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Show HI HO, AQUALANTES 183 moval of Echo Park Dam, and said that the real op- position to the project came from eastern congressmen opposed to all reclamation and from California, which did not intend to let the Upper Basin use any water which might otherwise flow downstream. "Moreover," declared the Post,206 "oposition to Echo Park Dam will collapse within a few years at most be- cause the Echo Park site as it now stands will never develop into a popular resort and it will become obvious as time goes on that it would be foolish to ban an im- portant power and water development so a few boatmen can ride the tributaries of the Colorado River each year." Reclamation Commissioner Dexheimer got into the argument with the flat advice to the Upper Basin states to retain Echo Park Dam in the legislation.207 It was Dexheimer's opinion that the crsp had failed in Con- gress because it had been loaded down with projects not advocated by the administration. Dexheimer's publicity department was working nights and Sundays to tell the world about the wonders of reclamation (with taxpayers' money). One of the publications issued under the commissioner's signature was entitled "The Growth and Contribution of Federal Reclamation to an Expanding National Economy." 208 The Denver Post made a big story out of it, giving it the new title of "Prairie Dogs v. Prosperity." 209 The Na- tional Reclamation Association had the Post's story re- printed in pamphlet form and distributed nationally, with the enthusiastic comment that "reclamation, be- cause of the great contribution which it makes to the welfare of the nation, will continue to move forward." The pamphlet proclaimed: |
