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Show 178 WAR FOR THE COLORADO RIVER Encouraged by the prospects in Washington, the Upper Basin states staged "victory rallies" at every crossroads. A "true facts" committee was formed under the dome of the Utah state capitol to work with the Upper Colorado River Commission.198 Across the nation the "truth" about the grsp would be carried, and even the schools would be invaded so that every Upper Basin moppet might hear the gospel. "We can't fight this battle without money," cried Utah engineer Clyde, and the Salt Lake Tribune agreed, and gave the Upper Basin commission the devil for spending only $2,606.53 for public relations in 1953 while the Colorado River Association of California spent $50,595.81 for the same purpose in the same period. A monstrous apprehension (about Echo Park) in the minds of the American public had to be corrected, bellowed the Tribune, and such a program could not be carried on with peanuts. Responding to the lash, the commission asked for a publicity fund of $25,000. Colorado, however, would not put up its share.199 However, some money did dribble in from the other states, but far from enough. Watkins rushed home from the McCarthy fracas to help. "I discussed the Colorado River Project with the President, and he reaffirmed his support of the project," Watkins told the press.200 "He said a considerable number of people had contacted him in opposition to the Echo Park unit but added that after flying over the site of the proposed reservoir and dam he could not see how it could possibly injure the area. "I was assured also that he would assist in any way he could to clear up misrepresentations about the project which had been so widely publicized." |