The Delta independent., 1922-01-13
MeclANHAN SAYS HE is NOT
OPPOSED TO PROJECT OPENING
(From the Montrose Enterprise)

(From the Montrose Enterprise)
In an emphatic statement made be-
fore the water users board at their
regular meeting Thursday of last week
DIR. McClanahan declared that he is
not and never has been opposed to a
postponement of the opening of the
project.
After a thorough discussion of this
phase of the matter which has been
agitating the water users of the val
ley, the board decided unanimously to
stand pat on DR.. McClanahan as a
member of the committee of three ap-
pointed at previous meeting of the
board to gather data in an effort to
secure postponement of the opening
OF the project.
Approaching the fact that his pres
ence on the committee might be en-
barrassing to the board, he expressed
his willingness to withdraw if there
was a single member of the board who
felt any embarrassment or felt called
upon to apologize for his presence on
the committee.
'1 have been quoted as being op-
posed to a postponement of the open
fng of the project" said DR.. McClana-
han. "That is false, as everyone who
has read the newspapers of the valley
must know. In the course of my pub
He discussion of this question ! have
made four contributions to the press,
aside from my letter of resignation.
In each one of these communications
I have said that am in favor of pro-
curing such postponement as the
farmers need, if it can be obtained
without dishonor; as will be seen by
the following excerpts from these COM
munications:
Extract from letter of DR.. A. c. Nc
Clanahan to Mr. Catlin which appear
ed in the Montrose papers under date
Of November 12, 1921: However, 1
am willing to render any assistance
that can in making an effective pre-
sentation Of the facts wherever they
will do the most good-any assistance,
that is, that will not completely de-
stroy the morale of the valley
Extract from letter of DR.. McClana-
han to editor Montrose Enterprise
which appeared in the issue of No
vember II, 1921: "If the farmers
want a postponement-after thinking
deeply of these things with their own
heads-I am willing to help them to
get it. But 1 am not willing to per-
suade them that even If they get a
postponement they will be it's chief
beneficiaries-for know they will not
be-"
Extract from letter of DR.. McClana-
han to James F. Kyle which appeared
m the Montrose papers under date OF
December 2, 1921: "The spirit in
which that contract was entered into,
no less than the actual wording of the
contract, precludes our right either to
ask for an extension of time or any
other mitigation Of the contract If
such request is made for the purpose
Of evading or finally escaping the full
hllment of our obligations to the gov
ernment. II as men who regard them
selves bound by their promises, who
have too much sportsman's blood in
them to become belly-achers in a
world of belly -achers-we still be-
Heve, after a calm and dispassionate
consideration OF all the facts, that it
is humanity impossible to begin our
payments in December, 1922, then, and
then only, we have a moral right to
ask for an extension of time"
Extracts of letter from DIR. McClana-
han to the farmers themselves which
appeared in the Montrose papers un-
der date of December 3, 1921: 'In
the course Of this discussion of the
project opening have said that il it
u humanity impossible to begin to
make our construction charge pay
ments next year, we have right,
under our existing contract, to ask
for further extension of time. How
ever, IL the water users, after con.
sidering the matter without prejudice
honestly think that we must ask for a
further postponement, the directors
will support any frank, straightfor.
ward, honest movement to procure it.
think speak for every member OF
the board when / say that in the
Initiation Of any such movement we
shall be more impressed by specific
statements of fact from farmers them
selves than by resolutions from cham
bers OF commerce or orations around
banquet tables"
Extract from Dr. McClanahan's let
ter of resignation which was published
in Montrose papers under date of De
cember 15: "While do not feel that
am more wealthy than majority oi
the other water users, my poverty IL
not SO extreme that am qualified by
It to plead very effectively for all that
the business and social organizations
OF the valley demand"
In connection with this last excerp,
1t must be appreciated that these or
ganizations did In effect demand the
auDn0rf Of a camnaipn which aaxoraf