The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-06-01

tains what purports letter from NOZZLE who
Professor of Irrigation Law, Montana State Unver
sy Mssoua 1t contains many fragrant mssatements of
the distortion of the and the writer resorted to
the familiar trick of stating truths his efforts deceive
though many statements just plain fasehoods For
ample Referring to what he calls the Rivers and Harbos bill
1944945, but properly the says:
Its provided appropriation hundred million dollars
hat be spent by the Army Engineers and half by the Bureau
of Reclamation"
officers gentlemen perfectly they
printed this statement that not true They stated the
facts in the News two months earier-ha "author-
lied"
Why necessary you the members of the CONNER
ca Club to send out statements like th-alse, say
NOZZLE letter?
But NOZZLE letter more vicious than indicated
by this simple fasehood. He says:
To be effective, control of all the waters in the basin
would to under MVA the Authority would own
the water having stored it. it would then sell water to
In the first place control of all the navigabe
rivers their tributaries and watersheds Congress- and has
been the Constitution adopted If
where would Congress get the authority the Flood
Control Act which letter of February g. 1945 says
for irrigation, flood control etc. power?
second place. what does the Bureau of Reclamation do? Does
not store water and provide for its for irrigation? And
them this writer The Authority would be able to buy
or condemn water rights
The Army Engineers bought condemned 10000 acres
of land above Fort Peck much of having water rights
purtenant The Bureau Reclamation has condemned
bought and paid for thousands of with water rights
appurtenant IN like manner How could dam be built for
irrigation when land owned is needed for storage of water
unless this right existed? Such puerle and
shame organization such maintain and support
The writer makes various statements about the IVA which
absolutely and unquaedy false We suggest you read
the articles in the May issues of the Atlantic and Harper
you read what such The Christian Science Mon
tor The Washington Post The New York Times The Des
Mones Register The Wall Street Journal other
tive have said about iva and the proposed MVA
It is right and proper that you should know
Bill for the MVA introduced by Senator Murray of
Montana provides full and complete protection those who
have appropriated water for irrigation from rivers or their
tributaries, in the Basin The Yellowstone, for example
Language could not be palmer Those who say the bill
acted would destroy such rights or that the language sed
10 rOtpctt them SEQ u
B. 555) Not only this but before has it been pro-
posed not only recognize but affirm existing water rights by
Congressional enactment, so far can learn.
The land bought condemned for the Fort Peck Rese
pays the State any its
will unless authority established This applies
project installed by the Bureau of Reclamation ALSO
Power generated the Fort Peck project being sold
part the will be paid Montana counties
in lieu of taxes unless an authority is established.
You have been told by Of your officers that an
authority would come into Billings and take over any mer
camille business, etc.
Bunk.
But about cheaper power industries
Billings the nation has been told has all the it needs
lower than those obtainabe the west coast
Billings depends for its future expansion the additional
irrigated agriculture.
excerpts from the testimony your Secretary
before subcommittee of the United States Senate, April
25 1916, and printed document (Hearings-
Part g. pages 48O-481), may interest you.
"Nr Buck The future growth of Montana has to come
out of agriculture Now the discussions before the egsa
power and RELOCATING to second place the matter
If the development of irrigation and stabilized agriculture
L
actual fact the basis of expansion in Montana has to
from irrigated agriculture stabilized agriculture you
please The fear of drouth uppermos minds all the
And stabilized agriculture the storage and prop
of water Then expect to power for in
lusral development the likelihood that will not only
stabilize agriculture but there good chance of ncreas
the population which would make Montana attractive
% small industries"
Senator ODanie One other thing in connection with
the rates for power in that locality (Bngs
compared to other sections of the country? II
sMr Buck am not equipped with figures, but might
the statement that 1913 the removed
ordnance plants from the coast and sent them inland
Two of them to Billings and had the privilege of help
ng suitable locations for them and get those people
established.
'The first thing did to investigate the and
utilities which they must have They made it clear
when talked and rates that they getting
distinct advantage by being sent from the coast because
the rate situation the coast compared with the inland
COUNTRY that they getting favorable rate.
Senator O'Danel favorable rate in Montana? II
"Mr. Buck Yes sir They getting advantage II
which they had not anticipated apparently" III
Compare the foregoing gentlemen, with the following
appeared the Congressional Record for April H. 1916