The Coconino sun., 1924-03-07
GRAND WILL FIGHT U. 5.
FOR DIAMOND CREEK SITE.

The governments attempt to halt
construction Of the Diamond Creek
power dam on the Colorado river in
Mohave county, Arizona, will be re-
sisted with all our power" declared
James B. Grand, Phoenix engineer.
"Yes, we are going to resist with
all our power, and if justice is done
YOU will see the work at Diamond
Creek continued" he declared.
Mr.. Grand, who is associated with
the Colorado River Engineer and De-
velopment company in the plan to
construct the project at Diamond
Creek at an estimated cost of $780,
100000, was served with notice OF
the application a. few minutes after 1T
had been filed in the federal court at
4 o'clock Saturday afternoon.
Eve have been doing bona flde
work at the Diamond Creek dam ever
since we began, which was about the
22nd of December, 1925" he asserted.
"Our work has consisted in drilling a.
series of holes which will be blasted
out to form the seat of the east abut-
ment of our dam. We have COM
piled with all the laws of the United
States and the rules and regulations
of the federal power commission and
are entitled to a license.
"You can say that we are going to
resist the governments effort to en-
Join us from proceeding with the work
at Diamond Creek.
"The Diamond Creek project will
not interfere with any flood control,
reclamation or power project on the
Colorado river. 1t will help the flood
control to its limited reservoir capac-
| ity; it will effect reclamation benefic-
tally, because it will stabilize the flow
of the river to a minimum of 5000
second feet; the development of power
at the Diamond Creek site would be
helpful in the event the government
decides to construct the Boulder Cam
yon dam.
| 81 am legally entitled to a license.
The federal power commission has no.
alternative but to issue the license.
"The federal power commission has
been granting licenses under the fed
eral power act, and while attempt has
been made by many states, municipal
| tiles, civic organizations and persons
| to prevent US from going ahead, yet
never has one legal, valid reason been
/ advanced why we should be stopped.
"Various factors have arisen to de-
lay the issuance of our license," Mr..
Grand continued.
"Just at the time that the federal
power commission decided that | was
entitled to a license, the Colorado riv-
er commission was formed and the
secretary of the federal power COM
mission directed a letter to Secretary
! Hoover, the chairman of the Colorado
river commission, asking Mr.. Hoover
if there was any reason why the pa
mond Creek license should not be is
sued.
~ saw Secretary Hoover and he
said to me: / am sorry they sent me
the letter. We have no jurisdiction
over power matters, but inasmuch as
the letter has been sent to me, it is
necessary that lay the same before
the commission
'This was done, and at Phoenix,
Arizona, the Colorado river commits
sion, in executive session, so ] am in
formed, passed unanimous resolu-
tion stating that they had no jurisdic-
ton in the matter and saw no reason
! why the Diamond Creek license should
4
this resolution was suppressed"
After the ratification of "the So
called Colorado river compact" Mr..
/ Girand stated, the Colorado river COM
mission wrote letter to the federal
power commission, stating that sit
felt it had no jurisdiction over power
Matters but suggested that licenses
issued on the Colorado should conform
to the fact with regard to the utiliza-
ton of its waters for domestic and
agricultural purposes"
'But by this time" he added, "such
an avalanche of protests were launch
\ ed at the commission from every angle
by people uniformed and others with
axes to grind that the commission has
delayed action until it could be shown
definitely that Diamond Creek would
not interfere with reclamation or
flood control"