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WSP07146
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Last modified
1/26/2010 2:25:56 PM
Creation date
10/12/2006 2:06:48 AM
Metadata
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Template:
Water Supply Protection
File Number
8210.110.60
Description
Colorado River Water Users Association
Basin
Colorado Mainstem
Date
12/7/1967
Author
CRWUA
Title
Proceedings of the 24th Annual Conference
Water Supply Pro - Doc Type
Annual Report
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<br />H. G. BERTHELSON <br /> <br />come up with a capitol investment per cow unit of about $1000. Those who look longingly at our wa- <br />ter rights should keep some of these factors in mind. We are not about to walk away and let someone <br />take them over. <br /> <br /> <br />Now 1 know we are involved in another movement which might supplant the livestock indus- <br />try. I refer now to the recreation boom. There is as you well know, a great hue and cry to set aside <br />lands, both public and private, for the production of flowers and scenery. I am not unsympathetic to <br />this cause and I am sure we country boys will have to find:a way to live with it - -I say live with it and <br />this doesn't mean being crowded out by it. <br /> <br />A couple of years ago I was asked to represent the livestock industry on a panel at the ColDr- <br />ado open space coordinating conference at Vail, Colorado; among other things I suggested to the con- <br />ference that we must all try to keep all things in perspective in regard to development of recreation <br />and I further suggested to the conference that with the population explosion, the loss of productive <br />lands to urban sprawl, industrial development and highways, and with our global commitments to <br />feed and protect the world, that it could well be that those assembled would see the time when they <br />would be much more interested in knowing where their I)ext meal would be coming from rather than <br />being assured the nature trail under construction would b~ available in the spring. <br /> <br />This type of thinking of course ruffled some feathers and not wishing to further erode the i- <br />mage of the cattlemen, I thought a quiet luncheon with the program chairwoman might help smooth <br />the way ahead. The discussion turned to public lands and how we might use them in a way to accomo- <br />date all interests. She advised me they had made an exhaustive study of beef production and their con- <br />clusions were that beef could be produced much more efficiently in commercial feed lots than on our <br />ranches so why was it any longer necessary that we use pltblic lands for beef production. I thought to <br />myself, its too bad we don't have more people like this t9 help solve the problems of the livestock in- <br />dustry. I was about to let the matter drop, then my con~cience took over and I inquired of the lady <br />where will we get the cattle to put in the feed lot? She didn't seem to get the point and I could sense <br />she thought I was trying to get smart so we spent the balance of the lunch hour in a mild discussion on <br />wild flowers and how much prettier they were at the top of Vail Ski Lift since they had convinced the <br />Forest Service to keep the sheep off the area during the growing season. Departing for home after <br />lunch I felt much wiser but still wondered if reason and .logic had a place in our dialogue. <br /> <br />I now want to discuss politics and food. I think it only fair that I preface this portion of my <br />remarks with this statement. I consider myself a practical conservative. I voted for Goldwater. That is <br />more than a lot of fellows who were on the winning.sid~ will now confess. I voted for him with some <br />reservations, however. I thought some of his policy statements were quite liberal. I believe our govern- <br />ment should confine its activities to the following: 1. Defend our shores. 2. Maintain law and order. <br />3. Provide for public education and last but certainly not least, Fund reclamation and that is about it. <br /> <br />I mentioned I was a practical conservative - -. praCtical because I admit that our government is <br />involved in many things that I object to but know why they will not be stopped. In some cases a maj- <br />ority o( Congress wanted them but in most cases a majority of the people just didn't give a damn, so <br />we have them. ' <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />Now, I know you are wondering what we have that 1 don't like. I don't like the cheap food <br />policy now pursued by our government. Yes, in plain, unadulterated language that is their policy and <br />as of now they don't seem to be very concerned about us, the producers. Now don't get me wrong, I <br />can understand the reasoning behind this policy. The el~ctorate is composed of 93 people that buy <br />food as against 7 that produce it. Here again Washington is very much like Las Vegas - - - they figure <br />the odds. I am not crying because they have failed to bend their efforts in our behalf. I am crying be- <br />cause they bend their efforts toward driving food prices, down and keeping them there. How do they <br />do this? They use surpluses accumulated by the govetnment to drive prices down in the market <br />! <br /> <br />-18- <br />
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