Las Vegas age. [volume] (Las Vegas, Nev.) 1905-1947, 1927-01-29

There are complications sur
rounding the making of a three
state compact and the passage Of
the Swing Boulder Cam
yon dam bill which, to many ap-
pears discouraging.
The Age believes the bill will
pass the present session OF con-
gress before March 4, and that
the interests of Arizona and Ne
vada will be protected by a
three-state compact, or by an
amendment which shall meet the
demands of Nevada in case the
three-state compact shall prove
impossible of accomplishment.
The tri-state conference con-
cluded last Wednesday at Los
Angeles, made some substantial
advances toward agreement in
principal. 1t was necessary to
recess until February because
of the changing phases at Wash
ngton and the probable accep-
tance by proponents of the mea-
sure which would materially
change the terms of compact.
| While thedelay at this tina Is
somewhat discouraging, there is
still ample time to conclude a
tri-state compact, which would
make the passage OF the bill a
| practical certainty.
! The House Committee on Rules
is purposely delaying action to
! give the measure preferred
place on the legislative program
so that such things as are ne
cessary to put the bill in proper
shape to insure it's passage may
be done. The administration Is
solidly behind the great project
and only the opposition of those
whose interests are disregarded
can defeat the bill.
All elements supporting the
Boulder dam project are do
ing everything possible to har-
monize the difference and there
is every reason to believe they
will succeed.
The advisability of giving the
! Swing johnson Boulder canyon
dam bill preferred legislative stat
us in the house was considered
by the rules committee in exc
cutive session Wednesday but
final decision was postponed.
Further Information Desired
Chairman Smell said that in
view of the controversy over the
measure it was felt that no ac-
tion should be taken until fur
ther information could be OBJ
tanned Commissioners OF seve-
! raj states are now in Washington
he said, and it was hoped that
they will reach an agreement
on the subject, which involves q
great project on the Colorado
river.
"The committee considers II
, of prime Importance that the
states get together over how the
5 water is to be distributed" he
declared "The bill originally
contemplated a compact of seven
states. This then became a six.
b state compact. The withdrawal
l of Utah reduced it to a five
Y state compact, while certain re-
e servations made by California re-
j ally bring it down to a four
!. state basis.
/. But Bill Isn't SheIVed
S ''In view of this it Is the
r committees opinion that it should
j obtain more information, should
e allow time for a possible agree
7 ment between the states them
selves and not decide on the ad
t visibility Of granting the bill pre-
y ferred legislative status until all
/ factors have been considered"
y Smell added that this in nc
z way meant the shelving OF the
measure as the committee un
e doubtedly would act on the pro
t posal in a short time.
e Secretary Hoover, in a state
J. ment urged prompt enactment ol
the Boulder Dam bill He said
e "The legislation which will
= start the great works on the
v Colorado is urgent for three i'm
perative reasons:
81. The steadily increasing
menace of irreparable flood lam
age to the lower valleys Of Cali
fornia and Arizona.
SO. The necessity Of the Lot
; Angeles section to reinforce It,
domestic water supply. which i'm
: plies the development Of grea'
J, water power to pump this water
n into Southern California.
g "3. The urgent need for pro
lection of our international rights
S "The legislation is unique n
e that it imposes no burden on the
O Federal Government except the
h loan of the necessary credit. NJ
! work is to be undertaken unit
(Cnnfinnad nn Para Al