Imperial Valley press., 1939-01-30


standing in the history of Imperial Val
lev if we accomplish these objectives:
l. Conclude successfully a bond re-
financing program to dispel the credit
cloud which has throttled investment
and brought land values to a low ebb
in the valley.
2. Assure businesslike operation of
the districts power division, so that the
power program may be as successful IN
fact as in promotional theory.
3. Immediately inaugurate the initial
phases of a drainage system to cut OIL
at the roots the serious threat to fertility
of our soil.
a. Lay groundwork of sound values
to make the All American canal a great
asset enhancing the stability, security
and future of the valley, instead OF
heavy liability.
Whether we will accomplish these
things depends upon % the people of
Imperial Valley; and (2) the admins
tration of the Imperial Irrigation Dis
trict.
When voters of Divisions Two and
Four go to the polls this Wednesday to
choose directors they will confront in
general form the problems which the
directors will meet in detail within the
next II months.
Policies, not politics, should govern
selection of these directors. Political
smudge-pots have threatened to obscure
the issues of this campaign, especially
in Division Two where W. j. Gregg and
Marion Aten are candidates. 1t has be-
come increasingly difficult for voters to
keep their eyes on the facts, overlooking
the chaff of politics. Yet this they must
do if they are to vote wisely.
We are not going 30 select one candl-
lo4a hn at
to recommend one or the other. Our rea-
son is easily understood:
We believe the selection to be largely
matter of personal choice. We believe
both men are capable and honest. Most
important, both favor the next immediate
major objective of the valley: the bond
refunding program that is so essential
to the valleys present and future.
Therefore voters should repudiate poll
tical arguments and vote for the man
they believe best fitted for the post of
director.
1t is unfortunate for the voters and
for the candidates themselves that the
issue of factionaliSm-in reality purely
political issue has appeared in this
campaign. There is no longer room for
factionaliSm as such in management of
the districts affairs. There should be
no room on the districts board of direc-
tors for men who are guided by any other
consideration than economic issues.
So it is that we believe it unfortunate
for all concerned that the name of Evan
T. Hewes should have been tackled to
one candidate in this divisions campaign,
and the name of Mark Rose to another
We believe neither of these men, leaders
though both undoubtedly are, should have
a place in this campaign. Neither is
running for election; each is out of his
own division.
Hewes, or his friends, have less reason
than Rose to engage in the campaign.
The policies they support are not in dan
ger The program they desire is assured,
regardless of the elections outcome.
Rose on the other hand, holds widely
divergent views of these same issues,
and cannot be harshly criticized if he
attempts to gain support for his views.
1t is part and parcel of an outmoded
feud, however, which sets Rose against
Hewes and Hewes against Rose. Like the
points of a compass needle, these two
men point in opposite directions. Thus
when one favors one candidate, the other
swings unalterably in the opposite direc-
ton.
We believe both Aten and Gregg stand