Gentlemen, that is a question that has to be solved, and solved in the proper manner. We are not here with any quarrel. We are going to try to work this out along proper lines. That is all we are asking for. There is no need of anybody getting excited over this or suggesting that there is any undue advantage trying to be taken. They suggest that the New Mexico Legislature did not ratify the compact. They did ratify the original agreement.

Mr. HUDSPETH. No; I made the statement, if you will pardon me, that they did ratify.

Mr. MORROW. I understand. Let me explain. One man got up and offered an amendment and the amendment carried, and the governor vetoed it. Why? Because it opposed the original compact. Now, what we want is that compact signed, and I want to say to you Western men who have your water rights to protect, if these compacts are not signed, what will be the result in the future? Litigation all the time. That is all we are asking for.

The gentleman representing the Fort Sumner project simply asks a raesonable time-a few days in which to get together among themselves. The gentlemen of this committee believe that a proper reservation should go in the bill if the compact is not ratified. You can not ratify it now because the legislatures are not in session.

Gentlemen, the water rights of the arid regions are what you are here to protect. Take nothing from the State of Texas, but everything that is due to New Mexico she is entitled to, and that is all we are asking for. We are bringing no quarrel before you. We come here in the proper light, and all we want is time to consider and get proper legislation.

The CHAIRMAN. If there are no further witnesses and no questions to be asked, we will consider the hearing closed.

(Whereupon, at 12 o'clock noon, the hearing was concluded and the committee adjourned.)