Imperial Valley press., 1944-02-17
Sen. Downey Eyes
Water Compact
lContinued from page !

Continued from page II
in order that California may pre-
sent its objections to the treaty.
In this connection. Governor
Warren and Attorney-Gereral Rob
srt Kenny of California have adj
vised Senator Downey that the
earliest possible date they could
attend a meeting before the Senate
foreign relations committee would
be April 5.
LAUDS GOVERNOR
Paying tribute to Governor War
ren's participation in Wednesdays
conferences, Mr.. HeWcs said that
the governor had Cancelled all of
his engagements in Sacramento in
order to be present and that he
had assumed the leadership in ad-
yiSing members of the Colorado
River Board of California. their
advisers and the other interested
agencies, what course of action to
follow relative to presenting unit
ed California front against the
treaty.
HeWes stated that all of the Cali
fornia groups are working together
to coordinate all resources Of the
state in an effort to protect Cali
fornias water rights and interests
against encroachment from the
Mexican treaty, and to present the
entire picture to the people of
Southern California These groups
include the Metropolitan Water
District. the Bureau of Power and
Light, Los Angeles, the City and
County of San Diego. the Imperial
Irrigation District, t he Coachella
Valley County Water Company and
the Palo Verde Irrigation District.
In the meantime, IIewes and L, A.
Hauser, executive secretary of the
Colorado River Board of California,
are acting as a clearing house be-
tween the California groups holding
contracts for delivery Of Colorado
river water and the agencies and
individuals who are opposing the
pact. including Governor Warren,
Acknowledgement Kenny and Sen
ator DoWney.
STRESSES THREAT
HeWes declared that all opponents
Of the treaty realize that it threat
ems the whole economy of Southern
California and SoLfhcrn Arizona as
we'll. Not only the agencies holding
contracts for delivery of Colorado
river water will be affected by the
treaty, but every resident il both
California and southern Arizona
will feel the repcrcuSSions of the
treaty if it is allowed to be ratified
in its present form, Hewcs SaR
HeWes stated that all of CalifOr-
mia fully appreciates the fact that
the state has no quarrel or griCv-
ance with Mexico. He reiterated his
former statement that I'VE Ameri-
cans place a high value on the
friendship of the people Of Mexico,
and we would deplorc any injustice
perpetrated upon that nation or its
citizens. 1t is not necessary for
our state department to seek to buy
Mexican friendship and good will
Mexico does not expect it. nor can
We gain added prestige by sacrifice
ing cur own rights and interests"
Hewes said that the Colorado
river board held a special session
Yesterday and spent the balance of
the day with California groups in
informal discussion of the treaty
LOS ANGELES, Feb. II. CUPl-
California directors of the Colo
ado river board united Thursday
to combat ratification Of a Mexican
water treaty which Gov Earl War
'en wednesday declared a viola
ion of the Boulder canyon project
act.
The treaty would give Mexico
100000 acre-feet of Colorado riy-
er water and 'flatly violates the
project act making impossible full
fillment Of previous contracts, War
ren asserted.
1T jcopardizcs Arizona as well as
California and the whole south
west, Warren said, declaring thc
treaty would turn the land into a
desert waste"
The treaty proposes giving Me-
leo twice the amount Of water she
receives under the Boulder canyon
project, Warren said.
There Just wouldn't BE enough
to 90 around" reiterated Commis-
sion Counsel ArVin 3. Shaw Jr