Correspondence on Bonneville Unit of Central Utah Project

Page 165

Mr. John Hoffman January 17, 1974 Page 2 Ritter ex parte (truly ex parte since they are not parties to the proceeding) and talked with him in chambers regarding continuing the matter. They purported to represent Central Utah Water Conser­vancy District who we expect any day to intervene in the litigation. At any rate, they had talked to Nelson Day on the way down the hall to Judge Ritter's office and had thus been appraised of the talks between the government and ourselves. As a result of all of this, the court vacated the January 14 date. Unfortunately, the court did not then set a date for the preliminary injunction hearing, and we are thus in a holding pattern awaiting such notification. I add here that Judge Ritter is known for being eccentric in his handling of cases, etc. I do note, however, that undoubtedly the result obtained in this instance is fair and equitable save for the fact that everybody is in suspense waiting for the date to be set. We, ourselves, are protected as best we can be by the fact we have a motion for temporary restraining order pending on the file, we have the attached letter of the U.S. Attorney, and we can thus renew the motion attaching to it the U.S. Attorney's letter. During this brief interim between court appearances, we are availing ourselves of all discovery procedures available to us. Judge Ritter is a great admirer of pre-trial discovery procedures, and we are therefore applying ourselves diligently. The enclosed request for admissions and interrogatories represent our beginning efforts. Sometime before February 11, 1974, it will be necessary for me to depose Nathaniel Reed, Assistant Secretary of the Interior. This necessity is occasioned by the likelihood that Nat Reed will soon be leaving government to enter the political lists in Florida. I think it practically mandatory that we depose Nat Reed at the earliest date possible. You will recall his close involvement with the CUP through exhibit A of David Raskin's affidavit attached to the motion for temporary restraining order. A very heavy press campaign has been launched against us through­out Utah, but we are now taking steps to counter it. It would appear that our opponents may have gone too far and by their high-handed pressure tactics forced the working press into a position of sympathy with our point of view. The degree that this can work to the advantage of our clients is problematical, however, due to the entrenched opinions of the editors and publishers. In view of this very heated and intensely political situation, I am keeping strict control over and account of public statements made by our people. I cannot, of course, guarantee no slip-ups, but I assure/I will make every effort