Imperial Valley press., 1935-09-30
IContlnued from Page One)


which will contain the largest gen.
orators and turbines yet installed
in this country, machinery which
can continuously supply 1885 900
horsepower of electric energy.
Ali these dimensions are super
latiye. They represent and embody
the accumulated engineering knowl-
edge and experience of centuries,
and when we behold them it is fit
ting that we pay tribute to the
genius of their designers. We rec
ognize also the energy, resourceful-
ness and zeal of the builders who
under the greatest physical obsta-
cles have pushed this work forward
10 completion two years in advance
OF the contract requirements.
But especially we express our
gratitude TO the thousands of work
ers who gave brain and brawn4 to
the work Of construction.
Beautiful and great as this struc-
ture IS. it must also be considered
IN its relationship to the agricul-
tural and industrial development
and in its contribution to the
health and comfort of the people
wDo live IN the southwest.
To divert and distribute the
waters of an arid region so that
there shall be security of rights
and efficiency in service is one of
the greatest problems of law and of
administration to be found in any
government.
The farms. the cities, and the
people who live along the many
thousands of miles of this river and
It's tributaries all depend for their
permanence in value upon the con-
Servation, the regulation and the
equitable division Of its eVerchang~
ing water supply. What has been
accomplished ON the Colorado in
working out such a scheme of dis
tributiOn is inspiring. Through the
cooperation of the states whose
people depend upon this river, and
OF the federal government which IS
concerned in the general welfare
there IS being constructed a system
OF diStributiVc works and of laws
and practices which will .nsure to
the millions Of people who now
dwell in this basin, and the millions
of others who will come to dwell
here in future generations, a Just,
safe, and permanent system or
water rights.
The gates of the diversion tunnels
were closed here at Boulder Dam
last February. In June a great
flood came down the river. 1t came
roaring down the canyons of the
Colorado, through Grand Canyon,
Iceberg and Boulder Canyons, but
it was caught and safely held be-
hind Boulder Dam.
Last year a drought OF unpre-
cedented severity was visited upon
the west. The watersheds of the
Colorado river did not escape. In
July the canals of the Imperial Val
ley went dry. Crop losses in that
valley alone totaled $10,000000.
Had Boulder Dam been completed
one year earlier, this loss could
have been prevented, because the
spring flood could have been stored
10 furnish a steady water supply for
tne long dry summer and fall.
Across the San Jacinto mountains
southwest Of Boulder Dam the cities
OF Southern California are con-
structing an aquaduct to cost $22C,-
000000 which lhey have raised for
the purpose Of carrying the regu-
lated waters of the Colorado TO the
Pacific coast 80 miles away. Across
the desert and mountains to the
west and south run great electric
transmission lines BY which factory
motors, street and household lights
and irrigation pumps will be OPP
Grated IN southern Arizona and Cali
fornia. Part Of this power Will be
used I'm pumping the water through
the aqueduct 20 Implement the
domestic supplies OF los Angeles
and surrounding cities.
Navigation OF the river from
Boulder Dam 10 The Grand Canyon
has been made possible, a li5-mile
stretch that ha5 been traversed less
than hall a dozen times III history
An immense new park has been
created for the enjoyment of all our
people.
At what cost was this done?
Boulder Dam and ,ue power houses
together cost a fetal Of S1O8.00O,000
all cf which VIII oa repaid with in
terest IN 30 y,sr under contracts
lOr sale OF thC power Under these
contracts. already completed. not
0nlY win the cost be- repaid, but the
way IS opened for tle provision OF
needed light aud power 10 the con-
sumer at reduced rates. In the cX-
ponditure Of the price OF Boulder
Dam during the depic .on years
WORK was provided FOR t0'0 men.
most OF them heads Of families ami
many thou aud5 OF more were en-
ahled % earn q livelihood through
aprgCNA WINDS OKAYFD