Imperial Valley Press

DISTRICT DROPS PLANS TO BUILD $1,200 MODELS

Proposal for Miniatures Of Power Projects Shelved

Objections by Director Mark Rose that "twelve hundred dollars might save a whole 160-acre ranch" Tuesday shelved a tentative project for construction by the Imperial Irrigation District of three small-scale models of outstanding district projects.

Cost of one proposed model—a working model of the No. 4 hydro-electric plant and an electrified farm—would be $1200.

Superintendent M. J. Dowd mentioned the models as one possibility for an irrigation district display at the county fair this year, commenting that cost would prohibit construction of all three at one time. If the board wished to authorize construction of the models however, he suggested that one be built each year as part of a permanent exhibit.

Besides the hydro-electric plant model, the proposed exhibit would have included a model of one desilting basin such as will be installed at Imperial Dam and a relief model of Imperial Dam, the desilting works and the All American canal. The desilting basin model would cost $700 and the relief model of the canal system would cost $1000, Dowd said.

Director Rose objected to the proposals on the grounds present drainage problems furnish a better outlet for any money the district may wish to spend, and suggested photographs for the district's county fair exhibit. When Director Ira Aten agreed with Rose, the board adjourned without taking action of any kind.