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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Vegas Valley. These expert engineers agreed with me that the drilling of wore wells would net increase the net water supply to the City of Las Vegas hut on the other hand would tend to Increase the withdrawals from the underground basin and decrease the production of existing shells, it the present tine ^ the water engineers sre of the opinion thet the withdrawals from the Las Vegas basin are in excess of the replenishment of water In that basin, and it is obwlous that these ewer-drafts cannot continue, I will not go into detail with respect to these engineering features as other witnesses will cower that phase of the situation wore thoroughly* Any money spent for drilling of additional wells would be wasteful and would merely add to the cost of the Water Company system with the necessary increase in water rates but with no substantial benefit te the water supply obtained. It is, of course, necessary for the water users to pay rates which will compensate the Water Cenpsny for all amounts invested in its system. When I tell you that at the present time the Water Company is not realising an adequate return on the present wains of Its plant and must seek an Increase in rates, you will realise the concern with which I view any sugges­tion for any Increased investment which will not result in sub­stantial benefits to the water supply, HR. CMMfOWt I*d like to ask the Chairman if this is a rate hearing or on the inadequacy of water. It seems to me much of this is directed towards rates, and for my information, I would like te know whether the rate question is to be consider- 106,