Imperial Valley press., 1940-05-20
Continued from Page u

continued from Rage II
a week for the Certral system.
There were nine breaks reported
in the Alamo canal (the chief water
artery in Mexico. They were from
$50 to 200 feet wide. Chief damage
was between Sharps heading and
Cudahy check. From Sharp'S to the
sord 4. the canal apparently is
sound
Monster cracks, some large en-
ough to swallow an automobile, ran
paralleling some of the canals and
some split the leveeS in two. Chair
man Even T. Hewes said Monday
after returning from an inspection
tour. Grade lines were destroyed
in many sections. Many sections
could not be reached
Machinery and men made par
ade across the boundary. The Mex
lcan government offered complete
cooperation. but the chief obstacle
was washed out roads and destroy
ed levees.
Estimate of damage to the canal
system in Imperial Valley was in
complete Monday but there was
considerable damage on the East
highline in the southeast corner OF
the Holtville district. Banks OF the
canal were broken and cracked.
Damaged also was heavy to the
Schenk, Hemlock, Ash and drains.
All structures in this area were
seriously hit.
The weStSide main cutoff which
crosses New River in Mexico on
flume is out of commission. The
l4OO-foot flume is completely de-
stroyed.
Repair work will be more rapid
in the United States. due to less
damage to roads and bridges
Water was cut out of lockwood
heading Immediately after the quake
struck Saturday night. BY midnight
it was complete.
Arrangements were under way
with both the United States and
Mexican government to move WPA
equipment across the border to help
in reconstruction.
Unchanged was the verdict is
sued by the government after an
inspection of the All American
canal. Yuma project canal was
damaged to the extent of $4,000
Build better buildings. Make
them earthquake resistant-Was the
general reaction valley residents had
to the wreckage left by the quake
THE valley will be better than
ever. We will build IL So residents
of the devastated cities said
Old Mother Earth had not stop
ped shaking when the WPA was
on the scene with offers of men,
equipment and advice Herbert
Legg, head of the STATE WPA, was
on the scene Immediately with Of
fers of help for reconstruction pro-
grams. He telegraphed Washington
for permission to rush heavy equip
ment to Mexico to help rebuild the
damaged irrigation canals below the
border.
The death toll was unchanged
Monday. The earthquake cost
the lives of:
John Moore, 20, Ell Centre, hard
ware store clerk. Mrs. Alma Ruth
Mullings, IS, Imperial housewife.
10y MullingS, IL months, her
daughter. WilOra MuIEngs, 3,
her other daughter. Miss Jaunita
Blevins, Is, Imperial school girl.
Abel Portillo, IS, retired Mexican
of Brawley. An unidentified Mexi-
can or Chinese who burned to
death in the International hotel in
Mexicali.
American Red Gross officials en-
tered the field as soon as news of
the break reached the outside world.
The organization prepared to take
an active part in the rehabilitation
program in Brawley. Brawley Red
Cross chapter took charge there
while in Ell Centre Captain Charles
Delp, disaster emergency chairman,
and Mrs w. j. Meagher, board men,
Der, offered Red Cross aid to Of
ficials in Ell Centric and Imperial.
RED CROSS ON JOB
Harry Walden, Red Cross expert
in rehabilitation and reconstruction,
arrived in Brawley Monday to open
headquarters and help residents
make plans for rebuilding their
damaged homes.
The earthquake struck directly at
the very life blood of the valley,
her agriculture. Stock were threat
ened unless ranchers had places to
store water.
Agricultural loss mounted away
above the original estimate because
OF the water shortage. Lack of
water for irrigation threatened the
cantaloupe crop. the most valuable |
Of the present crops, and halted |
carrot shipments. There was no
water to wash carrots before ship
ping.
COMMUNICATIONS OPEN
In spite of the tremendous power
Of the earthquakes Saturday night
the valley was in communication