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Show A STACKED COMMITTEE 13 7 reclamationists followed the Upper Basin senators and representatives in an unfaltering parade. When at last it ended, Senator Millikin induced Watkins to act as temporary chairman, and slipped out. Millikin had no wish to face the ordeal that was ahead of the committee, and he left his colleague from Utah to endure what they considered the off-key singing of the conservationists. Watkin's countenance reflected his profound aggra- vation as General Grant stepped forward, but Watkins had one thing in which he could take comfort - he was in command. Without hesitation he took advantage of his power. Witnesses supporting the bill had been permitted to read their prepared statements with little or no inter- ruption, but Watkins did not follow the custom with General Grant.154 Each time the courtly old engineer had read a few words, Watkins interrupted him, ham- mering at him with a series of questions, which for the most part he answered himself in lengthy speeches as he wanted them answered. As a result, the general's testi- mony had no continuity whatsover, and points he had wanted to make were lost in a maze of extraneous material. But Grant did not bend under the pressure nor display anger. He plodded on as best he could, until in the end, he and Watkins faced each other in a com- mon state of weariness. Perhaps in interrupting, discrediting and attempting to confuse Grant, Watkins had been only conditioning himself for an even greater ordeal to come, the facing of David R. Brower, executive director of the Sierra Club. Watkins had heard Brower before the House committee, and he knew the man's ability. For a few minutes he |