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Show Pace Friday April 18 1958 THE UTAH STATESMAN 2 THE UTAH STATESMAN n A Weekly Newspaper Devoted to Good Government" ' HARRY B. MILLER, Publisher ul H. V. WRIGHT, Editor 421 Church Street Phone EM WASHINGTON- - Congressional Entered as 2nd Class matter at the Post Office at Salt Lake City activity between now and adUtah, under the act of March 3, 1879 journment undoubtedly will conSubscription rate $1.00 per year tinue to be influenced primarily Published weekly at 421 Church Street, Salt Lake City, Utah by three factors: politics, the current busness recession, and NATIONAL EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION 1 958 the Soviet threat. Vol. 12; No. 16 Friday, April 18, 1958 POLITICE The election next November will be on the minds of most members of Congress most of the time. This is to be expected. And most members of Congress believe that, to get reelected, they must, generally IE speaking, try to please their constituents back home. This gives added importance to the Easter recess, during, which, members of Congress spent considerable time talking over their problems with their supporters back home. If a comBy George D. Clyde posite . of these conversations were possible, it would not be too In the 111 years of Utah history, the No. 1 springtime worry to difficult congressional over most of the state has been: Will we have enough water to action on a predict number of vital israise good crops? In this semi-ari- d land, water is the final con- sues awating consideration. trolling factor of our economy, especially of our agricultural RECESSION Consideration economy. of legLast year was a reasonably good one for most of the state, islation is inextricably ted up in especially for the southern part of the state which had suffered politics in some manner. The big "pump prithrough a prolonged drouth. Happily, prospects for a good water spenders are pushing continu and will programs ming" supply are even better this year than they were in 1957. The to do so fact that the despite April 1 Snow Survey Report and Water Supply Forecast, issued seven pears of 'pump priming by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with the failed to reduce unempleyment State Engineer and the Utah State University Experiment Sta- appreciably in the 3Ds. tion, indicates excellent water prospects through most of the states The Eisenhower Administration farming area, from Cache County south to the Arizona border. takes the position that the basic This is collaborated by the releases of the U.S. Weather Bureau. groundwork for economc reOur enjoyment of this happy prospect must be tempered, covery has been laid by expanding and speeding up existing however, by the recognition that the heavy snowpaclcs that programs and that any new excellent for some also hold next an water summer crash" promise supply spending projects are threat of floods. Floods which could be seriously damaging none inadvisable. It is contended that of us have forgotten the experience in 1952, I am sure if we do they would bring about huge not make some sensible preparations to meet any eventuality that may arise. In Alta, the famous winter resort above Salt Lake City, the snow depth last week was 179 inches, with a heavy water content. Tlie accumulated snow at Brighton is only a little less. If the weather shoud stay cold and wet a few weeks longer and then turn to a sudden and prolonged hot spell, the runoff could quickly reach flood proportions. I have noted with satisfaction that Salt Lake City officials have already launchced a program to clear the water channels tht may soon be taxed to the limit. I strongly urge other Utah communities that may be similarly threatened to take comparable action. Not only communities, but all irrigation companies, water user groups and individual farmers should act NOW to clear obstructions from their channels, bolster any weak spots along the banks an dotherwise be ready for possible flood-siz- e runoffs. A little work now could save thousands of dollars damage in a few weeks or a few days time. A IS IP 1ST from so-call- anti-recessi- on deficit spending which in turn would stimulate new inflaton. Prospects for tax - reduction legislation may be determined by the outcome of this struggle. The administration expects to decide whether to recommend a tax cut after receiving further reports on economic conditions. These reports are expected to tell whether a tax cut is desirable as a businecc stimulant. There is considerable support for such action. by federalizing the unemployment compensation system. In the House Ways and Means Committee, there seems to be no likelihood of action on the Administrations program for compulsory loans to the states by the federal government for supplemental unemployment compensation pay-- ' ments. Principal attention how is being given the bll introduced by of the Charman Mills Ways and Means Committee. This would provide for outright SOVIET The rapid growth in grants of federal funds to all federal spending,' triggered by states for extension of unemthe launching of Russias first ployment benefits. Sputnik, continues unchecked It was pointed out by a number and there is serious talk within Administration circles of a pos- of witnesses during the hearing sible $80 billion budget for the that both the Administration pro1960 fscal year. posals and the Mills bill involved Thus far this year, the House in essence a federal relief prohas acted on six appropriation gram in the guise of unemploybills. Instead of the substantial ment compensation. cuts voted last year, the House actually has increased the overall total by nearly $500 million. Unless the economy forces in Congress are able to check this backed by grass roots" trend there seems to be no support limit to what the big spenders and get in might demand the future. Huge excessive spending could bi-parti- san weaken the nation economically and thereby make more difficult resistence to the Soviet program for world domination. Sueh, in brief, is the general outlook in Washington. But a number of specific decisions are pending, including whether to weaken state's rights still further (D-Ar- k.) THE SMOOTHER BOURBON Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskay 6 Yrs. Old S6 Proof CAncient Ago Diet Co., Frankfort, Ky. PROPELLANT TO INSURE POSTERITY A typical situation is found on Beaver River, where the Rocky Ford Reservoir is already nearly full. If some water is not drained off now, the heavy runoff in May and June might cause serious floor damage-- or even weaken or destroy the dam. In view of this latter danger, the State Engineer has ordered release of water from the dam, in a schedule carefully planned to provide adequate storage space during the season of flood threat, but leave the reservoir full at the end of the peak runoff. State Engineer Wayne D. Criddle is acting on legal authority to forestall a threat to the safety of the Rocky Ford Dam. The flood control benefits will be incidental and secondary to this action. The State Engineer has no authority to order flood control measures, nor does any other state official. However, citizens and citizen groups should work energetically and intelligently in their own interest to prevent possible flood damage. The possibility of serious floods depends on a number of factors, the chief of which is the weather from here on out. A slow, even runoff over a long period of time would be ideal A sudden hot spell and a fast runoff could be damaging. Again let me urge you. to make ready for anything that may happen, by keeping a reasonable amount of reservoir storage space available for emergencies and by having all water channels in first class shape. Keep a close check on the snow surveys and the U.S. Weather Bureau bulletins. Utah-n- Let us all work together to make 1958 a banner year for ot marred by damage from the very water that brings life to this semi-dese- rt region. |