Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-06-29
[. DOUGLAS IS
RUNNING own
RACE, HE SAYS

Lewis w. Douglas, candidate for
nomination for congressman in the
democratic primary, spoke before
crowd of 250, in Ray Saturday night.
In speaking of his campaign, Douglas
stated that as candidate he is inde-
pendent of every other candidate, that
his race is ha own race and that he
is riding his own horse, which has
come out of his own stable
"Inasmuch as / was born and raised
in this state" declared Mr.. Douglas.
"and inasmuch as my interests are
now and always will be in this state,
the future of Arizona is of tremen-
dous interest and Importance to me.
AS l look ahead / am convinced that
the great problem in this state is to
develop some natural resource which
will protect the citizens of Arizona
against future similar to taht which
confronts the state of Nevada. A quar-
ter Of a century ago Nevada was q
wealthy state. Its wealth lay in its
mines Today those mines have been
largely depleted and Nevada is rela
lively a poor state.
"Such a situation must not be per-
mitted to develop in Arizona. We
must provide for the protection of
those who are active IN permanent in
dustries such as farming and manu-
featuring: we must exert ourselves to-
the end that great new and perma-
net taxable wealth shall be developed.
The COLORADO river and the power of
the Colorado are potentially the great
est of all taxable assets in this state.
;ct in0nor1fiWa that the
river be developed in such way and
under such agreements with our
neighbor states that Arizons will be
in position to derive great taxation
benefits.
For this reason, believe that the
Colorado should be developed from
the head of the canyon down, rather
than from the foot of the canyon up;
that the initial flood control and stor-
age dam should be at the head of the
canyon, that power should be devel-
oped by smaller dams further down
the river, and that all switchboard be
located entirely within the state of
Arizona.
"It is my opinion, continued Mr..
Douglas, that the great puIk of the
power developed will be consumed in
California and that Arizona never will
consume large portion of the pewer
which will eventually be developed in
the Colorado. I believe that Califol-
MIA will become the great industria!
state of the far west She has access
to basic raw materials, she has an all
year-round season, she has cheap
water transportation to every great
market in the world. These factors
place her in a POSITION against which |
it will be difficult, if not impossible, |
for Arizona to compete successfully. |
"I therefore believe that if Arizona
is to obtain any advantage to which
she is entitled from the development !
of the Colorado, other than that ad-
due to the reclamation of 1
lands, she must obtain the right to tax
either power or the production of |
power. If this is not obtained, those |
who are now engaged in permanent in |
dustry in Arizona will eventually be /
forced to carry a very large part, II |
not all, of the burden. of taxation III
this state.
81 am opposed to the Swing Johnson
bill because I believe that the water
from the storage at Boulder canyon |
will be used in. California, thes witch |
boards will be located in Nevada, the |
power will be consumed very largely |
in southern California, and Arizona |
will derive little advantage, if any, |
from the construction of the Boulder |
canyon dam. If, however, there is no
agreement, equitable to all, speedily |
reached between Arizona and our
neighbor state, I fear that the political |
influence of one member of congress, |
unless he have the strength of a Carl !
will be insufficient to block I
the passage of the Swing Johnson |
Eill.
III therefore believe that this state, |
as member of the union, should ex
ert it's energy Immediately toward the |
of successful negotiations
with it's neighbor states, in spirit of |
fairness and cooperation with them.
lSince members OF parties select |
their candidates through the action of
the direct primary, [ believe it is only |
honest on the part of candidates to
stand up on their feet and display the
necessary CUTS to tell the voters ex
actly what they think, regardless of
political .expediency. Courage to say
publicly what one thinks is the only
way in which a candidate can give
the voters a square deal"