Las Vegas age. [volume] (Las Vegas, Nev.) 1905-1947, 1927-05-07
LAST NIGHT
IN VISITORS HONOR
Necessity o Agreement Between the States Keynote of
Speeches BY Members of Advisory committe
Visitors Anv Yesterday and Make Visit to Black Canyon
Dam Site in Afternoon-Days of Strenuous Travel.

The construction Of the great
dam 35 miles form Las Vegas
would be a wonderful thing for
YOU" he said. This project near
YOU has many things in it's favor
But if research convinces US it
should go elsewhere we must so
report. We art studying diligent-
iy and hope to report before the
ond of this season the right solu-
ton. I hope to come here again,
possibly when the dam is being
constructed"
Senator Waterman said in part:
we are all Americans, imbued
with the idea of protecting Ameri-
"a and all parts of it. Our gov
ernment is the greatest in the
world He told amusing incl.
dents of his early life and some
good stories to liven the oc-
casioh.,
Il am searching for information
on the Colorado River problems.
I am trying to get at the truth.
As between California, Arizona
and Nevada the situation must be
y 4ANA AlC COALlOl Va kuG
Colorado is a problem of great
magnitude. The government must
be certain Of its plans What
the states can get | do no. know.
Their Ti6lts must be dealt With
on a definite. positive theory. The
government has assumed an atti-
tUde as to flood control and we
are asking Congress to protect
the Imperial Valley. We have
the probAG- of the seven states.
The states cannot protect their
own selfish interests. Out OF
confusion, uncertainty and selfish
ness came the Colorado River com
pact. Colorado has ratified that
compact and she will stand by it.
The states must get together and
Peacefully solve their problems
and the Colorado River will be
harnessed. We must reach
conclusion for the benefit of all.
THE Secretary of the Interior
has pTOpOunded the question Of
whether the Federal Government
mas power to allocate the water
between the states without any
compact. Nevada has an inter-
est in this great question. Her
interest should be safeguarded to
the fullest extent. We are search
ers after truth and wish to ad-
wise correctly. The question must
finally be decided by Congress-"
Prof. w. F. Durand was the
next speaker. He recalled a previ-
Gus banquet on a similar occasion
which he attended heEe.
Water is the foundation stone
of our civilization" he said, "es-
pecially here in this western
country This is the age of
power and its utilization in cur
civilization The Colorado River
has been wasting it's energy for
ages waiting for some people with
enterprise enough to utilize it. We
are working on it's problems.
There are many hurdles yet to
be s.urmounted The highest
hurdle is represented by differ
ences between states. The truth
is mighty and will prevail. I
hope it will not be long before
we have wisdom enough to reach
out and garner the benefits which
this great enterprise promises"
Chief Engineer R. F. Walter, Of
the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation,
referred to his several visits to
Las Vegas when Walker R. Young
was engaged here investigating the
Boulder Dam sites. He said that
investigation of the Colorado has
been going on for so years and
for the last 15 years has been
looked on as a coming develop
ment, He referred to the many
Investigations and reports made
by the government. "In 1918 1
was asked by Secretary Lane
what l thought of building a dam
500 feet high at Boulder Canyon.
/ retorted that it might cost fifty
million. He said What Of it,?
investigations have proved
that Boulder dam will meet all
the needs of the situation in the
lower basin,' he said. He closed
by expressing appreciation for
courtesies and said he was glad
to be permitted 70 travel with the
Commission and to furnish them
with such information as the de-
partment has.
Senator Key Pittman said in
part;
81 am not here to advise, but
to enjoy this company and be ad-
vised. l appreciate this rare op-
portunity to hear these gentlemen
L have heard some wonderment
expressed as to why, after the
Secretary of the Interior approved
this project it is necessary to
have this committe. l feel that
this committee has the power to
do great good, or great harm.
am confident they will not do
harm.