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Show "The general welfare demands that the state be protected against the threat of such abuses." In response to this letter, the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives this afternoon drafted and introduced House Bill 367. In its original form this Act extended the powers and duties of the Underground Water Commission for one year, and could have served as a stopgap (for still another time) until legislative passage of an effective Underground Water Code can be accomplished. During its passage through the House, the bill was amended to give the Underground Water Commission an extension of life of just one month-until April 30, 1954. Thereupon, the House adjourned for the day so that the senate had no alternative but to pass the bill as it was received by the senate, and send it to my desk. This is the measure I have signed, solely to temporarily avert disaster, and in the belief that the sound judgment of a sufficient majority of the membership of the Legislature will yet prevail, and approve the code recommendations of its own Underground Water Commission. Just what is this code of which we speak, and what are its origin and history? In March of 1952, the Second Regular Session of the 20th Legislature adopted and I approved, on March 17th, an Act creating the Underground Water Commission. The Legislature directed that the commission be composed of 24 men with agricultural interests, representing all of the 14 counties, and that it thoroughly investigate the underground water situation and prepare recommendations for the 21st Legislature. To this commission I appointed 24 men divided by residence, as follows: From Maricopa County, 6; Pinal |