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<br />THE CHAIRMAN. Of course we are discussing the present <br />treaty. <br /> <br />SENATOR DOWNEY. Yes; I understand. <br /> <br />Would you think that our Government and the State <br />Department in conjunction with Mexico, would be willing <br />to modify this treaty to provide that Mexico should <br />have whatever return flow there is, which you are very <br />confident in stating to the committee will be 900,000 <br />acre-feet, plus 600,000 feet of fresh water? suppose <br />that should be sold to the Colorado River Basin States: <br />I assume that you would think that that would be just as <br />agreeable to Mexico as the present proposal, would you <br />not? <br /> <br />MR. LAWSON. I would hesitate to undertake such an <br />arrangement, because, in my own mind, I believe that <br />the return flow will be more than 900,000 acre-feet. <br /> <br />SENATOR DOWNEY. Then you would think that the return <br />flow of the river, as we have discussed it, plus 600,000 <br />acre-feet of fresh water from the river, would be more <br />advantageous to Mexico than the present proposal? <br /> <br />MR. LAWSON. Mexico would have the whole amount that <br />came from upstream sources and would disregard the allo- <br />cation of return flow. <br /> <br />SENATOR DOWNEY. But in the proposed treaty you do <br />suggest giving Mexico 1,500,000 acre-feet of water. Of <br />that you say, and you are very positive, that 900,000 <br />at least, perhaps more, can be made up out of return <br />flow? <br /> <br />MR. LAWSON. Yes, sir. <br /> <br />SENATOR DOWNEY. You say you think the return flow <br />would be more than 900,000 acre-feet? <br /> <br />MR. LAWSON. Yes. <br /> <br />SENATOR DOWNEY. Would not, then, a proposal to <br />Mexico, if your figures are reasonably accurate of <br />600,000 acre-feet from direct flow of the river, plus <br />the return flow, whatever that might happen to be, a <br /> <br />-19- <br />