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Show COMPACT-REPORT BY HERBERT HOOVER A27 available. The basis for the recital in the compact that "the reservation of its waters for navigation would seriously limit the development of its basin" is therefore apparent. It is estimated by the Reclamation Service that some 4,000,000 acres of land at present arid, barren, unoccupied, and practically worthless can be irrigated from the waters of this river and made fertile and productive. Such development means population, prosperous homes, and thriving cities. There are power possibilities on the river involving the creation of millions of horsepower of hydroelectric energy with which to put into operation and maintain vast industries furnishing profitable employment. The possibilities of agricultural and industrial development are so great and their ramifications so far-reaching as to dwarf any values in the use of this river for navigation. Navigation and diversion for agriculture may not proceed economically together, for one necessarily impairs the other. These are the considerations which induced the declaration that the use of water "for the purposes of navigation shall be subservient to the uses of such waters for domestic, agricultural, and power purposes." It has been suggested that the approval by the Congress of the paragraph as to navigation might be considered violative of the international obligations of this country toward the Republic of Mexico. Upon this subject I call your attention to some expressions of official opinion. Hon. Albert B. Fall, Secretary of the Interior, in a letter to Hon. Addison T. Smith, chairman of the Committee on Irrigation of Arid Lands of the House of Representatives, discussed these international features and reached the following conclusion regarding this provision: The said paragraph (a), Article IV, of the compact would, in my opinion, be regarded as a violation of the rights of Mexico and, to say the least, might be made the basis of a claim against the United States. I am clearly of the opinion that said paragraph should not be approved by the Congress of the United States. Under date of December 30, 1922, Hon. Charles E. Hughes, Secretary of State, wrote Mr. Smith, in part, as follows: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of December 21, 1922, transmitting a copy of the bill (H. R. 13480) granting the consent and approval of Congress to the Colorado River compact, and requesting me to furnish your committee such information and suggestions as may be proper regarding the proposed legislation. The compact does not pertain to matters coming within the jurisdiction of this department, except insofar as the control and use of the waters of the Colorado River system may possibly affect the international relations of the Government. The fact that the Colorado River has international aspects and the possibility that questions of an international character concerning the use of the waters may arise, necessitating action by the Federal Government with respect to the distribution |
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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] : |