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<br />
<br />"The streams which rise in our state unite to form interstate
<br />rivers, The prinhipal ones are the Colorado, Rio Grande, Arkan-
<br />sas, South Platte' and North Platte, During the past generation
<br />~the right of Colorado to utilize the waters of these rivers has
<br />been frequently challenged, and, in several instances, s)lch con-
<br />troversies have taken the form. of . litigation. , .. Succeeding legisla-
<br />tures have wisely provided financial and other assistance to aid
<br />in the defense o~ this litigation, which has .not only involved the
<br />interests of our citizens but has struck at the very foundation of
<br />our sovereignty,: and has challenged the rights of the state to
<br />utilize its natura) resources for its self-preservation and the gen-
<br />eral welfare of itS people. But the evils of. prolonged and increas-
<br />ing litigation have demanded some more direct method of deter-
<br />mining the rights of the respective states to the use of the waters
<br />of these interstate rivers, and Colorado and other Western states
<br />are adjusting their relations by eJ>ercise of the.. treaty powers of
<br />the states,
<br />
<br />"Our last legislature directed the Governor to appoint a Com.
<br />missioner for COlorado to act as a member of five separate Joint
<br />Commissions to adjust our interstate relations with respect to the
<br />Colorado, La Pl~ta, Arkansas, South Platte and Laramie rivers;
<br />and it afforded me a privilege to concur with the recommendations
<br />of the members :of the legislature in the selection of Delph E,
<br />Carpenter as Commissioner for Colorado, His prominent identi.
<br />fication with the early development of our. irrigation enterprises,
<br />his experience with interstate river litigation, and. his pioneer
<br />suggestion of the application of the treaty powers of the states
<br />to the solution of interstate river problellJll, made him perhaps
<br />the best fitted to. undertake this important task,. A subsequent
<br />message will discuss the work of the Commissioner, and will sub-
<br />mit the compacts' concluded by him, for your consideration,
<br />
<br />"The preservation and promotion of our agriculture, the
<br />growth of our cities, the future necessities of our people, and the
<br />general welfare of our commonwealth, require constant vigilance in
<br />
<br />"'Delph E. Carpenter presented University Recognition Gold Medal
<br />by University of Colorado, June 11, 1923, .on account his services to
<br />Colorado and western states, in proposing and causing the successful
<br />application of the interstate-treaty method of adjustment and determina-
<br />tion of rights to use of waters of western streams. See his suggestion
<br />01 this method in Vol. I. p, 828, Supp, Briel lor Colorado (1917) tu case
<br />Wyomiug VS, Colorado, and at P. 114 Briel lor Colorado. (1918) lu Wei-
<br />land VB. Pioneer Co. (both U. S. Sup, Ct.), Also see his resolutions.
<br />adopted Denver Cop-f. Governors, Aug, 27, 1920, calltng for-.creation Colo-
<br />. rade River Commission; b1l1s prepared by him and subsequently enacted
<br />by Oongress and 'Colorado River States; bis appearance. before Jud.
<br />Comm. H. of Rep.~ 67 Cong., 1st Sess., reported In Serial 6-June 4,
<br />1921-HHearings In ra H. R. 6821," and brief there presented; his ad~
<br />dress before Colo. Bar Asen., July 29, 1921; his services as CommIssIoner
<br />for Colorado on four separate Interstate rIver compact commissions, etc.
<br />
<br />iv
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