Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. In 1934, with plans in place for United States Reclamation Service and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to build Parker Dam on the Colorado River between Arizona and California, Arizona governor Benjamin B. Moeur protested the diversion of water to California by sending members of the Arizona National Guard to the dam construction site. A local ferry service also participated under the informal name of the Arizona Navy. Nellie T. Bush, in suit, stole, and hat, standing, and Joe Bush, in suit and tie, seated, another man in suit and tie standing behind him, in office with file cabinets at left, desk at right, bookcases in background Related to Los Angeles Times article, November 13, 1934, “Troops Near Parker Dam; Town Tense, Soldiers Due at Site Today, ‘Grand Show-down’ Expected Between Federals and Arizona Officials." … As workmen proceeded methodically with construction of their bridge across the Colorado River … reports that Arizona National Guardsmen are on their way from Phoenix electrified this frontier town this afternoon … “We are going ahead until we have received a written order from the Department of the Interior to stop work.” … no orders from headquarters to stop work. … criticism of Gov. Moeur’s action. … On the other hand, the Governor has his friends. Along with the report that the militiamen are coming, it is said the Gov. Moeur has accepted the offer of co-operation from Joe Bush, proprietor of the “Arizona navy.” Joe, who owns the main hotel here and the “navy,” … said … “the Julia B. is going to see action again. We are going up the river.” “When are you going to shove off?” he was asked. “Oh, you don’t think we are giving out military information do you?” He admitted, however, that he has given orders to “Admiral” Nellie Bush, his wife and newly elected State Senator from Yuma county, to make the ship ready for action. … Text from nitrate negative sleeve: (unidentified)
Type
image
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
0533 uclamss_1429_0533 ark:/21198/zz002d9thf
Language
No linguistic content
Subject
People Government Parker Dam (Ariz. and Calif.) Bush, Joseph Everett, 1888-1972 Bush, Nellie May Trent, 1888-1963
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