PROCEEDINGS
Seventh
Annual
Convention
Reno, Nevada
October 11-12-13
1938
605 N3 1938For development of the west—by serving existing irrigation projects—by providing supplemental water where needed—by stimulating new construction
tonal Reclamation Association
975 NATIONAL PRESS BUILDINGTHE NATION WITH ITS ONLY FRONTIER
PERTINENT PARAGRAPHS FROM THE RENO CONVENTION
1. Dry years may come again. There may be dust upon the prairie. There may be difficulties we have not met. Always keep to the text—You are trying to make a new and better western America. Failure, is in not trying. There can be no failure if you keep trying. As long as fifteen sovereign states plead the cause, and keep the faith, there will be recurring rainbows in the sky, there will be green pastures, there will be bountiful harvests upon expanding acres year by year, self-supporting homes will multiply—there will be a contented people living in a new west if you push along to the end of the reclamation trail.
—From President 0. S. Warden's annual message.
2. This historic policy, in other words, recognizes that it is as important to the nation to create a prosperous new community as it is to the settler to have an opportunity to bring up his family in a farm home carved by irrigation from the desert.
—From Commissioner John C. Page's address, "Homes or Havoc."
3. Reclamation need not be generally condemned as a bad business venture nor as creating human misery in order to produce the adoption by congress of measures for relief nor, on the other hand, is it necessary to secure further reclamation appropriations to refuse admission that everything is not well on completed projects or that relief is neither merited or required.
—From J. TV. Haw, "Looking Ahead for Reclamation."
4. It is of fundamental importance that planning for the con-trol and use of water should be decentralized to as great a degree as practicable.
—From Professor Harlan B. Barrows. -Fundamental Principles of Water Planning."
5. Of the four resources—forests, minerals, soil and waters— the first two, namely, forests and minerals, are geographically fixed. The same thing is true of the soil, except for the part of it that thumbs-a-ride on wind or streams. The fourth, water, is an element that, because of its migratory habit, raises questions of interstate character.
tion, approximately $50,000,000 thus far has been returned to the United States treasury. Allotments for relief funds made to the bureau of reclamation for construction of projects—like the money appropriated directly by the congress—are covered in full by re-payment contracts. There is no other comparable federal program with such a record. The people of the west should take pride in these facts. The people of the north, south and east likewise should take pride in such a record.
—From Secretary of the Interior, Hon. Harold L. Ickes' ad-dress, "Conquering Climate."
7. I have felt concern for the large number of families which have been forced by drought and adversities from their homes in various sections. The construction now in progress in the west of new reclamation projects will, in part, solve the problem.
The fact that these projects are expected to repay the cost of their construction, through revenues from water and from power, when power is possible of development, is not to be overlooked nor underestimated. This makes it possible for me to justify expendi-tures on a scale commensurate with the needs for such work.
—From President Franklin D. Roosevelt's letter of greeting to the Reno convention.
National Reclamation Association
975 Press Building Washington, D. C.
DR. 0. S. WARDEN ORA BUNDY
(1938-39)
OFFICERS ROBERT W. SAWYER J. A. FORD F. 0. HAGIE DIRECTORS HUGO B. FARMER, Yuma, ArizonaJ. R. FAUVER, Exeter, California CLIFFORD H. STONE, Denver, Colorado N. V. SHARP, Filer, Idaho
0. S. WARDEN, Great Falls, Montana A. N. MATHERS, Gering, Nebraska
President First Vice President Second Vice President Treasurer Secretary-Manager
E. W. BOWEN, Tucumcari, New Mex. M. 0. RYAN, Fargo, North Dakota ROBERT W. SAWYER, Bend, Oregon W. D. BUCKHOLZ, Newell, So. Dakota ALFRED TAMM, Harlingen, Texas ORA BUNDY, Ogden, Utah ALFRED M. SMITH, Carson City, Nev. J. A. FORD, Spokane, Washington
Seventh Annual Meeting
PROGRAM
October 11, 12, 13—Reno, Nevada
Tuesday, October 11
8:30 A. M. to 1:30 P. M.—REGISTRATION OF DELEGATES Main Floor, Wasboe County Library Building 10:30 A. M.—State Caucuses
To Select: State Director
Member of Legislative Committee Member of Resolutions Committee 1:30 P. M.—BUSINESS SESSION
Washoe County Library Auditorium Call to Order, President 0. S. Warden Invocation, Rev. Brewster Adams, Reno, Nevada
"What About Reno ?," Mayor John A. Cooper, Reno, Nevada " The State of Nevada," Governor Richard Kirman, Sr., Carson
City, Nevada
The President's Message, Dr. 0. S. Warden, Great Falls, Montana Budget and Finance Report, J. R. Fauver, Exeter, California Legislative Committee Report, John B. McColl, Redding,
Cali-fornia
Treasurer's Report, H. Lloyd Miller, Sunnyside, Washington Secretary-Manager's Report, Floyd 0. Hagie, Washington, D. C. Announcements
Wednesday, October 12 9:30 A. M.—Morning Session
President Warden, presiding
"Homes or Havoc," Commissioner John C. Page, Washington, D. C.
"Construction Progress in Reclamation," Engineer R. F. Walter, Denver, Colorado
"Looking Ahead for Reclamation," John W. Haw, St. Paul, Minnesota
"Needed Water Laws in the West," Report of Chairman Sub-committee, N. R. C.
Announcements
12:10 P. M.—Luncheon with Reno Kiwanis Club, Odd Fellows Banquet Hall President Charles V. Carter, presiding
"The History of Reclamation," Senator Key Pittman, Tonopah, Nevada
1:45 P. M.—Afternoon Session
President Warden, presiding
"Problems of the Water Users—And Possible Improvements," D. D. Harris, Ogden, Utah
"Reclamation—The Repayment," Dr. Charles A. Lory, Fort Col-lins, Colorado; George T. Cochran, LaGrande, Oregon; William R. Wallace, Salt Lake City, Utah; G. W. Grebe, Kuna, Idaho General Discussion
9:30 A. M.—Morning Session
Vice President Ora Bundy, presiding
"Natural Resources of the West," William E. Hammond, Minn-eapolis, Minn.
"Fundamental Principles of Water Planning," Prof. Harlan H. Barrows, Chicago, Illinois
"National and Regional Planning for Our Country's Waters," L. Ward Bannister, Denver, Colorado
"The Water Resources of the Nation—Their Control and Use," Fred D. Beneke, Memphis, Tenn.
12:10 P. M.—Luncheon with Reno Lions Club, Odd Fellows Banquet Hall President Frank Campbell, presiding
"The First Reclamation Farmer," Senator Pat MeCarran, Reno, Nevada,
1:45 P. M.—Afternoon Session
President Warden, presiding
"The Industrial West," George W. Malone, Reno, Nevada "The Place of Irrigation in Agriculture," Hon. Chester C. Davis,
Washington, D. C. Final Business Session
Report of Audit Committee
Report of Budget and Finance Committee Report of Legislative Committee
Report of Resolutions Committee Report of State Caucuses Announcements
First Meeting of New Board of Directors
6:30 P. M.—Annual Banquet, Under Auspices of Reno Chamber of Commerce Informal—El Patio Ballroom
Toastmaster, Cecil W. Creel, Reno, Nevada
Friendly Messages to Reclamation, President 0. S. Warden "Conditions Effecting Western Development," Hon. James G.
