Letter Concerning General Program to Settle Salinity Matter

Letter: From William P. Copple to Senator Carl Hayden, September 11, 1964 (photocopy), page 3WESTOVER, COPPLE, KEDDIE & CHOULES ATTORNEYS AT LAW Senator Carl Hayden September 11, 1964 Page Three 1. That we have always been assured that the sole problem is to improve the quality of water delivered to Mexico as a gesture of international good-will. 2. That the Wellton-Mohawk Board and the farmers have cooperated in this spirit as demonstrated by the tile and other works permitted to be installed to date. 3. That if further tiling of the District will not result in improving the water quality, what is the purpose of spending one more dime. If the resulting water quality is to be the same, how can we justify an expenditure of $75,000,000 or any sum of taxpayer money to say nothing of the harm, damage and inconvenience to our District and its farmers. 4. That it is obvious Mexico's purpose relates solely to quantities of water and the restriction of the rights of the united States in the use of our underground water and that we have no sympathy or desire to aid this purpose. 5. It is obvious that if this purpose is accomplished, Mexico will continue to object to the use of any drainage wells in the Wellton-Mohawk District, even if tile does not adequately drain the land. There are presently tiled areas where, because of localized conditions, tile has proven ineffective and only deep well drainage will work. 6. That in view of these facts, it is doubtful if even the presently proposed tiling program can be started and we will resist in every way possible the proposed crash program within the District. In other words, if tiling will not improve the quality of drainage water, then we want no more tile anywhere inthe District. Mr. Beatty then stated that the President was determined to solve the problem to Mexico's satisfaction and make an announcement to this effect on his visit there. He said that in the State Department there had been serious discussion of purchasing the entire District and closing it down.Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 2,062,856 byte