The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-12-26
BOULDER DAM SET TO GO

tOfficial City, State and County Newspaper)
BOULDER DAM SET TO GO
The Boulder dam bill has been passed and received
that executive approval which completes it great
piece Of constructive legislation full of intended in
cdental potentaltes but whal also vast experiment
It's appraisal perspective be awaited to afford
real judgment of It's merits and shortcomings rather
than by appraisal through the vision Of imagination
which constructive undertakings grand scale
the dam evoke in the mind 1t authorizes Of the
most wonderful projects Of public utility improvement
conceived in American engineering and legislation
but it has been surrounded by suspicion and jealousy
and selfish interest and its merits have been confused
by hostile and doubling criticism that the public concep
ton Of what it really necessarily be vague
and undecided
The bill is attempt to correct of the natural
mistakes Of the Colorado river especially in relation to
the Imperial valley Of California, for the valley be-
low the level Of the river and the standing
menace from possible flood and destruction while
harnessed its waters would rrgate But the
measure more than this Out of the protective engi-
neerg which was the first form of the design arisen
the by-deveopment Of electric power we'll water
supply for southern California The Golden state
than any others OF the in the Colorado basin
stands to profit by these Developments The bill has tre-
mendous possibilities for the Los Angeles area in its
power and for the Imperial valley in its irrigation posi-
bities all the goals to which the project is expected
to lead achieved southern California will gain from
1t an area of magnificent agricultural and industrial de-
velopment.
The final terms OF the bill have been written COM
promise as between the various states the Colorado
river drainage area after long period of pulling and
hauling even the provision for going into depend
ing on the assent of Arizona and Utah-which means
Utah. as Arizona might conceivaby so humble itself
TO California as to come out of it's sulk make that
generous gesture The big fight of the drive to put the
Dill over was between these two states while all the
others have fallen into line for the compromise egsa-
ton enacted and signed by the president
The battle for and against the bill was fought on three
main lines: ALLEGATION to the states the waters which
Will be accumulated in vast rrigating and power reser-
vor when the Boulder site in the Black canyon stretch
OF the Colorado river is damned whether the power de-
Veopment OF the dam should be governmental enter
prise or private operation: the amount of money
that should be invested in the project
Inc house voted 100000 the senate obtained its
figures OF $165ooOOoO all to paid back to the govern
ent through power profits in about so years. The presi
oene MS message heartened the advocates private
electric development when he commented that private
enterprise very we'll fill this field Senator Reed Of
pennsylvania. tried to write provision for private de-
Veopment into the bill and Senator Borah of the grop
winch sees the menace of gigantic power trust develop
ing offered one for governmental operation Reeds
pioison was oe1eated and Senator Johnson of Cali
1ornla induced Borah to withdraw his amendment as
inviting veto Of the BILL The senate finally left this
phase optional with the secretary of the interior Eleven
Oh the senator's largely the progressive group voted
against the Dill rather in the fear that this evasion of
definite policy might invite, under a complaisant head
OF the INFERIOR department. another experience like the
Aaskan scandal in the Taft administration which led
70 the Roosevelt rift in the Republican party in 1912
ana the teapot dome oil lease scandal of the Harding
administration.
announcer source OF delay the passage of the bill in
VIC se1aee was the feeling OF the senator's who failed to
put the Muscle Shoals development ON basis ~
governmental operation. These senator's who are DOM
mated by power trust complex felt that here was on
oner gigantic project at government expense that must
At least tr the cupdy Of selfish private interests and 81
menace the purity Of federal administration by corrnt
politics, not actually fall into their grasp for ex
plo'tation OF the communities that should have all tho
benefit Of the undertaking
the distribution OF the water the bill is COM
promise as between the lower tier Of Colorado basin
states-Caifornia. Nevada Arizona California wanted
100000 Of the 100000 acre-feet Arizona wanted
SOOOO0O and Nevada 100000 acre-feet The Nevada
figures were adopted but both California and Arizona
We're reduced 100000 acrefeet 100000 and
respectively.
Eventually the dsappointments Of these figures mns+
disappear when once the project enters into operation
no new ossaiactions arise: and in the end the adj
Jus1ments which win work themselves out given time
ought to leave no ripple the surface but establish th
dam Is an enterprise to rank with power DEVELOPMENT a.
NIAGARA, now smooth working industrial accomplish
1nent.
THE GIVERS ENJOY 1T MOST
y . has been said We good fellows at Christmas
because i the day when we allow ourselves to be what
we would like to b regularly. then large number Of
Bismarck folks have made very satisfactory test Of
their real selves The didn't seem to be any other kind
Ut human nature about.
4nree ogantsed Christmas projects sponsored by the
eomunaU - whole q IN part met such generous re-
spnse - = reveal goodwill general over the city More
ov1. q the three MAS staged with any nerf,,nctv
ots1ng. Each WAS put In spirit Of enth,siasm