Scrugham, Reno, Nevada
"Conquering Climate," Hon. Harold L. Ickes, Washington, D. C. Adjournment
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING of the
National Reclamation Association
October 11, 12, 13, 1938 Reno, Nevada
CALL TO ORDER
The seventh annual meeting of the National Reclamation As-sociation was called to order on Tuesday afternoon, October 11, 1938, at 2:00 p. m., in the auditorium of the State building, Reno, Nevada, with Dr. 0. S. Warden, president of the association, pre-siding. The proceedings are as follows:
0. S. Warden: This is the seventh annual convention of the National Reclamation Association. Your directors have been work-ing for two days in Reno. We are now beginnwork-ing on the work of the session to see what you think about the issues that are before us and before the country at this time in the way of reclamation. We always begin our exercises at the first session with the invocation. That will be given by the Rev. Brewster Adams of Reno from the First Baptist church.
INVOCATION
Rev. Brewster Adams: 0 Heavenly Father, be kind in any undertaking worthy our favor and acknowledging Thy goodness. The hills and valleys are Thine. Thou holdest the waste places in the desert now in hand. We ask, 0 God, that Thou mayest grant 17isdom unto all who seek to reclaim that which is waste and all who strengthen the harvest and all who increase the bounty of mankind. Grant unto them Thy favor and unto us all Thy wisdom. Thine be the kingdom and the power and the glory. Amen.
0. S. Warden: Some of us have been enjoying the city of Reno for several days. We surely find it to be one of the most attractive cities of the west. We are to have the pleasure now of a welcome from the mayor of Reno. Mayor John A. Cooper of Reno.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME
John A. Cooper: I am not going to place myself in the same circumstances as I recently did at a luncheon at which I had been invited to speak. Just before the program was in full swing I leaned over towards the toastmaster and whispered, "How long do you want me to talk?" He replied, "You can talk all afternoon if you want to but we usually adjourn at one-thirty." So while a subject has been assigned to me by someone in authority, "What About Reno" is a large one and a subject that I am glad to have.
Nevertheless, I assure you that I will only touch on the high spots as I have no intention of being the last one here.
What about Reno? Before you leave us we hope you will know all about Reno, including the many good points of our city which so often have failed to be mentioned. What sort of a city actually is this Reno in which we live? How much do we home towners know about Reno? You who visit us know less.
Some four score years ago settlements began to appear here up and down the grand Truckee river. Then came the great mining discovery on Mt. Davidson and the great trek from the Sierras over to the Comstock. There was nothing in Reno then but its develop-ment came about through the great mining adventures of the prospectors. One of those first pioneers was M. C. Lake, who orig-inally settled in California and moved into Washoe valley which was later to become one of the garden spots of Nevada. He built a bridge across the Truckee near where we are sitting now, a toll bridge, if you please, and also a hotel or stopping place for the weary traveler was constructed which brought about development in this valley.
Today Reno is on two transcontinental highways as well as the Three-Flag highway extending from Canada to Mexico. From the very heart of the city over the finest of state highways, people can reach the many points of interest which this country has to offer and get recreation such as cannot be had in or near the average town the size of Reno and for this reason Reno invites and welcomes tourists and visitors to her midst.
I wish to say a word here on the unfair and unfavorable pub-licity which has been given to our fair city. Various magazines and newspapers of the country have had their reporters and writers here to get a story that would appeal to the purchasers of their publications. These reporters have at all times sought out the off-colored conditions of our city and have elaborated upon them to a degree that would create a market for their circulations and have neglected to paint that other picture of finer things of which we are justly proud. Reno brags about being the "Biggest Little City in the World" and I believe that I can truthfully say that we can honestly boast of that fact.
We at least are honest with ourselves for having licensed gambling, liquor establishments, slot machines and other forms of amusement which most cities have but do not recognize the fact and acknowledge that they have them within their city limits. Our city reaps a benefit from the licenses from all these, while most of you come from communities Where these same things exist but without your city, county or state reaping any benefits whatsoever. While Reno is a small city, yet I believe you will agree in the short time you have been here it has the appearance of a city much larger and we still maintain that frontier spirit which is so much
ADDRESS OF WELCOME 7
enjoyed by those coming here and I intend to keep that spirit of the old frontier days. We have thousands of visitors each year and a great majority of them get a thrill out of that frontier spirit, as there is always something fascinating about seeing a cowboy or an Indian squaw with a papoose on her back.
We speak of how much do you home towners know about Reno. T venture to say that the average citizen of our city does not know any more about his home town or what it has to offer to the visitors than those of any other town in the country. Reno has several beautiful parks; a municipal swimming pool, grade A, and so desig-nated by the state board of health; a municipal soft ball field which is better lighted for night playing than any other field on the Pacific coast. Our acreage of parks at the present time is well above that of other cities of like size, yet Reno now is attempting to broaden the playgrounds in the northwest part of our city by building an eleven acre playground in that section. Reno has more tennis courts per population than any of the large cities of the west and just to the south of us we can boast of one of the finest eighteen-hole golf courses in the United States. Recently the county commissioners have constructed a thirty-five acre lake which is well stocked with fish for the newcomer or anyone else for that matter to go and swim or fish to his heart's content and he will be sure no one will catch him. Our schools are outstanding and are among the finest of the land from kindergarten, grammar, junior high, high school to the State university which is located here and from which are graduated every year hundreds of men and women not only of our own state but representatives of other states.
You ask, "Who are the people who populate Reno ?" I venture to say that we have people living in Reno from every state in the union and from many of the foreign countries. Only today a man was in my office who was a native of one of the eastern states. He came in here accidentally and after a two day's stay he was so well pleased that he is now planning to become one of our citizens.
Nevada, as you no doubt know, has no nuisance taxes, no sales tax, no state inheritance tax nor any other nuisance tax which other states are placing on their people. This alone from a tax standpoint should be attractive to many of those who are retiring and those who have retired to get away from the burden of taxes as imposed by other states and to live where such nuisance taxes are not in evidence. I do not believe that Nevada will ever have any of these so-called punishment taxes.
We have dealt upon the subject of where the people come from. Now let us take up who are making their living. My subject covers Reno. However, I must take in the whole state for just a moment. Nevada is a state with approximately 110,000 square miles with an approximate population of 100,000. Cattle, sheep raising, mining and some small grain raising are the principal products. Many of our people are located in the cities or towns and have come in here
from the various places for the comforts that are offered them and to get away from the so-called nuisance taxes which I mentionqd. Reno is advantageously located for people who are seeking' a haven of rest. We are just over the hill from San Francisco. We have the four seasons of the year which are enjoyed by most people, spring, summer, fall and winter. Leisure time may be spent shoot-ing, skiing and skating in the nearby mountains.
