Tuesday morning the motor
cade will start for Phoenix. The
Yuma Indian band in full regalia
will be a part of the parade.
The link between Phoenix and
Yuma is approximately 200 miles in
length and is a part Of transcon-
tinental highway No. 80. Work be-
gan on January Z, 1880, and was
completed April Is, 1881. More
than ll,048,478 square feet Of pre-
pared subgrade was made in that
time; $4,000 cubic yards of crushed
rock spread on the surfacing and
more than 2,572,000 gallons of road
oil mixed and placed. Approximate
ly eight miles a month were COM
pleted
1t is estimated that between 200
to l,5OO automobiles pass over the
link per day. The running time
between Yuma and Phoenix is usu-
ally four and one-half hours. Ten
years ago this road was only q
desert trail.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
Alienists Say
KeatOn Insane

SAN QUENTIN PRISON, Cal,
April 25. (U.p)-Frank Keaton, court
room murderer of Motley Flint,
prominent Los Angeles banker, was
given a chance to escape the gal
lows today when a committee of
alienists advised Warden Holohan
that Keaton apparently was insane.
Holohan said the report of the
alienists would not be made public
but that they would testify to their
findings before a jury in San Ra-
phael county superior court, where
Keaton's sanity will be given
hearing.
Judge Edward I. Butler the trial
jurist of the Los Angeles case in
which Asa Keyes, former district at
torney of Los Angeles, was con-
victed with others of having con-
spired to accept bribes, will pre-
side at the Keaton trial.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
MORE CHINESE
ARRESTED FOR
ILLEGAL ENTRY

For the first time since 81 Chin
ese were taken from the county
Jail here to stand trial before the
federal court in San Diego on
charge of illegal entry into the
United States, group of Orientals
was booked at the county Jail today
on the same charge.
The Chinese immigration came
to a sudden halt when word vert
over the grapevine system in Mex
leo that the offenders taken from
here were sentenced to eight
months in the Santa Ana Jail before
being deported, officers said.
Deportation the Chinese consid-
cred all right, but the Jail sent
ence dampened their ardour in try
ing to force Uncle Sam to stand the
expense of q trip to China.
before noon. They were Loo Hang,
booked at the county Jail shortly
noon today. They were Loo Hang
34 Loo Park Tang, 35, Loo Tung
Quey, 20, and Pom Suey, AZ. Two
MeXicans were booked on charges
of illegal entry. They were Lean
dro Cuillar, 81, and Salvatore Ros-
ales, 16.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
MEAD PLEASED
WITH PROGRESS
ON DAM WORK

WASHINGTON, April 25. U.p)--
Reclamation Commissioner Elwood
Mead, recently returned from an in
spection tour of the Hoover dam
development, said today that the
speed with which toe work Is being
carried on is astounding"
TITS the speed of the thing that
impressed Mead said I'VE are
getting splendid cooperation and
we appreciate it. Everyone con-
nected with the development is do
ing their utmost and to them be-
longs the credit. The government
is merely the coordinator.
"The Union Pacific has con-
structed 90 miles of track from its
main line outside of Las Vegas
New. to Boulder City and it is as
good as a transcontinental line
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
BUTLER WANTS
GOVERNMENT TO
DEFEND RECORD

WASHINGTON, April 25. U.P)--
Secretary of the Navy Adams has
referred to the state department a
letter from Major General Smed-
ley d. Butler, U. S. M. c., in which
Butler inquiries as to the course Of
action the government will take in
regard to statements made about
his record in Haiti.
Secretary of State Stimson said
he would make a thorough investi-
cation into the matter. Pending
this investigation, Stimson declined
to comment.
The statements in question alleg-
edly were made by Dantes Belle
garde, Haitian minister to the Unit
ed States, in newspaper interview
published here several days ago.
The interview quoted the minister
as saying that Fort Riviere, Haiti,
for the capture of which Butler re-
ceived the congressional medal of
honor, did not exist.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
Man Wanted Here
Held At Fresno

Manuel Martinez, alias Dave Lo-
PEI, who escaped from the county
farm here May l9, 1880, after he
had been sentenced by Judge A. c.
Finney to six months in the county
Jail on charge of possession of
morphine, is in the Fresno county
Jail today awaiting delivery to Fol-
som. where he will begin serving
sentence for burglary.
This was disclosed III a telegram
today to the sheriff's office here.
It was indicated that local authori-
ties will ask that the prisoner be
held after he has served term in
Folsom, and returned here for trial
on an escape charge.
Martinez, or Lopez, as he was
known here. is said by officers to
be a narcotic addict. He was SEN
fenced by Judge Finney April 25,
1880, and sent to the county hospital
for treatment. He escaped from
there.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-25
Yes Sir, She's
Some Baby

SAN FRANCISCO, April 25.
W.P)-Mrs. Carl L. Terrell of
Glendale, who tips the scales
at 1888 pounds, turned her back
on orange juice, Hollywood and
other diet systems today and
sailed for the Orient.
Mrs. Terrell tried all the ia
nous diets, but she put on
weight instead of losing it, she
said on starting her eighth
voyage across the Pacific.
And furthermore, Southern
California climate has nothing
to do with getting fat, Mrs.
Terrell said, for she has been
above the 500 pound mark for
some time. She said she began
taking on excess weight at the
age of IL, and all dietary re-
gimens have failed her.