Salt Lake Telegram | 1949-10-29 | Page 9 | Reclamation Leader Attacks Board for Project Control

Reclamation Leader Attacks Board For Project Control Group President Hits 'Dictatorship' On Eve of National Meet in S. L Reclamation projects should be controlled by the congress rather than under "a dictatorial board" responsible only to the chief executive, Harry E. Polk, Williston, N. D., president of the National Reclamation Asbil, laid in Salt Lake City Saturday. Mr. Polk will preside at the 18th annual N R A convention ; , ' '.I j i r next week In the Newhouse hotel More than 2000 delegates will seek a solution to the controversial problem of reclamation control, Mr. Polk said. Opinion Differences Differences of opinion will be centered on the proposed Columbia river basin project. Mr. Polk said the N R A favors construction under a cooperative setup which would Include five federal agencies. This agency program la opposed by advocates of a valley authority similar to the Tennessee Valley authority, which would place the basin's development under a three-man three-man board appointed by the president. presi-dent. The national president said the convention will consider recommendations recom-mendations on the liberalisation of repayment contracts between water users and the federal government. gov-ernment. He suggested that the federal projects act of 139 be revised re-vised to lengthen periods of repayment re-payment by users or to place repayment re-payment on a crop percentage basis. Second Meet Here The N R A convention will be a homecoming. The association is meeting here for the first time since its organisation in Salt Lake City in 193L The national board of directors will begin sessions Monday st 10 am. The convention proper la scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday Thurs-day and Friday. Advance registrations have passed all previous records, according accord-ing to T. W. Jensen, secretary, Utah Water Users Assn. Principal speakers will be Michael Mi-chael W. Straus, Washington, D. C, commissioner of reclamation; reclama-tion; Sen. Joseph C O'Mshoney (D, Wyo.). and Elmer B. Statts, Washington. D. C, executive assistant as-sistant to the U. 8. director of the budget. Harry E. Polk . . Becbunattoa president ts leaj eenventlea.