Your meeting of the National Reclamation Association to you means the reclaiming of land and that is your part of this meeting. We have several reclamation projects within the state and no doubt thousands of acres are under those projects and from your meeting here improved and better homes may be made for those desiring farms under irrigation projects.
Reno feels honored that you have chosen our fair city for this meeting and as mayor of Reno and on behalf of the people, I welcome you and trust your meeting will be a success and that you will come back and see us again.
0. S. Warden: Gentlemen, that is as fine a welcome address as we have ever had at a National Reclamation Association convention. 1 like to hear a mayor get up and tell the good things about his city —about the things that pertain to living from day to day—the attractive things. Probably we can all learn something about taxes from the city of Reno and I wouldn't be surprised if some of us decided to come here to live because of the taxes we have at home. Nuisance taxes are multiplying and if we can find out through experience how to get rid of them it will be a service to the whole United States.
The governor of Nevada, I understand, is taken up with duties this afternoon so that he can not possibly be here. We are going to have a gentleman speak, however, who knows all about Nevada. I know that he is fully acquainted with Nevada because as a director of the National Reclamation Association he has told us a great many things. He is one of our most competent directors and if he is as competent in telling about Nevada as he is in working in the associa-tion, I am sure you will be glad to hear him. Mr. Smith.
GREETINGS FROM THE STATE OF NEVADA
Alfred Merritt Smith: President Warden and members of the National Reclamation Association: It was with some difficulty that I recognized myself after the description the president just gave of me and I know my friend Brewster didn't because he asked me, "Is he speaking of you, Tom?"
It is a very unfortunate thing it seems to me that our great sister state of California was unable to get into effect this $30 every Thursday plan that they have worked up over there. If they had that in effect at this time, I am perfectly sure that the C. I. 0.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 9
boys who are clamoring at our gates up here and causing a good deal of disturbance, would have stayed over in California and would be well cared for. But as it is, why perhaps they looked to Nevada as the most fertile field and they are coming over here for work or whatever it is and if they had remained in California the gov-ernor's time this afternoon would not have been taken up with problems concerning their exodus from California and would have been here with us. However, he has asked me to extend to those of you who are here, a hearty welcome and he hopes that your stay here will be pleasant and that the results of your work will be profitable and fruitful. As Judge Sawyer said yesterday, that was over at the luncheon, I didn't come here to make a speech and I am perfectly sure that you didn't come here to hear me make a speech so I thank you for your indulgence so far.
0. S. Warden: Gentlemen, the rules of the organization are that the president has to bring a message to the delegates at the opening session. That duty I will endeavor to perform with your indulgence.
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE By 0. S. Warden, Great Falls, Montana
"God called the dry land earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he seas."
These words are found in the first book of Moses, called Genesis. It was the third day of the creation. Right away man began to use the water and the land. Later on there was difficulty. And all through the ages, how we ought to use the land has been a vital problem in each civilized country. If, then, the Almighty gave us the right start, a compelling conclusion has to be that misuse, lack of care, mystifying problems of production and surpluses came along after man got his finger into the pie.
Look back, if you will, through the centuries. There are deserts now where there were luxurious gardens. Lands have been misused until they refuse to yield. Watersheds that protected great areas have disappeared. We have not been, careful enough of I he natural values. We have failed to make restoration. Here in America for a long time farms that did not produce to our satisfaction could be abandoned. There were still virgin forests protecting watersheds. These things, plus the mines, were our natural resources when western America was young. And, we are still learning what to do. There were a thousand blunders before either the east or the west realized the necessity of land policies—a policy of care and restora-tion in the east—a policy of reclamarestora-tion in the west.
After we began to use water upon some of the lands in our great 700,000,000-acre western farm, three-quarters of a billion dollars were put into private reclamation enterprises. Not one-half of this sum was well invested. There were terrible penalties in the experience. The lessons learned, however, up to the time when the
government took a hand were valuable—indeed, just about as valuable as the new wealth that has been created by reclamation. Furthermore, if I am speaking for the fifteen states that have mem-bership in the National Reclamation Association, I will begin by saying that the 36-year story of federal reclamation has been one of cumulative accomplishment—one that easily fills the western heart with enthusiasm as we meet here to measure what has been done, and what we hope to do.
Just before this year 1938 the Almighty gave us some dusty dry seasons—six of them—about as many as they had in Egypt at one time—ending in 1937, and taught a great lesson. We have now reached a clearly proven conclusion that in any reckoning of natural resources, water and the land hold the foremost places. After due credit is given to everything else, this has been the finding of any country at any time. We need to repeat the formula over and over again—what we take from the land—what we give back to the land—how we care for the land and nourish the land—this is a composite problem, for the solution of which, in every western intermountain state, there may wisely be expended local or coopera-tive government funds, or reimbursible federal money upon care-fully planned projects, with the confidence that production will amply repay the investment. We believe this much and we will stick to it.
As we meet in each annual convention, I like to renew and write into the record three milestone reclamation dates:
' First—December 3, 1901—President Theodore Roosevelt, in his first message to the congress, declared that reclamation and settle-ment would enrich every portion of the country.
Second—June 17, 1902—The congress, responding to the pres-ident's appeal, passed the federal reclamation act.
Third—December 5, 1932—Delegates assembled at a governors' conference in the city of Salt Lake. Marshall Dana was the chairman. Kenneth Miller was the secretary. The National Reclamation Associ-ation was born and named. I shall not review for you the story of how and who rocked the cradle of your association at that 1932 convention. It would be like quoting from mother's catechism. Suffice it to say—we have come a long way—we have laid many foundations—the structure is still building.
Turning, then, from history and the accomplishment that is the inspiration of these annual conventions—at the close of my third year as your president—I would like to tell you how I appraise what has been done at Washington, and in the states, since we were convened at Casper, Wyoming, in 1937, and direct your attention to some of the intimate problems that may profitably be considered by this convention.
What has happened in the year we are now marking off the calendar?
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 11
Answering the question—if we are trying in this convention to assemble reasons for grateful conclusions, first and foremost I wish to express a firm opinion that reclamation is standing today upon a new and greatly improved revenue support. The Hayden-()'Mahoney amendment to the federal reclamation act is the most important and far-reaching congressional conclusion—insuring as it does continuous irrigation support—since the passage of the first reclamation law of 1902. Two amendments, first suggested at the Casper convention, were at once taken to Washington, and were soon on the way to enactment. First, twenty-nine million dollars of ac-cumulated naval oil royalties were transferred from the general treasury to the reclamation fund. Previous to this legislation, the bureau of reclamation had borrowed $15,000,000 from the general treasury. That item of indebtedness is now wiped out, and the balance, $14,000,000, is added to the reclamation revolving fund. Second, repayments of money invested in the large emergency irrigation projects, when these payments come back from the cost of reclamation construction, now go into the reclamation fund instead of the general treasury. This will make the revolving fund really revolve. The returning amount, based upon these emergency expenditures so far made, reaches a total of $318,000,000. Add to this further, like appropriations, under existent authorizations, and another probable $300,000,000 comes into the picture. The estimate has been made that within ten years these repayments will exceed $6,000,000 annually, and that within fifteen years they will exceed $10,000,000 annually. The last half of the seventy-fifth congress, therefore, made a great legislative contribution to western reclama-tion—a long time back-log provision.
