The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-12-28
Colorado Project First

The COLORADO River stands on
as a spectacular feature in the at
tempted use of natural resources FOL
, irrigation, reclamation, food contro
and power. What is known as Z
blockade on development" has ex
listed in this region. and seven states
Arizona. California, Colorado. Nevada
New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming
finally drafted a treaty" which deals
with the two great basins of the Colo
RADIO River. The northern basin is
separated from the southern basin by
a thousand miles of barren canyon.
Secretary of Commerce Herbert
Hoover, who acted as chairman OF
the Colorado River commission, and
represented the federal government,
states that the agriculture and. eco
nomic life of the northern and south
ern basins ARE wholly different"
The commission accepted that view,
and upon that basis did what Mr..
Hoover said. the logical thing" in d.
viding the water between the two
widely separated regions. The COM
pact was speedily ratified by all
states except Arizona, which con-
tinued dissatisfied, and rejected it
through close vote in its legisla-
ture.
The best official estimates agree
that the Harvesting of the Colorado
River will give an opportunity for
the development and cultivation of
waste waters in the generating of
100000 horse power of energy.
Flood control Off the Imperial and
Palo Verde Valleys in California and
the Yuma project in Arizona, is pro-
vided in the compact, and the United
States department of commerce In
one OF its bulletins says that it makes
new homes for 100000 American
citizens, including the ex-servicce
men and women"
AKlxOu1 baln
In the face of this statement of fact
will naturally wonder why
ARIZONA, one of the principal bene-
lciaries of the treaty, has taken the
responsibility of rejecting, it. Her
explanation is that the distribution
II the water in the southern basin
mould provide for the use of the
ull capacity OF the Colorado River.
instead of permitting enough water
o HOW into Mexico to irigate g.
0O,OOO acres of land in that country
-rizona's dissatisfaction may be we'll
AIKEN. In any event it is not so
TRANCE that it is dissatisfied when
ne general history of the attempted
Sc OF water for rtilitarian and in
ustrial purposes is reviewed. In ex-
Of Arizona's position !,
iouid be remembered that the ink
ad been dry very long upon the
oerai power act, which finally was 8
assed after discussion that held :
c attention of the American pub !;
tor more than two decades. before 4
'empts to break it down were a
unohed The development of our !,
land waters seems to be accom- I,
med by distrust, hesitation. and a Il,
tx OF belief in every p,an that o
$ ever been suggested. As for the G,
izonans they have no doubt been a
emily interested in watching Aladdin a,
his lamp and explain to them II
'at they may have for the asking. C.
ut the Missouri proclivi,ies have =,
strained them from the point of
informing their wishes. which they
ert are not all included in the com h;
t. =.
another possibility which has had re
limInary investigation by this de- tn
tment during the past year." said re
secretary OF the interior IN his W;
Z report, lis known as the Co. H
aba River Basin project, which er
I'D involve the irrigation of more
100000 acres of land in the
ey OF the Columbia River" m,
was in this section that Presi- wi
Harding was inspired to make is
great speech upon the develop "tr
II OF natural resources. from which tn.
excerpts quoted above. were TAX So,
On the occasion he touched upon pre-
the phases of the situation. "Tbe F
OF a great river that runs awav so,
he sea without being utilized for Ian
er or for irrigation is wasted for. ner
; ne said. Then, with regard the
Utilizing the power of the stream to
observed: ~
transportation will be in men
eased and cheapened through of
'ctriica'ion of the RAILWAYS. bet
d IN the light of what We now tina
ow about all aspects of ,bi, will
beet we may confidently IooL nee