Douglas daily dispatch., 1928-02-09
7-BASEN STATES
SENATORS URGE
RIVER COMPACT

WASHINGTON Feb. 8 Off all
parties interested will compromise
their differences in q manner which
will protect every state in the Colo
RADIO river basin, Boulder dam legis-
lation, will, in the opinion OF Senator
Phipps, republican, Colorado be en-
acted during the present session Of
congress
This statement was made follow
ing meeting today of senators from
the seven basin states, at which they
considered proposed revised Boulder
canyon BILL prepared as a result OF
recent conferences of many represent
tatives Of the west.
The proposed new measure does not
meet wholly with Senator Phipps
wishes, but ne says that it essentially
is compromise, intended to brins
about needed development Of the Col
orado river; the protection of all
states affected and the construction OF
the proposed project.
The proposed bill differs from the
Swing johnson measure in that 1t
lists the Improvement of navigation
as one of the purposes Of the legis-
lation, an omission which raised DOUBT
as to tn econstitutionality of previous
plans.
The new measure also would pro-
vide for construction of a high dam
at Boulder or Black canyon, between
Arizona and Nevada, and an all
American canal in southern California,
with a provision for payment of OPP
Grafton and maintenance charges, an
nual interest and capital investment
over a SO year period. 1t is asserted
that this feature is intended to make
the project self sustaining.
Another new feature of the proposed
legislation is that one-third of any
annual surplus in revenues shall be
divided between the states of Arizona
and Nevada This is intended to re-
compense for the use of lands and
water and meets one of the principal
objections of those states to the
Swing johnson bill.
Although this is a new departure
in federal policy, it is pointed out
that for many years the government
has turned over to the states pro-
portion of the revenues from timber
and oil sales and gas and mineral
development on public lands within
their borders.
An important compromise in thu
proposed legislation is provision for
ratification of the Colorado river COM
pact, which has caused so much fric-
ton between the states involved.
The Swing bill provides for approval
of six out of the seven states, where
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four of such states, including Cali
fornia, need ratify. Senator Phipps
on the other hand, always has in
sisted on complete ratification by all
states in the . ihasin. His new bill
would urge such complete acceptance
of the compact but provides that,
after one year from passage of the
act, six states may ratify so as to
make the measure effective and start
construction work on the dam.
A flood control dam, costing not
more than $20,0O0,000, to be under
taken as soon as the compact is rati-
fled, is another new provision. The
new bill also would reserve title. TO
all impounded waters in the United
States, but refers to the fact that
such matters are subject to subsc-
ouent treaty between this country and
Mexico.
Senaor Johnson, republican, Cali
fornia. co-author of the pending Boul-
der dam bill before. the irrigation COM
mittee did not attend today's con-
ference and said tonight he would
call for action on his bill by the
committee next week.
Until he has read the proposal OF
the Colorado senator, Mr.. Johnson
is reserving comment on it.
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