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Show HUNGRY HORSE PREDICTION 25 In short, we would like to go along with a sound de- velopment program in the Upper Basin but do not feel that proposed uneconomic policies should be approved. We also feel that the interests of the Lower Basin should be fully considered, such as the effect of any such projects on quantity and quality of water. James H. Howard, general counsel of the Metro- politan Water District of Southern California, advo- cated a more genial and tempered approach. He drafted the remarks he thought should go forward, and passed them around for comment among the official family and several members of Congress.23 It was Howard's opinion that the questions raised by the Board engineers properly were questions involving matters of national policy and should be determined by Congress. Said Howard: "It is recommended that, to the greatest extent consistent with national welfare, and subject to the Colorado River Compact, the upper basin of the Colorado River system be given all proper assistance in the development of reclamation projects, and that such development be carried on according to uniform standards of feasibility as determined by the Congress." Rep. Engle at once let it be known that he emphati- cally preferred Howard's draft to that proposed by the Colorado River Board. Engle's opinion at the time carried weight. He had done an outstanding job against the Arizona project, and there was no reason then to presume that he would not continue to defend California's Colorado River water fight. Neither Howard nor the members of the board were aware in 1951 that Engle was going to put on another hat in the near future. |