Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-01-07
Arizona Legislature Firm In
Stand to Block Hunt Program
OnCoLorado Riuer and Roads

PHOENIX, Jan. 6.-P)-The special,
session of the Arizona state legislature
which convened Monday indicated
again today that it is determined to
block any move on the part of the
administration to carry out it's pro-
gram for Colorado river and state
highway department. legislation.
Gov. George W. P. Hunt, who out
lined such program in his special
message to the legislature Monday,
today had introduced a substitute
house bill providing for an open, un-
limited appropriation of money to de-
fray the expense of hiring technical
experts and the expenses of a Colo
rado river commission. 1t was referred
to the committee on agriculture and
irrigation, every member of which has
indicated his opposition to the meas
ure.
At the same time an administration
joint house resolution was introduced
authorizing the state board of control
to ascertain, conserve and protect the
rights of the state of Arizona in the
Colorado river and to expend such
sum or sums as may be necessary to
that end. - 1t aroused such a
furor of opposition that it was referred
to the judiciary, appropriation and ag-
riculture and irrigation committees,
following it's third reading under sus-
pension of the rules. William G.. Wise
ner, Yuma, county chairman of the
agriculture and irrigation committees,
declared on the floor that someone is
trying to jam this down our throats." "
, AS an answer 20 the governors re-
quest for financial relief for the state
highway department, which is carry
ing deficit of $6250O0 a joint house
resolution has been passed calling for
thorough investigation of the de-
partments finances Senator Fred Col
ter Apache county, this morning in
troduced in the upper house bill
providing for the enactment of a con-
stitutional amendment which would
necessitate a referendum on any COM
pact or agreement entered into by any
commission or committee for develop
ment of the Colorado river for power,
domestic and irrigation purposes.
This, it was evident, would take the
! matter of making a compact entirely
out of the hands of the executive de-
partment of government 1t was re-
ferred to the agriculture and forestry
| committee.
! Although the measure introduced by
Gladys Walker, house member from
Santa Cruz county, providing for the
appointment of the state board of con-
I troll as a body with unlimited powers
in matters pertaining to river develop
ment, was known to be sponsored by
the administration, the only bill bear
! ing the earmarks of the administration
was house bill No. A.
This proposes to amend or repeal
! those sections of the water code to
which Governor Hunt called attention
! in his message, and also to give him
added power over water projects of all
! descriptions.
"The governor of this state" it reads
"may at any time in his discretion, if
in his opinion the safety, interests and
welfare of the state will be better con-
served thereby, temporarily withdraw
the waters of any stream from appro-
priation, and such withdrawal shall
remain in force until revoked by him
/ or by legislative act.'
| In addition, the bill repeals an eX-
Continued on rage E.ght)