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Show 252 WAR FOR THE COLORADO RIVER On that note the presentation of the California op- ponents ended. If there had been indications that the Arizona forces felt their position in the House Interior Committee was precarious, they were made manifest by the actions of McFarland and Murdock following the cancellation of the April 13th meeting. Together during the ensuing four-day recess they made a door-to-door canvas of the House committee membership, arguing, imploring, and offering trades for support for the project. A few minutes before the meeting of April 18th began, Murdock was called upon by several committee mem- bers who requested that they be permitted to make a motion pertinent to the situation before the taking of more testimony. Murdock had no alternative but to comply, and immediately after calling the meeting to order he recognized Rep. Saylor. Saylor said he wished to make a preferential motion, and told the committee: 355 "I move that HR. 1500 and HR. 1501 be postponed until such time as use of the water in the lower Colorado River Basin is either adjudicated, or a binding, mutual agreement as to the use of the water is reached by the states of the lower Colorado River Basin." The motion was seconded by Reps. Poulson and Engle. Now Rep. Miller disclosed that a number of the committee members had held a private meeting and had agreed that the motion should be made. Addressing his remarks to Murdock, he said: 356 *I think you and I are the oldest members on this committee. It seems to me it was five years ago we started some hearings on the division of the Colorado |