The Coconino sun., 1927-05-27

Phoenix, May 24.-The Colorado
River Commission of Arizona today
issued an appeal to the people of the
state to ratify the two proposed con-
stitutional amendments, submitted by
the eighth legislature, which are to be
voted on at the special election to be
held May 81. The commissions state
ment, which was given out by Senator
Mulford Winsor, secretary Of the COM
mission, follows:
To the People of Arizona:
At a special election to be held on
the 31st day Of the present month, the
people of Arizona will vote on two
amendments to the state constitution,
submitted by the eighth legislature.
These amendments propose:
(D To amend the fifth paragraph
of Article Xxx by striking therefrom
the following: "No taxes shall be inn
posed by this state upon lands or
property situated in the state belong
ing to or which may hereafter be ac-
quired by the United States or re-
served for its use; = but all such
lands shall be exempt from taxation
so long and to such extent as congress
has prescribed or may hereafter pre-
scribe"
(2) To repeal the tenth paragraph
of the same article, which reserves to
the United States all rights and pow
ers for the carrying out of the pro-
visions by the United States of the
! national reclamation act, to the same
extent as if this state had remained a
| territory.
The Colorado River Commission of
Arizona advises and urges that these
proposals to amend the constitution
| be ratified and approved by the peo-
1 pie. 1t is the opinion of able consti-
! tutional lawyers that such action is
| essential to the success of AriZona's s
| efforts to secure recognition of heI
| rights in the water and power re-
| sources of the Colorado river The
reasons for this view may be briefly
/ stated.
Revenue From Natural Resource
There is little division of opinion II
Arizona regarding the elementary
proposition that the power possibili,
ties Of the Colorado river within this
i state constitute natural resource the
i benefits Of which should accrue to tht
i state. BY whatever agency, private OF
public, the development of these re.
i sources may be accomplished, Arizona
i is entitled to an equitable revenue, By
taxation, therefrom. AS the matter
now stands, however, Arizona woulC
appear to be precluded by it's own con
sfitution from the imposition of ta1
upon property situated in the stat.
belonging to the United States.
The purpose of the amendment 0.
paragraph five is to correct this situa
ton. There is no thought of an at
tempt to impose tax upon federa
property, such as public buildings
used in the performance OF the gov
ernment's ordinary, regular and prop
er functions. That could not be don
in any event. The purpose is merel,
: to remove the prohibition agalns
valid legislation under which Arizon
: might derive an equitable revenu
: from the development of this mos
: valuable natural resource, even thong
4 such development, which in its l1atur
is a private enterprise, might be b
the federal government on "propert
: belonging to the United States.
e State VS.. Federal Rights
: The need for the second propose
Y amendment of the tenth para
a rraph of Article XX--is equally clear
a This paragraph acquiesces III tn
: reservation to the United States of a
2 of the rights and powers possessed b
t the federal government when Arizon
/ was q territory, for the carrying OF
r Of the provisions Of the national n
= lclamation act. What the full exter
of these powers might be declared !
8 be. IS not known, but in view Of tt
! broad waivers contained in the Ar
j. iona constitution, it might well
that the federal government would