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Show LAST LEGISLATIVE FIGHT 265 ground storage basins at the present time to supply the farms within the proposed Central Arizona Project for a full century. "The U. S. Geological Survey recently issued a report which stated that more than sixty million acre-feet of water are now stored in the underground basins of Arizona. "This enormous amount of underground water in Ari- zona is close enough to the surface to be pumped eco- nomically by growers." It was recalled that Clay C. Elder, California hydro- logical engineer, had testified before the House com- mittee that at least forty-five million acre-feet of under- ground storage water were available to central Arizona within an economic pump lift. Murdock had accused Elder of having "x-ray eyes." The estimate of the Geological Survey was fifteen million acre-feet larger than that made by Elder. Obviously completely disheartened, Murdock never- theless plodded doggedly ahead, refusing to give ground. Throughout the session of October 2, he continued to plead for approval of S. 75, but to no avail. Murdock set October 10th for the next meeting. Early on that morning a number of committee members met at breakfast in the Congressional Hotel, opposite their offices. They had come to the conclusion that the con- tinuing battle over S. 75 was damaging the entire legis- lative program of the committee. It was getting late in the year. Some drastic steps had to be taken to stop the fighting. When the committeemen emerged from their private breakfast, they had agreed on a course of action. As Murdock called the committee to order, Rep. |