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.' OU~941 UNDER THE CAPITOL DOME By ALVA A. SVlAIN PERHAPS COLORADO'S MOST IMPORTANT CITIZEN HAS GONE In the death of Clifford Stone, Chairman of the Colorado Water Conserva- tion Board, this state has lost one of its most important public officials. Few people realize the seriousness of the water situation in this state. Judge Stone, ever since his appointment to that position by Gov. Ammons, has made a life study of western waters. He had come to be recognized as the greatest authority on interstate water compacts and he used that knowledge for the best interests of this state. Three different times he was offered salaries twice and once three times what Colorado was paying him, but his loyalty te the principles he had written into the "law of the rivers" were eo imbedded in his love for Colorado that he turned them all d017n. When informed of his death, Gov. Ammons said: "My God, I can not believe it. Judge Stone was everything to the water interests of this state. His appointment to that position by me was the outstanding act of my administra- tion. I know of no man who can serve Colorado as well as he did." Sen. ltLllikin held the telephone at least a minute after he had been informed of the death of Judge stone before he said a word. Then he paid the deceased this tribute: "His death is the greatest calamity that Colorado has suffered in the last 25 years. There were innumerable problems over water that were constantly coming up for Sen. Johnson and me to solve. Judge stone was always the man to whom we turned. He was the recognized authority on interstate waters over all other men in the nation. Colorado is going to have a difficult time in finding any man who can come anyways near to taking his place." There has not been a decision on water matters from the District to the United States Supreme Court in the last 15 years that has not carried his ideas of justice. "HE HATH DONE VlHAT HE COULD." None could have done more.