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Show -3- zona's interests. My reasons for that view are not the reasons advanced by some who originally opposed ratification, but they are fully as controlling. I still want to believe that if the compact had been ratified, containing provisions which if the interpretation placed upon them by competent authorities are correct, would be extremely dangerous, the Congress of the United States nevertheless would not have consented to become a party to the despoliation of a weak State to the enrichment and glorification, and at the instance of, a stronger and more powerful one; but in the making of contracts-solemn and binding contracts-we must deal, not in ideals but in stern practicalities, and we have come to the point where it is not hard to see what might have happened to Arizona had the compact been ratified. Mr. Winter. Are you now speaking in the present tense? Mr. Winsor. I have stated that I do not think Arizona, under prevailing conditions, will ever ratify the Colorado River compact. A little later on I shall elaborate on that and give you my idea of what Arizona would be willing to do in the matter of ratification of that agreement. Mr. Leavitt. Ratification of the compact as it is now written ? Mr. Winsor. Yes; the original compact. Various objections, most of them minor, many of them unworthy, have been urged against the compact, but there are two outstanding faults-one of commission and one of omission-which, under the interpretations which now seem most likely to be placed upon them, abundantly justify Arizona's declination to subscribe to it. The first one goes to the very heart of the compact, the major purpose |
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Original book: [State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, California, City of San Diego, California, and County of San Diego, California, defendants, United States of America, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Utah, interveners] : California exhibits. |