Imperial Valley press., 1928-05-22
Johnson
IN FIGHT
FOR BILL
Senator Opens Battle to
Get Action on Boulder
Dam Legislation.
FIGHT TO FINISH
Good Chance of Measure
Being Passed in House
Supporters Assert.
Ry United Press Leased Wire

WASHINGTON, May 22.-Sen-
ator johnson, Republican, Califor-
MIA, rc-opened debate on his Bould
or dam bill in the senate today with
Il fiery speech upholding feasibility
Of the project.
The measure was taken up more
than three weeks ago but Laid aside
for the tax reduction bill after
brief consideration. Now Johnaon
hopes to keep it before the senate
until vote is secured although Il
filibuster is threatened by Arizona
senators.
johnson denounced what he call
cd the "it-cannOt bc-dona' protest
tf opponents of his measure, refer
ing particularly to the speech of
Senator Smoot, Republican, Utah,
who questioned the possibility of
such an egineering feat as the
bin proposes.
"The path of human progress
since time began has been marked
al every turn with the doleful cry
it cannot be done, = Johnson said.
81 say TO the senator from Utah
and others who follow him, fear
not, this dam can he built and by
providence of God will bc built.
"lt will be another milestone in
progress and achievement, another
tribute to American ability, skill
and courage
Johnson spoke for almost two
hours, taking up one by one the
arguments previously made against
his bill. lie presented kilograms
from engineers denying Smoot s
weakened by a recent earthquake.
lie also answered the charge by
Senator Ashurst, Democrat, Arizona.
that California lis icopardizing the
safety of Imperial valley by oppos-
ing construction of a low dam for
flood control only.
johnson said a low dam would be
impractical, because of the large
flow of silt in the river. A low
dam soon would accumulate such 4
large quantity of silt that it would
become ineffective, he said.
1.-THE only thing standing in the
way Of this project is men rich be-
yond all dreams of avaricc, who say
we shall not have dam if power
is to be generated" he said.
care we to be halted by power
lobby which considers itself greater
than the government or shall we
demonstrate that there are enough
men in congress to defy the trust
and do their dutyf'
Senator Hayden, Democrat, Ari-
2ona took up the debate when
johnson finished his speech.
In House Also
The house program called for
starting debate later this afternoon
ON the Boulder dam measure, with
proponents predicting passage in the
lower lobby.
Consideration of the measure was
begun in the house this afternoon
with a plea by Representative Bur
ton, Republican, Ohio, for its en-
actment. He said the Imperial Val
ley of California is seriously threat
cncd by Colorado River flood waters
and emphasized the 'precarious
stuation' arising from California $
dependence for irrigation water
from Mexico, arguing for the All
American canal in the project.
A al a nf
domestic water, he said.
at is Il great project,' Burton
added, "beyond the capacity Of any
private enterprise and n matter of
the greatest interest to n number
of states. 1t makes possible the ir.
rigation of large quantity Of land
now desert. -
Representative Bankhead, Demo
crat, Alabama, an advocate of the
measure, denounced as "falsc -
propaganda II report that had been
broadcast by the "power trust in
the south to the effec- that cotton
would be raised in tho newly irri-
gated lands in competeition with
southern cotton.
Ono great power project in this
country ever will go again into pri-
waite hands, Representative o.
Connor, Democrat, New York, de-
clared, urging passage of the bill.
Representatives Burton, Bank.
head and O'Connor spoke as mem
bers of the rules committee and the
house formally approved considera'
tion under the special rule granted
after their speeches.
Chairman Smith of the irrigation
committee which drafted the meas