The leadership of Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona and Con-gressman Edward T. Taylor of Colorado, chairman of the appropri-ations committee of the house, consistently supported as they were by a score and more other western senators and congressmen, merits appreciation, and the thanks of this convention.
The routine interior bill of the last session of congr-Fs supplied $41,000,000 for bureau and Indian reclamation projects. The public works administration and the works progress administration are assisting the present building program. Unexpended balances are reappropriated. The total of current funds available for construction at the moment is satisfactory with a single exception. The bureau of reclamation has been held down to an entirely inadequate and stingy amount for research and investigation. There ought to be at least a $500,000 item of this sort. A million would be more sensible. This construction department of the government needs investigating money to plan new work just as much as the engineers of the army, or those studying flood control, require funds for a like purpose. There is just one blunt reason for this present difficulty. The enemies of water conservation hope to kill the whole program by preventing studies that must precede intelligent building. This
indirect stab at reclamation is a vicious thrust under the belt. This convention may quite properly tell the congress what it thinks abut the matter.
I am ready to close this economic comment with a single sug-gestion. Within the present legislative setup there will be a low revenue spot before the emergency project reclamation repayments begin to substantially help the revolving fund. The National Rec-lamation Association can help devise a plan as we approach this contingency. We are told that it will require $50,000,000 construction money per year for the next five years if there is to be continpally progressive western reclamation.
Another lesson of vital importance to reclamation has been learned in thirty-six years of experience. The task is not complete when money has been supplied for construction costs. The general welfare of the individual water user upon each reclamation project is entitled to, and must have, continuous consideration from the beginning to the end of his contract—within a fairly measured ability to pay. I would like to express the confidence that there will soon be a carefully prepared federal repayment statute, under the provisions of which there may be sound business procedure, tempered with kind consideration for the man who wishes to pay what he can, and build his home. My opinion is that the authorized commission, appointed by the secretary of the interior, has made a careful and clarifying investigation of great value. This association has tried to help the commission in every possible way. It will follow up the findings of fact, and the recommendations to the congress following consideration by this convention. There will be new stars blazing out in the reclamation sky when we can say goodbye forever to old man moratorium, and go on our way under a congressional enactment with provisions fair to the government— fair to each home owner upon the land.
With a good repayment law—with fair administration—with dependable revenue—this association may wisely turn its attention more closely and continually to the welfare of the individual water user because, after all, if reclamation is to remain a fair and a sure national policy, it will be so because of the uniform success of each farm unit. To reach this happy conclusion there must be, I think, helpful solicitation with constant attention from the first flow of water upon the land to the day when the last contractural payment is made.
One thing more—we must try to send new investment dollars as quickly as we can whenever and wherever there is an evident need of supplementary water. There is a moral obligation, within the partnerships that are created by reclamation, to see that every irrigation farmer continually has a dependable water supply if in any reasonable way it can be made available. This means supple-mental water for hundreds of farms that do not now have it.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 13
We advocate reclamation as a sound national policy. At the Casper convention a year ago, I ventured the opinion that the states could help themselves by putting up some of their own money, as we are doing in my home state—Montana. The states can supply research and engineering, under proper organization. They can cooperate with the public works administration when such funds are available. They can add money to bring about feasibility in cooperation with the government or local agencies.
Montana, during the last three years, under its enabling water conservation law, has carried through sixtecn public works admin-istration projects. Nearly two thousand land owners have become water users. Beneficial water has been applied to 400,000 acres of land. There have been added to water storage in the state more than 300,000 acre feet. Completing this state reclamation story— there has been cooperation with the works progress administration upon smaller projects such as stock water reservoirs, flood diversion systems and certain types of storage reservoirs.
I believe our governor will approve, and I am sure there will be a strongly supported request, before the appropriation committees in the approaching Montana legislature, to supply $1,000,000 per year of state revenue for reclamation during the next two years. A double benefit is revealed in what the state has done for itself. We have added productive acres, aside from the irrigation projects which have been developed by the federal bureau of reclamation. The home effort leads our people to study the expenditure of their own dollars. Montana, I am sure, now thoroughly believes in the land and water doctrine—and we are moving into the opinion that the value is in the water. Therefore, Montana sells the water. May I add an opinion—the method of security upon the land—jointly or otherwise—is not perhaps the best way. The water is the thing of economic value. If we reach the happy time when the federal government and the states unite their reasonable financial ability, the sun will soon rise upon a day when this great western country where we live will use all of its available water in a beneficial way.
Anything like a complete study of reclamation, throughout the states that make up the membership of this association, reveals a most undesirable diversity in the statutes relating to private water rights and present lawful privileges. The legislative committee, or some other specially directed examination, can perform commendable service if fairly devised and more uniform laws of this sort are suggested, and their enactment urged. Present statutes have many archaic and non-serviceable provisions. They are a jumble as far as uniformity is concerned. Improved state laws would greatly assist government and state cooperation.
The federal government has expended, and, is still spending, large sums of money in public works and for general relief. It appears that the west, for the most part, favors useful public works. I do not wish to make detailed comparison, or to offer criticism, but
I can not refrain from one conclusion. A few days ago I was reading a summary of the federal relief assistance from July 1, 1935, to May 31, 1938, in the fifteen states that have membership in this National Reclamation Association—from the $4,000,000 expended in Nevada to the $242,000,000 expended in California—a grand total of $704,-182,345, in these fifteen states. Can anyone question a compelling opinion—if this great sum had been used for intelligent reclamation in the western march of time 50,000 (more or less) capable farm families would no longer have to travel or hunt for productive land. This national association is accustomed to keep well within the activities set forth by its constitution. It promotes, through a general effort, the cause of reclamation, cooperates with the bureau of reclamation, and supports such legislation as, from time to time, may find association approval. These objectives, however, make us look into almost everything that pertains to agriculture and to stock raising. They lead us to study the disposal of farm products at home, and the trade treaties that affect what comes in. Indeed, I am much concerned now about the bulk of agricultural imports, and the United States acres thereby displaced. I know that many water users, farmers and stockmen of the west feel the same concern. Some of the farmers are coming to believe that the benefit checks they receive in a year do not even up the injury suffered from several billions of annual imports of cattle, wheat, lumber, and all sorts of meat and food products. A trade treaty may be of advantage to the whole country, and at the same time sell the farmer down the river. I am not talking against trade treaties. I believe in them, but I do think it is proper to find out, by fair investigation, what agricultural imports from such countries as Canada and the Argen-tine are doing to the natural resource production of the west.
