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Show 256 WAR FOR THE COLORADO RIVER most of all, because to date they have not been able to show you the water that is already being taken out of the Colorado. Only by delaying action and the hope that some future date may make it possible for them to show you, will they be able to justify their position. "I make this statement respectfully . . . but I did want it to be a matter of record and recognition between us that we have had a real lesson here in po- litical power." Rep. Bentsen, who had supported Arizona, was the first to protest. He said: 363 "I do not question for a moment the sincerity of any man on this committee. I don't believe this is a question of politics. I believe that these men sincerely felt as they voted." "As far as political power goes," said Yorty,363 "Cali- fornia feels this project wouldn't have got any part of the consideration it has, particularly in the Senate, except for the political power of Arizona because of its senators and their long seniority." Several other committee members, notably Crawford, Saylor, Engle and McMullen, similarly criticized the governor's statement. His face reddened as he listened to them. Murdock, understanding that Pyle had done nothing but increase the injury Arizona had suffered that morning, appeared to be profoundly sad and lonely. When several voices calling for adjournment were sud- denly heard, Murdock was glad to comply. He arose and stalked from the room without speaking to anyone. Infuriated by the action of the House Interior Com- mittee, Hayden and McFarland understood that they had only one hope of salvaging the project in the Eighty- second Congress. That was to get it passed as soon as |
