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Show 210 WAR FOR THE COLORADO RIVER mentioned that the project would damage the Grand Canyon and property belonging to Indians.296 As he girded for the floor fight, Senator Downey wrote each of his colleagues a letter. It contained one long sentence, the capsule description of the project prepared by the Colorado River Association (see page 132). February 6, 1950 Traditionally the Senate convened at noon. During the morning workmen carrying large posters entered the silent Senate chamber. They set them up in various places at the rear of the empty desks. The posters, standing six to eight feet high, had been sent to the floor by Senators Downey and Knowland. One of the posters told how the Central Arizona Project would cost the nation's taxpayers more than a billion dollars in interest, never to be recovered, in addition to the construction costs of the works. Another told what the taxpayers of each state would pay for the project. Another declared that farmers on the project would pay none of the costs, but that a 160-acre farm would receive a subsidy of more than a million dollars. The other posters presented additional facts about the project, pointing toward reasons for voting against it. The stage was set for the first floor fight on the Central Arizona Project, and shortly after noon Majority Leader Scott Lucas rose from his seat and called Senate Bill 75 up for consideration.297 This was the moment for which Hayden and McFar- land had waited several years. On the Senate floor they exuded confidence. Senators Downey and Know- land of California knew what they were up against. |