Laserfiche WebLink
<br />[ 25 ] <br /> <br /> <br />It is saf'e to predict that most of the past controversies re- <br />specting the waters of Westel'n interstate streams could have been <br />avoided had'the matters in dispute been first submitted to compe- <br />tent compa.ct commissioners. Friction between the Federal de. <br />partments and the State authorities should be avoided by propel' <br />compacts between the States before construction proceeds upon <br />rivers where such controversies may arise. <br /> <br />The Colorado River is still ":~lOUllg," as regards utilization <br />of its water supply, Conditions look to euormous development <br />during the next quarter of a century, Nature facilitates an easy <br />allocation and settlement of all matters pertaining to the futme <br />utilization of the waters of this stream, if means to' that end <br />are takcn prior to further construction and before friction de- <br />velops, All apprehension of interference with the gradual and <br />necessary future development upon the upper reaches of the <br />stream oy reason of earlier construction of enorinous W01'l\:8 OIl <br />the lower rivet' may be avoided by compact and agreement entered <br />into pI'ior to any future construction. <br /> <br />III fact, settlement of possible interstate controveries by inter- <br />state compacts is t'ecommended by tIte United Stat~s Supreme <br />Court. (Washington v. Oregon, 214 U, S" 205, 218.) . <br /> <br />COMPACT BY "JOIN']' CO:UMISSION" BI~'I'WEI~N S'l'A'l'f1}S AND UNI'l'Im <br />S'l'A'I'ES. <br /> <br />.~ <br /> <br />In another section we ohserve that the States, with consent <br />of Congress, have f'ull powers to make compacts with each other, <br />Treaties between States are designated' as agreements or ('Olll- <br />pacts, (Art. I, section 10, pm', 3, Constitntion,) <br /> <br />The. United States, in the exercise of its sovereign vowers, <br />may enter into compacts or agreements with one or more of the <br />States, acting in their sovereign c!tpacities, <br /> <br />The usual method of formulating such compacts 01' agree- <br />ments, either between the States 01' between the States and the <br />- United States, is tIlrough the instrumentality of. joint commis- <br />sions thereunto duly constituted by legislative enactments and <br />appointment by the executives of the State 01' the States and <br />of the Nation, Such joint commissions are iu aU respects similar <br />to the joint commissions constituted by separate Governments <br />for formulation of treaties between independent nations, The <br />tel'lll does not refer to a joint commission consisting only of' <br />members of one sovereignty and created hy joint action of two <br />or more legislatice branches, but refers to that character of' com- <br />mission fot'med by two independent powers for the purpose of <br />joint action to n common end. <br /> <br />Of the available exmnples of settlements of' controversies <br />hetween the United States and one or more of the States through <br />