384 THE IRRIGATION AGL. 



The advocates of the El Paso dam foresaw that, if their most 

 absurd contention that the Elephant Butte dam would obstruct a 

 navigable river should, by any accident, be sustained by the courts, it 

 would also operate to prevent the building of the El Paso dam. A 

 special treaty would therefore be necessary to permit the obstruction 

 of a navigable river. 



These facts throw some light on the sincerity of the ostensibly 

 philanthropic attitude and solicitude of our opponents touching an 

 equitable division of water. 



I alse wish to deny that there was general rejoicing over the pre- 

 maturely heralded reports that the court had sustained the contention 

 against the company. On the contrary, much the greater part of the 

 people of El Paso have always given our company substantial aid and 

 encouragement. 



I am sorry that Mr. Barnes' name must be mentioned so fre- 

 quently. He is a very nice and intelligent gentleman, but is merely 

 an incident in this controversy, due doubtless to the fact that he 

 belongs to the clerical department of a large mercantile house in 

 Juarez), Mexico, whose manager is one of the most determined advo- 

 cates of the international dam. 



Yours very truly, 



J. L. CAMPBELL. 



Chief Engineer R. G. D. and I. Co. 



