Letter from Walter R. Bracken (Las Vegas) to W. M. Jeffers, November 10, 1944

Las Vegas - November 10, 1944 (Personal) Mr. W. M. Jeffers: Referring to telephone conversation date with Mr. Cope regarding discussion of the water situation here with the chamber of Commerce November 3. I understand Mr. Guild furnished you with details under date of November 6, and Mr. Strong sent Me copy of his letter November 7 to Mr. Ashby, which contains a very good report of the discussion at the meeting. however I wished to advise you the background and reason for the meeting, and that is to make the public conscious of the necessity for conserving the under ground water supply in this basin. In 1940 we discussed with the State Engineer the possibility of seriously depleting the supply of underground water by promiscuous issuance of drilling permits in the Las Vegas Valley where more than 400 wells now exist. He advised that the policy of his office was to issue permits, and in the absence of any protest he had in fact no other course. However recognizing, the seriousness of the threat to the underground supply, he suggested the organization of a water conservation District in this Valley. This was done and the City of las Vegas, County of Clark and our company became members. A water Supervisor was employed, working under the direction of the state Engineer and his salary was paid through donations from the above named members until such time as authority couId be received to pay him from the State Tax Payroll. He is so employed at present and his duties are to close in those wells which are not being put to beneficial use. In May of this year we noted an unusual decline in the production of our wells, and at the same time two of the land owners located in the Immediate vicinity of the water supply filed an application to drill an additional well on their land. We felt that this would deplete-the supply of water to the Railroad and City, and therefore filed a protest with the State Engineer. The two land owners above referred to were members of the local Chamber of Commerce and felt that we were trying to monopolise the water in the underground channel. Mr. W. M. Jeffers -2- November 10, 1944 They fostered some agitation for bringing in a supply from Lake Mead through the Basic pipe Line and in order to bring matters to a head I requested the President of the Chamber of Commerce to arrange a luncheon so we could discuss the various angles of the problem with the Chamber of Commerce, City and County Officials and State Engineer. I convinced that the meeting accomplished a great deal of good towards "clearing the atmosphere" and advising the public through the Press of the importance of conserving this most valuable asset to the Community. As State Engineer Smith explained to them, the investment in the Basic Pipe Line is over five million dollars, and if the people of Las Vegas insisted, the supply could be brought in from Basic Magnesium Plant but it would cost a great deal more than the water retails at now and in addition the quality would be not near as good. Walter R. Bracken