OCR Text |
Show -38- to have a water-flow, it was run through such natural canal in a northerly direction back into the State of California, and carried to the scene of the company's irrigation operations, where a considerable town called Imperial had been brought into existence. He learned that the right of way for the purpose stated had been procured from the owners of the land in Mexico, and had been acquired through that portion of the United States traversed by the canal. The company's operations were of an extensive and expensive character and the movement seemed to be very popular in that vicinity where irrigation was very much desired. He learned that the navigation of the stream, as at present carried on, was very slight in character, being confined to a small, light-draught, stern-wheel boat, plying occasionally between Yuma and The Needles, a point above Yuma where the A.T.&S.F.R.R. crosses the river. He was unable to find one of the parties who made the complaint, no such person ever having been in that part of the country. As the other complaint came from a Mexican source, no further mention herein need be made concerning it. Mr. Caldwell visited the officers of the company in Los Angeles, and there ascertained that their project is of a very extensive character, and that they hoped to improve a very large area of country heretofore practically worthless and materially to benefit the region affected by their operations. He had incidentally learned that a party somewhat known about Yuma, but living in Los Angeles, had recently made a proposition to enter into an extensive navigation of the river, and he also visited the office of this proposed company at Los Angeles, but was not favorably impressed with its ability to carry its plans into successful operation, even if the |
Source |
Original book: [State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, California, City of San Diego, California, and County of San Diego, California, defendants, United States of America, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Utah, interveners] : California exhibits. |