The border vidette., 1933-02-25
ARIZONA SPURNS OFFER OF
CALF. WATER GRABBERS

|
mission, yesterday tentatively
rejected department Of interior
contract proposing to deliver to
it $500, 600 acre feet of water
from the main stream OF the
Colorado river.
The commissions action was
announced after a meeting held
in the Office of Governor Moeur
yesterday morning.
The governors proposal was
submitted by Dr.. Ray Lyman
Wilbur, interior department sec
rotary.
An invitation to the interior
department TO send q represeo-
tative here to discuss the matter
was forwarded to Secretary Viii
bur by Governor Moeur at the
conclusion Of the conference.
Belief was expressed By the
governor that such q move would
be worth while and perhaps fruit
full. Members of the state river
body will be glad to confer With
such a representative in the
hopes of initiating some salts
factory solution Of the Colorado
river problem, the governors
letter said.
Arizona will oppose the con-
! struction of diversion dams on
the river and the delivery of
water to California, the governor
told Mr.. Wilbur in bis letter, IN
til such time as the states rights
ia the river have been "satisfac.
torily determined and safeguard
ed"
The contract for the delivery
of 100000 acre feet of water
from the river 70 Arizona was
received early this week from
Secretary Wilbur. The regula
tions respecting the proposed
delivery of water to the state
and the proposed contract we're
discussed at length by the con-
missioners, and the governor.
Arthur T. LaPrace, attorney
general. and K. Berry Peterson,
assistant attorney general, at
tended
The regulations were three in
~
which provided that the con.
tract would remain in force only
so long 50 Arizona and claim
ants to the use of the waters did
not interfere by litigation or
otherwise with the diversions of
Eother contract holders that was
considered by the commission.
AS expressed by them, if con.
tract was made it. Arizona would
/ be barred from further litigation
to protect her rights.
! After declaring the commits
sion would welcome a conference
with representative of the
secretary, The commission said
in q statement issued relative to
the matter:
However. 10 view of the fact
that a new national administra.
ton will be installed very soon.
and since the available time for
negotiations is so short, it would
appear the wiser course to allow
the matter to rest until the in
coming Of the new administra
tiOn.
ARIZONA could only make an
agreement BY authority of its
legislature. The present session
is in it's closing weeks, and pro
badly will be adjourned before
any proposed agreement could
possible be put in shape for sub
mission of it,"
The statement pointed out that
a contract had been offered sub
ject to terms and conditions and
continued:
"Of course, such a contract
would not give Arizona any
vested right to such water. That
could only be accomplished by
'actual appropriation, interstate
compact, or judicial decision.
The commission further point
out that the Uaited States has
contracted or will 5000, to de
liver large quantities of water
from the river TO the Metropoli.
tan Water District in Los An
1eles and to the Imperial and
Coachella valleys ia California.
More important still" the
statement declared. The United
States through the Reconstruc
tion Finance Corporation and
reclamation bureau is providing
ways and means whereby that
| water ACTUALLY NAV be diverted