340 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1907. 
be sufficient to close the break. The*throwing back of the river 
into its original channel was looked upon as merely an ordinary 
effort in engineering work. When, however, attempt after attempt 
failed and larger and larger expenditures were made until over a 
million dollars were involved, the Southern Pacific officials began to 
awake to the fact that they had a difficult problem on hand and 
one which required far better equipment and preparation than had 
been before provided. Finally the supreme effort was made, and on 
November 6, 1906, the break was closed and the river forced to 
resume its normal channel to the gulf. 
This condition continued for just about a month when, on Decem- 
ber 7, 1906, the river in a sudden rise forced its way under the dikes, 
in a few hours swept away a portion of the protecting works, 
passed around the rock dam, and again found its way to the Salton 
Sea. Then came popular despair. A million dollars had been ex- 
pended and there seemed no way of putting the river back again in 
place without having available an equipment and a sum of money 
beyond the reach of the people most immediately interested. Ap- 
peals were made to the governor of California and by the governor 
of California to the President of the United States. These were given 
prompt attention. President Roosevelt took the matter up at once 
and hastened to investigate, finding that the only man who could 
handle the situation, who had the equipment, the money, and the 
facilities was Mr. E. H. Harriman, the president of the Southern 
Pacific Company, who at the same time controlled the destinies of the 
California Development Company. 
At first, in the pressure of large affairs, Mr. Harriman overlooked 
the fact that he was virtually the controller of the destiny of the Cali- 
fornia Development Company, and through this of the fortunes of a 
large community. He hesitated to advance more money and wired to 
the President to this effect. Mr. Roosevelt, in his telegram of Decem- 
ber 20 to Mr. Harriman, stated that— 
This is a matter of such vital importance that I wish to repeat that there is 
not the slightest excuse for the Development Company waiting an hour for the 
action of the Government. It is its duty to meet the present danger immediately 
and then the Government will take up with it, as it has already taken up with 
Mexico, the question of providing in permanent shape against the recurrence of 
‘the danger. 
Mr. Harriman’s reply on the same day stated that— 
You seem to be under the impression that the California Development Com- 
pany is a Southern Pacific enterprise. This is erroneous. It has nothing to do 
with this work or the opening of the canal. We are not interested in its stock 
and in no way control it. We have loaned it some money to assist its dealing 
with the situation. What the Southern Pacific Company has done was for the 
protection of settlers as well as of its tracks, but we have determined to move 
the tracks to higher ground anyway, However, in view of your message, I am 
