I have at long last finished the first steps in digitizing the Prendergast Collection! Hallelujah! After scanning through 139 documents and 1118 pages of largely bureaucratic reports of Californian water, it was refreshing to read this 1959 address by a SoCal district engineer…
“We must keep our eye on the primary objective here–the supplying of water to people. We cannot–we must not–permit other issues to become obstacles in the way of reaching that objective. In conclusion, I can only say that no matter what answer is evolved to any of the questions, there is going to be dispute about it. One thing is assured. The better part of wisdom would dictate that those decisions be based upon an informed and considered judgment. I know that some will attempt to interpret what I have said as an excuse for a lack of action. I want to assure you that such is not the case. It is the reason for taking time which is necessary in the public interest and which will permit sound answers.”
It was an inspiring sendoff to the Prendergast Collection. However, I’m not out of the woods yet, as completing the archival process will require deeper analysis. Looks like Prendergast and I will remain close for a good while longer…