What shall we say about today and tomorrow?
Nearly forty federal projects supporting 3,000,000 people—a million people on 50,000 irrigated farms where there was almost nothing at all-138 storage dams and reservoirs-20,000,000 bene-fitted acres—projects under construction will add 2,500,000 acres —one-half the forage for livestock produced on irrigated land—I am only repeating what you know.
Looking ahead, some of the experts tell us we ca1 only irrigate 10,000,000 acres more in the west. I think the estimate is too small. I have the temerity to raise and make this prophecy 20,000,000 acres. If this be so, the job is only one-half done. Research and study are continually widening the field of endeavor. In a checkup
or
what has been done and what there is to do, it is revealed that we are coming out of the diversion, and into the storage period of reclamation. We have come a long way from the first ditches carrying water to great multiple enterprises like Grand Coulee, to the Central Valley of California project, with its big Shasta dam, to the already justified Boulder dam—marvels of engineering and utility. As we go on, wherever water falls or flows, it will be ourAPPRECIATION OF WARDEN'S SERVICES 15
purpose to use it. Flood control and reclamation will join hands in helpful building. Power will raise water to higher levels. We will use water nearer the source. We will use it over and over again. The storage of water may not only work out a benefit to the land, but it may, through equalization of flow, assist other uses down the river, including power. Rivers will flow in tunnels that pass the mountains. Water will be stopped as it rushes down the dry coulees in the flood flow of each spring season. It is clear enough that I can only give you an imperfect outline of what this association will find to do. The engineer of tomorrow must complete the picture.
If the humble directive part I have had in the work of this association will permit, I would like to say at this seventh annual convention that I think your association is adding to its strength year by year—it is making new friends in the east as well as in the west—it is becoming an organization national in importance— advocating reclamation because it is good for every state and every section of a great country—upholding a national policy worthy of nationwide support.
To the friends of reclamation, as we convene for this seventh— shall I say sabbatical year—convention:
Dry years may come again. There may be dust upon the prairie. There may be difficulties we have not met. Always keep to the text—You are trying to make a new and better western America. Failure is in not trying. There can be no failure if you keep trying. As long as fifteen sovereign states plead the cause, and keep the faith, there will be new green pastures, there will be bountiful harvests upon expanding acres year by year, self-support-ing homes will multiply—there will be a contented people livself-support-ing in a new west if you push along to the end of the reclamation trail.
A RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF PRESIDENT WARDEN'S SERVICES
Robert W. Sawyer: Mr. President, at the meeting in Casper last year in recognition and appreciation of your efforts as president of this association and your assistance in conducting the proceedings, there was presented to you a gavel. As the land without the water and the hammer without the anvil, so the gavel without the furniture on which you can pound, particularly where it becomes a case of saving the furniture of the convention city. Therefore, there has been prepared for presentation to you at this time, furniture to, accompany your gavel. I hold it up for your inspection.
The gavel that was presented had an interesting history and this, I don't know what to call it, has even a more interesting history. The gavel, if I remember, was made of wood from orange trees that had died for lack of water. There were other interesting California woods involved. This is wood from a buckeye tree. An emigrant started from Ohio years ago who carried buckeye in his
pocket. He was bound for California and he carried these for the sole purpose of warding off the rheumatism he knew he would find when he got there. On the way he changed his mind and decided instead of going to California to go to Oregon and so threw away the buckeye. One of them grew. It is from the wood of the tree that grew from that buckeye that I now take pleasure in presenting this gift to you.
PRESIDENT WARDEN RESPONDS
0. S. Warden: Judge Sawyer and delegates of the conventiorl I am still a young man. It will be a long time before I have any rheumatism. I traveled when I was a young man from New Hamp-shire to Montana. Therefore, I didn't get headed for Oregon. I think perhaps the Oregon trail was too long. Anyway I stopped in Montana. You know there is sometimes a tediousness in the performance of duties of this kind, but I have to say at this time that I have never done anything in my life with which there has been more pleasure connected. It is my firm belief that this water proposition is the only way out. All of the things that we build in this great country of ours will some day pass away except these natural resources. I sometimes think when we see the troubles over the world of various sorts that perhaps when we get down on our knees at night and say our prayers, we ought to thank the Good Lord in Heaven that we live in this great western country which still has natural resources which we can conserve and restore and keep and always have. I will only take a moment to add that I thank whoever may have had the kindness of heart to make this second presentation to me and I shall treasure it with the gavel as long as I may live.
Proceeding with the program we are now coming to essential business. I believe the next item is the report of the treasurer. We will see how we stand financially. Is the treasurer of the association ready to report?
THE TREASURER'S REPORT
By H. Lloyd Miller, Treasurer, Sunnyside, Washington IT. Lloyd Miller. Treasurer's report. October 11, 1938. The balance on hand beginning the fiscal year, $5,701.77; received from states during the past year, $19,221.50; received from miscellaneous sources, $4,850.00, making a total of $29,773.27.
The disbursements during the year: The treasurer's office $379.52. That is what it cost to collect this money and that was made up in stenographic work; about $18.00 in stamps; about $13.00 in telegrams and a few other small items. The checks that I passed on to the Washington office, $23,500. Cash in the old National bank at Sunnyside, Washington, $3,880.75. Cash in my pocket $2,013, (I want to say right now I am under $15,000 bond and I expect to be released this afternoon) making a total of $29,773.27. •
TREASURER'S REPORT 17
Now here is an item that does not exactly relate to the foregoing but is a matter of cash assets right now, today. The balance in the Washington office is $1,845.63. We try never to let that office get depleted. The cash in the bank is $2,380.75 and the cash in my pocket $2,013, making cash on hand $7,739.38.
Now, I will break this down a little. Some states raised a little more than their quotas. Some states didn't raise quite the quota. Some states raised the exact quota: Arizona, $1,200; California, $4,905.50; Colorado, $1,667; Idaho, $1,017; Montana, $1,248; North Dakota, $250; Nevada, $360; Oregon, $1,015; South Dakota, $250; Utah, L315;$ Washington, $5,155 Wyoming, $778 Texas, $8.00 Nebraska, $51.00, and other states, $2.00. New Mexico has nothing recorded here but I must tell you about New Mexico and Texas. Last year at the Reno meeting the delegates from Texas and New Mexico each took out a ten dollar membership for the irrigation districts they represent and $1.00 for each one of the delegates so there is $22.00 that is not credited to those states because it was reported last year. The miscellaneous contributions were $4,850, making a total of $29,773. There is another note that I made here. Last year California over-subscribed $250. That item is not shown in this $4,905.50 but this year there is a very close race. California and Washington each over-subscribed $488. I think that completes the report. Are there any questions?
RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF THE WASHINGTON OFFICE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF WASHINGTON, D. C. OFFICE NATIONAL RECLAMATION ASSOCIATION
October 1, 1937 to October 1, 1938 Balance in Washington office account, October 1, 1937 Receipts by check from H. Lloyd Miller, Treasurer
Budget
$ 743.83 23,500.00 $ 24,243.83 Actual DISBURSEMENTS Allowance Disbursements President's Budget $ 2,000.00
2,824.92 Secretary's Travel Expense 3,000.00
Furniture and Fixtures 1,000.00 151.75
Rent 1,200.00 1,125.00
Office Supplies 600.00 127.06 Printing and Mimeographing 3,000.00 2,975.56 Postage and Express 1,200.00 1,203.76 Telephone and Telegraph 900.00 381.68 Books and Publications 100.00 109.93 Salaries and Extra Help 14,000.00 11,650.00 Miscellaneous and General Expense (including
Social Security and D. C. Unemployment
taxes) 3,000.00 1,848.54 $30,000.00 $22,398.20 Balance in Washington office account, October 1, 1938 $ 1,845.63
Respectfully submitted,
0. S. Warden: Gentlemen: I did not know myself until the report was read how gratifying it is. We started out to raise a budget of $30,000 I believe. We have passed through the treasury more than $29,000. That seems to me a prety good record. I assure you that we will keep the bond in force until we get the $2,000 out of the treasurer's pocket into the bank. If there' is no objection this report will be referred to the auditing committee for the usual audit that is given at each convention by the auditing committee. Those who will audit our accounts are Mr. Bundy of Utah, Mr. Bricker of Montana and Mr. Lampert of the state of Idaho. I believe that disposes of the treasurer's report in the proper fashion. The next item on the program is the presentation of what we are to do in regard to finances for the future, by the chairman of the budget and finance committee, Mr. Fauver of California.
REPORT OF BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE By J. R. leauver, Chairman, Exeter, California
J. R. Fauver : Mr. President and friends of reclamation: We certainly should feel very happy after hearing the report of the treasurer because immediately after a convention it is always diffi-cult to get a financial program underway for at least the first two or three months and now to know we have a sufficient amount in the treasury to carry us over that period, is going to assist the budget and finance committee materially in getting our program off to an orderly start.
The matter of financing an association is one calling for serious consideration on the part of each director and those he may call to the front to assist in the gathering of sufficient funds to meet the quotas assigned to their particular state. It will be the policy of the budget and finance committee to furnish monthly to each director a statement showing the progress of our financial program and we trust that you will give your director your complete cooperation in the completion of your state budget at an early date. After careful consideration the budget and finance committee have the following to report:
The experience of the past year has demonstrated the value of fixing an annual budget, and maintaining a comprehen'sive plan of definite quotas for the various states to sustain such budget. This experience has also proven that with minor exceptions, the state quotas fixed for the past year were fairly apportioned.
Your committee, after reviewing the activities and expenditures of the past year, and estimating the expenditures necessary for the ensuing year, finds that $30,000.00, being the same amount as was budgeted last year, will be necessary for the proper conduct of the association's activities for the coming year.
While the estimate of $10,000.00 receipts from miscellaneous sources was not attained during the past year, your committee feels
BUDGET AND FINANCE REPORT 19
that that sum may be obtained from these sources during the coming year, and has accordingly allotted $10,000.00 as receivable from miscellaneous sources.
Your committee, therefore, recommends the following quotas of income to be paid in during the ensuing year:
Miscellaneous sources $10,000.00 Arizona 1,200.00 California 4,667.00 Colorado 1,667.00 Idaho 1,000.00 Montana 1,200.00 *Nebraska 1,000.00 Nevada 267.00 *New Mexico 667.00 Oregon 1,000.00 *Texas 1,000.00 Utah 1,000.00 Washington 4,667.00 Wyoming 1,000.00 North Dakota 250.00 South Dakota 250.00 Total $30,835.00
The following is the budget of expenditures recommended by the committee and approved by the board of directors:
President's Budget (including travel and expense) $ 2,000.00
Secretary's Travel Expense 3,000.00
Furniture and Fixtures 1,000.00
Rent 1,200.00
Office Supplies 600.00
Printing and Mimeographing 3,000.00
Postage and Express 1,300.00
Telephone and Telegraph 900.00
Books and Publications 100.00
Salaries and Extra Help 14,000.00
Miscellaneous and General Expense 2,900.00
Respectfully submitted, $30,000.00 BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
J. R. Fauver, California, Chairman Hugo B. Farmer, Arizona
H. Lloyd Miller, Washington N. V. Sharp, Idaho
Charles B. Stafford, Wyoming *Note: See changes made later by the convention.
Mr. President, I move the adoption of the report. (The motion was seconded by H. B. Farmer.)
0. S. Warden: The convention of course can adopt this retort now as a finished item or we can leave it until the last afternoon, at your pleasure. It has been moved and seconded that the convention adopt this proposal of finances for the coming year. Are there any remarks on this motion.
The motion was so ordered.
0. S. Warden: On the program at this time appears a report of the legislative committee. Is Mr. McColl, the chairman, ready to make a report at this time? I might say this while the chairman is coming to the front. The legislative committee during the past year has functioned as was intended by the action of the last convention. Whenever we have called upon the committee it has been most helpful in all that we have been trying to do in Wash-ington and other places.
REPORT OF LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE By John B. McColl, Chairman, Redding, California
John B. McColl: Thank you, Mr. Warden. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of the convention: Up to and including 1936 the legislative committee of the National Reclamation Association cooperated with the resolutions committee in preparing a program or policy for the association. In 1937, however, by amending section 12 of the constitution you provided that "first the committee on legislation shall cooperate in securing the enactment of legislation proposed by the association and enactment by the congress of the United States, or second, by legislatures of the several states repre-sented by the National Reclamation Association."
During the past year your committee has endeavored to co-operate with and work closely with the president and secretary-manager of the association in promoting a general program of reclamation. A number of members of the committee as well as its chairman spent months in Washington conferring with members of congress and of the senate and the bureau officials and others on reclamation matters.
As a number of agencies of the government are engaged in the construction of public works it was found necessary for your com-mittee, as well as for the executive officers of the association, to cooperate with these other groups to the end that a constructive national program of public works has been approved by the congress and by the president. This has proved to be sound policy and bene-ficial to all concerned.
As the eleven western states have about ten per cent of the membership of congress, it is very necessary that these western congressmen work closely together in support of reclamation. I am very happy to say that during the past year the congressmen in the western states have presented a solid front in behalf of the whole reclamation program. The congressmen who have small reclamation
REPORT OF SECRETARY-MANAGER 21
projects within their districts stood solidly behind the large projects, and those having the large projects united in the fight to provide revenues for the smaller projects as well as to win new sources of revenue for the reclamation fund, which helps primarily the smaller projects.
From time to time, it is necessary that even our own congressmen be made cognizant of the desires of their constituents that certain legislation be actively sponsored and supported. Your committee consisting of one member of each of the reclamation states has from time to time called upon you to send letters or wires to contact your representatives, asking them to support certain measures. This has been helpful in convincing our congressmen of the merits of our cause and of the necessity for their support. In the future it will probably again be necessary for members of your legislative committee to call upon your legislators for assistance and I hope you will respond as promptly and as enthusiastically as you have during the past year.
