The Coolidge examiner., 1945-07-20
WATER is KING
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IF we fail to utilize our rich heritage in the of
the Colorado river those waters and mark this wel Will
not be allowed indefinitely to to waste Other areas
need the water other will fight organize and spend
get and will finally put 1t to use In the last
analysis the best protection give our right to this
to divert portion of the Colorado river to
useful service the lands of Pinal county.
Yuma already actively promoting the use of additional
Colorado make fruitful thousands of
of additional land in the Yuma valley and mesa Mexico
it's future by treaty approved by the u S.
Senate basin states must be considered and then
there is always California
If Arizona by this time has learned that California
lis willing to work and spend money for Colorado
water-then nothing will teach More than half bill
lion dollars has been spent in Colorado river water de-
velopmentdams canals power plants et-but the pro-
portion of that that has been spent to spread water
Arzonas fertile lands is an exceedingly small per
centage
first give thought to the initiative and that
created the various California projects though also
to the truey gigantic underwriting task taken by Cali
forna interests to amorze Federal development and the
equally huge direct expenditures by various interests OF
the state to carry those waters 25O miles OF
desert and mountains to Los Angeles IN 1879 appropriated
just for and studies of the Colorado
river water problem. Later voters of the Metropolitan
Water District bonded themselves for (and
that amt hay) to build the necessary DAMS plants
canals and pipe lines carry the water from Boulder dam
over the route finally approved.
Has the huge investment paid? The rich agricultural
and industrial of metropolitan Los Angeles with
3716652 inhabitants Zone of the leading war-producton
centerS of the United States) would that question
most positive affirmative
Of course cannot compare Los Angeles with Pnal
population wealth. but it presents decided compari-
the matter of initiative, energy and willingness
sacrifice little present cash Tor much greater future
Or take another much less pOpuOuS and less wealthy
in California for comparison. San Diego down in
the extreme southwestern part of the state considered
Colorado river water valuable enough insurance against
water shortage the future that paid several hundred
thousand dollars to protect its ALLEGATION of water from
the Boulder canyon project-athough at the time the
southern city, additional or more miles away from
the of supply had only the remoest possibility Of
ever realizing on its investment 1t also retained high
tO
Phil D. Swing former congressman and co-author of
the SwingJ johnson bill for the construction Boulder
canyon (Black canyon) dam.
Now however, the u S. Navy is spending SIT 100000
to carry Colorado river water from the San Jacinto tun
mel of the Metropolitan aqueduct to San Diego. The city
is spending or has spent, and additional $11,OO0OOO
San Vcnte DAM pipe lines and filter plants for the
equally great to take its proportion of bonds and
interest plus carrying charges of the Metropolitan Water
district.
However much may dislike some of the things south
ern California has done to obtain Colorado river water
there certainly lessons may learn from it's
full experience One of them to unite the entire state lin
spite OF rivalry between cities and sectional dfference)
behind the Colorado river project Certainly all sections
of Arizona will not be equally benefited by additional
water but the entire state will benefit by the greater
wealth. prosperity and population of those directly
affected There equally intense rivalry between the
Los Angeles San Francisco and San Diego but the
entire state of California united its support in the state
legislature and at Washington D. Co. to back the Boulder
canyon act and later the Central valleys water project
OF almost equal magnitude but not involving the Colo
rdo river)
Pina county must get together with Maricopa county
and Yuma county and all the rest the united
front the general proposition of bringing Colorado
river water into central Arizona Regional organizations
such the Pina County Research Association can do
invaluable work for their particular areas such the
Casa Grande valley but they must also be prepared to
work with similar organization from other in state
wide organization.
1t must have the unqualified backing of the state govern
ment at Phoenix and present undivided front at Wash
ngton This will cost money It will cost time. 1t will
energy But it will big dividends in successand any
other course futile The best talent obtanable
should represent this and the state
Southern California has big stake in the future
perlty OF Arzona-believe it not-and first
class trading may be in order There is ques-
ton about the willingness of the Department of the In
to cooperate but Congress provide the money
and that takes votes.
Water king and where he reign in the great south
west there is production and prosperity Abundant water
is the key to the douby successful future of Arizona
general and the Casa Grande valley in particular Our
stake IN the development of Colorado river water for