Imperial Valley press., 1932-01-12
TO QUIZ
BRIBERY
CHARGE
District Directors Ask
Grand Jury Inyestiga-
ton Of Accusation.
VOTE UNANIMOUS
Leasing Of Delinquent
Tax Land Also Up For
Discussion.

Demand that the grand fury in
vestigate repeated rumors that en-
ployees Of the Imperial Irrigation
district accept bribes for favors
while carrying out the duties for
which they are employed, was
made by the district board in ses-
sion at headquarters this morning
The demand grew out of state
ments made by H. P. Gray and
his attorney, C. B. Smith, regard
ing transactions made with Kelly
Yount in regard to purchase of
land northwest of Imperial. Yount
was reported to have asserted that
he could get deed from the dis
trict for a sum less than what it
was worth by bribing an employee
of the district. The board de-
manded the name Of the employee
but it could not be learned.
Yount, according to statements
made before the board, received
checks from Gray and his asso-
ciates to cover sums necessary for
procuring a district deed to de-
sired property. Yount, 1t was ex-
planned, gave q check to the dis
trict treasurer and received the
deed. The check, it was said, came
back marked Insufficient funds
and the check was displayed at the
meeting The check again was put
through and again was returned.
Gray and his associates are said
to be ex-service men and members
OF the board declared they would
protect them and do the fair thing
but would take no action until the
matter Of bribes was investigated
by the grand jury. Mark Rose
made the motion calling for the
investigation and w. F. Beal Sec
onded it. The board voted unani-
mously in favor.
After that matter was settled to
the satisfaction of the board, Beal
said he was convinced money
changed hands during the water
shortage of recent date and moved
that a circular letter be sent all
employees instructing them to re-
port every instance where a bribe
is offered in return for service or
favorS. Rose seconded the motion
and the vote was unanimously
favorable.
Land Leases Discussed
The practice of charging lessees
of delinquent tax land sums far
below that which, adjoining land
is valued and assessed, received a
setback today when certain pro-
posed leases were carefully in
vestigated.
Beal, as has been his contention
since he became a member of the
board, urged that the district get
all that is possible from such
transactions. 1T is poor public
policy to do otherwise he said.
This board should carefully in
vestigate each transaction to ascer-
tain the most buSiness-like method
to pursue"
The annual budget prepared by
M J. Dowd, chief engineer, was
discussed informally. The board
was in favor of cutting expenses
and maintenance in every way
possible.
Dowd said the business of the
district is to deliver water and 1t
was impossible to deliver water
If the system was not kept up.
Beal said he was opposed to
expensive economy" and suggested
that the bond holders hold the
sack instead OF the rancher
Other directors said the pay
ment of interest or the bonds was
an obligation and that efforts
would be made to fulfill the OBJ
legation to both rancher and bond
holder. Dowd said the depositors
in small banks would suffer If the
bond interest was permitted TO
default.
No action was taken but direc-
tors said they would study the
budget and the treasurers report,
the latter submitted this morning.