May I say that your secretary, Mr. Hagie, has held weekly gatherings in Washington at which reclamationists foregathered to discuss pending legislation and to consider ways and means of having it adopted. This is a most worthwhile activity and if any of you are in Washington during the sessions of congress, may I urge you to get in touch with Mr. Hagie and attend these weekly meetings. Your and your projects will be benefited.
In conclusion, may I express on behalf of the legislative com-mittee our appreciation of the splendid work accomplished by our western senators and congressmen. The reclamation program is one of the most constructive national activities and without the splendid leadership, support and cooperation of each of our western senators and congressmen, little could have been accomplished. They are a splendid group of men working honestly for the cause of reclamation—for the progress of the western states. Thank you. 0. S. Warden: Mr. McColl, I take it that your report having no recommendation in it to be acted upon will be received and made part of our permanent record. If there is no objection that will take place at this time.
We now come to our secretary-manager's report. Mr. Hagie: REPORT OF SECRETARY-MANAGER
By Floyd 0. Hagie, TVashington, D. C. Floyd 0. Hagie: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen: The year just closed has probably been the most fruitful of the seven since the National Reclamation Association was formed to serve the reclamation interests of the west.
Armed with a forward-looking constructive program designed to aid the old operating districts as well as to advance the con-struction on new projects—as set forth in more than a dozen
resolutions which you unanimously adopted at the meeting last year in Casper—and with not a single dissenting western voice, your association's committees and officials were off to a good early start this year.
Because there were no dissenting voices from the west, your congressmen and senators were in a position to put their best efforts back of your program without a hitch and with the least possible amount of lost motion.
The association's growing membership of water users, irrigation districts, farm and commercial organizations and individuals from all walks of life were also able to lend a volume of support— personal, moral and political—of inestimable value in pushing several of the items in your program forward for favorable con-sideration and action.
The procedure and operation of your Washington office this year followed very closely the procedure and methods which were outlined to you in my report last year and which I will not take time to repeat.
The group of men who are permanently in the nation's capital who are interested in reclamation matters and those who come to Washington from time to time in the interests of their particular projects and problems, held conferences again this year as last. There, every week, around the dinner table, the plans were laid, the work divided and the efforts of all were coordinated to ac-complish the tasks which you in your resolutions had laid upon us, so that very definite progress was made upon all but one of the subjects covered in your resolutions of last year—and that may yet get favorable action!
The answer to many of your requests as expressed in the Casper convention resolutions will be found in the eleven recommendations of the reclamation repayment commission's report which you will have before you tomoriow afternoon. The officers, directors, and committees of the association found the members of this commission energetic, cooperative and tireless in their search for the facts upon which they might propose a solution to the many vexing problems which have risen in connection with the operation of the federal and Indian projects of the fifteen western states. I have never seen
i.L more serious and conscientious effort. Many of the officers,
directors and members of the association have had the opportunity of conferring with the commission and its members on the matters embodied in the commission's recommendations, and I have no doubt were helpful to the commission in bringing out the con-structive group of suggestions which are now up for the considera-tion of the reclamaconsidera-tion interests of the west and the committees of the next congress. I believe that a full and free discussion of all phases of each and every recommendation contained in the commis-sion's report, and proper action thereon, constitutes the most im-portant task before this convention.
REPORT OF SECRETARY-MANAGER 23
In the light of the commission's finding and recommendations, I feel that the association's support and efforts in behalf of the lIatch-Borah-White bill (now known as public law No. 331 of the 75th congress) creating the commission, is not only justified as providing the best approach to a solution of the problems, but it definitely places responsibility upon this association to sponsor legislation in the next congress that will translate such of the recommendations as may meet the approval of this body into federal statute.
In addition to the far-reaching work of the reclamation re-payment commission, the year has seen a half dozen other ac-complishments consummated that are more or less epoch-making in importance.
First—about the middle of February our office was advised by officials of the Civilian Conservation corp that the president had made a ruling that when the 34 CCC camps then working on rec-lamation projects were completed on their present programs, about June 1, no future work by CCC camps would be undertaken on reclamation projects of any kind and that all reclamation camps would be transferred from the bureau of reclamation to other agencies.
The CCC camps, as you all know, had been doing some out-standing work for a number of irrigation projects—work which if not done by them would eventually have had to be done by the bureau or the irrigation districts themselves at considerable ex-pense. It is said that each camp represents a cash outlay annually of about $240,000 per camp. These 34 camps were, therefore, doing in excess of $8,000,000 of work annually throughout the west.
As many of you know, your office immediately took the matter up with the men and districts affected in the west and with their representatives and senators in congress, and within thirty days had secured a reversal of the decision so that the camps were not only retained at work under the direction of the reclamation bureau, but later another 10 camps were added—now federal reclamation projects are profiting by more than $10,000,000 worth of CCC camp work annually—a signal victory made possible by the concerted action of an association of western states.
Another matter—for several years every discussion which has had as its purpose to replenish the reclamation revolving fund, or to find new sources of revenue for reclamation projects, has touched on the possibility of diverting the revenues which accumulate year after year from leases operating on the naval oil reserves to the reclamation fund. A year ago our office made a rather compre-hensive study of the naval oil leasing act, its history and operation. Last winter we completed our study and found that if the naval oil revenues had been treated the same as similar revenues from oil leases on the public domain, the reclamation fund would have been enhanced more than $29,000,000.
t At the same time we gave study to the possibility of getting legislation through congress which would cause the projects—large and sinall—which have and are being constructed by PWA, emergency funds, and by appropriations direct from the treasury, when completed and once start to make their repayments, to make those repayments to the reclamation fund rather than to the general treasury. This appeared to be the most lucrative move potentially that could be made—if such legislation could be passed by the congress.
President Warden came to Washington and together we started a personal canvass of leading senators and representatives to determine, in our own minds, whether or not such legislation could get sufficient support to insure its passage. We finally concluded that with the right leadership and the active support of every westerner in both houses of congress, there would be a strong possibility of success.
Senator Hayden of Arizona and Senator O'Mahoney of Wyo-ming championed our cause in the senate, and Congressmen Scrugham of Nevada, Hill of Washington, Dempsey of New Mexico, and Robinson of Utah in the house by introducing bills—while Congressman Taylor of Colorado, Leavy of Washington, White of Idaho, Greever of Wyoming, Carter of California, and others too numerous to mention, assumed leadership in organizing their western colleagues to systematically get the support of their friends in the lower house from the middlewest, east and south for the proposal
when the matter might come to the floor for a vote.
Through the effective generalship of Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona, the matter was offered in the senate as an amendment to the 1939 interior supply bill, with administrative approval, and was passed.
