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Show 52 WAR FOR THE COLORADO RIVER Suddenly, numerous prominent persons in the Upper Basin states professed brotherly love for their "many friends" in Southern California. California officials weren't to be taken in by what was obviously a misguided psychological approach. Promptly Attorney Northcutt Ely, who had spent years fighting for California's Colorado River rights and would spend many more in the same capacity, warned that familiarity with Upper Basin natives could lead to dangerous misunderstandings and new troubles. Chief Engineer Raymond Matthew, having the same feeling, took to using "confidential" stamps on documents and correspondence, and advised his subordinates to be close-mouthed and cautious in both private and public conversations. The Upper Basin project sponsors were well aware that the strongest attack against the crsp would be made against its exposed repayment flank. They as- signed Gus Backman, manager of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, to attempt to weaken opposition in this quarter, and Backman turned to his "good friends" in California, one of which he claimed was the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. He quickly discovered that his popularity had de- creased. The essence of the Los Angeles Chamber's reply to Backman was: 1 - The proposal to credit interest earned on money advanced, to repayment of principal, rather than to consider it properly as a charge for hiring the money, is in itself, a false approach. 2 - We cannot get away from the fact that Uncle Sam has to pay interest on the money he borrows, and if this is not returned to the Treasury, it means that the taxpayers must pick up the bill. |
