"da Cruz, Daniel - Republic of Texas 02 - Texas on the Rocks" - читать интересную книгу автора (Da Cruz Daniel)

"Requiring the removal--correct me if I'm wrong-- of more than 1.3 billion cubic feet of solid rock?"

"I, uh, think that is substantially correct," said Jonas, his confidence ebbing fast.

"Through mountains charged with uncharted springs under high pressure, which if breached during drilling could flood the works instantly, killing hundreds?"

"Well, sir, as to that, I--"

"Go on, Mr. Jonas. What happens next, if our hundreds of workmen survive drowning?"

"The emerging waters," said Jonas hastily, "are channeled to the Great Lakes for distribution where needed and to the Missouri River, from which they can be withdrawn downstream."

"How very neat! And what will be the cost to the taxpayer of this little adventure in civil engineering?"

"I--ah--it is hard to compute, given the inflation over thirty years. I--"

"Let me help you," said Congressman Castle with a mongoose smile. "Would you say, for example, $900 billion, in round figures?"

Jonas mumbled something.

"Speak up, Mr. Jonas. We didn't hear your answer."

"I said," replied the miserable Jonas, "that that would be pretty close."

"In other words, an amount equivalent to our total social service expenditure for two years. On the other hand, we are buying a tremendous quantity of water, aren't we? Thirty-six trillion gallons a year I believe you said."

Jonas brightened. "Yes, it can supply six thousand gallons to--"

"--every man, woman, and child in the world. True, and Dr. Garbolotti told us that in 1964, 36 trillion gallons would have sufficed for our national needs for four months. But during the intervening forty years, as a result of the explosive growth of our population, manufacturing, and agriculture, water use has increased by a factor of seventeen--I'm quoting figures from your department, Mr.

Jonas. Now the question is this: How many days will NAWAPA's new water suffice for the United States, today?"

Mr. Jonas cursed Castle under his breath.

"Seven," he answered between clenched teeth.

"Therefore," said Castle, smiling wickedly, "we must expend $900 billion and the labor of whole regiments of men for two decades, we must transform the geography of North America, we must dislocate whole populations, and wreck the environment of the entire Midwest. And at the end of all this, we gain one week's supply of water. Is that the way you see it, Mr. Jonas?"

It wasn't, but Jonas hadn't gotten where he was by contradicting congressmen.

"Something like that," he compromised.

"The committee thanks you for your candor, Mr. Jonas," said Congressman Castle.

He banged his gavel.

"This session stands recessed until two o'clock this afternoon."

Minutes before he was due to resume the hearings, Congressman Castle received a telephone call from William S. Grayle.