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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL November 4, 1944 J an Thia page is a regular feature 1 tv the Uas Vegas Evening Review- Journal and Boulder City Journal which are published evenings except Sunday in the Re view-Journal Building, 118 South First Street; Las Vegas, Nevada. The Review-Journal is entered in tne U S Postoffice at Las Vegas as second class matter. Sub* scrlption price $1.00 per month.by mail or carrier^ Member United-Press, Associated Press, American News-paper Publishers' Association. r . F. Garslde. Publisher Phone $ A_ E. Cahian, Managing Editor W e Must Solve Water Problem The water meeting held yesterday, at which state, county, city, Union Pacific railroad and cham­ber of commerce officials were present; provided the basis for a solution of the water supply problem in the Las Vegas valley and should be followed immediately by other .logical steps forward. The attitude of all concerned was of a concilia* t»ry nature and marks the first time in recent history that an aura of cooperation, has appeared*among the various groups. Past differences were forgotten and the conferees entered the discussion with an eye to the future and the solution of the problem which, if not solved, endangers development in the area. The Union Pacific officials were quite frank in their explanation of.the problems they face and cleared up a lot of questions that have remained unanswered fqr many years. They displayed a will­ingness to assist in the future development of the Las Vegas valley and with their influence solidly behind the citizens of this section, anything can be accomplished. There appeared to be only one loophole in the t discussion of yesterday. That was the fact that no one, apparently, has thought'of any answer to the problem confronting us in a lack oi water. While the state engineer’s office has been investigating the present source of supply and found it dwindling, there has been no thought of seeking a future supply. This must be done and done immediately. The BMI system is not for sale or disposal at the present time, for it will be needed in the manufacture- of chlorine and caustic for several months and possibly years. That changes the picture materially. A vigorous committee, which will probe the situation with a view toward developing future sources, should be appointed immediately and sup­plied with sufficient funds to make a survey of the situation and present an exhaustive report. The funds for this survey could well come from the industrial survey money planned by the chamber of commerce. For, after all, if the water supply is not available, industry cannot be lured here. There must be fast action, not because of any critical shortage of water in the area at the present time, but as protection for the future of the valley.