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<br />00235~
<br />
<br />A Blow from Mr. Aspinall
<br />
<br />Nevertheless, insofar as hard political realities were con-
<br />cerned, the congressional river-running expedition appeared to
<br />be an exercise in futility. Even before Udall & Co. emerged
<br />from the canyon, and one day before the CAP bill was due for
<br />debate on the Senate floor, Chairman Aspinall of the House
<br />Interior Committee dealt CAP an apparently' fatal blow for that
<br />session. He announced that his committee would adjourn by
<br />Labor Day and that he would not bring up the House version
<br />of the, bill for committee consideration before then. He was
<br />going back to Colorado and would return to Washington only
<br />for important roll calls.
<br />
<br />Arizona reaction to the Aspinall blow was predictably
<br />bitter. Governor Williams called it "unfair." Congressman
<br />Rhodes said it would take a "major miracle" to get the bill past
<br />Mr. Aspinall. Arizona Power Authority Chairman John Smith
<br />said it looked like time was running out on Arizona and added,
<br />"We are getting tired."
<br />
<br />Executive Director Rich Johnson of the Arizona Interstate
<br />Stream Commission called it a "legislative maneuver" by which
<br />Congressman Aspinall hoped to force inclusion of a dam to pro-
<br />duce revenue for financing a water import. "The Central Ari-
<br />zona Project contains projects for Colorado that are very impor-
<br />tant to Chairman Aspinall's constituents," remarked Mr. John-
<br />son. "I think there is a good chance he may change. his mind
<br />after he gets a chance to study the bill after it is passed by the
<br />Senate."
<br />
<br />Debate Opens
<br />
<br />On August 3 the Senate began debate on its version of the
<br />Central Arizona Project legislation. It was the third time that
<br />CAP had reached the Senate floor.
<br />
<br />Senator Hayden opened the debate by reviewing his record
<br />of helping other Western states to develop their water resources.
<br />"I think all of you know," he said, "I have always attempted
<br />to help in any way possible every project for the development
<br />of our country's resources, even when I was being fought on my
<br />own project for my state. I am entitled, and the state of Arizona
<br />is entitled, to prompt action on the Central Arizona Project, and
<br />there is no sound reason why this project cannot be considered
<br />now. It is entirely compatible with the regional developments
<br />proposed by the Department of the Interior. '
<br />
<br />"Since I first came to the Senate in 1927, I have labored
<br />unceasingly to help Arizona secure the full benefit Of its rightful
<br />share of Colorado River water. A civilization has grown up in
<br />Arizona that has added welcome strength to our nation. . . .
<br />Today that civilization is threatened. Arizona has only, one
<br />source of water if that productive civilization is to survive. That
<br />source is the Colorado River.
<br />
<br />-10-
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