The Winslow mail., 1922-01-27


the reclamation of arid lands from
The water Of the river In view of
the numebr of people affected and
benefited by reclamation projects, it
must be admitted that such matters
can only be handled by the United
States government for the evident
reason that the owners of home
steads, desert land, etc, cannot pro-
vide the enormous sums of money
necessary to properly develop such
projects and must be given longer
periods of time in which to repav
loan of size sufficient to accom-
plish the end
On the other hand there are de-
! velopments in connection with the
| Colorado River. as for example. the
| generation, distribution and sale of
hydroelectric power, which are and
should be handled by individuals or
corporations who can provide the
funds with which to make the de-
velopments and who stand ready to
do this and should be granted per-
mission SO to do. 1t is surely not
within The province of the United
States government to undertake the
construction and oneration of enter
priseS which can be financed other
wise.
We are informed that the Secre-
tary of the Interior has slated to
the Water Commissioner of the State
of Arizona that all permits for pow
| er purposes on the Colorado river
must be granted by the Federal
| Power Commission and that the
State of Arizona. through it's proper
officers, has no jurisdiction in this
matter. We believe that an investi-
cation of the question will prove
that the Secretary has no legal just
ification for his position and that
the expressed determination to de-
pTive the State of Arizona OF it's
proper rights in this action are un-
justifiable and should be vigorously
contested by the State. We feel that
a proper determination of the rights
of the State of Arizona in the ques-
tions involved in the developments
OF the Colorado river are essential
to the welfare of this State
We believe that nothing should be
allowed to stand in the way of the
most expeditions development of the
resources of the river and the pro-
lection of those living in it's lower
reaches from disastrous floods. and
we therefore suggest that this body
submit the following recommends
tions to Governor Thomas e. Camp
bel and Water Commissioner w. S,
Norviel with the request that they
use their utmost influence and the
influence of our senators. represent
atives, and the citizens at large, to
bring about the results desired or
so many of them as can be secured
without undue delay.
Recommendation No. l.:
That the United States government
be urged to construct Immediately a
storage dam at the top Of the gorge
of the Colorado river in the State
of Arizona with view of controll-
ing the food waters of the river in
the shortest time possible. and make
it possible for dams at other points
in the gorge to be built with less
risk and less expenses than under
existing conditions.
Recommendation No. 2:
That the United States govern
ment be urged to erect at Boulder
/, Canyon or other suitable site re-
clamatiOn dam for the purpose OF
diverting water for the reclamation
f of arid lands at points which may be
{ reached by canals from this dam.
Recommendation No. B.:
Should it not be possible for the
United States government to follow
out Recommendation No 1, then a
permit or permits should be granted
to any individual, partnership, cor
poratlon or others who can show
) ability to start work in the quick
est time, finance the same, construct
the dam at Glen Canyon or else
) where on the river, other than at
Boulder Canyon, to control the flood
waters, to regulate the flow for ir-
rigation, to install the proper plant
for the proper production of power
; and construct transmission lines, un-
der proper regulations and agree
) ments for the protection of the
rights of the State It being the
policy of the State. however, not to
; grant to any one person, partner
ship, or corporation, monopoly of
power development OH the Colorado
river.
Recommendation No. Il:
That the State reserve the right
to consider each power project sep
erately, when such power develop
ment is found necessary, and that no
rights be granted that contemplate
the holding of power sites for future
development.
Recommendation No. s.:
Whele permits are issued to priv
ho
to produce hydroelectric power, that
in every instance restrictions shall
accompany that will secure for Ari-
zona, both now and in the future,
such proportion of the power pro-
duced by the hydroelectric develop
ment as may be necessary for the
use in the State of Arizona at the
present time, or at any future time,
upon terms as favorable as NAV be
granted to any other power users in
this State or anv other stated