The Washington times., 1925-10-22
WATER POWER
BATTLE IS
AHEAD
Congress Probes Project on
Colorado River, Now Before
Commission
By WILLIAM K. HUTCHINSON

By WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON
A new water-power development
fight, involving a potential ''billion
dollar" project on the Colorado
river and far transcending the
Muscle Shoals row, appeared on
the horizon of the new Congress
today over the efforts of private
interests to obtain a Federal Ii
cense to build dam in the Grand
Canyon of the Colorado.
Battle in Congress
While the Federal power COM
mission, composed of Secretary of
War Davis. Secl etary of Interior
Work and Secretary of Agrif ulture
Jardine, withheld decision on is.
suing the license, the Senate Irriga-
ton Committee left for the West
to hold series OF public hearings
in the territory directly affected.
Whether or not the license is
granted by the commission, battle
undoubtedly will develop on the
floors of Congress as soon as tho
committee completes its investiga-
ton.
Opposition to the private project
has reached fever heat in seven
western States. according to EVIL
dence placed before the power com.
mission at public hearings. Pro.
tests were voiced in person by Gov
ernor Nellie Ross, of Wyoming;
Governor George H. Dern. Of Utah.
and State representatives from
California, New Mexico, Arizona
and Colorado. Business men from
Nevada also opposed the project.
Has Priority Right
The application tor permission to
build the dam was made by James
B. Grand. who "staked" a dam
site at Diamond Creek. Col, ten
years ago. II granted the license,
Grand would erect a dam across
the Colorado river, with a minimum
flow Of 10000 feet a Second use the
DEVELOPMENT for manufacturing
electric power and pay the Govern
ment nothing but taxes. His chief
claim for recognition is that OF
NIf1VoVVVVlcpI
mitted the lepalitv of his stake"
when the Federal power commits.
sion was first created in 1920.
Bitter opposition arose against
Girand's proposed project becs use
under priority water rights ap.
proved by the Government, he
would be entitled to virtual ex-
elusive use of all wafer flowing
through the Colorado river This
would be accomplished, il was
said. by a clause In his license al.
lowing him a minimum flow Of
10 900 feet a second, point which
the Colorado does not exceed ex-
cept in flood periods.
Other proposed dams. including
the much-discussed boulder dam
project, wuold have to be erected
below Girand's project. because of
these restrictions, and their use
fulness in irrigating the surround
ing country would depend on the
amount Of water released by
Girand's dam.
Worth $5O,OOO,O0O
Under these circumstances, it
YVES said, Girand's license. If
granted, would be worth 5000
to a power corporation.
Western Senators, members OF
the Senate Irrigation Committee
and scores of Western farm or
CARNATIONS have opposed the Grand
license. Frank b. Mondell, OF
Wyoming, former Republican leader
Of the House, denounced 1t IS a
crime against the West" deLlar-
ing Western agriculture would be
ruined If the license were granted.
Whatever the commission's final
decision, all indications point to
an airing of the whole subject in
Congress. This will include the
proposed Boulder dam, flood pro.
lection project for the Imperial
Valley of California and a water.
supply system for Los angeles, all
of which are involved in the Grand
proposal.