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RE: LAS VEGAS VALLEY WATER DISTRICT Los Angeles, February 17, 1949 80-8 Mr, T. W. Bockes: (oc - Mr, Wm. Reinhardt) Supplementing my letter to you of January 19th regard­ing the above district, I have been discussing with Mr. Reinhardt the matter of condemnation action by Las Vegas Valley Water District to acquire the water producing and dis­tributing facilities of the Railroad,and Water Company at Las Vegas in the event we were unable to agree with the Dis­trict upon a sales price, I have been somewhat concerned with the treatment we might get from a local jury In Clark County, Nevada In such a suit, I am Inclined to believe we might be better off, , at least no worse off, to have the value of our property de­termined by the Public Service Commission rather than a jury. There is a proceeding In the California statutes where­by a public body seeking to condemn a public utility can Institute proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission. I believe the statutes of seme other states con­tain^ similar provisions. A law giving election to the plaintiff would be of no advantage to us. I therefore had drafted in somewhat brief form a proposed amendment to the Nevada condemnation statutes which would give any party to a condemnation proceeding in­volving public utility property the right to require a refer­ence of the issue of damages to the Fubllo Service Commission. The proposed draft will require some polishing up but it will give you an idea of the type of legislation I am thinking of. Both Mr. Reinhardt and I would appreciate having your views as to the advisability of such legislation and also your sugges­tions as to the form of the bill.