Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-15
Other Papers
WHICH WAY BOULDER DAM,

@AAAeAh@ 1NttHt IoN1lOIls
II Is somewhat Of a shock 10 learn that such an old
Acquaintance as Boulder Dam may never exist. Fa-
miisr for so long as an titity in the news. il had
almost become accepted as an sctualty ia steel and
concrete. But present indicstions are that there never
will be a dam at Boulder Canyon. Such, al least, Is
The clear implication Of the report just made 70 IN.
secretary of the interior by the special commission Of
engineers set up by congress to make a final invsstiEa-
ton Of the Colorado river development outlined in the
Swing johnson bill. already passed BY the house and
now in the unfinished business" Of the senate.
The commission recommends Black Canyon instead
Of Boulder Dam as the site for the gigantic dam with
which il is proposed to impound water sufficient %
spread ever several states. Black Canyon. some thirty
miles below Boulder Canyon where the Colorado river
forms the Arirona-Nevada boundary. i preferred be-
cause II Is more accessible and offers better geological
conditions. Of course, the report may not be followed.
II is possible. too. that long usage will pin the old
name to the new site and Boulder Dam will survive,
merely moving = few miles down stream. Doubts
often expressed as TO the engineering feasibility Of the
project should be somewhat allayed by this survey Of
five eminent engineers. They declare such a dam can
be built, but %ecommend greater margins Of safety.
which they estimate will raise the total cost for all
items in the project from sl25, 100000 to l76!ooolo0o
Az n ecoomic feasibility. their report Is not 50
lee n Commission Is unNlAlln- TO , that Sutil~
Gent power can be generated at the dam and sold ~ ,
profit in competition with modern steam plants In
southern C%slifornia to reimburse the government. II
estimates an output Of $4,000 horsepower, and believes
= market can be found for it, but says the sale Of by
droelectric energy alone cannot repsy the cost or the
dam, power plant and sll-Americsn canal to supply the
Imperial and Coachella valleys in California and meet
maintenance and interest charges within fifty years. as
provided in the bill. The board indicates that the flood
control and irrigation features Of the project should
bear part Of the expense.
One Of the commissions most emphatic declarations
is that = treaty fixing Mexico's share Of Colorado riysr
water should be made before the dam Is built. This u
to insure that the increased supply provided by stabili-
zation Of the streams flow will not be absorbed below
the border before United States farmers csn establish
their rights by prior use Of il.
The much-debated question of public or private op-
GRAFTON Of the power plant is not decided. nor is the
other political issue concerning the federal govern
ment's right 10 allot water and power claimed by IN
dividual states. Doubtless those who have opposed the
project on these grounds will continue in opposition.
Indeed. fiibusterinE tactics have been resumed alreadv
~ the senate, and Senator Hayden or Arizona has IN
troduced an amendment definitely apportioning irriea-
tion water for Arizona and California and requiring Ar
izona's consent to ratification Of the Colorado river
compact. Meanwhile proponents, led ny Senator John
son, are reported to be re~sshspinE The SwinE-Johnson
bill n conform with the report and 20 satisfy other
objections, and enable Boulder Dam 20 move forward
ss well as down stream. Ultimately. some fair ard
practicable provision for transforming the urruly Col
orado from 2 liability into an asset appesrs inevitable.
FOR vast developments IN the seven states n its basin
await such action.