WSP10883

• File Number: 8215.100
• Description: Other States Water Issues - California
• State: CA
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 9/17/1954
• Author: Irrigation Districts
• Title: Reasonable Use by Reasonable Men
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

calaia, recite the "doctrine of reasonable.n 0 214 !Lto .d for harmony, to emphasize over and ov.ain
but it is an entirely different thing to apply those' that California and all of its 58 counties including the
principles in such a manner that is entirely fair to counties of origin and the desert counties must stend and
the counties of origin. The uncertain factors of work together. It was even suggested by a spokesman for
course are at any given time to determine what the a county of origin that if anyone came from Southern Cali.
"reasonable and prospective needs" of an area fornia to "steal our water' despite the established legal
will be. They too may become centers of popula- doctrine of "reasonable use" that the Vigilantes of the
tion. They too may attract new industries with 1850's should be, re.established and deal summarily with
their consequent needs for large amounts of water. such "water thieves.1I
It is easy for those of us who have built on the edge of a Of greater alarm was the whispered suggestion that as
.desert and having no water or little water to readily far as Northern California is concerned it would be better
accept the legal doctrine of reasonable use. At this point off if the State were severed and the seven Southern coun.
the human factor becomes important and we immediately ties left to their own resources in developing their water.
enter an area of controversy. _ . There are many supervisors from the mountain counties,
By way of .assurance to our colleagues. the supervIsors from the Mother Lode, from the Sacramento and San
who represent the counties of origin, and in behalf of my Joaquin Valleys who over thelears (some of you for twenty
client the great County of Los Angeles, I would like to years and more) have worke together for the best inter-
point out that to my own knowledge during the 21 years em of all of California and as I have said I believe that
that I have been attending sessions of the California Legis. Los Angeles County has played its part and made its con.
lature as a legislative representative for my county, the tribution toward a strong and united California. Certainly
fact is, and the record speaks for itself, that the Board of there is no official representative from any county in Cali.
Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles has b?en mind. fornia who would give encouragement to such a proposal
ful of the needs and the problems of other counfles. In the of severing Northern California from Southern California.
several hundred bills which we have presented to the Cali. Thi. state-all of it":"'must and will work together.
fornia LegiSlature since 1933 proposing legislation in many A. the California poet John Steven McGroarty said in
phases of public law-taxation, special assessments. public IlCalifornia, Its History and Romance":
wt;!lfare. allocation of gasoline' taxes and highway fund. 'lfhe tide of power ever .hlftlng thr..
subsidies for the building and maintenance of .tubercular The countless ages'of the world,
hospitals, all types and kinds of 9r.ants in aid from the state; Now to 'ryr. and now to Carthage,
with studied concern we have sought for a measuring stick Again to Britain and again to Gaul,
d f I h Id d t I t t th b . The .teel leviathan. of the o.ean.
an a ormu a t at wou a equa e y pro ec e aSlc Dimming the glory of the Phoenician
requirements of small size counties. medium size counties, With hi. first Ii"'e ragged .aU _
as well as the counties with the concentrations of great 'his tide of power .h'lts now to the
population. Western Shore. of America."
A number of years. ago this great state was distraught California thus faces the awakening orient with its count.
from Oregon to Mexico over a proposal sponsored by less peoples, and its undreamed of and undeveloped wealth.
liberal groups in population areas proposing that the Cali. And, in the days to be, shall outrival the achievements of
fornia Senate be reapportioned on a population basis. aU the past as she sits in queenlt sway upon her golden
May I say with firmness and with proper modesty in be. tl.ronfil of greatness and content.
half of the County of Los Angeles, and to refresh your In 1911, John Steven McGroarty wrote this poem about
memories, that if Los Angeles County was greedy for California which, viewed in the light of today s problems,
political power, that if it was thinking only of Los Angeles presents a challenge to us all:
County-its problems, its people-that it had an opporw "Days rl.e that gleam In glory,
tunity to not only have 31 votes in the Assembly but it Days die with .unset'. breeze,
had an opportunity to secure a reapportionment of the While from Cathay that was of old
Senate on a more nearly population basis. To its credit Sail countle.. argo.les,
Morns break again In splendor
under policies directed by its Board of Supervisors, O'er the giant, new..born We.t,
the County of Los Angeles officially opposed such But .fall the land. Ood fa.hlaned.
reapportionment, went on record against it and Ifl. this land Is the be.t.
joined in defeating the constitutional amendment
that had proposed it.
As I have gone up and down the State, the mounting
crescendo of impending crisis in solving the water problem
has been impressed upon me. Some harsh things have been
said and some of them reported in the press. Reference
is made to these not to incite controversy but to allay it,

"Sun and dews that kiss It,
Balmy wind. that blow,
The star. In clu.tered diadem.
Upon It. peaks of .now;
The mighty mountain. o'er ir,
Below, the white .eas .wlrled -
Just California IIretchlnll down
rhe Middle of the World."

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