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Show LAST LEGISLATIVE FIGHT 275 Pointing out that the bureau required the Albonicos to sell their land in a price range fixed by itself- or in effect let it lie idle from lack of water - the judge had this to say, and said it: "In our view if it is constitutional and valid to say to a man who has acquired more than 160 acres of land 'You must sell your excess land at a price controlled by us, or we will deny you any further governmental service,' then it is just as constitutional to say again, 'You have reduced your acreage to 160 acres, but we now demand that you reduce it to 16 acres" . . . later . . . 1.6 acres. "If it is constitutional thus mandatorily to compel the sale of excess land at an artificial price, then it is constitu- tional and valid to say: " 'You own two newspapers; you are too powerful. Sell one of your newspapers at a price artificially controlled by us, or we will deny you any further paper stock from wood taken from the national forests.' "And just as constitutionally might the government say: " 'You have two automobiles. Sell one at a price con- trolled by us or you will get no more gasoline, and in order to enforce this, all producers of petroleum from govern- ment land must sign an agreement that no one will receive gasoline for more than one automobile.' "'Just as easily, it might be two or four or six head of cattle, horses, swine or sheep. . ." In Congress and out for more than six years the state of Arizona, and notably Senator Hayden, had carried on a filibuster to prevent the building of Hoover Dam. This fact was conveniently forgotten by Straus when he went to the dam to participate in the dedication of a new generator. In a speech he praised the "pioneering spirit" of Arizona, and he declared: 401 "If it wasn't for that pioneering spirit, you wouldn't be here today. I want to congratulate the people of Arizona for their pioneering spirit as I listen here to that golden voice of the Colorado River." |