The Winslow mail., 1923-07-27
AMERICAN LEGION
URGES RATIFICATION
COLORADO RIVER

The American Legion, in it's con-
ventiOn at Flagstaff some weeks ago
and in it's executive sessions since
mas taken a firm stand for the rati-
1ication of the Colorado river COM
pact without reservation and with
out delay. 1t not only took a firm
stand for the ratification of the COM
pact but determined to put forth
every effort at it's command to bring
about the ratification at the earliest
possible moment In harmony with
this decision the state officers have
addressed the following Letter to the
people of Arizona, which speaks fof
itself:
T the People of Arizona:
The American Legion, Department
of Arizona, is concerned in every
movement for the up-building of the
State, the development of it's resour-
ces, and the enhancement of the
prosperity to it's citizens. Hence,
the Legion is deeply interested in the
ratification without reservation and
without delay of the Colorado River
Compact To this end a Resolution
was unanimously adopted by the Le-
gion in Convention at Flagstaff, on
sion at Prescott on July 4, favoring
and requesting the Governor to call
an extra session of the Legislature
pu- pose Of the ratification of the
Pact.
1t must be generally realized, as
the American Legion realizes, that
the ratification Of the Colorado River
Compact by Arizona-the only State
which is Withholding approval-is
necessary before the development of
the Rivers tremendous resOur ces
and the controlling of it's destructive
floods will or can be inaugurated
either by the Federal Government,
by the State, or by private interests.
This understanding is based upon
facts which aIe available to ALL and
is supported by the public utterances
Of many thoroughly informed men
of both political parties of State and
National prominence
The American Legion, Department
Of Arizona, therefore confidently ap-
peals to you to join in the effort to
bring about this great achievement.
We ask that you present this letter
to the Members or the Directors of
your organization to the end that
each earnest and patriotic citizen of
t. e State, concerned for it's progress,
may take part in a campaign for the
enlightenment of the people with re-
spect to the ratification of the Pact
and the splendid benefits that would
be derived from it, and in the move
ment for the securing of an extra
session of the Legislature for it's un-
conditional ratification.
The American Legion does not
wish to appear presumptuous in pre-
senting this matter for your consi-
deration, but the subject is of such
vital Importance that we feel it
would be wrong to remain inactive.
We feel that an extra session of
the Legislature would be effective
to secure ratification. During the
regular session some membei had
an impression that development of
the River might be accomplished
without the ratification of the Com
pact as originally presented The
contrary is now we'll understood
the people Of the State without ques-
ton are for ratification, and we be-
lieve that the Legislature will regis
ter the popular sentiment and the
popular demand. Therefore, it only
remains for us as citizens to induce
the Governor to exercise his consti-
tutiOnal power of calling the Legis
lature in special session and of urg
ing it's members to add Al Alizona's
approval to the Pact
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed)
THE AMERICAN LEGION,
DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA
DR.. II. T. SOuthworth, Department
Commander