In the house the measure met the hurriedly enmassed opposition of all of reclamation's proverbial enemies, but the work of our friends had been so thorough that the measure carried by fourteen votes. No measure ever had the consistent help of so many friends of reclamation working for weeks in its behalf as did this measure. Its passage was truly a western victory wrought by fife tireless work of scores of men in and out of congress.
The measure added immediately $29,725,000 to the reclamation fund, $15,000,000 of which was used to liquidate an old loan from the general treasury, leaving in excess of $14,000,000 residue in the fund for immediate use.
Of still greater importance was the other portion of the amend-ment which makes the projects built by the $318,796,000 of emer-gency, PWA and direct treasury allocations and appropriations which have been made to date, repayable to the reclamation fund instead of the general treasury. When it's considered that from $300,000,000 to $500,000,000 of such funds additional are likely to be made available in the future to continue the present construction
REPORT OF SECRETARY-MANAGER 25
program, the real significance of the measure becomes apparent. By this one act, an amount in excess of all expenditures of the bureau of reclamation from the passage of the act in 1902 to the present time are immediately assured of ultimate payment to the reclamation fund, and as much or more potentially assured for future new construction.
A third matter of great importance to the great plains and the west received much attention during the year. The need for the great plains water conservation program was the progeny of drought and disaster, it was conceived in the heart of the dust bowl, and through the labors of the people of the northern great plains states, was destined to be born at the third session of the seventy-fifth congress. The effort of several great plains senators to earmark PWA and WPA funds for such a purpose once threatened premature arrival, but administration opposition to earmarking delayed the actual birth of the program until the closing days of congress—and then, caught in the convulsions of the closing hours, it fell into the hands of its enemies and was actually born a more or less hopeless cripple.
When the efforts of Senator Wheeler of Montana and of Sen-ators Frazier and Nye of North Dakota to earmark funds from the lending-spending bill for a water conservation program in the great plains states failed, and the administration realized, that the new public works bill was not like the previous bills in that the president could not make allotments for federal projects unless they were authorized by congress, the administration sent to congress the water conservation program in the form of a bill appropriating $5,000,000 from the general treasury and providing that the pres-ident could add as much WPA funds as he may choose. The request came to the senate during the closing hours of debate on the second deficiency bill, to appease opposition it was agreed that the $5,000,000 should be taken from Title I of the WPA section of the relief bill. It went to conference, where, to prevent delay and possible defeat, it was allowed to be ham-strung by adding the clause "Provided further that not to exceed $50,000 may be spent on any one project"—a hollow victory, but a victory nevertheless. A concerted effort should be made in the next congress to remove this deadening clause which was added by one who has never been friendly to western development.
Another stride in progress during the year, came in the form of a better understanding of our program by people and organiza-tions in secorganiza-tions of the United States where irrigation is little known and usually opposed. Three great organizations, whose previous interests have centered mainly in flood control, navigation or river and harbor development, have now come to understand that irrigation is but another phase of control and use of water, the last of these to express themselves firmly on this question was the National Rivers and Harbors congress, which convened in
Washington, D. C., January 20-21, 1938. Here is the resolution which they passed—listen to it:
"The bureau of reclamation of the department of the interior, in carrying out the purposes of the federal reclamation act, under-takes only such irrigation projects as are believed to be self-liquidating, and through the construction of such projects the highest possible use of the lands and water resources of the area are provided, including the conservation of water for domestic and irrigation purposes, flood control and river regulation, including pollution, abatement, water retardation, increase of low flow for navigation, and such other purposes as may be present.
"Because of migration of farm families from the drought area and from submarginal land, the demand for irrigated land is now far in excess of what the new federal projects can supply due to inadequate appropriations to carry the work forward as rapidly as could be economically pursued.
"The National Rivers and Harbors congress approves the pro-gram of the bureau of reclamation, urges that the propro-gram be speeded up so that farm families made homeless by drought and erosion be given an opportunity for a new start on land with an assured water supply, and urges congress to make increased appro-priations to accomplish the above purpose."
How is that for an organization representing the four corners of the country—can you think of a stronger endorsement! Reclama-tion has acquired many valuable and understanding friends during the past year or so, but none so valuable and satisfying as those among the groups who, too, are interested in some phase of the control, conservation and use of water in the other sections of the -United States.
Still another question of national importance which has had the attention of this association for the past several years is the so-called regional authority bills which would divide the country into regions similar to, and for the same purposes, as was the Tennessee valley authority created, which has been the subject of much discussion and controversy recently and is now undergoing a congressional investigation.
A year or more ago we often heard the Norris regional authority bill and the Mansfield regional authority bill referred to as "must" legislation. The undeniable opposition of a great majority of the people and the states of the west to such a denial of the right of self-determination as provided in these bills, has caused your office to work with some of the western leaders in congress to bring out a less drastic measure embodying the more or less universally approved features of planning and coordination, but omitting the really objectionable so-called "authority" features.
The Hayden amendment, in the nature of a substitute to H. R. 7365 (the Mansfield bill) was the result. It sets up:
;
REPORT OF SECRETARY -MANAGER 27
1. A national resources board of seven members (four appointed by the president for staggered four-year terms, and three designated by the secretaries of war, interior and agriculture).
2. Authorizes the board to formulate plans for flood control, reclamation and conservation of natural resources generally.
3. Provides for cooperation and integration of the activities of the several federal departments and bureaus concerned with con-servation work.
4. Limits the activities of the boards to planning without super-vision of actual construction.
5. Directs the submission of an annual report to the president with recommendations as to priorities for construction among con-servation projects.
6. Authorizes the establishment by the national board, of regional boards functioning under its direction and composed jointly of federal employes and residents of the region.
This bill, introduced and ordered printed in November during the special session, apparently had a far-reaching influence, for in March, after months of hearings on the Mansfield bill by the rivers and harbors committee, Congressman Mansfield, author of the original bill and chairman of the rivers and harbors committee, introduced a new bill (H. R. 10027) in which the regional authorities features were dropped—the new bill being fashioned largely around the ideas of the Hayden substitute bill.
It seems advisable that this association should now take official cognizance of the proposals contained in the Hayden substitute and in the new Mansfield bill (H. R. 10027) and appraise them for the future guidance of your Washington office and the people of the west. In any event, what was considered then a threat to local and state control of future western development is now not as formidable as it appeared a year ago!
Some progress has been made on the federal weed control bill. Opposed by the department of agriculture, the bill is being revamped by the western area weed conference. You will hear more of it later.
In the minds of those who are looking for the immediate funds with which to carry forward construction on their respective projects, perhaps the most important accomplishment of the year was the securing of $70,230,000 of appropriations and PWA alloca-tions for construction during the current fiscal year of 1938-39 on federal bureau projects, and in excess of $5,000,000 for similar purposes on the Indian bureau projects. The thing which too many fail to recognize, however, is that as much or more must be secured annually for the next six or seven years if the work is to be pursued on an economical basis to completion. Two new projects were authorized by the third session of the seventy-fifth congress—the Arch Hurley conservation district in New Mexico and the Twin Springs project in Idaho.
