Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1937-01-31
THE IRRIGATION DISTRICT
AND IT'S OFFICERS

ture rests on our decision. Unfortunately
politics and personalities have so cloud
ed the campaign that it is difficult to
reach the bedrock of vital issues.
There is, in reality, only one funda-
mental issue:
Has the present district board made
sufficient progress to remain in office?
If the answer is YES" members of
the board deserve reelection.
If it is NO." then the next question
becomes, "Who is best fitted to do
better job?"
Americans form their own opinions.
A newspaper cannot tell its readers how
to vote; it can only tell them what its
own opinion is. The fact that our opin-
ion is founded upon intense study and
close observation of district affairs
and is, therefore, a very firm conviction
only creates an obligation to express
that conviction here so our readers may
know.
The next two years will be vital to
the district
They will see completion of the All
American canal.
They will begin distribution of water
under the new system.
They will bring some settlement OF
the districts bonded Indebtedness.
They will inaugurate generation and
distribution of canal power by the peo-
pie.
They will require an international
treaty to settle troubles with Mexico
when the district goes out of business
there.
Visions are being made into facts;
long crusade is approaching its end.
The last four years have moved swiftly
toward that end The next two should
reach it. We see no reason to substitute
q new staff of generals.
Led by Evan Hewes, the present dis
trict board has made outstanding prog
ress toward the valleys detectives. The
board members can afford to stand on
their record, for they have right to be
proud of that record. Progress in the
last few years is almost astounding.
The list of accomplishments-in de-
preston times, at that's too long to
repeat here Big on the list, however,
are:
The board has obtained sufficient APP
preparations to build the canal.
1t has obained appropriations to be-
gin the power plants.
1t has gone actually into business OF
developing and distributing public pow
er.
It has held off the relentless attacks
and obstructive efforts of the power
company.
1t has reduced operating costs 100000
below normal expenditures in similar
period
II has successfully carried through
an interest-free refunding program in
a period of worldwide economic up
heaval.
A great authority once said, "If you
win three times out of five, you will be
a success; if you win only two out OF
five times, you will be failure.
1t appears to us that the district board
las won better than four out OF five
Zines. It has, in fact, accomplished ALL
that it started out to do, except to solve
the perplexing riddle of bonded indebt-
edness. The solution to that riddle is
midway between beginning and end and
has proved tough nut to crack.
Commentator of the board and Evan
sHewes so preponderantly outweights
condemnation that we can reach only
one possible conclusion. AS long as the
pilot is bringing the ship in ahead OF
schedule, in spite of storm, were pretty
lucky. We see no need to swap horses
in the middle of the stream, when those
we have are pulling strongly.
Ii the district team is winning, we
believe it would be poor policy to sud
denly throw in unseasoned substitutes.
That goes for Mark Rose, too, as well as
Evan Hewes, Ira Aten, Charles Morrow
and Bill Young. Rose, although opposed
to the board majority, is too long ex-
perienced in affairs of the district to
drop out of the picture. A car with
powerful motor also needs good brakes.
o.
Outside Of the directorate, the offices
Of assessor-collector and treasurer be-
come largely a matter of personal
choice. II would be good business, per-
maps. if the district organization pre-
! scented unity of purpose, rather than